Tag: north park

Even more random street art in North Park!

Part of a spray paint street mural in North Park by artists Maxx Moses and Glow.
Part of a spray paint street mural in North Park by artists Maxx Moses and Glow.

Here are even more photos of random street art that I’ve encountered during walks through North Park!

I’ve already covered many amazing street murals in the neighborhood. You can find those by surfing around my blog, clicking related articles, tags or performing a search in the sidebar. Cool San Diego Sights contains hundreds of San Diego street art photos that you might enjoy!

North Park utility box depicts meditating figure.
North Park utility box depicts meditating figure.
Many utility boxes in North Park (like other San Diego neighborhoods) have been enlivened with colorful street art. This box has the word SOAK and some tentacles.
Many utility boxes in North Park (like other San Diego neighborhoods) have been enlivened with colorful street art. This box has the word SOAK and some tentacles.
Lightning inside a deadhead skull separates night from day. Urban art on a shop located on North Park's University Avenue.
Lightning inside a deadhead skull separates night from day. Urban art on a shop located on North Park’s University Avenue.
Huge glowing crystals grow from a North Park sidewalk!
Huge glowing crystals grow from a North Park sidewalk!
More creatively decorated utility boxes along University Avenue in North Park.
More creatively decorated utility boxes along University Avenue in North Park.
Unusual artwork near a building's rooftop features alien-like creatures with three eyes.
Unusual artwork near a building’s rooftop features alien-like creatures with three eyes.
A cool sun with mustache above some prickly pear cacti.
A cool sun with mustache above some prickly pear cacti.
A young person holding binoculars seems to watch the people of North Park.
A young person holding binoculars seems to watch the people of North Park.
These artistic cubes are fun seats for people waiting for the bus.
These artistic cubes are fun seats for people waiting for the bus.
One unique utility box has four sides featuring subterranean slices. West shows where land meets Pacific Ocean.
One unique utility box has four sides featuring subterranean slices. West shows where land meets Pacific Ocean.
Bienvenidos! South shows the border with nearby Mexico.
Bienvenidos! South shows the border with nearby Mexico.
East shows the desert, which lies beyond our mountains.
East shows the desert, which lies beyond our mountains.
North depicts a small, happy home in North Park.
North depicts a small, happy home in North Park.
Just walking along the sidewalk, past a creatively decorated transformer box.
Just walking along the sidewalk, past a creatively decorated transformer box.
Turning a corner past pink and yellow cats.
Turning a corner past pink and yellow cats.
Utility box on 30th Street has tropical palm trees, flowers, fish and a skull.
Utility box on 30th Street has tropical palm trees, flowers, fish and a skull.
Newspaper box covered top to bottom with decals.
Newspaper box covered top to bottom with decals.
Graffiti near shop door includes a sexy lady.
Graffiti near shop door includes a sexy lady.
A typical scene on one sidewalk that stretches down 30th Street in North Park.
A typical scene on one sidewalk that stretches down 30th Street in North Park.
Street art in North Park shows a woman walking through the city.
Street art in North Park shows a woman walking through the city.
In hip, laid-back North Park, an appropriate slogan: r.i.p. bullshit
In easy-going, laid-back North Park, an appropriate slogan: r.i.p. bullshit

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Cool mural in North Park remembers good old days!

A super cool street mural in North Park depicts icons from three decades: the 50s, 60s and 70s.
A very cool street mural in North Park depicts icons from three decades: the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Check out this super cool street mural in North Park, on the side of a building near the corner of 30th Street and Adams Avenue! It’s titled “Remembering… 50’s 60’s 70’s” and was painted by the artist Kerry A. Moore in 2008. The mural depicts small, iconic scenes from what many might call the good old days! I searched like crazy but could find absolutely nothing about this fun street art on the internet.

How many entertainment legends and famous people from those three decades can you spot? Among others, I recognize Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, the I Love Lucy show, the Rat Pack, Martin Luther King, Jr., Neil Armstrong, the Beatles, JFK, Easy Rider, Jimi Hendrix, the original Star Wars, The Godfather, Happy Days, John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever, and, of course, Rocky Balboa. I was a kid in the 70’s and remember many good times. Movies I remember fondly include Star Wars, Rocky and Superman. But most of my best old memories are probably from the 80’s, experiencing life and this great big world as a young adult.  Wow, the years have gone by quickly.

I have a dream. Make love, not war. Happy Days. Revolutionary music, cool cars, sports heroes, and a space opera that altered entertainment forever. Bits of history and popular culture from America's past.
I have a dream. Make love, not war. Happy Days. Revolutionary music, cool cars, sports heroes, and a space opera that changed entertainment forever. Bits of history and popular culture from America’s past.  Now that is one jam-packed mural!

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Cool street art at corner of 30th and Redwood.

Houses appear to be stacked on the back of a howling wolf! One of several fantastic images on a building that is being renovated in North Park.
Houses appear to be stacked on the back of a howling wolf! One of several fantastic images on a building that is being renovated in North Park.

Here are more cool pics from my long walk a couple weekends ago. I took these as I headed up 30th Street through North Park. The building you see has featured ever-changing graffiti for many years, even before the laundromat went out of business. I’ve often glanced at the street art while driving past, but until now didn’t have a good opportunity to snap photographs.

Bicyclist rides south down 30th Street in North Park, past an old closed laundromat at Redwood Street. This building's walls have long featured diverse and changing works of street art.
Bicyclist rides south down 30th in North Park, past an old closed laundromat at Redwood Street. This building’s exterior has long featured changing works of street art.
Utility box across the street near a liquor store has been painted with colorful leaves.
Utility box across the street near a liquor store has been painted with colorful leaves.
Another side of the same utility box. A hand stands treelike at the center of the unusual metal canvas.
Another side of the same utility box. A hand stands treelike at the center of the unusual metal canvas.
Bunny Kitty frolics on a wall at the corner of 30th and Redwood Street. Fun art spray painted by notable San Diego graffiti artist Persue.
Bunny Kitty frolics on a building at the corner of 30th Street and Redwood. Fun art spray painted by notable San Diego graffiti artist Persue.
Some more bold graffiti on the south side of the old laundromat.
Some more bold graffiti on the south side of the old laundromat.
And even more eye-dazzling street art at the right end of the same wall.
And even more dazzling street art at the right end of the building’s south side.
Strangely squished faces on the north end of the now vacant Redwood Laundrymat. I once photographed similar graffiti on a wall in East Village. It's in one of my old blog posts!
Strangely squished faces on the north side of the now vacant Redwood Laundrymat. I once photographed similar graffiti at SILO in Makers Quarter in East Village. It’s in one of my old blog posts!
And one more pic of the left end of the north wall. It appears doors are being installed in the middle of the dynamic artwork!
And one more pic.  This is the left end of the building’s north side. It appears doors are being installed in the dynamic artwork!

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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!

More fun photos of street murals in North Park.

Imaginative urban artwork decorates a building wall in San Diego's North Park.
Imaginative urban artwork decorates a building wall in San Diego’s North Park.

Here comes another batch of fun pics!

These super creative street murals were photographed during a walk in North Park. I believe all of this art was located along University Avenue, in the neighborhood of 30th Street. A colorful urban vibe is combined with uninhibited imagination and bold artistry.  Take a look!

The Animal House Pet Shop has a big, cool mural spray painted on its side.
The Animal House Pet Shop has a big, cool mural spray painted on its side.
Smiling faces, beautiful faces, funny faces. Happy visions come to life in this colorful street art.
Smiling faces, beautiful faces, funny faces. Happy visions come to life in this colorful street art.
More fantastic art beckons from an alley near the North Park landmark sign on University Avenue.
More fantastic art beckons from an alley near the North Park landmark sign on University Avenue. I must’ve taken this picture around Christmas.
A spherical fellow who resembles an emoticon or a video game character sits among lots of flowery shapes.
A blue spherical fellow who resembles an emoticon or a video game character sits among lots of flowery shapes.
A gritty urban canvas jammed with abstraction and graffiti is glimpsed by drivers heading along University Avenue.
A gritty urban canvas jammed with abstraction and graffiti is glimpsed by drivers heading along University Avenue.
Bold image along the roof of another building. A female warrior, a green dragon and a brilliant city scene.
Bold image along the roof of another building. A female warrior, a green dragon and a brilliant city scene.
Another alley, another funky street mural.
Another alley, another funky street mural.
I think I see some space chimps!
I think I see some space chimps!

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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!

Cool art battle: An elephant versus a dinosaur!

Exotic elephant on wall of the Crest Cafe in Hillcrest, created by San Diego artist Cody Griffith in 2012.
Exotic elephant on wall of the Crest Cafe in Hillcrest, created by San Diego artist Cody Griffith in 2012.

Here are two of my favorite street murals in San Diego. The colorful elephant appears on the outside west wall of the Crest Cafe in Hillcrest. It was painted by local artist Cody Griffith in 2012. The monstrous Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur with a funny fuzzy rider can be seen in North Park, at the corner of University Avenue and Ray Street. This cool urban artwork was created by Mark Paul Deren, who also goes by the name Madsteez.

It’s a street art battle of monstrous proportions!

Funny urban art in North Park. A cool T. rex and fuzzy rider rise high above a concrete mixer truck. Created by artist Mark Paul Deren, also known as Madsteez.
Funny urban art in North Park. A cool T. rex and rider rise high above a concrete mixer truck. Created by artist Mark Paul Deren, also known as Madsteez.
Another fun example of creativity in the diverse and wonderful city of San Diego.
Another fun example of creativity in the diverse and wonderful city of San Diego.

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Another Bart Club in San Diego’s North Park!

Is it Bartman? No? It must be another funny Bart Simpson superhero identity. This cool utility box is located in North Park!
Is it Bartman? No? Then it must be another funny Bart Simpson superhero identity. This cool utility box is located in North Park!

Here come photos of another Bart Club utility box! This fun street art can be found in North Park at the intersection of El Cajon Boulevard and 30th Street.

This is the fourth instance of zany Bart Simpson artwork I’ve documented on the Cool San Diego Sights blog. You might recall there’s another Bart Club utility box in North Park, not very far from this one.

Looking down San Diego's busy El Cajon Boulevard past some imaginative Bart Club street art.
Looking down El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego past some imaginative Bart Club street art.
Bart Simpson is a cat!
Bart Simpson is a cat!
Bart's face takes on different forms and expressions.
Bart’s face takes on different forms and expressions.
A cyclops eye or three eyes . . . Bart is one versatile cartoon character. A creative artist has fun with The Simpsons, the longest-running animated show in television history.
A cyclops eye or three eyes . . . Bart is one versatile cartoon character! A very creative artist has had some fun with The Simpsons, the longest-running animated show in television history.

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Cool street art faces around North Park!

Let's be friends. Two cool faces on a transformer box in North Park.
Let’s be friends. Two cool faces on a utility box in North Park.

I’ve got so many fun pics from a walk around North Park that I need to break them up into separate blog posts. Here’s a collection of cool street art faces! I took these photos as I strolled along University Avenue and 30th Street.

Hey dude, don't trip! More fun artwork on two other sides of the box.
Hey dude, don’t trip! More fun artwork on two other sides of the box.
A happy sun shines on a sidewalk in San Diego's cool North Park neighborhood.
A happy sun shines on a sidewalk in San Diego’s hip North Park neighborhood.
Two faces rise from one neck in this unusual utility box street art.
Two faces rise from one neck in this unusual utility box street art.
Cool people wait in line. This graphic can be found outside Lucha Libre, a popular gourmet taco shop.
Cool people wait in line. This graphic can be found outside Lucha Libre, a popular gourmet taco shop.
More cool urban art featuring several unique characters.
More colorful urban art featuring several unique characters.
Abstract faces look at each other.
Abstract faces look at each other.
It's hot! A warm welcome on a sign at North Park's Cardamom Cafe and Bakery.
It’s hot! A warm welcome on a sign at North Park’s Cardamom Cafe and Bakery.
Lurking in a North Park alley--it's a graffiti SpongeBob SquarePants! He seems to be blowing a jellyfish bubble!
Lurking in a North Park alley–it’s a graffiti SpongeBob SquarePants! He seems to be blowing a jellyfish bubble!

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Fun murals on the North Park parking garage.

A carefree girl rides a scooter on the side of the North Park parking garage.
A carefree girl rides a scooter on one side of the North Park parking garage.

Here are some fun images I photographed during my recent walk through North Park. A number of murals decorate the multi-level parking garage located just south of University Avenue, between 29th and 30th Streets.

I performed all sorts of internet searches to learn more about this artwork, but have come up with nothing. Perhaps someone out there knows something.

Anyway, I really like these simple, light-hearted graphics! They definitely add to the cool vibe of North Park. It looks to me like a very imaginative artist had lots of fun creating them!

Because these photos were taken from a bit of a distance (and some were faint), I had to adjust their brightness and contrast quite a bit.

UPDATE!

Silly me.  The artist’s name is on one of the images.

These were created by Blair Thornley.  Sponsored by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of San Diego.

A couple of unique characters out for a drive. Fun murals decorate the sides of North Park's multi-level parking garage.
A couple of unique characters out for a drive. Fun murals decorate the sides of North Park’s multi-level parking garage.
This cool guy is riding in some sort of vehicle painted with the word Paradigm. If it's a manual transmission, I suppose he must engage in paradigm shifting.
This cool guy is riding in some sort of vehicle painted with the word Paradigm. If it’s a manual transmission, I suppose he must engage in paradigm shifting.
Looks like some sort of hip creature carrying a tray of glasses, and some spoons. I like the style of this artwork.
Looks like some sort of hip creature carrying a tray of glasses, and some spoons. I like the style of this artwork.
This one seems to depict a restaurant hostess taking a call while sitting atop her workplace.
This one seems to depict a restaurant hostess taking a call while sitting atop her workplace.
Three more fun murals. If I recall, these are on the north-facing side of the garage.
Three more fun murals. If I recall, these are on the north-facing side of the garage.
A bird in a bib ready to chow down.
A bird in a bib ready to chow down.
An amusing box-dog about to eat some letters in a bowl. I love it!
An amusing box-dog about to eat some letters in a bowl. I love it!

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Photos of a walk through Hillcrest’s Egyptian Quarter.

Architectural details on several of the Egyptian Quarter's buildings include pharaohs, scarabs and other surprising designs.
Architectural details on several of the Egyptian Quarter’s buildings include pharaohs, scarabs and other exotic designs. This photo was taken at the Pharaoh’s Court Apartments.

Last weekend I took a long looping walk through North Park. Many cool images are coming soon!

To reach North Park from downtown, I walked through a corner of Hillcrest called the Egyptian Quarter. When you take a look at the following photos, you’ll understand the origin of the unusual name.

These several blocks in San Diego were heavily influenced by the Egyptian Revival and Art Nouveau styles, which where very popular back in the 1920s. In recent years, businesses in the area have banded together to re-emphasize this neighborhood’s exotic identity. Walk anywhere near the corner of Park Boulevard and University Avenue, and you’re bound to think you’ve traveled back in time to ancient Egypt!

An ancient pharaoh seems to look over the Egyptian Quarter. One almost expects to see a pyramid nearby!
An ancient pharaoh seems to look over the Egyptian Quarter. One almost expects to see a pyramid nearby!
One of several trashcans on Park Boulevard and University Avenue painted with colorful Egyptian motifs.
One of several trashcans on Park Boulevard and University Avenue painted with colorful Egyptian motifs.
Cool Egyptian-themed street mural recently painted by local graffiti artist Fizix.
Cool Egyptian-themed street mural recently painted by local graffiti artist Fizix.
A stylish stained glass door in San Diego's unique Egyptian Quarter.
A stylish stained glass door at the Nile Apartments in San Diego’s unique Egyptian Quarter.
Unexpected cool sights abound in the Egyptian Quarter, located in Hillcrest at the geographic edge of North Park.
Unexpected cool sights abound in the Egyptian Quarter, located in Hillcrest at the geographic edge of North Park.

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Super cool mural in North Park at 30th and Gunn!

Super cool mural in North Park at the intersection of 30th Street and Gunn Street.
Super cool mural in North Park at the intersection of 30th Street and Gunn Street.

This morning, before the threatened rain could begin, I took a long walk through San Diego’s very cool North Park neighborhood. I took lots of pics! I’ll be sharing many of them in the days ahead.

I’ve often admired this super colorful mural while driving down 30th Street. As the years have passed, I’ve also noted that the images have changed. After a little searching on Google, I see this mural is part of the “North Park Mural Project” and I identified a few of the artists. Check out the captions!

Right panel of awesome North Park mural contains the word Esperanza, which is Spanish for Hope.
Right panel of awesome North Park mural contains the word Esperanza, which is Spanish for Hope.
Another section of the public artwork depicts a large red rose, among buildings and interesting patterns. Created by Kreashun.
Another section of this cool public artwork depicts a large red rose, among buildings and interesting patterns. Created by Kreashun.
Spray paint art by San Diego artist Maxx Moses. A character composed of many diverse elements, beneath the words Place Labels on Us From Childbirth.
Spray paint art by San Diego artist Maxx Moses. A character composed of many diverse elements, beneath the words Place Labels on Us From Childbirth.
A beautiful figure seems to pray in a wreath of roses.
A beautiful figure seems to pray in a wreath of roses.
A childlike blue face and long, colorful wavy hair, created by Gloria “GLOW” Muriel.
A childlike blue face and long, colorful wavy hair, created by Gloria “GLOW” Muriel.
This street art is on the same building. It reads Reality is Wrong. Dreams are for Real. Hooligan Arts.
This street art is on the same building. It reads Reality is Wrong. Dreams Are For Real. Hooligan Arts.
Cool street art at 30th and Gunn, part of the North Park Mural Project.
Cool street art at 30th and Gunn, part of the North Park Mural Project.

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