Tag: painting

Creating clouds full of energy in San Diego!

Inspired artist James Watts works in downtown San Diego. His studio is a fantasyland jammed wall to wall with amazing creativity. I like to swing on by occasionally to see what he’s up to!

Having finished his whittled fingers and toes project, James is now sewing together one hundred pillow-like clouds. Not ordinary clouds, mind you, but ones that gather and radiate orgone life energy like a battery!

James, whose creativity has no limit, intends to use the finished clouds to form a portal–an art installation on a wall where people can experience heavenly orgone energy. The carefully handsewn clouds are made of canvas, filled with steel wool and cotton, and painted in twenty shades of blue. It’s the same canvas the artist used for his fantastic Jekyll and Hyde project.

James explained that artists are like alchemists. They transform otherwise ordinary materials into things of immense value. Of course, he’s exactly right.

His unique visual art stirs up complex, subtle ideas. His surprising art inspires those who gaze upon it with an open heart and mind.

James Watts has also painted clouds–like ancient wisdom–on scrolls!

Check out his whittled fingers and toes, the cool project that preceded his clouds…

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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

San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild exhibition.

When I walk through Balboa Park, I usually wander into Spanish Village Art Center, then through the door of Gallery 21. I did exactly that today.

What did I find? A whole lot of great art, of course!

I had stumbled upon the Fall Membership Exhibition of the San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild.

Unfortunately, exhibitions in Gallery 21 typically last two weeks, and tomorrow is the final day of this one. But I figured I’d post a few photos anyway, to bring attention to a group of local professional artists who actively support the San Diego Museum of Art.

I moved in a circle through the gallery, peering at various types and styles of art, wowed by the talent of these great artists.

Friendly artist Ed Whitmore, who was manning the information desk, answered my questions about his own pieces–very unique, strangely organic works. He uses the controlled oxidation of iron, copper, and bronze metal effects paints, a process that quickly creates patina.

Check out one of his pieces…

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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

San Diego artist’s experience during the New Deal.

Several weeks ago a new exhibit opened at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park. San Diego’s New Deal Renaissance: An Artist’s Experience concerns the life and work of notable local artists during the Great Depression, with a focus on Belle Goldschlager Baranceanu.

Belle Baranceanu was painter, muralist, lithographer, engraver and illustrator who moved from Chicago to San Diego in 1933 looking for opportunity. She found employment with the Works Progress Administration curriculum project.

Her work included two monumental murals at Roosevelt Junior High School (not far from Balboa Park): Building Mission Dam and Portola’s Northern Expedition. Those two amazing murals were moved to the San Diego History Center where they have been preserved and can be viewed. The exhibit includes studies that she produced before painting the murals.

By the way, you might have seen more of her work in Balboa Park. The Progress of Man can be found in the grand foyer of the Balboa Park Club building. The mural was created for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. The History Center exhibit includes a reproduction of the large mural.

San Diego’s New Deal Renaissance: An Artist’s Experience provides information concerning other local artists during this era, as well, including sculptor Donal Hord and painter Charles Reiffel. (Yes, the same Charles Reiffel whose pieces include two huge murals at the History Center and two canvases on a wall inside the Casa de Balboa, the building that houses the History Center.)

There’s far too much to describe here, so it would best to visit the San Diego History Center yourself! It’s always super interesting and free!

During your visit, check out the History Center’s seasonal poinsettia Christmas tree. Perhaps swing on by during Balboa Park’s big December Nights event next week!

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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

Japanese brush painting classes in San Diego!

Would you like to learn the art of Japanese brush painting? Do you live in San Diego? Read on!

Today I enjoyed the 48th Annual Japanese Brush Painting Fall Art Exhibition in Balboa Park. The event was presented by the Friends of Sumi-e. I’ve checked out this fine exhibition several times over the years.

In addition to all the stunning artwork on display, artists were greeting visitors with live demonstrations of this traditional Japanese art.

I watched for a bit. Before my eyes, elegantly applied ink turned magically into stunning, sublimely beautiful images.

Speaking to the smiling artists, I learned there are San Diego Community College Continuing Education classes that teach the art of Sumi-e. Naoko, who you see in the next photo, is one of the instructors!

If you’d like to try your hand at creating brush art, check out this webpage for the classes!

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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

New downtown mural celebrates San Diego!

I spotted this awesome new mural yesterday during a walk in downtown San Diego. It’s painted on a wall by the small parking lot on India Street north of A Street.

The colorful artwork appears to celebrate San Diego’s Columbia District, with musical notes from the nearby Music Box, a train (Santa Fe Depot), a cruise ship and distinctive Emerald Plaza. But I’m not certain. Because I also see an image of Balboa Park’s distant California Tower and part of the Padres logo.

I searched for an artist signature but found none.

Does anybody reading my blog know who created this great mural? Is it a work in progress? There’s a difficult-to-reach section on the right end of the wall that is blank.

If I learn more I’ll provide an update.

UPDATE!

I’ve learned the mural is by international artist and downtown San Diego resident David Feucht. It was finished just recently.

Very cool!

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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

Fleet Week’s downtown Veterans Art Exhibit.

You have until 4 pm today (Sunday) to view Fleet Week San Diego’s special Active Duty Military & Veterans Art Exhibit. It’s open free to the public at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego’s old downtown location, at 1100 Kettner Boulevard.

If you’re watching the Veterans Day Parade along the Embarcadero today, you might enjoy stopping by afterward. It’s within easy walking distance.

The artwork covers several walls in the museum’s Melinda Farris Wortz Gallery. Diverse artists with different military experiences have pieces on display. Many of the works depict life in the military or on the battlefield–occasionally with a bit of humor. Other paintings include impressionistic landscapes and dreamlike visions. There’s even some fine nature photography!

I captured a few of the canvases…

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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

A visit to the Olaf Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon.

There’s an extraordinary museum in El Cajon dedicated to one of the world’s finest artists depicting the American West. Olaf Wieghorst is that artist.

Olaf Wieghorst lived for many years in El Cajon. He has been called the Dean of contemporary Western artists. His depiction of the Old West–of cowboys, horses, Native Americans and vast landscapes–has been compared favorably with the work of Frederick Remington and Charles Russell.

The Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center pays tribute not only to his art, but to his amazing life.

A few weekends ago I visited the free museum. Wandering about the main gallery, I fell in love with the very fine paintings on display. They accurately portray horses and the Southwest because he knew them well.

Olaf’s life story is astonishing. He was born in Denmark. He worked in a circus, later on a farm, then moved to America knowing only three words in English. He was assigned to the 5th Cavalry patrolling the United States–Mexico border, worked as a ranch hand, joined the New York City Police Department in the Horse Mounted Division patrolling Central Park, and gradually grew in fame as an artist.

I marveled at Olaf’s prolific artwork that was used for advertisements, calendars and for the covers of Louis L’Amour novels. I enjoyed viewing artifacts from his life, such as saddles, awards, and memorabilia from the time he worked with John Wayne in Hollywood movies.

I then ventured outside to explore the actual home where Olaf Wieghorst lived, relocated to a spot near the museum’s main building. Docents are happy to open up the small rustic house and provide a tour of the rooms. One can see the window that provided natural light as Olaf painted. That same sunshine fills many of his Western landscapes.

There’s also an extraordinary cactus and succulent garden between the museum building and Olaf’s old home. The beautiful garden is open freely to the public. I blogged about the Southwest Cactus and Succulent Garden a while back here.

I urge anyone in San Diego to visit this wonderful museum. Especially if you like very fine art and the Old West! They’re always looking for volunteers, too!

Check out the museum website here.

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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

Exhibition by San Diego River Artists’ Alliance.

The San Diego River Artists’ Alliance is a group of artists who love our beautiful San Diego River. They have a free exhibition open to the public in Balboa Park. The River: Sea to Source is now on display in Gallery 21 at the Spanish Village Art Center.

Fourteen member of the San Diego River Artists’ Alliance have pieces in this exhibit. The fine artwork depicts the life-giving river and its ecosystems.

These very fine works are for sale! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the San Diego River Park Foundation.

My photos provide a sampling of what you’ll see.

The SDRAA artists work alongside the San Diego River Park Foundation, an organization that advocates for the river. The San Diego River Foundation organizes river and estuary clean-ups, engages in environmental restoration and education, enhances the river’s extensive park system, has helped to create numerous murals along the river trail (you’ve seen many on my blog!), and is presently building a new nature center in Mission Valley (the River Center at Grant Park).

If you’re in Balboa Park the next couple of days, make sure to swing by Gallery 21 in Spanish Village. The exhibition will be open through November 6, 2023, so that gives you only a couple more days to pay a visit.

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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

Calaveras painted for Kalaveras in Chula Vista!

Day of the Dead begins today, the 1st of November. This is the perfect time to share these photographs!

A new restaurant named Kalaveras is coming to 340 Third Avenue in Chula Vista. The building it will occupy has been painted with super colorful skulls, or calaveras!

I happened to notice this bold new artwork while walking to the community Day of the Dead event in Chula Vista last weekend.

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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

Cool street art in south Oceanside!

These street art photographs are from a walk I enjoyed a couple days ago. They were taken as I wandered down several blocks in south Oceanside, from 1719 to 1840 South Coast Highway.

Here they are!

A funny cow stands on the sidewalk in front of Estate Sale Warehouse.

Gentlemen’s Den Barber Shop mural features sun, beach and Oceanside Pier.

The Whet Noodle (now Wrench and Rodent Seabasstropub) mural. I believe it’s by Kris Markovich.

Michael Jordan saves a heart balloon on the side of The Frame House. By artist Hung Tran.

Mural at Revolution Roasters. By artist Geoff Gouveia in 2017.

Pelican flies on wall at Matafied Hair Studio. By artist Paul Knebels.

…

Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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