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!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.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.
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I anticipate having a few more Comic-Con adventures! Will you join me?
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This cool mural can be just glimpsed from the corner of Fifth Avenue and B Street in downtown San Diego. It adds color and life to an outdoor patio on the 3rd floor of the Union Bank building.
This fantastic mural has been seen up close by very few people. Today, with permission, I took a good look and got some photos!
If you ever stand on the west side of Fifth Avenue around B Street in downtown San Diego, and glance upward toward the Union Bank building, you might see a colorful splash in a hidden nook. That would be this mural!
It’s only two years old and utterly fantastic. Without further ado, I present to all urban art lovers: Inceptions Reflection!
Inceptions Reflection, 2014. Daniel (Maxx Moses) Hopkins, Isaias Crow, Jari “WERC” Alvarez, Chor Boogie aka Joaquin Lamar Hailey.Photo of central portion of the dynamic artwork. Unusual forms and bold colors lead the delighted eye around this little-seen urban canvas.A happy spherical critter with horns blows hearts from the sunlit lower right corner of this awesome mural!A human eye behind the swirling, fantastic visions. Perhaps it is all a dream. Or the imaginative work of some very creative artists!
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People walk through the breezeway between MCASD and the Santa Fe Depot. Three large portraits address the theme of political and domestic violence.
Unusual, thought-provoking works of art are currently on public display in the outdoor breezeway between the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and the Santa Fe Depot. I happened to see them the other day while walking through downtown to catch the trolley.
Close family members who have survived domestic and political violence appear in three large photographic portraits. The photos have been boldly augmented with paint to highlight human resilience and courage. According to a nearby description, these works are part of the FOCUS Binational Exhibition and were created by MCASD’s Teen Advisory Group. The artwork reflects an exploration of strategies for coping with violence and trauma.
This thought-provoking work of art suggests an older gentleman has a complex, deeply personal story to be told.A proud portrait augmented with laurels suggests one woman’s story ends in triumph.An arresting work of art glimpsed in downtown San Diego near the Santa Fe Depot. A strong woman rises from the turbulent ocean. Part of MCASD’s FOCUS Binational Exhibition.
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A new mural in downtown San Diego contains great wisdom, extolling two human values. Be humble. Be noble.
A new street mural in downtown San Diego is being completed even as I post this! It’s being painted on a large parking lot wall just south of C Street, between Front Street and 1st Avenue. Check it out!
The artist, Trek Thunder Kelly, who operates out of Venice Beach, California, is known for creating unique designs that mix oddly contrasting messages and images. The cool mural that he’s working on at this very moment is sponsored by the internet retail company Zappos, and it extols one of their stated core values: humility. I couldn’t help but notice the quote highlights another important human virtue: nobility.
Be humble. You are made of earth.
Be noble. You are made of stars.
These powerful true words come from a Serbian proverb.
When I spoke to Trek, it sounded like he’d paint some of the stars with glow-in-the-dark phosphorescent paint. At this point he has a limited supply, so it will have to be artistically applied. I can’t wait to see the completed artwork!
Be humble. You are made of earth. Be noble. You are made of stars.
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Founder of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, Dr. Alexander Chuang, prepares one of two stone lions for their unveiling ceremony.
This morning a ceremony was held in front of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum. Two large stone lions were unveiled at the intersection of J Street and Third Avenue. That’s in the very heart of downtown’s Asian Pacific Historic District.
I missed the unveiling, because I had a long-reserved ticket for another nearby event which took place at the exact same time. But I did get photos of the two amazing sculptures being prepared!
The founder of the Chinese Historical Museum, Dr. Alexander Chuang, had the two beautiful lions made in China then brought to the City of San Diego. It was a generous gift and a wonderful addition to our diverse city. I was told Dr. Chuang spent 7 or 8 years on this project. The lions are carved from stone taken from Mount Tai, which is said to be the holiest mountain in China. Now I have yet another reason to look forward to walks through this fascinating part of downtown San Diego!
I briefly spoke to Dr. Alexander Chuang while he prepared the statues, and to other members of the museum. They were so very gracious! One day I’ll venture into the museum–it’s on my list of things to do. When I do, I’ll definitely share the experience.
Plaque describes pair of large stone lions made of granite from Mount Tai, considered the holiest mountain in China. They will be a landmark of the Asian Pacific Historic District of San Diego.Final preparations are made about an hour before the unveiling. I got a sneak peek just by walking around with my camera!Members of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum drape one of the two stone lions. I got my early photos just in time!On the opposite side of Third Avenue, the second lion stands guard. Another very cool sight has been added to the city of San Diego!
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Construction workers carefully install new public art near the Marriott Marquis hotel’s recently completed conference center. These colorful vertical posts are part of a sculptural creation titled Tide.
Look at one of the cool things I stumbled upon during my walk around downtown San Diego this morning! New colorful public art is being installed in the plaza by the Marriott Marquis hotel’s new conference center! The bright, imaginative sculpture is titled “Tide”. You can see why in these photos. Looks to me like sunlight reflected from rolling water, creating a bright spectrum of rising colors! I can’t wait to see this piece finished!
I spoke for a moment to the artwork’s two creators: Katie MacDonald and Kyle Schumann of After Architecture. The friendly designers work out of Boston, Massachusetts and have created all sorts of cool stuff that can be enjoyed in public spaces around the country!
(There’s even more to come from a truly awesome morning adventure…)
The creators of “Tide” smile! That’s Kyle Schumann and Katie MacDonald of After Architecture.Looking along the wavy length of the colorful tide. The public art seems to undulate like water.A big crane lifts sections of the artwork into position on a sunny Saturday morning in San Diego. The Marriott Marquis’ brand new conference center shines in the background.The artists supervise the installation of their monumental art. It will be finished just in time for San Diego Comic-Con next month.San Diego continues to grow more interesting and beautiful as public art is installed near the waterfront!
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Faces peer from a wall near the San Diego River. The very long mural, titled River Life, contains images of wildlife one might find here–or have found here before urban development.
I love this mural in Mission Valley. I remember driving through the intersection at Qualcomm Way and Camino de la Reina years ago, and seeing a whole bunch of people painting wild river animals along the ugly low wall. A little research today tells me that memory was from late 2009.
“River Life” was completed by almost 200 volunteers over four days. The design came from artist Lori Escalera. It’s one of of six murals (so far) that the San Diego River Park Foundation has helped to create. I’ve featured others on my blog. Here are some links if you want to check out more of the beautiful San Diego River murals…
The left end of a long, colorful mural in Mission Valley. Birds of the air and water are featured here. The art was designed by Lori Escalera in 2009.A heron, hummingbird and frog. Down by the beautiful River Trail, just north of where we stand, many different birds can be spotted on the quiet surface of the San Diego River, and in thick reeds and overhanging tree branches.A butterfly, a fox (peeking from behind a transformer box on Camino de la Reina) and a raccoon.Some sort of lizard–perhaps a Gila monster–is half hidden by leaves, while a rattlesnake coils nearby!A jackrabbit and wild coyote.A skunk and perhaps kitten bobcats.I recognize a squirrel, but I’m not sure about the other animal whose eyes seem to be glowing in the dark.I believe that’s a Red-winged Blackbird and a moth.Looks to me like a toad and a beetle. If you can accurately identify these creatures, feel free to leave a quick comment!That looks to me like a turtle–or a tortoise! It’s obvious this blogger still has a whole lot to learn!
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Beautiful ceramic mosaic artwork at Fletcher Cove Park in Solana Beach. The orange Garibaldi. By artist Betsy Schulz.
During my walk last weekend I headed from the Solana Beach Coaster station west a couple of blocks to Fletcher Cove Park. It was my intention to walk north along the ocean, then back east to Pacific Coast Highway. What I discovered as I neared the beach was incredibly cool.
The ceramic sea-themed mosaics you see in my photos were created by artist Betsy Schulz. I’ve documented another installation of her public art near the Santa Fe Depot. To see that, click here.
From the bluff at Overlook Park there’s a good view of Fletcher Cove and the blue Pacific Ocean. There are also four tables with more cool tile artwork by Betsy Schulz. The beautiful mosaics below in Fletcher Cove Park are found along the walkway that leads down to the beach.
Picnic tables along a path leading up through Overlook Park in Solana Beach feature more beautiful, sea-themed tile mosaics.A spiny lobster embedded in a picnic table at Overlook Park.Two beautiful fish are part of some sea-themed art in Solana Beach, created by artist Betsy Schulz.A crab is featured in this colorful mosaic of small ceramic tiles.Sculpture of a seagull near entrance to Fletcher Cove Park. According to one article I read, the sculpture was created in the 1940s, and the artist doesn’t seem to be known.Fletcher Cove Park, dedicated this day, June 16, 2007.An octopus on a low wall embraces citizens and businesses in Solana Beach who are part of this coastal community.Wonderful tile artwork includes shells, stones and a school of small silvery fish.Barred Surfperch.More ceramic fish along the public walkway that heads down through Fletcher Cove Park to the small beach.Red Octopus.A work of art depicting a few of nature’s wonders and human creativity.This oval seat is right next to the beach. We know a mermaid who lives here in the sea…And here is the mermaid. The stunning mosaic artwork has been worn by sand, wind and time.In a tide pool one might discover a Brittle Star.Upon the rocky ocean bottom, one might find Green Abalone.Brown Tube Snail and California Spiny Lobster.Shore birds one might see nearby include the Whimbrel and Marbled Godwit.Thousands of shells, waves rush to our shore, Search high and low tides, you’re bound to find more.White Amiantis.Many small sea creatures appear in amazing tile artwork in Solana Beach’s Fletcher Cove Park.This lifelike Cabezon seems to be looking directly at you!
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Dog Gnawing Bone, Arthur Putnam, 1904. Photo courtesy San Diego Museum of Art.
Wow! I enjoyed another awesome visit to the San Diego Museum of Art last weekend, courtesy of my docent friend Catherine! She provided a spellbinding tour of several exhibits! The one I liked most–possibly because I love animals and because the artist has a San Diego connection–concerned the bronze sculptures of Arthur Putnam.
The exhibition, titled Ferocious Bronze, features artwork so utterly amazing that Arthur Putnam has been called the American Rodin. He was such a gifted sculptor that his pieces have sometimes been mistaken for those of Frederic Remington. Most of his bronzes depict animals in the wild: hunting, in mortal combat, at play or at rest.
Arthur Putnam lived from 1873–1930 and was considered one of the greatest sculptors of his era. At the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco he won a coveted Gold Medal. During his lifetime his work was exhibited in major cities, including New York, Chicago, Paris and Rome. Many of his monumental public sculptures still stand in San Francisco, Monterey and San Diego.
Check out these photos! They provide a small taste of what you’ll experience should you visit Ferocious Bronze. You can get an idea of Putnam’s tremendous artistry. The superb realism is partly due to the fact that he personally loved the outdoors, and spent many days observing animals in the wild and at zoos. A mostly self-taught artist, Putnam even worked for a brief time at a slaughterhouse. (Yuck!)
Did I mention Arthur Putnam’s unique San Diego connection? His very first commission was from newspaper magnate E. W. Scripps, which he received at the Scripps Ranch located in Miramar. In addition, two of Putnam’s monumental works stand today near the spot where San Diego was founded–the very place where European civilization took root in California.
(I’ve included my own photos of the two large bronze sculptures that stand on San Diego’s Presidio Hill. I wrote a blog several years ago that concerned an interesting walk past these sculptures.)
Ferocious Bronze, curated by Dr. James Grebl, showcases 28 of Putnam’s amazing animal pieces. They were selected from the over 100 pieces that the San Diego Museum of Art has in their collection. This special exhibit was inspired by another Balboa Park institution: the world famous San Diego Zoo! They are now celebrating their centennial year!
If you happen to be in San Diego, and if you love fine art or have a special place in your heart for wild animals, I recommend that you head over to see Ferocious Bronze at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park! This very cool exhibition runs through October 11, 2016.
Big Combat, Arthur Putnam, undated. Photo courtesy San Diego Museum of Art.Ambling Bear, Arthur Putnam, 1910. Photo courtesy San Diego Museum of Art.Fighting Buffalo, Arthur Putnam, 1900. Photo courtesy San Diego Museum of Art.Lynx Ready to Spring, Arthur Putnam, 1909. Photo courtesy San Diego Museum of Art.The Indian, Arthur Putnam, 1905. This amazing sculpture stands on San Diego’s Presidio Hill beneath the Serra Museum.The Padre, Arthur Putnam, 1908. This sculpture stands among some trees on San Diego’s Presidio Hill beneath the Serra Museum.Wild Cat, Arthur Putnam, 1908. Photo courtesy San Diego Museum of Art.
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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!
Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? You might enjoy checking out Short Stories by Richard.
Be kinder than necessary – for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle…
Yesterday I walked through Ocean Beach. A few of my photographs seem to spell out a message about life.
I noticed that a small park at the corner of Sunset Cliffs and W. Point Loma Boulevard contained bits of wisdom. So did a formation of pelicans and a surfer near the OB pier.
Moving shadow in a small plaza at the corner of Sunset Cliffs and W. Point Loma Boulevard. Wisdom and love are written on an Ocean Beach wall.Walking down a winding path toward Robb Field. Life is a one way meandering journey.Public art on an Ocean Beach wall. All starfish are beautiful, alike but different.A starfish is small but resilient. It moves and bends with life’s unceasing tides.A starfish that suffers loss will regenerate. During its short life, it is a survivor.Bicycling a short distance down life’s path. Be kind. The unknown awaits around some turns.A glimpse of immensity beyond the beach. The OB pier extends a short way toward the mysterious horizon.Entering the ocean. A place of beauty, power, pleasure, danger. Like life itself.Pelicans fly in formation to ease their path through the air.Riding a wave. A short trip upon the mighty ocean back toward familiar land.Live fully. Ride well. Enjoy life. We each are very small. Be forgiving. Be kind.
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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!
Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? You might enjoy checking out Short Stories by Richard.
Cool San Diego Sights! 