A cool new street mural in Normal Heights!

A painting of a market full of Mexican crafts and charm. It makes one feel that life is good, just gazing at this joyful artwork.
A painting of a market full of Mexican crafts and charm. It makes anyone walking down the sidewalk feel that life is good, just gazing at this colorful artwork.

Some new, very cool urban art has recently appeared on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights! Here are a few photos!

The street mural, titled Un dia de Mercado, is painted on the side of one small building. It depicts a Mexican marketplace, and many of the goods a shopper is likely to find there. The colors are vivid and happy. The artwork inspires joy.

Un dia de Mercado. A colorful new street mural on Adams Avenue in San Diego's Normal Heights neighborhood.
Un dia de Mercado. A fantastic new street mural on Adams Avenue in San Diego’s Normal Heights neighborhood.
Un dia de Mercado was completed on April 2, 2016. It was painted by several talented artists. Their signatures are evident in this photo. New colorful urban art in Normal Heights!
Un dia de Mercado was completed on April 2, 2016. It was painted by several talented artists. Their signatures are evident in this photo. New colorful urban art in Normal Heights!
A smiling face, a funny parrot, an umbrella, guitar, flowers, fruit and a sleeping dog. One day at the market!
A smiling face, a funny parrot, an umbrella, guitar, flowers, fruit and a sleeping dog. One day at the market!
Beautiful artistry on the side of a building on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights adds life to the city!
Beautiful artistry on the side of a building on Adams Avenue in Normal Heights!
This street mural adds sunshine and happiness to a very cool neighborhood in San Diego!
This street mural adds sunshine and happiness to an already very cool neighborhood in San Diego!

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

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Street artist creates cool sand sculpture in OB.

People enjoying the beach by the Ocean Beach pier are joined by a mythical god and two sunning mermaids!
People enjoying the beach by the Ocean Beach pier are joined by a mythical god and two sunning mermaids!

If you’re in Ocean Beach this week, there’s a good chance you can still enjoy a fantastic sand sculpture created by a talented street artist. Just head down to the base of Newport Avenue!

I don’t know the artist’s name. I did learn that he doesn’t have a website. His buddy was watching over the artwork when I walked past it. He said people should just drop on by and check the sand sculpture out!  I thought all that inspired work deserved a nice tip!

Very cool!

The sea wall at the end of Newport Avenue, north of the OB pier, is a good place to see a variety of street performers.
The sea wall at the end of Newport Avenue, north of the OB pier, is a good place to see a variety of street performers.
Two sand sculpture mermaids created by a talented street artist near the Ocean Beach boardwalk.
Two sand sculpture mermaids created by a talented street artist near the Ocean Beach boardwalk.
Neptune is popping up out of the sand at Ocean Beach!
Neptune is popping up out of the sand at Ocean Beach!

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!

Bright ideas, colorful art, a construction site fence.

Imagination. One work of art on a construction site fence in East Village.
Imagination. One work of art on a construction site fence in East Village.

One can find some colorful, imaginative artwork on a long construction site fence in East Village. In case you aren’t in San Diego, or simply can’t swing on by, I took some photographs!

The large city block bounded by the fence is the site of a new mixed-use development called IDEA1. The visionary urban project includes a combination of apartments, lofts, restaurants, retail and high-tech office space. At the center of it all will be a community gathering place, called The Hub. I can’t wait to see everything finished.

Meanwhile, we can enjoy this cool urban art!

A skyscraper joins the ranks of a vertical pencil, ruler and paint brush.
A skyscraper fits right in with a vertical pencil, ruler and paint brush.
A big construction crane in downtown San Diego rises over globs of color.
A big construction crane in downtown San Diego rises over globs of color.
A cloud containing llamas engulfs the upper stories of a very tall building.
A cloud containing llamas engulfs the upper stories of a very tall building. Okay, that’s just plain weird!  But I like it!
Discover Beyond. Beyond this construction fence, IDEA1 is rising. IDEA1 is a mixed-use residential and business project in East Village.
Discover Beyond. Beyond this construction fence, IDEA1 is rising. IDEA1 is a new mixed-use residential and business project in East Village.
A noodle coming out of a basket spells Idea. Care for some sushi?
A noodle coming out of a basket spells Idea. Care for some sushi?
Cool graphic shows street lamp, signs, a DecoBike station, traffic signal and trolley.
Cool graphic shows lamp, street signs, a DecoBike station, traffic signal and San Diego trolley.
Curious? I am.
Curious? I am.
A psychedelic, tree-lined eyeball between colorful barren branches.
A psychedelic, tree-lined eyeball between colorful barren branches.
Bright Idea at the corner of Park Boulevard and F Street in San Diego's East Village.
Bright Idea at the corner of Park Boulevard and F Street in San Diego’s East Village.
Top of idea, with wires coming out.
Top of one idea, with wires coming out.
A couple, a red umbrella, and city lights.
A couple, a red umbrella, and city lights.

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Have you seen my new blog yet? I think you might enjoy it! It’s called Beautiful Balboa Park! It contains lots of fun, interesting stuff!

More fun photos of street murals in North Park.

Imaginative urban artwork decorates a building wall in San Diego's North Park.
Imaginative urban artwork decorates a building wall in San Diego’s North Park.

Here comes another batch of fun pics!

These super creative street murals were photographed during a walk in North Park. I believe all of this art was located along University Avenue, in the neighborhood of 30th Street. A colorful urban vibe is combined with uninhibited imagination and bold artistry.  Take a look!

The Animal House Pet Shop has a big, cool mural spray painted on its side.
The Animal House Pet Shop has a big, cool mural spray painted on its side.
Smiling faces, beautiful faces, funny faces. Happy visions come to life in this colorful street art.
Smiling faces, beautiful faces, funny faces. Happy visions come to life in this colorful street art.
More fantastic art beckons from an alley near the North Park landmark sign on University Avenue.
More fantastic art beckons from an alley near the North Park landmark sign on University Avenue. I must’ve taken this picture around Christmas.
A spherical fellow who resembles an emoticon or a video game character sits among lots of flowery shapes.
A blue spherical fellow who resembles an emoticon or a video game character sits among lots of flowery shapes.
A gritty urban canvas jammed with abstraction and graffiti is glimpsed by drivers heading along University Avenue.
A gritty urban canvas jammed with abstraction and graffiti is glimpsed by drivers heading along University Avenue.
Bold image along the roof of another building. A female warrior, a green dragon and a brilliant city scene.
Bold image along the roof of another building. A female warrior, a green dragon and a brilliant city scene.
Another alley, another funky street mural.
Another alley, another funky street mural.
I think I see some space chimps!
I think I see some space chimps!

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!

Plastic wrap lovers sit on a bench in Hillcrest!

A happy couple made of shining plastic wrap sits on a bench beneath rainbow balloons in Hillcrest. Yes, I did a double take, then got some quick photos!
Two people made of sunlit plastic wrap sit on a bench beneath rainbow balloons in Hillcrest. Yes, I did a double take! Then I took some quick photos!

Check out this crazy sight! A couple of months ago I was riding home on the Route 120 bus when I spotted something unusual outside the window. Some fun art had materialized on University Avenue just east of Fourth Avenue! Fortunately the bus window was open a bit so I could snap a few good photos.

I filed the photos away on my computer hoping to learn or see something more about these unique plastic wrap lovers. When I passed the same spot a week or so later, the artwork was gone!

I’m assuming these sunlit sculptures sitting on a bench were made out of plastic wrap and tape. All I have to go on is my photos. I know absolutely nothing about them. If you happen to know anything, feel free to leave a comment!

A surprising sight met my eyes during a bus ride. These two plastic wrap sculptures were sitting mysteriously along the sidewalk like lovers.
A surprising sight met my eyes during a bus ride. These two plastic wrap sculptures were sitting mysteriously along a city sidewalk like lovers.

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy more 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 on a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun, unique photos for you to enjoy!

Fun urban art: Walking up Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest.

People of many colors party. Keep going!
People of many colors party. Keep going!

You might enjoy a few photos!

I’ve spotted many colorful examples of urban art while walking up Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest. All of this fun artwork is located between Upas Street and Washington.

Art on the door of Nite Owl Tattoo San Diego, in Hillcrest.
Art on the door of Nite Owl Tattoo San Diego, in Hillcrest.
A painted blonde with cool sunglasses.
A painted blonde with cool sunglasses.
Exotic domes and arches painted on a boring old electrical transformer.
Exotic domes and arches painted on a boring old electrical transformer.
Some colorful street art at Fifth Avenue and Upas Street in Hillcrest.
Some colorful street art at Fifth Avenue and Upas Street in Hillcrest.
Utility box on a street corner is an unusual canvas for an inspired artist.
Utility box on a street corner is an unusual canvas for an inspired artist.
Human imagination turns a dull object into a cool sight!
Human imagination turns a dull object into a cool sight!
An eatery on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest has a wall bursting with bold, silly images.
An eatery on Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest has a wall bursting with bold, silly images.
Babycakes surrounded by crazy faces, flowers and yummy treats.
Babycakes surrounded by crazy faces, flowers and yummy treats.
Colorful bike locking station invites bicyclists to ride up Fifth Avenue.
Colorful bike locking station invites bicyclists to ride up Fifth Avenue.
Weathered penguin on utility box has some chopsticks held in a flipper.
Weathered penguin on utility box has some chopsticks held in a flipper.
A happy, slowly vanishing image enlivens a walk up a Hillcrest sidewalk.
A happy, slowly vanishing image enlivens a walk up a Hillcrest sidewalk.

This morning I published a powerful story titled The Drawing of Leaves on my blog Short Stories by Richard! It’s very brief, but moving. You might enjoy it!

Art springs up near New Children’s Museum!

Art is filled with growing strawberry plants at The Garden Project!
Art is alive (with growing strawberry plants) at The Garden Project!

Whenever I mosey down the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, I spy something new.

This morning I noticed that some fun art has sprung up near the New Children’s Museum, in both The Garden Project and the playground. Someone created beautiful chalk artwork on the playground’s concrete wall, and strawberries have been planted art-fully in the public garden! It reminds me that spring is coming!

(I increased the contrast of my third photograph so the chalk artwork could be more easily seen.)

Kids created this fun strawberry art.
Kids created this fun strawberry art.
And young people created this chalk drawing on a playground wall. A heart encompasses the Earth and a puppy dog. Love is powerful.
And young people created this chalk drawing on a playground wall. A heart encompasses the Earth and a puppy dog. Love is powerful.

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy more Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you like to read original, thought-provoking fiction? Please click Short Stories by Richard.

More cool murals in San Diego’s Little Italy!

Mural titled I Pescatori by artist Renee Garcia, 2003. Depicts tuna fishermen who lived in Little Italy (many were Italian immigrants) fishing off the coast of San Diego.
Mural titled I Pescatori by artist Renee Garcia, 2003. Depicts tuna fishermen who lived in Little Italy (many were Italian immigrants) fishing off the coast of San Diego.

About two years ago, I posted some photos of public murals that can be spotted in Little Italy, a beautiful neighborhood in downtown San Diego. This morning, soaking in the warm sunshine, I slowly strolled up India Street once again!

Camera in hand, I captured even more examples of fantastic, colorful artwork. Most of these pics were taken on India Street north of Ivy Street.

This painting of two dancers was in the front patio of a shop or cafe or restaurant of some kind--I forget what, exactly. I had to snap a quick pic.
This painting of two dancers was in the front patio of a shop or cafe or restaurant of some kind–I forget what, exactly. I had to snap a quick pic.
Ben-Hur Coffee. A cool old advertisement on the side of an old brick building in San Diego's hip Little Italy neighborhood.
Ben-Hur Coffee. A cool old advertisement on the side of an old brick building in San Diego’s hip Little Italy neighborhood.
Just a fun artistic tile on a building wall that I noted as I walked up India Street this morning.
Just a fun artistic tile on a building wall that I noted as I walked up India Street this morning.
Several murals that together are titled Eredita Italiana. By Yakov Kandinov, 2004. According to a nearby plaque, this is a Precious Cheese Art Mural Project.
Several murals that together are titled Eredita Italiana. By Yakov Kandinov, 2004. According to a nearby plaque, this is a Precious Cheese Art Mural Project.
A portrait of a proud Italian family that might have lived in this neighborhood.
A portrait of a proud Italian family that might have lived in this neighborhood.
One of the grouped murals depicts the historic Our Lady of the Rosary church in Little Italy.
One of the grouped murals depicts the historic Our Lady of the Rosary church in Little Italy.
Looks like someone else was walking up the sidewalk on India Street--and they had wet shoes!
Looks like someone else was walking up the sidewalk on India Street–and they had wet shoes!
Just a fun sign on a Little Italy antique shop's door. The Bungalow Store.
Just a fun sign on a Little Italy antique shop’s door. The Bungalow Store.
A radiant Madonna above the front door of El Camino, a crazy, kitschy Mexican eatery and bar in San Diego's Little Italy.
A radiant Madonna above the front door of El Camino, a crazy, kitschy Mexican eatery and bar in San Diego’s Little Italy.
Many faces of beauty on exterior wall of El Camino.
Many faces of beauty on an exterior wall of El Camino.
Old, faded graphics on wood wall show a troupe of Mexican mariachis.
Old, faded graphic on wood wall shows a troupe of Mexican mariachis.
Colorful application of kitsch on the outside of El Camino.
Colorful application of kitsch on the outside of El Camino.
A large smiling senorita mural looks right at you.
A large smiling senorita mural looks right at you.
A muy guapo caballero in Little Italy!
Caballero muy guapo in Little Italy!

You can follow Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook and Twitter!

Do you like to read original, thought-provoking fiction? Please click Short Stories by Richard.

Cool art battle: An elephant versus a dinosaur!

Exotic elephant on wall of the Crest Cafe in Hillcrest, created by San Diego artist Cody Griffith in 2012.
Exotic elephant on wall of the Crest Cafe in Hillcrest, created by San Diego artist Cody Griffith in 2012.

Here are two of my favorite street murals in San Diego. The colorful elephant appears on the outside west wall of the Crest Cafe in Hillcrest. It was painted by local artist Cody Griffith in 2012. The monstrous Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur with a funny fuzzy rider can be seen in North Park, at the corner of University Avenue and Ray Street. This cool urban artwork was created by Mark Paul Deren, who also goes by the name Madsteez.

It’s a street art battle of monstrous proportions!

Funny urban art in North Park. A cool T. rex and fuzzy rider rise high above a concrete mixer truck. Created by artist Mark Paul Deren, also known as Madsteez.
Funny urban art in North Park. A cool T. rex and rider rise high above a concrete mixer truck. Created by artist Mark Paul Deren, also known as Madsteez.
Another fun example of creativity in the diverse and wonderful city of San Diego.
Another fun example of creativity in the diverse and wonderful city of San Diego.

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Do you like to read original, thought-provoking fiction? Please visit Short Stories by Richard.

Photos of fun urban art in Mission Hills.

Funny faces peer from the wall of a local business on West Washington Street in Mission Hills.
Funny faces peer from the wall of a local business on West Washington Street in Mission Hills.

Here come some fun photos of urban art in Mission Hills. Was it two weeks ago or three, when I walked this way camera in hand, on my way to the Serra Museum?  How time flies . . .

Most of this warm, good-humored art was observed along West Washington Street, which is the main east-west artery in Mission Hills. You might notice that birds are a big theme in the neighborhood. The north-south streets are named after different birds and are arranged in alphabetical order.

Hey! I hope my blog adds a little joy to your life. I know I’m enjoying myself! Thanks to all of you who follow Cool San Diego Sights, and who have generously shared it with others. I’m positive more fun awaits! –Richard

I noticed that our fine feathered friends are often featured in Mission Hills urban art. Perhaps because north-south streets are named after birds, in alphabetical order.
I noticed that our fine feathered friends are often featured in Mission Hills urban art. Perhaps because north-south streets are named after birds, in alphabetical order.
Another side of the creatively decorated utility box.
Another side of a creatively decorated utility box.
A third fun side! A human and two happy birds add good humor to the sidewalk!
A third fun side! A human and two happy birds add good humor to the sidewalk!
Wonderful metal bird sculptures can be seen in the median on West Washington Street.
Wonderful metal bird sculptures can be seen in the median on West Washington Street.
Shiny, silvery birds take to the air, among palm trees in Mission Hills.
Shiny, silvery birds take to the air, among palm trees in Mission Hills.
Another large bird sculpture seems ready to lift off into the sunshine!
Another large bird sculpture seems ready to lift off into the sunshine!
Some fun public art by a parking garage. A nice place to sit for a spell.
Some fun public art by a parking garage. A nice place to sit for a spell.
More street art in Mission Hills, a neighborhood north of downtown San Diego, west of Hillcrest and east of Old Town.
More street art in Mission Hills, a neighborhood north of downtown San Diego, west of Hillcrest and east of Old Town.
Large painted flowers add color to an otherwise ordinary intersection.
Large painted flowers add color to an otherwise ordinary intersection.
A bold, artistic sign entices people to grab a cup of coffee nearby.
A bold, artistic sign entices people to grab a cup of coffee nearby.
One restaurant, The Patio on Goldfinch, has unique outdoor tables. Your food is placed upon historical maps of San Diego!
One restaurant, The Patio on Goldfinch, has unique outdoor tables. Your food is placed upon historical maps of San Diego!
Greenery painted on an old brick wall seems to blend with lush trees along the sidewalk.
Greenery painted on an old brick wall seems to blend with lush trees along the sidewalk.
I spotted a cool doorstep by the sidewalk. It seems a resident's dog and a cat have their own special place!
I spotted a cool doorstep by the sidewalk. It seems a resident’s dog and a cat have their own special place!