Tag: murals

Cosmic imagery in a cool mural evokes wonder!

A wide-eyed human face on a wall in North Park, surrounded by cosmic imagery.
A wide-eyed face on a building wall in North Park, surrounded by cosmic imagery.

Here’s even more North Park street art! Check out these photos!

This spray painted mural was signed by the artists DEXR, ARMOR, EYEMAX and SADE. Full of cosmic imagery, the panoply of swirling forms and symbols evokes wonder. The universe it seems to depict is vast and mysterious. All I know for sure is that the artwork is really cool!

You can find this colorful street art on El Cajon Boulevard, just east of 30th Street.

I first spied this cool street art from the intersection at 30th Street and El Cajon Boulevard.
I first spied this street art from the intersection at 30th Street and El Cajon Boulevard.
The mural on the Supercuts building contains many complex, colorful elements. Like a magnet it drew me in.
The mural on the Supercuts building contains many complex, colorful elements. Like a magnet it drew me in.
Two fused female faces, or one seen in two glances. I get the impression that time, space and information are being affected by that shining object on the left.
Two fused female faces, or one seen in two glances. I get the impression that time, space and information are being affected by that shining object on the left.
Whether that's a black hole, the origin of the universe, a star, or something else--the theme seems to be the mystery of Creation. And I see a dragon at the fractured boundary, a symbol of Chaos.
Whether that’s a black hole, the origin of the universe, a star, or something else–the theme seems to be the mystery of Creation. And I see a dragon at the fractured boundary, a symbol of Chaos.
A face seems to gaze from another place behind a transparent window at the unspeakably vast and wonderful cosmos.
A face seems to gaze from another place behind a transparent window at the unspeakably vast and wonderful cosmos.

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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 fun photos for you to enjoy!

Colorful mural: Greetings from San Diego!

The distinctive Victorian roof of the Hotel del Coronado, a top San Diego resort and tourist attraction, appears in the letter S in a North Park mural.
The distinctive Victorian roof of the Hotel del Coronado, a top San Diego resort and tourist attraction, appears in the letter S in a North Park mural.

I walked through North Park today with my camera. I had intended to continue up to Normal Heights and walk along Adams Avenue, photographing lots of street art, but I got distracted! I’ll head that way another time.

Meanwhile, stay tuned, because a whole bunch of super cool North Park street art is coming up!  (I think North Park probably has more street art per city block than any other San Diego neighborhood.)

To get things started, check out this cool mural that caught my eye while I walked along 30th Street. Using the magic of the internet, I now send it to you! Greetings from San Diego!

Balboa Park's iconic California Building and bell tower appear in the letter G in the same colorful North Park mural.
Balboa Park’s iconic California Building and bell tower appear in the letter G in the same colorful North Park mural.
Greetings from SAN DIEGO. Cool urban art on 30th Street, just south of El Cajon Boulevard in North Park. Locations in the letters include the Ocean Beach Pier, La Jolla Cove and the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park in Mission Beach.
Greetings from SAN DIEGO! It’s a postcard painted on a building wall!  This cool urban art is on 30th Street, just south of El Cajon Boulevard in North Park. Images in the eight letters include the Ocean Beach Pier, La Jolla Cove, the U.S./Mexico border, and the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park in Mission Beach!

This cool urban art was created in 2016 by New York graffiti artist Victor Ving and Ohio photographer Lisa Beggs. They have been traveling around the United States in an RV painting these postcard-like murals!

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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!

Even more cool street art at SILO in East Village!

A sexy San Diego lady and graffiti on a wall inside the very unique SILO venue in East Village.
A sexy San Diego lady and graffiti on a wall inside the very unique SILO venue in East Village.

Check out these photos!   I discovered more street art murals at SILO in East Village!

I’ve blogged about this very cool special event venue several times in the past, here and here and here.  The spray-painted murals and graffiti are constantly changing, and there are a number of newer works that I hadn’t seen until I walked by this morning. Here they are!

The wall along F Street at SILO has been painted with various cool bits of urban art. That doughnut is making me hungry.
The wall along F Street at SILO has been painted with various cool bits of urban art. That doughnut is making me hungry.
A San Diego Sea Walls mural on the same wall features a bearded face and two hands. Not sure about the symbolism.
A San Diego Sea Walls mural on the same wall features a bearded face and two hands. Not sure about the symbolism.
Walking along the sidewalk, we now spy a funky purplish face.
Walking along the sidewalk, we now spy a funky purplish face.
A squished-up greenish face.
A squished-up greenish face.
An orange face with oddly protruding eyeballs.
An orange face with oddly protruding eyeballs.
Some colorful graffiti I hadn't seen previously inside SILO. It's probably been a year since I walked by here. Took this and the following photos through a fence.
Some colorful graffiti I hadn’t seen previously inside SILO. It’s probably been a year since I walked by here. I took this and the following photos through a fence.
Looks like a strange scene from Alice in Wonderland.
Looks like a strange scene from Alice in Wonderland.
Female face spray painted on a wall.
Female face spray painted on a wall.
A look down into the fantastic SILO special event venue. I don't recall seeing that cargo container before.
A look down into the fantastic SILO special event venue. I don’t recall seeing that cargo container before.
Just tons of cool images. Like a crazy dream in the center of the city! I think that mural on top might be somewhat new.
Just tons of cool images. Like a crazy dream in the center of the city! I think that mural on top might be somewhat new.
A very cool abstract jumble of street art on a brick wall.
A very cool abstract jumble of street art on a brick wall.
Looks like some sort of cosmic bird deities have arrived from outer space. You tell me what this one means!
Looks like some sort of cosmic bird deities have arrived from outer space. You tell me what this one means!

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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 unique photos for you to enjoy!

Cool mural celebrates diversity in Golden Hill.

Colorful faces and complex depth are elements of a public mural located in Golden Hill.
Colorful faces and complex depth are elements of a public mural located in Golden Hill.

I haven’t taken a walk through Golden Hill for several months. But this morning I discovered some photos of a cool Golden Hill mural languishing in my computer. I forgot!

This public art at the corner of 25th Street and B Street celebrates the diversity and the vibrancy one encounters in San Diego’s small Golden Hill community. It’s an enlarged version of a 8.25 by 19 inch mixed media collage, created by artist Giancarlo Pia in 2013. I love how three dimensional and richly colorful this mural is!

Giancarlo Pia. Golden Hill, 2013. Mixed Media Collage. This mural is dedicated to the residents of Golden Hill and reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the community.
Giancarlo Pia. Golden Hill, 2013. Mixed Media Collage. This mural is dedicated to the residents of Golden Hill and reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the community.
Many lively images can be seen in this artwork. The rich culture and history of Golden Hill is celebrated.
Many lively images can be seen in this artwork. The rich culture and history of Golden Hill is celebrated.
A very cool mural at a street corner in Golden Hill.
A very cool mural at a street corner in Golden Hill.

UPDATE!

Here’s a much better complete photo of the mural that I took on a later walk…

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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!

Cool street art and signs in Ocean Beach!

Surfer walks past a community mural in Ocean Beach. The mural project was begun by OB artist Rich James in 1999. Residents each paint a square in the finished artwork.
Surfer walks past a community mural in Ocean Beach. The mural project was begun by OB artist Rich James in 1999. During special events, residents each paint a square in the mosaic artwork.

Just some more cool photos of colorful signs and street art taken while walking around Ocean Beach. I’ve arranged them in no particular order. Enjoy!

Cool street art mural on the side of a building near the foot of the OB pier.
Cool street art mural on the side of a building near the foot of the OB pier. Artist Celeste Byers collaborated with Aaron Glasson.
A small totem pole and some geraniums.
A small totem pole and some geraniums.
Surfing street art on OB utility box shows a view down the barrel of perfect wave.
Surfing street art on OB utility box shows a view down the barrel of perfect wave.
Motorcycle graphic on repair shop wall.
Motorcycle graphic on repair shop wall.
A mermaid holds ocean gifts. A mural in an Ocean Beach alley above a dumpster.
A mermaid holds a shell full of ocean gifts. A mural in an Ocean Beach alley above a dumpster.
Images of breaking surf high on a building wall.
Images of breaking surf high on a building wall.
Candy and goodies depicted on a colorfully painted Beach Sweets sign.
Candy and goodies depicted on a colorfully painted Beach Sweets sign.
This octopus on Newport Avenue seems to enjoy beer and pizza. One can grab a lot with eight tentacles!
This octopus on Newport Avenue seems to enjoy beer and pizza. One can grab a lot with eight tentacles!
A pelican, pizza and ale.
A pelican, pizza and ale.
Ocean Beach Surf School truck features cool surfer art.
Ocean Beach Surf School truck parked by sand features cool surfer art.
A splash of urban art on the side of the Hodads building.
A splash of urban art on the side of the Hodad’s building.
Another of many community murals in Ocean Beach. This one depicts underwater sea life.
Another of the many community murals in Ocean Beach. This one depicts underwater sea life.
What appears to be a tropical island scene on a utility box in OB.
What appears to be a tropical island scene on a utility box in OB.
Art along a sidewalk shows lush vegetation and the OB pier.
Art along a sidewalk shows lush vegetation and the OB pier.
Three parrots take flight.
Three parrots take flight.
Surfboards lie in wait beyond open door of the groovy USA Hostels Ocean Beach.
Surfboards lie in wait beyond open door of the groovy USA Hostels Ocean Beach.
Street lamp on Newport Avenue features palm trees.
Street lamp on Newport Avenue features palm trees.
Car with surfboard drives down Newport Avenue past tattoo parlor street art signs.
Car with surfboard drives down Newport Avenue past hair salon and tattoo parlor street art signs.
Don't believe the hype! You are already beautiful. Music, expression, love.
Don’t believe the hype! You are already beautiful. Music, expression, love.
Volkswagen bug appears to have emerged from the 60s, with peace signs and psychedelic designs.
Volkswagen bug appears to have emerged from the 60s, with peace signs and psychedelic designs.
Ocean Beach community mural features bicycles.
Ocean Beach community mural features bicycles.
The OB Christmas tree near the beach is a focal point of this cool community mural!
The OB Christmas tree near the beach is a focal point of this cool community mural!

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego!  Are you curious?  There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Cool street art: The Nest Murals near Chicano Park.

The Nest Murals include a big blue whale on a yellow fence in Barrio Logan, not far from downtown San Diego.
The Nest Murals include a big blue whale on a yellow fence in Barrio Logan, not far from downtown San Diego.

I stumbled upon a collection of colorful murals the other day while walking through Barrio Logan. A project of The Nest, founded by San Diego artist Jorge Mendoza, this very cool street art can be found near the intersection of National Avenue and Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.

Check out these pics!

Boldly spray painted designs dazzle the eye and inspire imagination.
Boldly spray painted designs dazzle the eye and inspire imagination.
A large eye watches Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.
A large eye watches Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.
Swirls of blue, green, pink, and an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Swirls of blue, green, pink, and an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Entering an alley, we see a lot more cool street art spray painted on a fence.
Entering an alley, we see a lot more cool street art spray painted on a fence.
A brush-head and skull-flower makes one look twice.
A brush-head and skull-flower makes one look twice.
Three eyes in a blazing sun, which shines from The Nest Murals in Barrio Logan.
Three eyes in a blazing sun, which shines from The Nest Murals in Barrio Logan.
Odd creatures made of cloth, buttons and pins paint graffiti on a garage door.
Odd creatures made of cloth, buttons and pins paint graffiti on a garage door.
A hand emerges from the mouth of a fish at The Nest Murals.
A hand emerges from the mouth of a fish at The Nest Murals.
Fun colorful designs include cheese.
Colorful artwork includes images of cheese.
A face with odd geometric features in the Barrio Logan alley.
A face with odd features in the Barrio Logan alley.
Super creative street art at The Nest Murals, located near Chicano Park.
Very creative street art at The Nest Murals, located near Chicano Park.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! 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 fun photos for you to enjoy!

New Barrio Logan mural honors four lost lives.

A long mural painted on a building at the corner of National Avenue and Evans Street honors four lives that were lost during a tragic accident in Chicano Park on October 15, 2016.
A long mural painted on a building at the corner of National Avenue and Evans Street honors four lives that were lost during a tragic accident in Chicano Park on October 15, 2016.

Here are photos of the new mural in Barrio Logan that honors the lives of four people who died tragically last month in Chicano Park under the Coronado Bay Bridge. On October 14, the four–Annamarie Contreras, Cruz Elias Contreras, Andre Christopher Banks and Francine Denise Jimenez–were attending the annual La Raza Run motorcycle festival in Chicano Park when a car driven by a drunk driver suddenly plummeted from the bridge onto the crowd below. The news that four were killed and eight were injured was shocking. Many were shaken. So many hearts were broken.

The new artwork, which includes a tribute to the four victims, can be found at the corner of National Avenue and Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park. Chicano Park is famous for its many colorful murals that depict the civil rights struggles of Mexican Americans and immigrants.

On Saturday, October 16, the day we started our mural, four members of the annual Raza Run lost their lives in the tragic accident at Chicano Park.
On Saturday, October 16, the day we started our mural, four members of the annual Raza Run lost their lives in the tragic accident at Chicano Park.
The mural is titled Que Viva Barrio Logan, by artist Mario Torero. It's painted on the side of Diego and Son Printing. Making a difference in our community.
The mural is titled Que Viva Barrio Logan, by artist Mario Torero. It’s painted on the side of Diego and Son Printing. Words proclaim: Making a difference in our community.
The mural transmits great emotion. Many in the Barrio Logan community oppose gentrification.
The mural transmits great emotion. Many in the Barrio Logan community oppose gentrification.
The mural also includes a message opposing the building of a new stadium downtown.
The mural also includes a message opposing the building of a new stadium downtown.
Working under the Coronado Bay Bridge, home of Chicano Park.
Working under the Coronado Bay Bridge, home of Chicano Park.
A few of the many images in the mural. Breaking a chain of bondage. Music and pride. Protect the water.
A few of the images in the mural. Breaking a chain of bondage. Music and pride. Protect the water.
A bold face in Barrio Logan.
The face of Bob Dylan in Barrio Logan.
Skeletons on bicycles. Symbols, I believe, of past loved ones.
Skeletons on bicycles. Symbols, I believe, of past loved ones.
Withstanding with Standing Rock.
Withstanding with Standing Rock.
The face of a migrant worker.
The face of a migrant worker.
Walking down the National Avenue sidewalk, past a new mural that celebrates life, memory and history in Barrio Logan.
Walking down the National Avenue sidewalk, past a new mural that celebrates life, memory and history in Barrio Logan.

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

New mural painted on Union-Tribune building.

A new mural is being painted on the north side of 600 B Street, the new home of the San Diego Union Tribune. It depicts a man sitting on a wall reading a newspaper. Loose windblown pages transform into colorful butterflies.
Mural painted on the north side of 600 B Street, home of the San Diego Union Tribune. It depicts a man sitting on an actual wall reading a newspaper. Loose windblown pages transform into colorful butterflies.

A mural is being painted on the north side of the building at 600 B Street, a high-rise that is the new home of the San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper. The large mural overlooks a fenced park-like space that once was the playground for a downtown child care center.

I saw the colorful new mural behind scaffolding this morning while walking to a nearby trolley station. The artwork cleverly depicts a person reading a newspaper, while “sitting” on a wall that juts from the building. The man doesn’t seem to notice that windblown pages are rising skyward, transforming into butterflies.

The image is quaint, almost nostalgic, as if it were lifted from the pages of a treasured children’s book. Undoubtedly the San Diego Union-Tribune is the inspiration for this mural. It’s a funny choice of images, considering the fact that physical newspapers seem to be gradually fading away. But whatever the digital age might bring, the written word, like language itself, will live on…

UPDATE!

Here’s a photo I took after the mural was completed:

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

To read a few stories I’ve written, visit Short Stories by Richard.

Expressive faces painted in Chicano Park.

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This morning I walked through Chicano Park. It had been a while since I last wandered among the park’s many famous murals. My camera was searching for no one thing in particular. But I couldn’t stop admiring the many expressive faces that have been artfully painted: faces from our Hispanic community that contain a whole range of emotions, including pride, hope and resolve. The expressive faces reflect humanity and inner beauty.

I’ve blogged about this amazing collection of outdoor murals (the largest in the country) on several occasions, providing a little more information. Today, I simply present a few photos of painted human expression.

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego!  Are you curious?  There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

Wonder Woman mural being painted during Comic-Con!

An amazing Wonder Woman mural is being painted for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, at (Paradise) Island Avenue and Sixth Avenue
An amazing Wonder Woman mural is being painted for 2016 San Diego Comic-Con, at (Paradise) Island Avenue and Sixth Avenue

An awesome, multi-paneled outdoor mural depicting Wonder Woman is being painted during 2016 San Diego Comic-Con. Should you head a few blocks north of the convention center and find the intersection of Island and Sixth Avenue, your eyes will be astonished at what they discover!

Three Southern California artists are painting larger-than-life interpretations of Wonder Woman, DC Comic’s legendary super-heroine. The three colorful panels together compose a large bold mural, and Comic-Con fans can line up to have their picture taken with the artwork as a backdrop.  The reason?  It’s Wonder Woman’s 75th Anniversary!

How cool is this?

A small lot in downtown San Diego, several blocks from the convention center, has been converted into a celebration of DC Comic's legendary character Wonder Woman and her 75th Anniversary!
A small lot in downtown San Diego, several blocks from the convention center, has been converted into a celebration of DC Comic’s legendary character Wonder Woman and her 75th Anniversary!
The left panel, depicting an abstract face of Wonder Woman, is being painted by San Diego artist Katherine Brannock.
The left panel, depicting an abstract face of Wonder Woman, was painted by San Diego artist Katherine Brannock.
2016 San Diego Comic-Con fans can have their photo taken with this very cool Wonder Woman mural as a backdrop.
2016 San Diego Comic-Con fans can have their photo taken with this very cool Wonder Woman mural as a backdrop.
The center panel honoring Wonder Woman is being painted by another talented San Diego artist, Celeste Byers.
The center panel honoring Wonder Woman is being painted by another talented San Diego artist, Celeste Byers.
And the right panel, the strong face of comic book heroine Wonder Woman, is being painted by Los Angeles artist Christina Angelina.
And the right panel, the strong face of comic book heroine Wonder Woman, is being painted by Los Angeles artist Christina Angelina.

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I anticipate having a few more Comic-Con adventures! Will you join me?

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