Tag: creativity

Create a cool beehouse for your garden!

Anyone can create a cool beehouse for their garden. All you really need is a drill!
Anyone can create a beehouse for their garden. All you really need is a drill!

Before my hike through the Sweetwater Marsh on Saturday, I took a stroll through the Native Pollinator Garden just outside the Living Coast Discovery Center. After reading a variety of informative signs, I paused in the garden to look at some very cool beehouses!

As I read about the beehouses, it occurred to me these would be extremely easy to make.

I took photographs just in case anyone reading this blog would like to make a beehouse for their own garden! Read the captions to learn more about the habits of ground-dwelling solitary bees and the materials you can use to make them a beehouse!

The Native Pollinator Garden at the Living Coast Discovery Center includes some very cool beehouses!
The Native Pollinator Garden just outside the Living Coast Discovery Center includes a couple of very cool beehouses!
Bees are extremely important. More than two thirds of the world's crop species rely on pollinators.
Bees are extremely important. More than two thirds of the world’s crop species rely on pollinators.
A large Feed a Bee Pollinator Habitat in the native garden provides shelter for solitary bees and information for the curious.
A large Feed a Bee Pollinator Habitat in the native garden provides shelter for solitary bees and information for the curious.
The rear of this bee condo! Holes have been drilled in a variety of materials, including logs, lumber and bricks.
The rear of this bee condo! Holes have been drilled in a variety of materials, including logs, lumber and bricks.
Solitary bees don't live in colonies. They often seek out hollows of fallen logs, bark and branches. They make up a majority of the 4000 bee species in the United States.
Solitary bees don’t live in colonies. They often seek out hollows of fallen logs, bark and branches. They make up a majority of the 4000 bee species in the United States.
A close look at the fun beehouse. I think even I could make one of these.
A close look at the fun beehouse. I think even I could make one of these.
Creating various hiding places attracts solitary bees, which can be as small as an eighth of an inch.
Creating various hiding places attracts solitary bees, which can be as small as an eighth of an inch.
Feeling inspired? Handy with a hammer and nails? Make your beehouse into a cool work of art!
Feeling inspired? Handy with a hammer and nails? Fashion your beehouse into a unique work of art!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Art from different colleges across San Diego.

Visitors to the gallery on the 9th floor of the downtown San Diego Central Library look at some fascinating artwork.
Visitors to the gallery on the 9th floor of the downtown San Diego Central Library look at some fascinating artwork.

A fantastic exhibition is now open free to the public in the 9th floor gallery at San Diego’s Central Library. You Are Here features work from art students and professors at 13 different institutions of higher education around San Diego County.

Not only is this exhibition an opportunity for talented artists to show their creative work in public, but visitors to the Central Library can learn a little about each school’s unique art program.

I took photos of some of the artwork. Please swing on by–you’ll be impressed by the quality of these imaginative, evocative pieces. You Are Here runs through May 6, 2018.

You Are Here, a special exhibition in the Central Library's gallery, collects the work of 26 artists from 13 different higher education art departments across San Diego.
You Are Here, a special exhibition in the Central Library’s gallery, collects the work of 26 artists from 13 different higher education art departments across San Diego.
Diverse examples of thought-inducing visual art attract curious eyes.
Diverse examples of thought-inducing visual art attract curious eyes.
Space Ships, Wendell M. Kling, Professor of Art, San Diego Mesa College, 2013-present.
Space Ships, Wendell M. Kling, Professor of Art, San Diego Mesa College, 2013-present.
Hubcap Milagro for Chunky, David Avalos, Professor of Visual Arts, California State University San Marcos, 2011.
Hubcap Milagro for Chunky, David Avalos, Professor of Visual Arts, California State University San Marcos, 2011.
Untitled, Monique Van Genderen, Associate Professor of Art, UC San Diego, 2017.
Untitled, Monique Van Genderen, Associate Professor of Art, UC San Diego, 2017.
Pink Cactus Moon Rock, Corina Bilandzija, Student, Palomar College, 2017.
Pink Cactus Moon Rock, Corina Bilandzija, Student, Palomar College, 2017.
Warm Lights, Niki Ito, International Student, San Diego City College, 2017.
Warm Lights, Niki Ito, International Student, San Diego City College, 2017.
Hair, Larissa Lopez, Past Student, Cuyamaca Community College, 2017.
Hair, Larissa Lopez, Past Student, Cuyamaca Community College, 2017.
Ophelia, Hanna Hunter, Student, San Diego Miramar College, 2016.
Ophelia, Hanna Hunter, Student, San Diego Miramar College, 2016.

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Do you enjoy discovering new things? I do! My camera is always ready during my long walks around San Diego!

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Museum exhibit shows evolution of fashion.

Fashion changes from decade to decade. This is often due to economic factors, social movements, the popular culture and the evolution of materials and commerce.
Fashion evolves from decade to decade. This is often due to economic factors, social movements, the popular culture and changes in materials, manufacturing and commerce.

A new exhibition at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park concerns the fascinating evolution of fashion over the past nine decades. Titled Fashion Redux: 90 Year of Fashion, this exhibition includes a “timeline of garments” from the museum’s collection, plus a number of pieces that were created by fashion students who are studying at Mesa College. The dresses these talented students created are a unique fusion of the past and present.

I confess that I have no fashion sense. I’m content to wear blue jeans every day of the year. When they become a bit too scruffy, I buy a cheap new pair. I really have no right to proclaim anything about fashion.

But I’ve always been deeply fascinated by human creativity. And the origin, formulation and application of an aesthetic sense. And the twists and turns of history, of course.

Anyone who is curious about fashion and its evolution should head over to The San Diego History Center. The museum will be having a Grand Reveal Fashion Show on April 26, where you can meet some of the Mesa College fashion students and instructors. They’re also having a series of different demonstrations. You can find out more here.

Fashion during the past 90 years is presented in a special exhibit at the San Diego History Center. Included is the work of students from Mesa College, who created new designs based on old trends.
Fashion during the past 90 years is presented in a special exhibit at the San Diego History Center. Included is the work of students from Mesa College, who created new designs based on old trends.
Photographs on the wall are from the collection of the San Diego History Center. They were taken by Charles Schneider, who during his long career contracted with UPI photographing film stars and entertainers.
Photographs on the wall are from the collection of the San Diego History Center. They were taken by Charles Schneider, who during his long career contracted with United Press International, photographing film stars and entertainers.
This 1940's style dress was created by student designer Anna Acosta. In that decade garments were often designed to soften a woman's shape, create a sense of elegance.
This 1940’s style dress was created by student designer Anna Acosta. In that decade garments were often designed to soften a woman’s shape, and achieve a sense of elegance.
An activity center at the exhibition encourages kids to try their own hand and eye at fashion design. A nearby nook is the setting for fashion demonstrations by students and instructors from the San Diego Mesa College Fashion Program.
An activity station at the exhibition encourages kids to try their own hand and eye at fashion design. A nearby nook is the setting for fashion demonstrations by students and instructors from the San Diego Mesa College Fashion Program.
This garment reflects the mid-2000's, when the boho style reached its pinnacle. This dress was designed by student Zari Wabab.
This garment reflects the mid-2000’s, when the boho style reached its pinnacle. This dress was designed by student Zari Wabab.
The San Diego History Center should be the destination of anyone interested in the past, including fashion trends.
The San Diego History Center should be the destination of anyone interested in the past, including fashion trends.
This draped nylon and taffeta gown reflects the Golden Age of Hollywood during the 1930's and the Great Depression. Like an uplifting dream in those difficult times. Created by student designer Stephanie Castro.
This draped nylon and taffeta gown reflects the Golden Age of Hollywood during the 1930’s and the Great Depression. It seemed like a dream in that difficult era. Created by student designer Stephanie Castro.
This garment in the museum's collection represents the 1990's, a time when fashion evolved as the internet gained traction, and working from home and globalism began their rise.
This garment in the museum’s collection represents the 1990’s, a time when fashion evolved as the internet gained traction, and working from home and globalism began their rise.
Dresses from the past nine decades are like a timeline representing evolving culture and various impacts of technology.
Dresses from the past nine decades are arranged as a timeline, each representing the evolving culture and various impacts of technology.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Sexy space warriors and aliens in North Park!

A cool mural on the Supercuts building in North Park depicts sexy lady space warriors and wacky, evil aliens!
A cool mural on the Supercuts building in North Park depicts sexy lady space warriors and wacky, menacing aliens!

There’s a relatively new mural in North Park that replaces a cosmic mural that I blogged about here. This cool spray paint street art features two sexy space warriors and several wacky aliens! You can find it near the corner of El Cajon Boulevard and 30th Street.

It appears to me that certain elements of the old mural have been preserved. Have you “eyed” it?

I recently learned that a special utility box painting event will be taking place in North Park all along University Avenue and 30th Street tomorrow, and I hope to be there for the creativity, live music and fun! But right now I seem to be coming down with a cold, plus rain is predicted–so we’ll see. If I go I’ll take photos!

Ten street artists have their names on one side of this fantastic, complex spray paint art in North Park.
Ten street artists have their names on one side of this fantastic, complex spray paint art in North Park.
Looks to me like a sexy lady Boba Fett and Marvel's lethal super villain MODOK in his hover chair.
Looks to me like a sexy lady Boba Fett and Marvel’s lethal super villain MODOK in his hover chair.
Two weird space aliens and a sexy warrior with a couple of classic ray guns.
Two weird, wacky space aliens and a sexy female warrior holding two ray guns.
Looks to me like a cross between an evil green Jar Jar Binks and a toothy Alien or Venom.
Looks to me like a cross between an evil green Jar Jar Binks and a toothy Alien or Venom.
Two elements of a fun spray paint mural near the corner of El Cajon Boulevard and 30th Street in North Park.
Two elements of the fun spray paint mural located near the corner of El Cajon Boulevard and 30th Street in North Park!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

A very brief story about life and memory.

Please forgive me. I’ve written another short story and now I’m going to tell you about it.

This brief work of fiction is titled Another Page. It’s all about life and memory. And those shining, magical things that fill one’s life and memory.

That ephemeral brightness.

You will probably recognize the central character. There’s a very good chance you know that person intimately.

To read the story, click here.

New public artwork at Bayside Fire Station!

Public artwork is being installed outside the new City of San Diego Bayside Fire Station No. 2, at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Pacific Highway
Public artwork is being installed outside the new City of San Diego Bayside Fire Station No. 2, at the corner of Cedar Street and Pacific Highway

Some cool public artwork is rising at the corner of Cedar Street and Pacific Highway, right next to the new Bayside Fire Station No. 2 in Little Italy!

For the past couple weeks I’ve been watching the unusual sculpture slowly grow, like flowers and vines sprouting from a base of urban concrete. And, according to what I’ve read, that’s exactly the effect that’s intended. The artists Ingram Ober, Marisól Rendón-Ober and Chuck Moffit are known for their unusual, thought-provoking creations, which are often sublime or humorous. The old Victrola horn-like brass elements of the sculpture will broadcast gentle music, which will contrast with the noise of the nearby streets and sudden fire engine sirens.

I can’t wait to see (and listen to) this artwork when it is completed!

Construction of the Bayside Fire Station No. 2 appears to be almost complete.
Construction of the new Bayside Fire Station No. 2 appears to be almost complete.
Twisting metal structures rise up like fire hoses.
Twisting metal structures rise up like whipping fire hoses.
Gentle music will play out of the brass trumpet-like forms.
Gentle music will play out of the brass trumpet-like forms.
A red vine seems to be growing around those two horns! This might make a nice place to sit when finished.
A red vine seems to be growing around those two horns! This might make a nice place to sit when finished.
When completed, this new public art should to be pretty interesting!
When completed, this new public art should to be pretty interesting!
Cool art seems to be growing out the sidewalk in front of the new Bayside Fire Station in San Diego!
Cool art seems to be growing out the sidewalk in front of the new Bayside Fire Station in San Diego!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

A crazy handstand at the edge of a rooftop!

A daring man does a one-armed handstand at the edge of a high roof!
A daring man does a one-armed handstand on the edge of a high roof!

I had to do a double take during my walk through Coronado yesterday. A man was doing a crazy one-armed handstand up on the Community Center’s rooftop!

After my initial surprise, I realized the man was actually an eye-catching sculpture. Handstand was created by artist Daniel Stern in 2010 and installed atop the building in 2012.

Does the name Daniel Stern ring a bell? The sculptor is also a prolific, well known actor! He’s probably best known for his role as one of the thieves in Home Alone!

I love it!

A surprising sculpture on top of the City of Coronado Community Center turns heads!
A surprising sculpture on top of the City of Coronado Community Center turns heads!
Handstand, 2010, a sculpture by artist Daniel Stern, became part of the City of Coronado Public Art Collection in 2012.
Handstand, 2010, a sculpture by artist Daniel Stern, became part of the City of Coronado Public Art Collection in 2012.
A crazy handstand at the edge of a Coronado rooftop!
A crazy handstand at the edge of a Coronado rooftop!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Fern Street Circus at Cesar Chavez Park!

A juggler belonging to the Fern Street Circus practices his balancing skills before a special performance.
A juggler belonging to the Fern Street Circus practices his balancing skills before a special performance.

My walk today included a short visit to the Carnival in the Park event hosted by the Port of San Diego. Lots of families came down to Cesar Chavez Park in Barrio Logan to enjoy a free performance by San Diego’s much-loved Fern Street Circus!

I arrived a few minutes early, stayed for a bit, got a yummy free hot dog and enjoyed watching several performers. I didn’t hang around to see the main act, but I bet it was terrific! As I departed, a whole bunch of people were still arriving!

This fun, kid-friendly event was put together by the Port of San Diego’s Tidelands Activation Program. The program celebrates all sorts of cool artwork around San Diego Bay and encourages creativity in the South Bay and other bayside communities.

Here are a few photos!

Cesar Chavez Park in Barrio Logan was the venue today for a fun show by the Fern Street Circus, hosted by the Port of San Diego.
Cesar Chavez Park in Barrio Logan was the venue today for a show by the Fern Street Circus, hosted by the Port of San Diego.
Friendly people from the Port of San Diego's Public Art Program look on as the crowd slowly grows at Cesar Chavez Park.
Friendly people from the Port of San Diego’s Public Art Program look on as the crowd slowly grows at Cesar Chavez Park.
This smiling lady was handing out Kinetic Sand to youth at the event. Young artists can mold it to express their creativity.
This smiling lady was handing out free jars of Kinetic Sand to youth at the event. Young artists can easily mold it to express their creativity.
Members of the Fern Street Circus ready props on the main stage as the kid-friendly community event gets underway.
Members of the Fern Street Circus ready props on the main stage as the kid-friendly community event gets underway.
An aerial silk performer takes to the air above the grassy park.
An aerial silk performer takes to the air above the grassy park.
A smile in the San Diego sky!
A smile in the San Diego sky!
The circus juggler and some kids play with colorful hula hoops.
The circus juggler and some kids play with colorful hula hoops.
A small circus school at the event showed people how to walk a tightrope!
A small circus school at the event showed people how to walk a tightrope!
Lots of smiles and fun were enjoyed today at Cesar Chavez Park, courtesy of the Port of San Diego and the Fern Street Circus!
Lots of smiles and fun were enjoyed today at Cesar Chavez Park, courtesy of the Port of San Diego and the Fern Street Circus!

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There’s an author in San Diego by the name of Jack Tyler. He has published all sorts of steampunk fiction and offers great advice about how to write effectively. If this interests you, please follow his blog by clicking here!

You might recall Jack has written an exciting tale of adventure that takes place in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. To learn more about his novel Stingaree, click here!

A story about creativity, truth and deception.

A patient spider waits for flies.
A patient spider waits for flies.

My short story The Taste of Flies has been bothering me. It hasn’t seemed right.

Even after publishing it on Short Stories by Richard, I’ve rewritten many of the words over and over and over again.

I think–possibly–that I now have the thing right. The unusual tale is about creativity, truth and deception. And impulsion. And indecision. It seems to be about a great many difficult things.

You can read the very short story here.

Super cool street art in City Heights!

One side of a electrical box on University Avenue at Interstate 805. This particular art resembles other examples I once photographed in National City.
One side of an electrical box on University Avenue at Interstate 805. This particular art closely resembles other examples I once photographed in National City.

Check out a whole bunch of super cool photos! All this awesome street art was encountered during a short walk in City Heights.

I began on University Avenue near I-805, walking east along the sidewalk on the south side. Then I crossed at 35th Street and headed back west down the sidewalk on University Avenue’s north side.

Enjoy!

A second side. Weird humanoid figures seem composed of fluid ink.
Another side of the same box. Weird humanoid figures seem composed of fluid ink.
Urban art that seems both ancient and futuristic. Strange geometric patterns in these figures appear symbolic.
Urban artwork that seems both ancient and futuristic. Strange geometric patterns in these figures appear symbolic.
The fourth side of the same box.
The fourth side of the box.
Cool mural in City Heights on the side of a gallery. Journey Within Through the Sea of Soul, by Celeste Byers and Aaron Glasson, depicts the gallery owner riding a Chihuahua ship on a distant planet upstream into herself!
Cool mural in City Heights on the side of the Teros Gallery. Journey Within Through the Sea of Soul, by Celeste Byers and Aaron Glasson, depicts the gallery owner riding a Chihuahua ship on a distant planet upstream into herself!
Walking east down University Avenue I spied more street art on electrical boxes.
Walking east down University Avenue I spied more street art on electrical boxes.
A young girl, and a young boy with binoculars.
A young girl, and a young boy with binoculars.
A man and small child together ride a motorcycle.
A man and small child together ride a motorcycle.
A face looks upward.
A face looks upward.
Another young face, and a sitting girl.
Another young face, and a sitting girl reaching for what appears to be a pencil.
This trash can at a bus stop was brightly decorated by a street artist.
This trash can at a bus stop was brightly decorated by a street artist.
More fun street art, near the corner of University Avenue and 35th Street.
More fun street art, near the corner of University Avenue and 35th Street.
A funny dog appears to be assailed by a crazy bird.
A funny dog appears to be assailed by a crazy bird.
More humorous faces and birds.
More humorous faces and birds.
I've crossed the street and am heading back west. I noticed this colorful tower to the south features references to both City Heights and Cherokee Point, a neighborhood south of University Avenue.
I’ve crossed the street and am heading back west. I noticed this colorful tower to the south features references to both City Heights and Cherokee Point, a neighborhood south of University Avenue.
Before crossing this street I spied this fun street mural near another bus stop.
Before crossing the street I spied this fun street mural near another bus stop.
Now that I'm walking next to it, I can really enjoy this sun and pink flamingo. Both are wearing sunglasses. By artist Gilly Bee, created for #TheAvenueMuralProject.
Now that I’m walking next to it, I can really enjoy this sun and pink flamingo. Both are wearing sunglasses. By artist Gilly Bee, created for #TheAvenueMuralProject.
I found another cool mural on the side of The Kings Barbershop.
I found another super cool mural on the side of The Kings Barbershop.
The front of The Kings Barbershop was painted by DyseOne and Hasler.
The front of The Kings Barbershop was painted by DyseOne and Hasler.
A very colorful mural on University Avenue in City Heights! I believe this spray paint art is fairly new.
A very colorful mural on University Avenue in City Heights! I believe this bold spray paint art is fairly new.
It's the Tooth Fairy on the side of North Park Dental! By artist Sand One, a Latina street artist from East Los Angeles.
It’s the Tooth Fairy on the wall of North Park Dental! By artist Sand One, a Latina street artist from East Los Angeles.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!