Monday Mural: green eyes

This is a new mural in West Oakland just off Mandela Parkway.  It is a large collaboration between three artists.  This section is by Ernest Doty whom you've seen in a previous post.  There is something unsettling yet oddly compelling about these faces.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

U is for urban farm

While driving down Mandela Parkway I spied this cool chicken coop with quite a variety of chickens.  The picture is not as sharp as it could be because it was dusk and I had to shoot over a cyclone fence.  Urban farms are growing in Oakland and right now chickens are allowed but not roosters.  Funny, I could swear I've heard them crow in several spots around town.  Must be my imagination.  There's lots of debate about what other animals should be allowed and what should be guidelines for butchering.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

what is this?

Structures seen at Peralta Junction near sunset.  Don't know if they have a mechanical function but I saw them as sculptures.

Monday Mural: Peoples' Grocery

This mural adorns the back of the People's Grocery which recently opened in West Oakland.  It is another work by the Community Rejuvenation Project, frequently featured in Monday Mural.  The bright yellow is the sun breaking through the clouds.  I like the way the words of Wangari Maathai are highlighted.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them all around.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week. 

more American Steel

Another of Karen Cusolito's monumental pieces.  Found at American Steel studios in West Oakland.

Monday Mural: third eye

Here's one last mural on canvas I'm showing from Peralta Junction.  I like the mystical vibe, the 3rd eye, and the essence vapors featured in this piece.  For some reason it makes me think of Jimi Hendrix, whose music continues to be magical.  This traveling carnival closes soon, and then all the murals that border the site will be taken down.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you'll find them everywhere.  Follow the Linky steps below.  Be sure to link back to this meme and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

yellow and blue

You can find ginkgo trees in the most unexpected locations.  This tree is on 26th street just below West St.  The yellow leaves next to the blue clapboard house is a pleasing site.

Monday Mural: myopic walrus

Another canvas mural from Peralta Junction.  Don't ask me what this has to do with an old timey "traveling midway of curiosities," but it is amusing.  Now that I think about it, a monocle toting walrus would be a curiosity.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

Monday Mural: avian depression

Captured on a fabric wall surrounding Peralta Junction, a temporary art installation and community event in West Oakland.  Community developers and local artists have created a magical area on a previously empty lot where games, movies, and special events will occur until mid-December.  I recognize the artist's style but can't tell you his name.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

out for a ride

This little guy was a whiz on his scooter.  He easily rode around the crowd without causing problems or irritation.  His fedora added a dashing touch of style to his appearance.  Spotted at the Black Cowboy Parade in West Oakland.

American Steel sculpture

"Ecstasy" was constructed by Karen Cusolito and Dan Das Mann in 2007 and used that year at Burning Man.  It stands 30 feet high and weighs 9 tons.  In 2010 the sculpture was installed for several months in a park in San Francisco's Hayes Valley neighborhood.  She now resides at the entrance of American Steel Studios in West Oakland where Cusolito has her work space and also rents studio and gallery space to over 100 artists and small businesses.

Cowboys in Oakland? Yep!

Saturday was the 38th annual parade organized by the Oakland Black Cowboy Association (OBCA).

The homespun parade was held at DeFremery Park in West Oakland and included high school ROTC drill teams, Girl Scouts, the Red Hat ladies, a book club, local politicians, and church groups.  The highlight was, of course, the cowboys and guest charros from Lincoln, CA.

The parade was smaller than in past years due to the organization's dwindling membership, but the crowd was enthusiastic and there was literal dancing in the streets.

The OBCA educates the public, especially school children, about the history of black cowboys, estimated to have comprised 25% of the West's cowboys after the Civil War.

The cowboys were particularly attentive to the kids in the crowd who were entranced by the horses.  A barbeque and zydeco dancing capped off the event.

Crucible sculpture

The Crucible in West Oakland offers classes in industrial arts and all media related to fire.   Where else can you can find workshops in blacksmithing, glass blowing, and neon all under one roof?  Oh,  let's not forget fire dancing.  No surprise that they're a big presence at Burning Man.

Monday Mural: Oakland Super Heros

This new mural on San Pablo Ave. in West Oakland at the Emeryville border is sponsored by the Attitudinal Healing Connection.  It was designed by local high school students and executed by students and a volunteer group of 12 artists.  This is the first of 6 murals planned for freeway support structures in West Oakland.  It is about 100 feet long and took 18 days to complete.

Many of the figures are portraits of neighbors, and there are depictions of actual houses and buildings in the area.  The girl super hero is modeled after one of the high school students who helped design the mural.  Read more about this mural here and here.  It is a beautiful and colorful presence in an area that suffers poverty, neglect, and crime.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.  I will be out of town during September and my ability to comment may be limited.  The Linky, however, will continue to go up 8 PM PST each Sunday.

vintage metal sign

This cool, old sign remains even though the business is long gone.

Monday Mural: apartment upgrade

Someone was inspired to repaint the facade of this Victorian era apartment building.  The Pow! Wow! feel reminds me of Peter Max. This building now sparkles on a corner of a sketchy neighborhood on San Pablo Avenue in West Oakland.  I spoke to some of the neighbors who seem happy with the results and are proud to know the artist.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week. 

Skywatch Friday: more blue skies

A 1960s-70s vintage motel on West MacArthur Blvd when MacArthur was the primary thoroughfare in Oakland pre-urban renewal. The hotel is being well maintained even as it has transitioned to a residential motel.  Love the sign, love the font on the wall, love those decorative oval thingies on the corner of the building.  Also love the blue skies we're enjoying and the comfortable Oakland temperatures.   If you go east through the Caldecott Tunnel, you'll find temps in the 90s.  And how is it in your area?  Linking to Skywatch Friday.

Monday Mural: Honest Al's wall

Honest Al's wrecking yard in West Oakland has become a go-to wall for graffiti artists.  This is not my favorite kind of street art, but I admit I don't know how to look at it.  I Googled CBS, which seems to be a loose confederation of artists in Northern and Southern California.  Defie and Quakes are part of this crew.  Beyond that I'm at a loss.  You can tell that a lot of feeling and passion have gone into this work, but I'm afraid I don't know what it references.  Interestingly, someone has drawn a line beyond which the artists should not go, and this is being honored.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to the mural finds posted this week.

Monday Mural: MLK Cultural Korridor

Here is a detail from a larger mural previously featured here.  It presents a dignified portrait of Marcus Garvey, who lead the Back to Africa movement of the early 20th century.  This is a work from the Community Rejuvenation Project, which is responsible for many of Oakland's murals.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You get to decide what constitutes a mural.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Can't wait to see the mural finds posted this week.

flying near the cuckoo's nest

Driving down 7th Street in West Oakland I spied this amusing storefront.  Apparenty Lady Cuckoo designs and makes clothing from recycled materials.  You can find her stuff at local flea markets, in her Etsy shop, and in her collage factory.  Didn't go in because of my impeccable timing, the shop was closed.