It seems every time I visit the San Diego Sculptors Guild in Balboa Park, I find artist Justin Hammond bringing clay to life. He was at work again yesterday!
Justin is a multi-talented artist who loves to create art that tells a story. The clay he was shaping is part of one amazing story.
The figures you see in these photos he calls Elata. The sprite-like creatures with flowers sprouting from their heads are born as the blossoms of a tree. The tree has grown from a seed: a woman carried away by a flood, burying her.
Each beautiful little Elata creature results from a single memory of the deceased woman.
The story created by Justin develops, until the Elata themselves become memory collectors. It’s a brilliant and original idea that would make an amazing movie. Imagine these fantastic clay figures in a Laika stop-motion animated film, like Coraline or ParaNorman!
In addition to a lot of great artwork, Justin Hammond has created short YouTube videos using clay models. You can see much of it on his website by clicking here!
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Fido Fest was held yesterday in Santee’s Town Center Community Park East. Organizations and vendors that support dogs gathered together for the free, very popular event.
I was astonished by the number of organizations present that engage in dog rescue. They came from all around the San Diego and Baja California region. Between them, hundreds of dogs were up for adoption.
Would you like to adopt a dog? Would you like to support those good people who are rescuing dogs and providing them with a loving home?
I walked about Fido Fest and saw many of these good people.
My first photo, above, shows Woofs and Wags Dog Rescue. Their goal is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome dogs rescued from from San Diego and Baja California. Their website is here.
Labrador Rescuers has been dedicated to the noble cause of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Labrador Retrievers for two decades. Their website is here.
Open Arms Rescue, based in Imperial Beach, is giving dogs a new start at a happy life! Their website is here.
Friends Humane Services Tijuana supports street rescues, mass spay and neuter clinics, pet owners with extremely limited resources needing veterinary care for their animals as well as public education programs, adoption programs for rescuers, and a pet food distribution program for animals in need. Their website is here.
Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego County is dedicated to rescuing and caring for homeless, abandoned and injured small breed dogs. Their website is here.
San Diego Humane Society needs no introduction. They do much good work. Visit their website here.
Paws 4 Thought Animal Rescue is an all-breed animal rescue organization. They rescue dogs from shelters at risk of being euthanized, as well as abandoned, abused, and stray dogs in both the U.S. and Tijuana/Rosarito areas. Their website is here.
Calexico Border Paws relocate their visiting animals to forever loving homes that match their needs, while avoiding as much euthanization and as possible. Their website is here.
DeTommaso Dogs Rescue aims to save as many animals in need as they can. They rescue animals from the streets of Baja California. They provide medical care, food, shelter, and rehome dogs. Their Instagram is here.
Southern California Golden Retriever Rescue is the third largest Golden Retriever Rescue in the country, finding homes for over 300 dogs annually. Their website is here.
Ruger’s Rescues is for those individuals and families up and down the state (and even in other states) that found that special dog, but are unable to get to the shelter in time or transport them home. Their website is here.
Rescue Fenix is an all volunteer all breed rescue mobilized by the feeling of compassion for animal welfare: those animals who are in danger, sick, abused and neglect. Their website is here.
Leonberger Rescue Pals is an all volunteer national organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of unwanted, abandoned or abused Leonbergers and Leonberger mixes. Their website is here.
Animal Donation Advocates has many dogs up for adoption. See their Facebook page here.
Labradors and Friends Dog Rescue‘s mission is to help save the lives of homeless Labradors, Labrador-mixes, and Labrador “friends” from kill-shelters in California and across the southwest. Their website is here.
Animal Rescue Resource Foundation supports a variety of efforts in San Diego County to protect and defend our furry friends. Their goal is to provide connections and solutions for pets and the people that work with them. Their website is here.
Fido Foster Community helps you find your perfect foster match and join San Diego’s cross-rescue foster community. Their website is here.
Heart of Gold’s Shelter in El Cajon is making the world a better place! Their Facebook page is here.
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An exhibition and sale of Chinese brush paintings continues tomorrow, Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Balboa Park. To view some very beautiful artwork, step into Room 101 of the Casa del Prado between 11 am and 4 pm.
The event features original Chinese brush paintings by members of the Lung Hsiang chapter of the American Artists of Chinese Brush Painting. Admission is free. Most of the pieces on display are for sale.
Visitors get to meet the artists, view a painting demonstration, and even try their own hand at brush painting! If you’re looking for gifts, you’ll find framed and matted paintings, and hand painted cards and crafts.
I visited the exhibition today and am pleased to share a few photos.
When I asked one artist the difference between traditional Chinese brush painting and Japanese brush painting, I was told the Chinese style has more “pop” and more chi, or vital energy. To me, generally speaking, the Chinese style seems a little more bold and colorful than Japanese brush painting, which appears more delicate and impressionistic.
All that I saw was exquisite and very beautiful.
2026 is the Year of the Horse!
For curious eyes, there’s much to discover. I was shown the historical evolution of the Chinese pictograph for horse. The three strokes represent a horse’s mane and legs.
Visitors can learn how to paint it!
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The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was in Santee today for Fido Fest! The iconic vehicle attracted lots of curious people, who could even enjoy a peek inside!
I took photos!
The two smiling drivers (hotdoggers) were greeting everybody and passing out hotdog whistles. Several signs on the grass nearby provided information about the Wienermobile. I learned there are six wieners-on-wheels that travel around the country.
Let’s see . . .
The Wienermobile weighs the same as 140,500 hot dogs. It has a hot dog shaped dashboard. It has a ketchup walkway and condiment splattered carpet. The bunroof is removable. It has an official Wiener Jingle horn…
Also, Carl Mayer, nephew of Oscar Mayer, designed the first Wienermobile in 1936…
The next sign contains images of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile through the years…
I had a fast look inside. Looks quite comfortable!
Okay! Let’s all sing along!
My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R…
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This Sunday, March 1, 2026, the public will have a rare opportunity at the Oceanside Museum of Art. During a free Open House, between noon and 4 pm, the public will enjoy a sneak peek at the museum’s planned expansion into historic Fire Station Number One!
There will also be art workshops, refreshments, and a presentation concerning architect Irving Gill, who designed the 1929/1930 fire station (also called Oceanside Engine House and Police Station), and the original 1934 City Hall and Library buildings.
(One of the museum’s current exhibitions concerns Irving Gill’s many contributions to architecture in Oceanside. I’ll be blogging about that soon.)
Today I was shown a model of the museum with its future expansion. The model, located near the museum’s front counter, is in my first and last photograph. One can see how the Oceanside’s old fire station and police station, adjacent to the existing museum, will become a substantial addition!
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If you want to catch the action, pull into the South Cardiff State Beach parking lot and look for the crowd of people!
I was heading down Highway 101 today when I saw the event in progress. So I had to check it out.
I recognized a number of local schools present, including University of San Diego and UC San Diego. I took photos of action out on the water, but it was pretty far away for my camera. On the sand, students, families and friends were just hanging out, having a great day in sunny North County!
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Are you an artist in San Diego? Would you like free access to an extensive and amazing Print Studio?
The Athenaeum Art Center at the Bread and Salt building in Logan Heights has the fantastic facility you see in these photographs. I’ve worked at a local print shop, and the number of presses I saw today blew me away! You’re invited to use them, or take printing classes!
The Print Studio features 5,000 square feet of creativity…and 10 presses and over 300 cases of type. Read more about the equipment and possibilities by visiting this webpage.
My mouth flew open when I saw those many drawers of type–I thought I’d stepped into a printing museum!
The studio offers free weekly Open Print studio time to the public for printmakers of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, thanks in part to the Prebys Foundation and Dr. Edward Petko.
How cool is that? You’ll be greeted by smiles,too!
As this Instagram post indicates, Open Print Studio invites artists to work independently in our print studio space… Some printmaking familiarity is helpful as Open Print Studio is self-guided, and limited technical support is available for refreshers or help finding supplies. Our facility supports intaglio, screen print, relief, and letterpress. Printmaking classes are also offered throughout the year.
Whenever I walk through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, I take photographs of the Pedrorena-Altamirano House. For some reason, however, I never get around to posting those photos!
Here we go, finally. These images were captured at various times under different light conditions.
As a sign on the front porch explains, the adobe and wood frame house was built by Miguel de Pedrorena Jr. in 1869 and deeded to his sister Isabel, wife of José Antonio Altamirano, in 1871. Hence its name. In Spanish the house is called Casa de Pedrorena de Altamirano.
In the 1890s it was remodeled as a Victorian bungalow, and in 1932 the house was listed as a California Historical Landmark. California State Parks rehabilitated the structure in 1982.
Today, as you can see, it’s home of Miner’s Gems and Minerals. That explains the mining equipment visitors discover in back.
The next photos were taken behind the house…
As you can see, there’s a plaque…
The plaque provides more interesting history. It reads:
Casa de Pedrorena de Altamirano
Miguel Pedrorena Jr. built this adobe structure in 1869. It was the final adobe built in Old Town. In January 1871 Pedrorena gave the building to his sister Isabel de Altamirano, joining together two pioneer California families. Isabel and her husband Jose Antonio Altamirano raised their large family in this home. Isabel’s father, Miguel Pedrorena, was a prominent merchant in Mexican California, and represented the San Diego area at the California State Constitutional Convention held in 1849. Jose Antonio Altamirano was born in La Paz, Lower California in 1835, but came to San Diego in 1849 to explore the mining possibilities of the area. He also engaged in stock raising ventures on both sides of the border.
HISTORICAL LANDMARK #70
Now let’s circle around the house and return to the front…
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Walking this morning through downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, I photographed these two fun sights!
First is the F Street entrance sign for the old Horton Plaza parking structure. A playful jester welcomes motorists to what used to be a unique and very popular shopping mall!
Next, a sidewalk vent structure was painted to appear like Star War’s R2-D2!
You can spot this fun street art in front of Kutthroat Downtown barber shop at 437 Market Street.
Have you spotted native wildlife in the city near the San Diego River? It’s possible to sight unexpected wild animals in our urban environment!
At the east end of the SDSU Mission Valley river park, near Murphy Canyon Creek, beside Interstate 15, a sign shows some of the Animals of the San Diego River.
Featured on the sign are: Coyote, Southern Mule Deer, Bobcat, Desert Cottontail, American Badger and Southern Pacific Rattlesnake.
There’s a good chance you’ve observed coyotes, cottontails and even rattlesnakes, but how about those other critters?
Walk near this sign along the Ben & Nikki Clay San Diego River Trail, and you might experience an unexpected wildlife sighting!
Cool San Diego Sights! 