Art About Town: San Leandro... "Truth Is Beauty"

 

"Eleanor was right. She never looked nice.

 She looked like art, and art wasn't supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something."

 

~Rainbow Powell

Eleanor & Park

 

I have been wanting to photograph the beautiful piece of art, since it was installed at the San Leandro Tech Campus, way back in 2016! But, you know how 2016 went, so you understand why it was so difficult to make my way to the Bay Area to photograph any art, let alone this particular piece. Fast forward, and here we are in 2021 and things are looking up now. With the (knock wood) sale of the house, the future looks a lot brighter. I am planning on getting a car soon. If all goes well, it will be in less than a week, and there will be money this year for vacation, so hopefully I will be able to photograph as much art as I want, in as many different cities as possible. Art and birds. Those two subjects are my favorite photographic escapes. Oops, lets not forget autumn. Oh boy... I give up. There is just too much beauty in the world to actually play favorites. Right?

 

 We will see where this autumn takes us!

 

"Truth Is Art"

By Marco Cochrane

San Leandro Tech Campus

San Leandro, California

(Learn More Here)

 

Art About Town: Sacramento: Capitol Electrical Box Art

 

"Take heart and dive into the quiet maturity of autumn."

 

~Sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann

 

I don't know how mature you can call this autumn, but here we are. As you might expect, Donald Trump is still refusing to admit Joe Biden won the election. He's still hold up in Washington D.C., pouting and drowning in Fox News and listening to the advice of former New York City Mayor, Rudy Guiliani, and listening to the advice of, soon to be convicted felon, Steve Bannon, so everything is pretty much normal. Well, normal as measured by the last 4 years. As Trump moved through his, on the job training for his position of emperor of all he surveys, life has moved into a kind of a, well, living nightmare of abnormal. It's been exhausting. So, maturity, and normal, I never realized how comforting those words are. Funny the things we take for granted.

On a side Note...

 The U.S. just passed 250,000 dead of Covid-19 yesterday.

 

My heart is broken. My guess is it will break several more times again before President-Elect Biden takes office. Thank God I have art to give me strength.

Art About Town: Sacramento, California

Capitol Art Box

"Statues And Lights"

By Sam Sellers

November 1st 2020

Nikon

~Carly

Stockton, California

November 19th 2020

 

Art About Town: Sacramento... Mural "At Folsom Prison"

 

"The one red leaf, the last of its clan,

That dances as often as dance it can,

Hanging so light, and hanging so high,

On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky."

 

~Samuel Taylor Coleridge 

 

I have been wanting to photograph this amazing mural, since it was first done in 2018, as part of the Wide Open Walls Mural Festival. Sacramento has a lot of marvelous murals, only a few of which I have posted to this blog, but this one has been a favorite of mine to just enjoy viewing, when I visit. Sometimes the photographer must put the camera down, and enjoy the art. You see, it is located the side of the Marriott's Residence Inn, on L Street, and can be seen for blocks because of it's size. It takes up the entire side of the 15 story hotel! The mural is in honor of the 50th anniversary of the performer's concert at Folsom prison, and the release of Cash's album, At Folsom Prison.

 

 If the artist's style looks familiar, it's because Fairey is also the artist who created the iconic poster, "Hope" for President Barack Obama, for his 2008 presidential campaign. This mural image was based on the original photograph created for the album by photographer, Jim Marshall, in 1968. One of the most fascinating aspects of the mural, is that Fairey has Johnny Cash gazing toward the site of Folsom Prison, which is located about 20 miles northeast of Sacramento. I visited the grounds of Folsom Prison last month, and hoped to be able to visit the Johnny Cash museum, which sits just outside the gates, but it was unfortunately closed for renovations. I will visit there again sometime, I'd like to learn more about the musician's concert at the prison.

 

Art About Town: Stockton... "Sea Blue, Celadon And Amber Chandelier"

 

"There is something incredibly nostalgic

 about the annual cascade of autumn leaves."

~Joe L. Wheeler

Look... A beautiful new piece of Public Art, and I found it in what seemed like an unlikely place, the Stockton Administrative Building, in downtown. I was there last Monday, to drop off my ballot for the 2020 election. Don't worry, that post is coming up in a few days, because of course I have something to say, and you know me, I never miss a chance a to talk politics! Anyway, in the lobby of the building was this marvelous piece of art. It reminded me of a beautiful autumn beacon, lighting the way. A good omen I think. A sign that this autumn is going to be okay. That November 3rd will be okay. That Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will lead us out of this depressing, and terrifying time that was this administrations term of office.

 Yes, I know, it wasn't installed yesterday. It was actually dedicated in 2009, but it's the first time I have seen it. In 2016 Alan dropped off our ballots, and he did it again last March, so Monday was my first time visiting the Registrar Of Voters. Since moving here, I have been in a self-imposed mental prison about living in Stockton, but I am okay now. The sadness of leaving the Bay Area has healed, and I am feeling like my old self, despite the depression Donald Trump inspires. Hopefully that nightmare is almost over. The anti-depressants have helped, but the help I have really needed came from the goddess of autumn, and some inspiring autumn Public Art like this! How will Public Art help unseat Trump? It won't. But what it does do is help improve my mood, as we prepare for what might be.

 Right now things feel like we have a real chance to see an autumn corrective coming. I know he is going to throw every dirty trick in the book at it, try to hurt us, and the nation, but I feel like, in the end, we have a good chance. I'm not thinking about it too much. I just want to get through the next 20 days. Just let it go by and get to November 3rd. Although there is a little piece of me, the frightened part of me, that does occasionally visit the dark place. The place that makes me believe that Monday, November 2nd, might be the last day we see as free Americans. I suppose it's not very healthy to spend too much time in either season, which is fine, I would rather spend my time in autumn and art. That's where I am at peace.

Sea Blue, Celadon And Amber Chandelier 

By Artist Dale Chihuly

Autumn inspiration from January 14th 2020

My Chandelier...

Today's Autumn Leaf Of The Day #23

~Carly

October 14th 2020

Stockton, California

Art About Town: Castro Valley... Sunburst

"The day was blossoming into a truly lovely example of autumn... the air was crisp, but the sun was warm."

~Sarah J. Maas

The Assassin's Blade

Okay, so last night the first debate took place between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. I spoke a little about it in my last post, sigh, as I sit here writing this all I can say is that it could be described with just one word... SHITSHOW. It wasn't just me saying that, in fact Dana Bash of CNN also came to that conclusion and said so on national television. God I miss real politics. Real debate. Real moderators running the show, not the candidates. Passion is one thing, but what Donald Trump does is not passion, it's dirty, filthy bullying. But I am not going to deal with that right now. This post is about art.

 Electrical Box art to be exact.

 These boxes are scattered all through the Bay Area and starting to make their way out here to the Central Valley.This particular box is titled, Sunburst, by artist Bhavna Misra. It's located in Castro Valley, at the corner of Center st and Heyer ave, in front of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church. I love the colors of it, and how upbeat it makes me feel. This type of public art has been a practical and necessary for the communities they are in. Making something so beautiful from the common, if perhaps a little mundane is magic. But that's what art does. It makes you feel. This kind of art has been around for over a decade, and each new one I spot ends up being a delightful surprise! I wish they had been around when I was a kid. I think I would have competed for a chance to paint a box for the community. What an honor it would be to make someone smile, as the are on their way to or from. I am very pleased that this exists in the world. 

 

 Today's Autumn Leaf Of The Day

~Carly

September 30th 2020

Stockton, California

Art About Town: Oakdale "Yesterday Is Tomorrow"

 

"The leaves are changing; I feel poetry in the air."

~Laura Jaworski

In August I told you about our trip to Oakdale, but I saved a little back for future posts. Well, the future is pretty much now. So, here is a look at a little bit of art that can be found in the Central Valley. It sits in front of the Cowboy Museum and it is titled "Yesterday Is Tomorrow." It was installed in 1992, by artist, Betty Saletta, and is in bronze. I was rather disappointed that the cowboy didn't have a name, but that tends to be a running theme out here. There is a ton of references to the Old West, but it doesn't seem to be specific to any certain events. Its kinda like it's just a generic history of the Gold Rush. I don't know, maybe I just need to explore more out here perhaps. And I can do that, because vacation begins October 9th, and I am really looking forward to some autumn adventures. This photo was taken in the last month of summer, while the wildfire was coloring everything a strange orange/red hue. I wonder what Oakdale looks like under a crystal clear autumn sky. If the leaf below is a preview, I have a lot to look forward to! Stay tuned, because I have more to share!

The Leaf Of The Day

~Carly

September 24th 2020

Stockton, California

Art About Town: Sacramento (Eclipse)

"Eclipse"

Crocker Art Gallery Museum

Sacramento, California

Nikon

"We all grow tired eventually; it happens to everyone.

 Even the sun, at the close of the year, is no longer a morning person."

~Joyce Rachelle

This lovely sculpture is called "Eclipse" and it sits next to the Crocker Historic building on 3rd and O Streets in Sacramento. The E. B. Crocker Art Gallery is a beautiful place, that has brought me a great deal of inspiration over the years. I am enjoying being able to visit it's grounds, now that I am living so much closer to the museum. Hopefully I will get one more chance to photograph the trees on the property as well, before autumn says goodnight, on December 22nd. Sigh. I love Sacramento for so many reasons, the food, the history, the culture, the leaves... oh yes... the leaves and trees, and I consider myself very lucky to be able to keep learning about all it has to offer! 

 #80 Leaf Of The Day

December 11th 2019

Sacramento, California

Nikon

~Mood: Happy

~Me   :)

Art About Town: Stockton UOTP (Tribute To Student Life)

"Tribute To Student Life"

By Helen Betz

University Of The Pacific

Stockton, California

November 3rd 2019

 

"It's not that you were memorable,

but you had the quality of eternal details

like faded graffiti, abandoned newspapers, or a few smudged notes,

almost an offbeat line,scribbled as if by mistake 

amid the frenzy of Bliss Street."

~Zeina Hashem Beck

To Live In Autumn

Faye Spanos Concert Hall

Last Sunday, Alan and I took a walk on the campus of the University Of The Pacific. It is a really beautiful college, with old brick buildings, dating back to the mid 1800's. As I have mentioned in previous posts, the exterior of the, Faye Spanos Concert Hall, was used in the film, "Indian Jones, And The Raiders Of The Lost Ark." A fact of which makes me very happy and downright proud of Stockton! I think it's the coolest damn thought that Indiana Jones could have once taught school here, but I also know that the real name of the college he taught at was Medford college. Sigh. Still the concert building is one of the lovlies buildings on campus, and it deserved to be in the movie. But I digress. This post is about some really great public art that I came across, while checking out the lovely grounds of the university.

I photographed the sculpture from a couple different perspectives, then I sat down on a nearby bench to rest for a while, and just enjoy the beautiful, warm autumn sun. I thought about all the history of the college, and some of it's famous alumni. Janet Leigh. Jamie Lee Curtis. Dave Brubeck. Former mayor of San Francisco George Moscone. Chris Issak. Alex Spanos and Darren McGavin, and that's just to name a few. Politics, entertainment, Business... so many different amazing folks walked this campus, and I feel completely at home here now, in my new town, as I discover all the new facts about those who came to Stockton before me. It took me a little over four years to make an effort, but discovering new art has helped me have some peace of mind, and feel at home. I'm finally home, and I have art to thank for it.

University Of The Pacific

Stockton, California

November 3rd 2019

Nikon

#44 Leaf Of The Day

November 5th 2019

Photographed November 3rd 2019

University Of The Pacific

Stockton California

Nikon

I will be posting additional photos of the university this week. It had too many lovely brick buildings, to put them all in one post! Stockton has such a wonderful mix of architecture, and I think I might do a comprehensive look at the different historical buildings and their styles. So, don't forget to check back!

~Mood: Happy

~Me  :)

Art About Town: Stockton... Sculptures Of Stribly Park

"It was one of those perfect English autumnal days

 which occur more frequently in memory, than in life."

 ~P.D. James

A Taste For Death

The depression has a strong hold this year, no doubt, but I am fighting it off. Yesterday I got up, and got my cameras, a and forced myself out of the house. I visited downtown Stockton, and did some light camera work with some lighthearted public art! Always a mood lifter! I found these jolly fellows, way on the other side og HWY 4, in Stribly Park, near the Community Center. They are simply called, the Stribly Park Sculptures. Which is fine, but I kinda think the guy in the back is named George! Shrug. Don't know why. Just do. The leaves don't have much color, but maybe it's me, maybe I am just not seeing the color, Don't know which, but I do know that those guys made me smile! It's a beginning! And while I was at the park I found this leaf collection. Beautiful. That made me smile too!

 #28 Leaf Of The Day

October 20th 2019

Berkeley, California

Nikon 

~Mood: Quiet

~Me  

Photo By Request: Public Art (Art About Town)

"The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."

~Aristotle 

This post is a not to our latest #PhotoByRequest subject "Public Art". A subject, which you know, I adore, which is why I chose it. Sacramento is full of public art of all kinds, and it is glorious! I can't wait to go back on vacation and spend a day just photographing the art, food, architecture, and trees. All 110,000 of them! But right now, it's all about the art. Of all the pieces I photographed, the Pop art by street artist, Norman Ayles, is my favorite. I will be doing another post soon about those pieces specifically! Those two pieces really spoke to me!

Art About Town: Sacramento

Murals

More on this piece in a different post to come at a later date.

Art About Town: Stockton

Murals and Sculpture
 
"I'm Not Surprised"

"Plant The Seed"

The Confucius Bicentennial Memorial

Art About Town: Castro Valley

Electrical Box Art

"Field Of Deer"

Autumn Leaf Of The Day...

#11 Leaf Of The Day

October 4th 2019

Sacramento, California 

Nikon

~Mood: Quiet
~Me