Tag: street art

Creative trashcan art adds fun to Hillcrest streets.

Dozens of trashcans on the streets of Hillcrest have been painted by local artists.
Dozens of trashcans on the streets of Hillcrest have been painted by local artists.

In the past couple years, most of the trashcans lining the streets of Hillcrest have been colorfully painted by local artists. During a recent walk, I passed quite a few of these street art trashcans and took some photos. Many of these fun creations were seen along University Avenue, between Fourth Avenue and Park Boulevard.

Every sort of colorful design can be found on these decorated trash cans.
Every sort of colorful design can be found on these decorated trash cans.
Lighted buildings rise next to a guitar player strumming under the stars.
Lighted buildings rise next to a guitar player strumming under the stars.
Many of the trashcans have a carnival theme, with masks, happy faces and crazy fun.
Many of the trashcans have a carnival theme, with masks, happy faces and crazy fun.
People walk past a cool spot to toss garbage, on University Avenue near Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest.
People walk past a cool spot to toss garbage, on University Avenue near Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest.
This looks like some sort of strange bug jester.
This looks like some sort of strange bug jester.
Wildly creative street art can be found throughout San Diego's Hillcrest community.
Wildly creative street art can be found throughout San Diego’s Hillcrest community.
A purple mask-like face that's difficult to miss!
A purple mask-like face that’s very difficult to miss!
An exotic blue face near a dirty orange construction cone.
An exotic blue face near a dirty orange construction cone.
Bicyclist in Hillcrest rides down the sidewalk past another great example of trashcan art.
Bicyclist in Hillcrest rides down the sidewalk past another great example of trashcan art.
I think I saw this green face on Star Trek.
I think I saw this green face on Star Trek.
An artistic trashcan waits by a bus stop near the Hillcrest landmark sign.
An artistic trashcan waits by a bus stop near the Hillcrest landmark sign.
Masks and confetti represent the party atmosphere in youthful Hillcrest.
Masks and confetti reflect the party atmosphere in youthful Hillcrest.
A big, joyful saxophone has been painted on this trashcan.
A big, joyful saxophone has been painted on this trashcan.
Here's an urban rooster.
Here’s an urban rooster.
Pineapple, fresh strawberries, watermelon, and some litter.
Pineapple, fresh strawberries, watermelon, and some litter.
These trashcans with images of food are located near Normal Street.
These trashcans with images of food are located near Normal Street.
A tree along busy University Avenue adds even more life to the city.
A tree along busy University Avenue adds life to the city.
Trashcan with Sphinx and pyramids is appropriate for the Egyptian Quarter, near the intersection of University and Park Boulevard.
Trashcan with Sphinx and pyramids is appropriate for the Egyptian Quarter, near the intersection of University and Park Boulevard.
Female face with Pharoah mask was painted by a local artist on Park Boulevard.
Female face with a Pharoah headdress was painted by a local artist on Park Boulevard.

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Life, art, food and home on National Avenue.

Awesome street art on a chiropractic office near Cesar Chavez Pkwy.
Awesome street art on a chiropractic office near Cesar Chavez Pkwy in Barrio Logan.

I have some time off from work, so I’m able to do a little more weekday walking than usual. Yesterday I wandered through a gritty but fascinating neighborhood near downtown that’s a bit off the beaten track. A stretch of National Avenue runs through a narrow section of the city between Logan Heights and downtown San Diego, directly east of the rail and trolley yards; I walked from Imperial Avenue to Cesar E. Chavez Parkway, then back.

The area contains many car repair shops, welding shops, warehouses, and other small businesses which occupy modest, often decayed buildings. In a few places, groups of homeless had gathered. Small, neglected shanty-like houses are interspersed with elegant historic old homes and newer apartment buildings. Yet vibrant life was active everywhere. And everyone I met gave me a friendly greeting!

Cool mural on residential building features an eagle, cacti, palm trees.
Cool mural on residential building features an eagle, cacti, palm trees.
Quaint narrow house on National Avenue near downtown San Diego.
Quaint narrow house on National Avenue near downtown San Diego.
Portion of colorful graffiti in a weedy space between buildings.
Portion of colorful graffiti in a weedy space between buildings.
This very cool mural caught my eye as I walked down the street. It's on Logan Avenue, one block from National Avenue.
This very cool mural caught my eye as I walked down the street. It’s on Logan Avenue, a couple blocks from National Avenue.
Plaque on La Entrada project explains reconstructed Mission Revival facade.
Plaque on La Entrada project explains reconstructed Mission Revival facade.
The Mission Revival facade on La Entrada apartments is an homage to the neighborhood's history.
The Mission Revival facade on La Entrada apartments is an homage to the region’s history.
Local vendor is selling tamales under a canopy by the sidewalk.
Local vendor is selling tamales under a canopy by the sidewalk.
Mother's Nutritional Center helps local low-income women with young children.
Mother’s Nutritional Center helps local low-income women with young children.
A soccer ball on utility box by a small local market known for their sub sandwiches.
A soccer ball on utility box by a small local market known for their sub sandwiches.
One word on this old wall says it all--Life.
One word on this fantastic old wall says it all: Life.

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Cool sights from a walk down Seventh Avenue.

Several faces line the bottom of a closed shop window.
Several faces line the bottom of a downtown window.

Yesterday morning I walked south on Seventh Avenue through a thin slice of downtown San Diego. I began at the tippy top of Cortez Hill and ended near Petco Park. Looking about for random cool sights, just swinging my camera right or left, I took a few pics…

Classic figures in a frieze on a building at the corner of Seventh and C Street. The cool Computer Museum of America used to be here.
Classic figures in a frieze on a building at the corner of Seventh and C Street. The cool Computer Museum of America used to be here.
View of the iconic America's Finest City mural from a spot on Seventh Avenue.
View of the iconic America’s Finest City mural from a spot on Seventh Avenue.
Happy reveler painted at the corner of Seventh and E Street.
Happy reveler painted at the corner of Seventh and E Street.
More cool street art on some boxes at Seventh and F Street.
More cool street art on some boxes at Seventh and F Street.
Fun utility box artwork seen during a walk down Seventh Avenue in downtown San Diego.
Fun utility box street art photographed during a morning walk through downtown San Diego.
The images might be weathered, but the playful spirit remains strong.
The images might be weathered, but the playful spirit remains strong.
Gigantic eye stares out window at me as I continue to walk south down Seventh Avenue.
Gigantic eye stares out of one window at me as I continue to walk south down Seventh Avenue.
The Clermont/Coast Hotel, built in 1887, is a Black Historic Site. During the days of racial segregation, is was one of the largest colored hotels in downtown San Diego.
The Clermont/Coast Hotel, built in 1887, is a Black Historic Site. During the days of racial segregation, is was one of the largest “colored” hotels in downtown San Diego.
Seventh Avenue has turned into Tony Gwynn Drive. With the new Padres baseball season, brand new graphics have appeared on the sign behind Petco Park’s big videoboard.
Seventh Avenue has turned into Tony Gwynn Drive. With the new Padres baseball season, brand new graphics have appeared on the sign behind Petco Park’s big videoboard.
Poster inside Omni Hotel window looks forward to San Diego's 2016 All-Star Game.
Poster inside Omni Hotel window looks forward to San Diego’s 2016 All-Star Game.
Sweeping the front of Lucky's Lunch Counter early one weekday morning.
Sweeping the front of Lucky’s Lunch Counter early one weekday morning.

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The dramatic faces of Ion Theatre’s street mural.

Dramatic faces compose Ion Theatre's complex outdoor mural. The photos are taken from past productions.
Dramatic faces compose Ion Theatre’s complex outdoor mural. The photos are taken from past productions.

I walked past the Ion Theatre in Hillcrest early this afternoon. I’d planned to take some pics of their cool new street mural, which I’d seen several times while heading up Sixth Avenue.

Not only did I get photos of the mural, but I caught some folks setting up for the Ion Theatre Company’s big outdoor I’ll Take Manhattan gala!

The eye-popping black-and-white photomosaic, I was told, is composed of images from Ion’s 72 productions over their 10 years of history. Ion Theatre has become an important cultural presence in San Diego. According to their mission statement, they are dedicated to “forging bold, vital, diverse new work…powerful, provocative new plays from emerging playwrights… (and reimagining) classics using the lens of theatrical innovation…”

Support local artists and check out their website!

A visual mosaic of human stories dazzles the viewer.
This mosaic containing many human stories dazzles the eye.
Ion's parking lot becomes the unique setting for a fundraising gala.
Ion’s parking lot becomes the unique setting for a fundraising event.
I'm told this image is from Ion Theatre's latest play, Kin.
I’m told this image is from Ion Theatre’s most recent play, Kin.
Jumbled emotions seen from the street become more potent when approached.
Jumbled emotions seen from the street become more potent when approached.
Countless expressions on faces that are turned in all directions.
Countless expressions on faces that are turned in all directions.
This is a one very engaging piece of urban art!
This is an extremely engaging piece of urban art!
Ion Theatre and its mural are located in San Diego's Hillcrest neighborhood.
Ion Theatre and its mural are located in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood.
A timeworn face on a city wall that, too, will soon become weathered.
A timeworn face on an ordinary city wall that, too, will soon become weathered.
Setting up for a special gala in the small parking lot.
Setting up for a special gala in the small parking lot.
The Ion Theatre Company provides a cool sight for my camera!
The Ion Theatre Company provides a cool sight for my camera!

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Don’t Believe the Hype painted on Horton Plaza!

A shopper standing on the asphalt braces against a Horton Plaza parking lot wall. Others have climbed up onto her shoulders.
A shopper standing on the asphalt braces against a Horton Plaza parking lot wall. Others have climbed up onto her shoulders.
People mount higher and higher like circus performers, trying to get a glimpse over the wall. Something wonderful must await on the other side!
People mount higher and higher like circus performers, trying to get a glimpse over the wall. Something wonderful must await on the other side!
This stack of humanity is beginning to resemble the Tower of Babel. I hope they don't fall!
This stack of humanity is beginning to resemble the Tower of Babel. I hope they don’t fall!
Don't believe the hype! That's some mighty tall street art!
Don’t believe the hype! That’s some mighty tall street art!

This impressive street art is visible on the south side of the Horton Plaza shopping mall, on G Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue. It was painted in 2010 by Brazilian graffiti artists Os Gemeos, which is Portuguese for The Twins. The artists, who were breakdancers before they started painting graffiti almost 30 years ago, have become quite a sensation! The project was sponsored and promoted by the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. But should we believe the hype?

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Balloons, wings, stars and the wisdom of Seuss.

Panda with star on belly is lifted by colorful balloons, and floats away into the blue sky.
Panda with star on belly is lifted by colorful balloons, and floats away into the blue sky.

No matter how different people might appear, we all live among the same bright stars.

Perhaps that’s a bit of wisdom inferred from a book by one of my favorite authors, Dr. Seuss.

That also seems to be the elevating message of this cool street art in Bankers Hill.

While words and art might eventually fade (as these photos prove), the stars buried within us do not.

These three transformer boxes in Bankers Hill are painted with unbounded imagination.
These three transformer boxes in Bankers Hill are painted with unbounded imagination.
Jazzy guy plays keyboard in a boat that soars above the surf and a star-bellied bird.
Jazzy guy plays keyboard in a boat that soars above the surf and a star-bellied bird.
Flowers in hair, on shoulders. A golden star joins the sun and sunflower in symbolic street art.
Flowers in hair, on shoulders. A golden star on a dress joins the sun and sunflower in symbolic street art.
Part of faded Dr. Seuss verse. That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars and whether they had one, or not, upon thars.
Part of slowly fading Dr. Seuss verse: “That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars and whether they had one, or not, upon thars.”
Winged angel dog in heaven plays a drum.
Winged angel dog in heaven plays a drum.
Silly green-headed alien frolics on red planet.
Happy, unique green alien frolics on red planet.
Musician in cool sunglasses plays guitar where he stands in the cosmos.
Musician plays his guitar where he stands in the cosmos.
A zany peek over Mars, under stars.
A zany peek over Mars, under stars.

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It’s always sunny in Hillcrest!

I believe in rollerblading! More fun utility box art in a San Diego neighborhood.
I believe in rollerblading. More fun utility box art in a San Diego neighborhood.

At the corner of Fifth and Spruce is a convenience store. Stop here on a sunny day and you can do more than grab a bag of chips. You can enjoy two colorful examples of street art!

It's always sunny in Hillcrest! (Follow the arrow. This is in Bankers Hill.)
It’s always sunny in Hillcrest!

To be exact, this is Bankers Hill. Hillcrest begins at Upas Street, a couple blocks to the north. I suppose that’s why someone drew an arrow.

Harsh angular shadow eclipses pastoral mural painted on a parking lot wall.
Dark shadow can’t harm this joyful street mural painted on a parking lot wall.
Magical fairy, flowers and tree behind dumpster. A touch of charming creativity in the city.
Magical fairy, flowers and tree behind dumpster. A touch of charming creativity in the city.

UPDATE!

Years later, I noticed the tooth fairy had magically appeared! (I believe the building with the mural is home to a dentist.)

IMG_8742z

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Chalk voices: strong feeling and thought.

This bright, smiling chalk face is gifted with a third eye.
This bright, smiling chalk face is gifted with a third eye.

In downtown San Diego, across the street from the New Children’s Museum, right next to the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, you’ll find a play area. You might have seen my blog post on Christmas about The Garden Project. The play area can be found right next to it.

Strangely, this playground doesn’t contain many swings or happy things to play on. It does include a wide concrete floor and a high, blank concrete wall, however. Which combine to make an inviting canvas. The hard surface is softened with faces, hearts, strong feeling and thought. The voices of youth.

Here is what I photographed yesterday morning. Many of the ever-changing chalk images are faint. I had to increase the contrast for most pics quite a bit.

Multi-colored face seems to be in deep thought.
Many-colored chalk face appears to be in deep thought.
An uncertain heart. No way. Yes way.
An uncertain heart. No way? Yes way?
This large blue eye seems to stare out from the blank concrete wall.
A large blue eye seems to stare from a hard concrete wall.
I wish you could see the world through my eyes!
I wish you could see the world through my eyes!
A small pink face with long hair gazes up from underfoot.
A small pink face with long hair gazes up from underfoot.
A burst of joy. WELCOME HOME
A burst of sudden joy. WELCOME HOME
A young person worries: Can't you see me?
A young person worries: Can’t you see me?
These words contain agony with a sad nod of wisdom.
These words contain terrible agony with a sad nod of wisdom.
Guy cleaning the play area in the early morning with a noisy blower.
Guy cleaning the play area in the early morning with a noisy blower.
A small delicate flower made of temporary dust.
A small delicate flower made of temporary dust.
Written carefully and meaningfully: Embrace The Journey.
Philosophy written carefully, meaningfully: Embrace The Journey.

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Cool pics from a wonderful walk around Encinitas.

Welcome to the City of Encinitas, home of sun, surf, cool sights, and an endless summer.
Welcome to the City of Encinitas, home of sun, surf, cool sights, and a wonderful endless summer.

Here’s just a bunch of cool pics from my weekend walk around Encinitas. I mostly stuck to Coast Highway 101, often referred to as Pacific Coast Highway, south of Encinitas Boulevard.  I also took a short stroll along Cottonwood Creek down to beautiful Moonlight Beach, and a short walk to the D Street Viewpoint.

Surfer crossing sign on Pacific Coast Highway near trail to Moonlight Beach.
Surfer crossing sign on Pacific Coast Highway near trail to Moonlight Beach.
Approaching Moonlight Beach along Cottonwood Creek trail.
Approaching Moonlight Beach along Cottonwood Creek trail.
Pathway down to concession stand at beautiful Moonlight Beach.
Path down to concession stand at beautiful Moonlight Beach.
Just another perfect day at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California.
Just another perfect day at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, California.
Gazing a short distance along the coast from a scenic overlook point.
Gazing a short distance along the coast from a scenic overlook point.
Sign on Pacific Coast Highway explains history and importance of Cottonwood Creek.
Sign on Pacific Coast Highway explains history and importance of Cottonwood Creek.
Gazing down at Cottonwood Creek nature trail from Pacific Coast Highway.
Photograph of Cottonwood Creek nature trail from Pacific Coast Highway.
Heading down PCH. Sculpture on street side is titled Encinitas Child, by artist Manuelita Brown.
Heading down old Coast Highway 101. Sculpture on street side is titled Encinitas Child, by artist Manuelita Brown.
Pacific Coast Highway through Encinitas won Great American Main Street award in 2004.
Pacific Coast Highway through Encinitas won Great American Main Street award in 2004.
Coast Highway 101 is one of the most amazing drives, especially through San Diego's North County.
Coast Highway 101 is one of the most amazing drives, especially through San Diego’s North County.
Cool sights as I walked included this big peace sign and tie dye design.
Cool sights as I walked included this big peace sign and tie dye design.
The big Encinitas landmark sign over South Coast Highway 101.
The big Encinitas landmark sign over South Coast Highway 101.
Colorful murals along the sidewalk in this happy, carefree beach town.
Colorful murals along the sidewalk in this happy, carefree beach town.
Public art shows sailors running their boat to shore through breakers.
Public art shows sailors running their boat to shore through breakers.
Lots of small shops, eateries and galleries line Pacific Coast Highway.
Lots of small shops, eateries and galleries line Pacific Coast Highway.
Classic image on building shows surfer and his longboard.
Classic image on building shows surfer and his longboard.
Cool street art on side of business just off Pacific Coast Highway.
Cool street art on side of business just off Pacific Coast Highway.
Electrical transformer box decorated with sun, surf and guitar.
Electrical transformer box decorated with sun, surf and guitar.
People wait at Swami's pedestrian crossing, with exotic golden domes of the Self-Realization Fellowship across PCH in the background.
People wait at Swami’s pedestrian crossing, with exotic golden domes of the Self-Realization Fellowship across PCH in the background.
Elephant mosaic on side of Self-Realization Fellowship gift shop.
Elephant mosaic on side of Self-Realization Fellowship gift shop.
Java Hut is a typical little beachy place.
Java Hut is a typical little beachy place.
Funky art along sidewalk is hung about a cactus.
Funky art along sidewalk is hung about a cactus.
Bikes and surfboards are abundant in sunny Encinitas.
Bikes and surfboards are abundant in sunny Encinitas.
Tile art on trash can depicts the D Street Viewpoint.
Tile art on trash can depicts the D Street Viewpoint.
Wooden stairs down to beach from D Street Viewpoint. Don't you wish you were here.
Photo of wooden stairs down to beach from D Street Viewpoint. Don’t you wish you were here?

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Three sides of fun now served by silly blogger.

Squid with top hat and cane entertains passersby on a Hillcrest utility box.
Squid with top hat and cane entertains passersby on a painted Hillcrest utility box.

I can be lazy. When I began this blog I was often lazy. On a fine October day back in 2013…I was lazy.

I blogged about one funny image on a utility box in Hillcrest. But every side of the box is covered with entertaining street art. Silly me. Time to rectify the problem…

This alien came to Earth for a martini.
This alien came to Earth for a martini.
Lady in kimono enjoys hot tea by a volcano in San Diego.
Lady in kimono enjoys hot tea by a volcano.

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