Tag: street art

Fresh street art along 30th Street in North Park.

Some panels on a mural on Gunn Street west of 30th Street have been repainted. The two shown are by Jorge Gutierrez and Maxx Moses.
Some panels on a mural on Gunn Street west of 30th Street have been repainted. The two shown are by Jorge Gutierrez and Maxx Moses.

North Park is brimming with street art. During a walk yesterday down 30th Street, from University Avenue to Upas Street, I encountered fresh artwork that I haven’t blogged in the past. You can see some of those old photos here and here and here.

As I proceeded down the sidewalk I noticed that a number of electrical boxes and walls have been repainted in the past couple years.

Enjoy these new photos. North Park is alive with creativity!

This box showing the four cardinal directions has been repainted by Jonny Alexander.
This box showing the four cardinal directions has been repainted by Jonny Alexander.
East.
East.
South.
South.
West.
West.
A purple claw has emerged from this electrical box!
A scary purple claw has emerged from this crate-like electrical box!
The yellow eyes of a mysterious monster peer out!
The yellow eyes of a mysterious monster peer out!
Let's be friends. That love potion appears intoxicating . . . and possibly toxic!
Let’s be friends. That love potion appears intoxicating . . . and possibly toxic!
A skull in a bottle. Sink or swim.
A skull in a bottle. Sink or swim.
More fun street art on the same utility box on 30th Street in North Park.
More fun street art on the same utility box on 30th Street in North Park.
Stenciled on a wall. For my hustlers, here's some motivation. He who has begun is half done.
Stenciled on a wall. For my hustlers, here’s some motivation. He who has begun is half done.
A cute little critter that seems to be inside a living heart.
A cute little critter that seems to be inside a living heart.
Exotic street art on an electrical box.
Exotic street art on an electrical box.
Strength through Peace.
Strength through Peace.
Three sitting female figures contain spiritual symbolism.
Three sitting female figures contain spiritual symbolism.
A wild splash of color.
A wild splash of color.
Mural on side of 30th Street Laundry. A Beautiful Morning by Sentrock.
Mural on side of 30th Street Laundry. A Beautiful Morning by Sentrock.
An ankh symbolizing life in the hand of a lady with colorful abstract hair.
An ankh symbolizing life in the hand of a lady with colorful abstract hair.
Fun robot graphic on the front wall of Soi 30th, a North Park Thai Eatery.
Fun robot graphic on the front wall of Soi 30th, a North Park Thai Eatery.
A cool Pangea Seed Foundation Sea Wall created in North Park by Lauren YS. A beautiful underwater mermaid is contrasted with a skeleton.
A cool Pangea Seed Foundation Sea Wall created in North Park by Lauren YS. A beautiful underwater mermaid is contrasted with a skeleton.
The mural concerns ocean acidification and the resulting death of kelp and sea life.
The mural concerns ocean acidification and the resulting death of kelp and sea life.
San Diego Padres baseball player under painted fireworks.
San Diego Padres baseball player under painted fireworks.
This final North Park electrical box was painted last month. You can find it on Upas Street east of 30th Street, in front of The Taco Stand.
This final North Park electrical box was painted last month. You can find it on Upas Street east of 30th Street, in front of The Taco Stand.
An old salt by the ocean and a sailing ship.
An old salt by the ocean and a sailing ship.
A friar by the old mission.
A friar by the old mission.
Hecho a Mano. Made by hand.
Hecho a Mano. Made by hand.

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Bold urban art in a Logan Heights alley.

The Mad Hatter in street art at one end of a Logan Heights alley.
The Mad Hatter in street art at one end of a Logan Heights alley.

That alley in Logan Heights where I discovered Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles street art is home to even more spray paint characters and graffiti. Bold images reflect life in a sometimes tough urban setting.

I read that a public art project in Logan Heights targetted several neighborhood alleys, so I assume these images were part of that effort. As I walked along, I spotted many different artist names.

Lewis Carroll characters have been spray painted alongside graffiti in Logan Heights.
Lewis Carroll characters have been spray painted alongside graffiti in Logan Heights.
The blue Caterpillar on a mushroom smoking a hookah is from Alice in Wonderland.
The blue Caterpillar on a mushroom smoking a hookah is from Alice in Wonderland.
A section of bold urban art on a long wall.
A section of bold urban art on a long wall.
A wicked-looking character seems to be spray painting the graffiti next to him.
A wicked-looking character seems to be spray painting the graffiti next to him.
Another section of colorful graffiti.
Another section of colorful graffiti.
Somos Todos Pistoleros above a pyramid in the Alley Gallery.
Somos Todos Pistoleros above a pyramid in The Alley Gallery.
A bird-like character drinking from a green bottle.
A bird-like character drinking from a green bottle.
A character with sunglasses and headphones holds a boombox with his fang-like teeth.
A character with sunglasses and headphones holds a boombox with fang-like teeth.
Elaborate urban artwork completely covers a long alley wall in Logan Heights.
Elaborate urban artwork completely covers a long alley wall in Logan Heights.
That looks like one mean cockroach!
That looks like one mean cockroach!

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Pop culture and other cool art downtown!

Bold pop culture art in a downtown San Diego window. I spotted these on Ninth Avenue in East Village.
Some bold pop culture art inside a window. I spotted these on Ninth Avenue in East Village.

The past few days, while walking along sidewalks in downtown San Diego, I’ve photographed all sorts of cool artwork. Some of the art is relatively new. Some of it, as you’ll see, is derived from or influenced by the popular culture.

Which reminds me! This year I’ll be covering San Diego Comic-Con again! I’m taking a week off from work, and because I live downtown I should be able to get lots of photos of cosplay, special exhibitions, building and trolley wraps, fun offsite events . . . and hopefully some unexpected surprises!

I can’t wait!

A green fiendish creature awaits those who might venture into Suite 102.
More bold art on Ninth Avenue. A green fiendish creature awaits those who might venture into Suite 102.
A face painted by VISUAL on a transformer box in downtown San Diego. I photographed this (and the following two boxes) while walking down A Street.
A face painted by VISUAL on a transformer box. I photographed this (and the following two boxes) while walking down A Street.
Circle around these two utility boxes and you'll read the words: create future.
Circle around these two utility boxes and you’ll read the words: Create Future.
A beautiful window above the entrance of Sidiropoulos Law Firm on Sixth Avenue depicts blind Justice holding her scales.
Beautiful glasswork above the entrance of Sidiropoulos Law Firm on Sixth Avenue depicts blind Justice holding her scales.
Ornamentation above the front door of the historical McClintock Storage Warehouse building on Kettner Boulevard.
Ornamentation above the front door of the historical McClintock Storage Warehouse building on Kettner Boulevard.
All sorts of amusing graphics decorate the windows of the restaurant AAHARN by Koon Thai.
All sorts of amusing graphics decorate the windows of the restaurant AAHARN by Koon Thai.
William Dorsett near the USS Midway created some fun spray paint Pokémon artwork!
William Dorsett near the USS Midway created some fun spray paint Pokémon artwork!
Marvin the Martian inside the front door of Funko South. The office is located on Market Street, and serves as Funko's cool Pop! Up Shop during San Diego Comic-Con!
Marvin the Martian inside the front door of Funko South. The office is located on Market Street, and has served as Funko’s Pop! Up Shop during San Diego Comic-Con.
Elaborate art by Kelsey Montague in the courtyard of The Headquarters. People can take photos of themselves with wings!
Colorful art by Kelsey Montague in the courtyard of The Headquarters. People can take photos of themselves wearing ocean-themed wings!
A super cool mural on the east side of Pokez Mexican Restaurant. A few years back different spray paint art was here, which I also photographed!
A super cool mural on the east side of Pokez Mexican Restaurant. A few years back different spray paint art was on this wall, which I also photographed!

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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 photos for you to enjoy!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles street art!

Cool spray paint street art in a Logan Heights alley includes the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
Bold spray paint street art in a Logan Heights alley features the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

Several long alleys in Logan Heights have been spray painted with super cool street art. I visited one alley recently that contains awesome images of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

This particular “Alley Gallery” can be found north of Commercial Street and west of 32nd Street. The colors are bold and the artwork is fantastic. Walking down the alley is almost like turning the pages of a TMNT comic book or graphic novel.

Enjoy these fun photos!

Leonardo, leader of the Ninja Turtles, stands alert beside some bold, colorful graffiti.
Leonardo, leader of the Ninja Turtles, stands alert beside some bold, colorful graffiti.
Michelangelo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles surrounded by enemies.
Michelangelo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is surrounded by enemies.
Donatello appears to be ready for action in an alley mural in Logan Heights.
Donatello appears to be ready for action in an alley mural in Logan Heights.
An ordinary turtle wandering through the sewers is caught in some strange glowing green ooze. This innocent reptile is certainly destined to mutate into a humorous humanoid martial artist!
An ordinary turtle wandering through the sewers is caught in some strange glowing green ooze. This innocent, unassuming reptile is almost certainly destined to mutate into a humorous humanoid martial artist!
Splinter, the rat sensei, is hanging out between more cool graffiti.
Splinter, the rat sensei, is hanging out on a wall between more cool graffiti.
Raphael emerges from a spray painted city. This particular turtle does not appear to be amused.
Raphael emerges from a spray painted city. This particular turtle does not appear to be amused.

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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 photos for you to enjoy!

Faces of civil rights leaders on Imperial Avenue.

A street mural in San Diego that features many famous faces. Martin Luther King, Jr. is joined by others who have worked to advance civil rights.
A street mural in San Diego that features many famous faces. Martin Luther King, Jr. is joined by others who have worked to advance civil rights.

A long mural at the corner of 32nd Street and Imperial Avenue celebrates many of history’s most recognized civil rights leaders. Among them are those who have fought to empower the poor, advocates for democracy, human equality and social justice, and peacemakers.

Originally painted in 1986 to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., the mural was restored and augmented in 2002 by internationally renowned muralist and activist Mario Torero with the help of the local community. The mural now includes faces from around the world, as you can see in these photographs.

The colorful mural spans two walls near the border of two neighborhoods east of downtown San Diego: Logan Heights and Stockton. The images have again faded with time, but the idealism represented remains timeless and powerful.

The face of Cesar Chavez.
The face of Cesar Chavez.
The face of the Dalai Lama.
The face of the Dalai Lama.
The face of Óscar Romero.
The face of Óscar Romero.
The face of Corazon Aquino.
The face of Corazon Aquino.
The face of Desmond Tutu.
The face of Desmond Tutu.
The face of Nelson Mandela.
The face of Nelson Mandela.
The face of Mother Teresa.
The face of Mother Teresa.
The face of Chief Joseph.
The face of Chief Joseph.
The face of Mahatma Gandhi.
The face of Mahatma Gandhi.

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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 photos for you to enjoy!

Cool art and history in Solana Beach.

A woodie with surfboard under palm trees and a shining sun. This mosaic greets people walking down the sidewalk in Solana Beach.
A woodie with surfboard under palm trees and a shining sun. This mosaic greets people walking down the sidewalk in Solana Beach.

During my visit to Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach last weekend, I walked around the area of Lomas Santa Fe Drive, South Cedros Avenue and Highway 101 searching for cool sights.

I found some colorful art and images of local history which I’ll now share!

Nearby Fletcher Cove was named after “Colonel” Ed Fletcher, who developed Solana Beach and contributed in the early 20th century to the history of San Diego. As businessman and politician, he was the driving force behind many important accomplishments. He created Lake Hodges and other area reservoirs; he built the plank road through the desert that connected San Diego to Yuma, Arizona; he helped save Balboa Park’s temporary buildings from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition from destruction; he raised money to purchase land for the Naval Training Station on Point Loma; he also acquired a statue of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo that was a gift to California from Portugal–an iconic sculpture that now stands at Cabrillo National Monument overlooking San Diego Bay.

A fascinating electrical box at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Plaza Street contains photos of Solana Beach’s origin and early history.

Grill in sidewalk marks historic U.S. Route 101 (also known as Pacific Coast Highway) where it passes through Solana Beach.
Grill in sidewalk marks historic U.S. Route 101 (also known as Pacific Coast Highway) where it passes through Solana Beach.
An electrical box celebrates the origin and early history of Solana Beach in San Diego's North County.
An electrical box celebrates the origin and early history of Solana Beach in San Diego’s North County. Pictured on the right is Ed Fletcher.
Fletcher Cove opened on July 4, 1925, giving Solana Beach easy access to the shore. A celebration was held that included horse races along the sand.
Fletcher Cove opened on July 4, 1925, giving Solana Beach easy access to the ocean. A celebration was held that included horse races along the sand.
Early photo of Solana Beach, which was developed by Ed Fletcher as a commercial center for nearby Rancho Santa Fe and Del Mar.
Early photo of Solana Beach, which was developed by Ed Fletcher as a commercial center for nearby Rancho Santa Fe and Del Mar.
Old photos decorating the electrical box were provided by the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society.
Old photos decorating the electrical box were provided by the Solana Beach Civic and Historical Society.
Horses race along the beach as the opening of Fletcher Cove is celebrated.
Horses race along the beach as the opening of Fletcher Cove is celebrated.
Cool mosaic artwork on Pacific Coast Highway shows marine life in the nearby ocean.
Cool mosaic artwork on Pacific Coast Highway shows marine life in the nearby ocean.
An octopus.
An octopus.
A graceful fish.
A graceful fish.
Another beautiful fish made of small ceramic tiles.
Another beautiful fish made of small ceramic tiles.
Nostalgic artwork on an electrical transformer on South Cedros Avenue shows people on the deck of a luxurious ship.
Nostalgic artwork on an electrical transformer on South Cedros Avenue shows people lounging on the deck of a luxurious ship.
More cool street art decorates a utility box on Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach.
More cool street art decorates a utility box on Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach.
Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind.
Lose your dreams and you will lose your mind.

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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 photos for you to enjoy!

Fun street art along Fenton Parkway!

A funny sea lion on an electrical box on Fenton Parkway in Mission Valley.
A sea lion greets people who walk down the sidewalk. Humorous street art on Fenton Parkway.

I’ve noticed an increase in the amount of street art along Fenton Parkway in Mission Valley. A variety of electrical boxes have been painted, and others appear to be works in progress.

There’s so much fun street art now, I figured I’d post some photos! These photographs were taken late today during a short walk between the trolley tracks and Friars Road.

Enjoy!

Another side, and another happy sea lion!
Another side of the same box, and another happy sea lion!
This box appears to be a work in progress. One side has an elaborate moth completed.
This box appears to be a work in progress. One side has an elaborate moth completed.
Surfer girl street art on another electrical box. She's on her surfboard awaiting a perfect wave.
Surfer girl street art on another electrical box. She’s on her surfboard awaiting a perfect wave.
A girl and dog overlooking the ocean at sunset.
A girl and dog overlooking the ocean at sunset.
The ocean in this street art seems to be populated by all sorts of odd prehistoric creatures!
The ocean in this street art seems to be populated by all sorts of odd prehistoric creatures!
This fun scene was created by imaginative art teacher Anna Farrell.
This fun scene was created by imaginative art teacher Anna Farrell.
Another colorful side and another toothy monster.
Another colorful side and another toothy monster.
A cool bird of prey painted by artist Rachel Dipasupil Alberto. I believe it might be an osprey.
A cool bird of prey painted by artist Rachel Dipasupil Alberto. I believe it might be an osprey.
These prickly pears seem to be growing beneath the nearby shopping mall's palm trees!
These prickly pears seem to be growing beneath the nearby shopping mall’s palm trees!
A very cool eagle or hawk near the intersection of Fenton Parkway and Friars Road.
A very cool eagle or hawk near the intersection of Fenton Parkway and Friars Road.
A stunning image on another side of the same box. Thousands of motorists enjoy seeing this colorful artwork as they drive east down busy Friars Road.
A stunning image on another side of the same box. Thousands of motorists enjoy seeing this beautiful artwork as they drive east down busy Friars Road.

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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 photos for you to enjoy!