Tag: painting

Life takes form in a new Ion Theatre mural.

Ion Theatre artist Kate Schott paints a cool mural on a wall in Hillcrest.
Ion Theatre artist Kate Schott paints a cool mural on a wall in Hillcrest.

A mural is being painted on a wall next to the entrance of the Ion Theatre in Hillcrest. I first saw the new artwork a few days ago, so I snapped several photos. Today I swung by again after work to see what progress had been made.

By comparing photos, you can get a glimpse of the creative process. Kate Schott, the muralist, is a multi-talented Ion Theatre artist who is bringing this cool vision to life.

I hope to swing by on a later day to see the finished work! I’ll post photos!

A few days later, a human figure in the mural is coming to life. I look forward to seeing the finished work!
A few days later, a human figure in the mural is coming to life. I look forward to seeing the finished work!

UPDATE!

On June 7th I walked by the Ion Theatre again. More painting has been completed! The mural is gradually coming to life!

A second figure has been painted in the growing forest of green trees.
Detail has been added to the first figure. And a second figure has now been painted in the forest of green trees.
A third figure on the left side of the developing mural. Many colors outline the sitting figure of a woman.
A third figure on the left side of the developing mural. Many colors outline the form of a sitting woman.
I don't know what this is. We'll have to find out!
I don’t know what this is. We’ll have to wait a little longer and find out!
Finally, a face has emerged in the lower right corner of the Ion Theatre mural!
Finally, a singing face has emerged in the lower right corner of the new Ion Theatre mural!

ANOTHER UPDATE!

I took this photo on June 19:

The left side of the new Ion Theatre mural is taking form!
The left side of the new Ion Theatre mural is taking form!

FINAL UPDATE!

The mural is finished! Here are a few elements that have come to life:

Declaration of Independence on a wall, altered to condemn instances where power is abused.
Declaration of Independence on a wall, altered to condemn instances where power is abused.
A seeing eye in hand.
A seeing eye in hand.
Standing across water from a fiery skyline.
Standing across water from a fiery skyline.
Lady Liberty shines light from atop a piano keyboard. Ignite.
Lady Liberty shines light from atop a piano keyboard. Ignite.

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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!

San Diego Harbor and Backcountry: Reiffel paintings.

A small part of a large, dynamic painting of San Diego's working waterfront.
A small part of a large, dynamic painting of San Diego’s working waterfront.

Yesterday I enjoyed a visit to the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park. In addition to checking out various fascinating exhibits, I paused for a moment to gaze upon two large murals on display that were painted in 1936 by Charles Reiffel.

Charles Reiffel was a renowned Post-Impressionist landscape painter who was sometimes referred to as the American Van Gogh. Looking at these truly impressive paintings, one can understand why! The viewer enters his color-splashed, dreamy world and simply wants to linger.

Two more wonderful Reiffel paintings can be seen in Balboa Park inside the Casa de Balboa. I have photos of them here!

Charles Reiffel, San Diego Harbor, 1936. Oil on canvas. WPA mural inside the San Diego History Center that was originally commissioned for San Diego High School.
Charles Reiffel, San Diego Harbor, 1936. Oil on canvas. WPA mural inside the San Diego History Center that was originally commissioned for San Diego High School.
This part of the fantastic oil painting depicts a pier and activity on San Diego Bay.
This part of the fantastic oil painting depicts a pier and activity on San Diego Bay.
Boats and buildings along San Diego's colorful harbor.
Boats and buildings along San Diego’s colorful harbor.
Charles Reiffel, San Diego Backcountry, 1936. Oil on canvas. WPA mural inside the San Diego History Center that was originally commissioned for San Diego High School.
Charles Reiffel, San Diego Backcountry, 1936. Oil on canvas. WPA mural inside the San Diego History Center that was originally commissioned for San Diego High School.
This part of the oil painting shows homes in the hills of San Diego.
This part of the oil painting shows homes in the hills of San Diego.
First introduced by Spanish explorers and missionaries, horse riding has become a popular activity in the country surrounding San Diego.
First introduced by Spanish explorers and missionaries, horse riding has become a popular activity in the country surrounding San Diego.
A farmer plows a field somewhere in beautiful San Diego.
A farmer plows a field somewhere in beautiful 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 fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Rabbitville bunny pops up at Jacaranda Spring Thing!

A fiberglass rabbit named Willabee painted by artist Matt Forderer contains images from San Diego's history.
A fiberglass rabbit named Willabee painted by artist Matt Forderer contains images from San Diego’s history.

As I walked about the Jacaranda Spring Thing festival on Cortez Hill this afternoon, I noticed an unusual critter hanging out near the Tweet Street park. Turns out it was a Rabbitville bunny!

Rabbitville is a public art project of the Gaslamp Quarter Association. Fifteen fiberglass rabbits are being painted creatively by local artists to represent the Gaslamp Quarter’s colorful history. The area in the mid 19th century was jokingly called Rabbitville because there seemed to be more rabbits than people.

New Town, established by Alonzo Horton, would ultimately become the location of today’s dynamic downtown. The revitalized Gaslamp, which includes an area that was once a red-light district called the Stingaree, is now a modern entertainment hub.

The rabbit I spotted is called Willabee and was created by artist Matt Forderer. It is the first rabbit of the Rabbitville Public Art project! Images painted on it include Horton Plaza’s historic Jessop’s Street Clock and the Gaslamp’s famous Louis Bank of Commerce Building, location of Wyatt Earp’s notorious Oyster Bar.

These Rabbitville rabbits were spotted today at the Jacarada Spring Thing festival on Cortez Hill. One has yet to be painted.
These Rabbitville rabbits were spotted today at the Jacaranda Spring Thing festival on Cortez Hill. One has yet to be painted.
A bunny with a fascinating story to tell.
A bunny with a fascinating story to tell.
In this photo I see the Jessop's Street Clock and the Louis Bank of Commerce Building!
In this photo I see the Jessop’s Street Clock and the Louis Bank of Commerce Building!

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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 share and enjoy!

Happy environmental art in a city park!

Lots of colorful tile art with happy environmental themes decorates this trash can in downtown San Diego's Pantoja Park.
Lots of tiles painted with happy environmental themes.  Together they form a mosaic that decorates this trash can in downtown San Diego’s Pantoja Park.

I love mosaics that are composed of ceramic tiles painted by ordinary people–young people in particular. It’s like a patchwork of inner visions, expressed from many hearts.

The Envirocan in downtown San Diego’s Pantoja Park is a special trashcan that is decorated with tiles that were hand-painted by young artists. Most of the colorful images express environmental themes. Clean air, clean water . . . plus lots of smiles. Smiles are good for the environment, right? Of course they are.

ESI Art Corps San Diego. Envirocan, donated by Dick Butler. "One Who Cares"
ESI Art Corps San Diego. Envirocan – Donated by Dick Butler. “One Who Cares”
One side of the Envirocan features a female face. Perhaps it is Mother Earth.
One side of the Envirocan features a female face. Perhaps it is Mother Earth.
Colorful tiles painted by many creative hands form a mosaic on the Envirocan's other three sides. Here's the face of a happy critter in a tree, and some flowers.
Colorful tiles painted by many creative hands form a mosaic on the Envirocan’s other three sides. Here’s a happy face in a tree, and some flowers.
Keep our Earth clean!
Keep our Earth clean!
A house in a beautiful pristine landscape.
A house in a beautiful pristine landscape.
Flower Power
Flower Power
A human eye. A smudge of dirt looks like a tear.
A human eye. A smudge of something looks like a tear.
Fish enjoy a clean blue ocean.
Fish enjoy a clean blue ocean.
I'm not sure what this is, but it looks pretty cool!
I’m not sure what this is, but it looks pretty cool!
Someone is poking their nose over a fence.
Someone is poking their nose over a fence.
One tile on the Envirocan features the Enviro-can!
One tile on the Envirocan features the Enviro-can!
A happy face of many colors.
A happy face of many colors.
Another lively underwater scene.
Another lively underwater scene.
And another face!
And another beautiful face!
A clean river flows down from green hills between trees.
A clean river flows down from green hills between trees.
Wisdom is often found in a balance. Yin and yang. All things are connected.
Wisdom is often found in a balance. Yin and yang. All things are connected.
Looks like a weird underwater image. Not sure about the cube with tentacles.
Looks like a weird underwater scene. Not sure about the cube with tentacles.
Birds in a clear blue sky under a golden sun.
Birds in a clear blue sky under a golden sun.
Lots more smiley faces! They almost look like leaves to me.
Lots more smiley faces! They almost look like leaves to me.
A red heart on patchwork colors. Love.
A red heart on patchwork colors. Love.

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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!

Fun street art on Mission Center Road!

Street art on Mission Center Road north of Friars Road depicts nature along the nearby San Diego River.
Street art on Mission Center Road north of Friars Road depicts wildlife along the nearby San Diego River.

Several electrical boxes on Mission Center Road just north of Friars Road have been painted with fun street art.  This morning I took a small detour while walking to work to snap a few photos.

A snowy egret beautifully painted on a Mission Valley transformer box.
A snowy egret beautifully painted on a Mission Valley transformer.
Street art shows a mallard and three ducklings in some grass near the San Diego River.
A mallard and three ducklings in some grass near the San Diego River.
A funny sketch on an electrical box. A gull is carrying away a bag of chips!
A funny sketch on an electrical box. A gull is carrying away a bag of chips!
Welcome to Mission Valley. This street art greets drivers heading along Mission Center Road.
Welcome to Mission Valley. A rabbit greets drivers heading along Mission Center Road.
This historic old building is located a few miles to the east. The Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, founded in 1769, first Spanish mission in Alta California.
This historic old building is located a few miles to the east. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, founded in 1769, first Spanish mission in Alta California.

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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, creativity and wisdom downtown.

Painting of female face in window of a small shop in East Village containing odd bits of art and miscellaneous used items.
Painting of female face in window of a small shop in East Village containing odd bits of art and used items.

Enjoy these miscellaneous photos of interesting things I’ve spotted while walking around downtown. Examples of artistry and creativity can be seen almost everywhere. Even a bit of wisdom. One simply has to look.

A fancy bird cage dangles beside Pappalecco, a cool Little Italy cafe.
A decorative bird cage dangles above the sidewalk beside Pappalecco, a popular Little Italy cafe.
Wine bottles converted into interesting human characters in the window of Michael J Wolf Fine Arts in the Gaslamp.
Wine bottles converted into human musicians in the window of Michael J Wolf Fine Arts in the Gaslamp.
Beautiful relief panel at entrance to the Embarcadero’s now closed Anthony’s Fish Grotto. An underwater scene.
Beautiful relief panel at entrance to the Embarcadero’s now closed Anthony’s Fish Grotto. An underwater scene.
Navy pinup artwork on a tattoo parlor's entrance sign in the Gaslamp.
Navy pinup artwork on a tattoo parlor’s entrance sign in the Gaslamp.
Wisdom on a corner of a downtown building. Give love. Get love.
Wisdom on a corner of a downtown building. Give love. Get love.
This artistic metal gate definitely caught my eye as I walked around San Diego!
This artistic metal gate definitely caught my eye as I walked around San Diego!
The mosaic tilework of an eatery's outdoor table in East Village.
The mosaic tilework of an eatery’s outdoor table in East Village.
Colorful tiles beneath ivy above a garage door.
Colorful tiles beneath foliage above a garage door.
Depiction of a city on the wall of Sixth Avenue Bistro.
Depiction of a city on the wall of Sixth Avenue Bistro.
Fancy artwork on column inside interior courtyard of La Pensione Hotel.
Fancy artwork painted on a column.  Photo taken in the lobby courtyard of La Pensione Hotel.
Interesting twisty iron gate and shadows.
Interesting twisted iron gate and shadows on the wall behind it.
Fascinating lamppost along Broadway near Harbor Drive.
Unusual bent lamppost along Broadway near Harbor Drive.
Cool painting of male face found leaning up against a dumpster enclosure on Cortez Hill.
Cool painting of male face found leaning up against a dumpster enclosure on Cortez Hill.

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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!

Volunteers paint lampposts in downtown San Diego!

Volunteers in downtown San Diego add a coat of paint to a metal post. A wonderful community project put together by the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
Volunteers in downtown San Diego add a coat of paint to a metal post. A wonderful community project put together by the Downtown San Diego Partnership.

A busy morning! I’ve got lots of fun photos coming! First, check out something really fantastic. The Downtown San Diego Partnership arranged for a bunch of generous volunteers to help beautify the city! The resident volunteers converged this morning at Eighth Avenue and B Street, were given paint and brushes, and were then shown lampposts in the area that need a coat of paint!

Thank you Downtown San Diego Partnership for working to keep the heart of our city in tip top shape! I was told this sort of event might occur in the future on a regular basis. Hopefully this blog post helps to raise awareness a bit!

Around 150 volunteers had signed up to paint lamp posts. Many had gathered at Eighth Avenue and B Street just after nine o'clock when I walked through the area.
Around 150 volunteers had signed up to paint lamp posts. Many had gathered at Eighth Avenue and B Street just after nine o’clock when I walked through the area.
Getting the paint ready at the center of the parking lot where all the volunteers gathered in downtown's Core district.
Getting the paint ready at the center of the parking lot where all the volunteers gathered in downtown’s Core district.
The base of a downtown lamp post has been primed and is ready to be painted by volunteers. Hundreds of posts would be painted today!
The base of a downtown lamppost has been primed and is ready to be painted by volunteers. Hundreds of posts would be painted today!
A worker for the Clean and Safe program beautifies downtown San Diego.
A worker for the Clean and Safe program beautifies downtown San Diego. As a resident, I thank you all.
These nice volunteers were painting their third lamp post as I walked back through the area later in the day!
These nice volunteers were painting their third lamppost as I walked back through the area later in the day!

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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!

Photos of fun street art along Fourth Avenue!

A funny spotted creature of some kind decorates an electrical box on Fourth Avenue near the Quince Street Bridge.
A funny spotted creature of some kind decorates an electrical box on Fourth Avenue near the Quince Street Bridge.

I got off work early and wanted to enjoy the remaining daylight.  So I took the 120 bus to Hillcrest and walked down Fourth Avenue from University Avenue to Elm Street.

I found some fun street art on electrical boxes in both Hillcrest and Bankers Hill!

Spray painted face lit by sunshine early one morning, near Fourth Avenue and Robinson Avenue in Hillcrest.
A spray painted face lit by sunshine early one morning in Hillcrest, near Fourth Avenue and Robinson Avenue.

Okay, you caught me!  The above photo was taken one morning a couple months ago. It was sitting in my computer.  All the others are from late this afternoon.

A guitar and stars decorate a utility box.
A guitar and stars decorate a utility box.
Colorful art shows a street scene! Copies, bread, coffee and outdoor diners come together near Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
Colorful art shows a street scene! Copies, bread, coffee and outdoor diners come together under a blue sky near Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
Ice cream, barber, eyes, dentist. A happy stick figure walks down an imaginary Bankers Hill sidewalk.
Ice cream, barber, eyes, dentist. A happy stick figure walks down an imaginary Bankers Hill sidewalk.
A contented face on a utility box near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
A contented face on a utility box near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
Lots of stars and some hearts.
Lots of stars and some hearts.
According to some writing on this transformer, these are space plants and moon flowers!
According to some writing on this transformer, these are space plants and moon flowers!

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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!

Happy street art in Mira Mesa!

A lady with flowers in her long flowing purple hair.
A lady with flowers in her long flowing purple hair.

Late this morning I went to the San Diego Tet Festival at Mira Mesa Community Park. (I’ll blog about that shortly.) Hoping to avoid crowds, I parked a distance from the park before the festival opened, then spent a half hour or so walking around the area.

I was happy to spy a whole bunch of cool street art in the vicinity of Mira Mesa Boulevard and Camino Ruiz! Naturally, I had to take some photos!

Lovely street art painted on a transformer box in Mira Mesa.
Lovely street art painted on a transformer box in Mira Mesa.
A tree behind a white fence seems to bear pencils.
A tree behind a white fence seems to bear pencils.
Are mushrooms sprouting from the nearby grass?
Are mushrooms sprouting from the nearby grass?
A happy dream takes the form of mazy images. This street art is on a utility box near the intersection of Mira Mesa Boulevard and Camino Ruiz.
A seeming dream takes the form of mazy images. This street art is on a utility box near the intersection of Mira Mesa Boulevard and Camino Ruiz.
Just a big heart and bright colors.
Just a big heart and simple blocks of bright color.
Looks like a Chargers bolt. Unfortunately, San Diego's football team bolted.
Looks like a Chargers bolt. Unfortunately, San Diego’s NFL football team bolted.
One Love and many symbols atop a utility box in Mira Mesa.
One Love and many symbols atop a utility box in Mira Mesa.
A painted Asian landscape of mountains rising from water.
A painted Asian landscape.  Mountains rise from turbulent water.
Another side of the same dramatic box.
Another side of the same dramatic box.
A happy mug of coffee gives a wink near muffins, beneath musical notes.
A happy mug of coffee gives a wink near muffins, beneath musical notes.
Happy food and drink!
Happy food and drink!
A happy face on a teacup!
A happy face on a blue teacup!
Kid with phonograph sits at base of a pagoda in this unique street art.
Kid with phonograph sits at base of a pagoda in this unique street art.
A bunch of colored circles.
A bunch of colored circles.
A red, geometric, minimalist bit of street art.
A red, geometric, minimalist bit of street art.
Colors like stained glass and a rising koi on this utility box.
Colors pieced together like stained glass, and a rising koi on this utility box.
Koi, sun and clouds.
Koi, water, sun and clouds.
I can't quite make out the beginning of what is written. Mira Mesa remain Strong, Brave and Proud!
I can’t quite make out the beginning of what is written. I can read: Mira Mesa remain Strong, Brave and Proud!
Two colorful electrical boxes along Mira Mesa Boulevard.
Two colorful electrical boxes along Mira Mesa Boulevard.
Looks like a hip hop kid with a big cap.
Looks like a hip hop kid with a big funky cap.
An old school phonograph!
An old school phonograph!
Looks like one of those trick squirting flowers.
Looks like one of those trick squirting flowers.
Two beautiful flowers.
Two beautiful flowers.
This puzzle-like street art looks both ancient and alien.
This puzzle-like street art looks both ancient and alien.
A touching image of a young girl. She seems to sit alone on the sidewalk.
A touching image of a young girl. She seems to sit alone on the sidewalk.
Abstract hills, trees and blue beams of sunshine.
Abstract hills, trees and blue beams of sunshine.
More cool street art in Mira Mesa.
More cool street art in Mira Mesa.
A flying saucer cat and an orange tabby that doesn't appear amused.
A flying saucer cat and an orange tabby that doesn’t appear amused.
A smiling girl astronaut among happy colorful stars.
A smiling girl astronaut among happy colorful stars.
A dog in a space helmet joyfully rockets above a ringed planet.
A dog in a space helmet joyfully rockets above a ringed planet.

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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 discoveries in National City!

Some happy street art in National City. A high five, pink rabbit and heart.
Some happy street art in National City. A high five, pink rabbit and heart.

I found even more cool street art while walking around National City! Check out these photos! Colorful utility boxes and transformers seemed to pop up wherever I turned!

Transinfinite Gems. Love Your Soul. Blessings and Love.
Transinfinite Gems. Love Your Soul. Blessings and Love.
A creatively painted utility box near a National City street corner.
A creatively painted utility box near a National City street corner. Is that a can of soda?
Someone just let loose with many strokes of color on this transformer box!
Someone just let loose with many strokes of color on this transformer box!
This cool street art definitely attracts the attention of people walking down the sidewalk!
This cool street art definitely attracts the attention of people walking down the sidewalk!
An abstract human figure that drips ink into a river. This fantastic image appears to be full of symbolism.
An abstract human figure that drips ink into a river. This fantastic image appears to be full of symbolism.
More cool designs on a series of electrical boxes. National City, in San Diego's South Bay, has lots of great street art.
More cool designs on a series of electrical boxes. National City, in San Diego’s South Bay, has lots of great street art!
A contrast of real leaves and painted leaves.
A contrast of real leaves and painted leaves.
Barren trees in a purple-blue sky.
Barren trees in a purple-blue sky.
Another side of the same box.
Another side of the same box.
Branches from sky and ground, like grasping, skeletal fingers.
Branches from sky and ground, like grasping, skeletal fingers.

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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!