Happy V. Day

Found on a sidewalk in East Oakland.  Happy Valentine's Day.

Monday Mural: Maxwell Park

On Friday I showed you a shot of Maxwell Park.  Today I'm featuring the mosaic mural that covers all four walls of the restroom building on the site.  Pretty cool, huh?

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.

Maxwell Park

Maxwell Park is also the name of the neighborhood in the East Oakland foothills.  The area began development in 1921.  The park itself is now full of mature trees, open spaces, and benches and tables to sit at.  Although rain was predicted, the day turned sunny and warm even in the shade.

Monday Mural: two celebrations today

Two years ago I posted a mural on an alternator shop.  This bilingual mural is inside the entry of the same business.  The style is naive but the wishes are heartfelt.  The quotation reminds us of  Dr. King's famous speech as we honor his birthday.  The mural, which supported Obama's initial candidacy, now serves as a reminder of his second inauguration today.

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.

Monday Mural: drumming shaman

This is only one section of a large mural on the side of a Smart & Final warehouse in East Oakland.  As this section suggests, the mural illustrates scenes of Latino culture from several countries.  I'm assuming we're observing a shamanic ceremony that bridges the corporal world with the spiritual.  I have to hand it to Smart & Final for permitting the use of their walls for this vast mural.  Unfortunately, I could not find a title or signature.

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.

Mormon Temple

The Mormon Temple, by virtue of its position in the Oakland Hills, can be seen from most highways crossing town.  It's most dramatic at night.  Recently the skies have been clear and the temps chilly.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

Monday mural: Straus Carpets

Straus Carpet has had their warehouses faced with eye catching murals.  So far their name is on a placard rather than on the building.  This attractive and colorful scene anchors a decidedly industrial corner here on the edge of Jingletown.  Pretty elegant, if you ask me.

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.

Monday mural: mosaic man

This warehouse in Jingletown is decorated with mosaic murals that have evolved over the past few years.  They use several sizes and shapes of tile including mirror tiles that add both sparkle and definition.  I couldn't find a signature but hope someone will fill me in.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Just 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.  Happy New Year.

Christmas spirit

Someone was in the mood for Christmas.  And apparently Thanksgiving too.

Happy Holidays

Sending best wishes to all of you.

Monday Mural: Oakland Riviera

Jingletown attracts artists and kindred souls.  A collaborative effort among them created multiple murals along this wall.  Drolly named the "Oakland Riviera" (referencing the estuary that runs the length of the neighborhood), this section of mural captures the local view.  These murals line a dog run dubbed rue de merde.  On the left you can see a glimpse of the section dedicated to local canine friends.  It's always interesting to visit this wall, as the murals continue to change and be refined.

If you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Just 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.  Also, wishing you all happy holidays.

Monday Mural: V is for La Virgen de Guadalupe

This is a section of a mural devoted to the Virgin of Guadalupe in the Fruitvale district.  Her feast day in Mexico is December 12.  You'll find her image in murals, churches, tattoos, bumper stickers, tee shirts, and more.   She is ubiquitous and beloved in Latino communities.  Last year I posted a mosaic mural in honor of her day.

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.  Also linked to ABC Wednesday.

blue bar

At the Oakland Airport.

Donut Time

Another vintage sign, this one found on MacArthur Blvd.  The neon tubing looks in tact but I've never seen it lit up.  The clock doesn't run; so I'm betting the neon isn't working either.

Monday Mural: folk art design

We've all found murals on various surfaces---walls, freeway piers, utility boxes---why not on a mail box?  Spotted in East Oakland in the Allendale neighborhood.  The artist had fun painting so many colibrí among the flowers.  Such a cheery sight.

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.&nbsp

Shoreline Park

The first of each month is City Daily Photo's Theme Day.  This month's theme is "the water's edge."  This photo was taken at the southwestern end of the Oakland estuary which is being restored to marshland.  Despite a freeway being a few hundred yards to the east and the airport less than half a mile to the west, egrets nest, wade, forage, and just plain rest in this end of the estuary.  For more takes on the theme, visit City Daily Photo.

N is for nautical

After a few days of rain, we're back to fair weather.  Still time to take the boat out on the bay while it's sunny.  Weather probably doesn't matter much to true sailors, in the same way it does to landlubbers like me.  Spotted at Embarcadero Cove.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: Peralta hacienda

The Peralta Hacienda Historic Park is the last remaining parcel related to a vast land grant that once included most of the East Bay.  As part of their education program is a series of murals showing the annual cycle of life on the rancho.  They were painted by Maren Vanduyn and installed in 2007.   She collaborated with the Friends of Peralta Hacienda Historical Park’s executive director and Ohlone culture bearer Linda Yamane to conceive the murals.

While there are too many to present here, this close-up gives you a feeling of the detail included in the mural sequence.

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: Holla back

Here is the entrance to the Eastside Cultural Center in the San Antonio district of East Oakland.  The mosaic mural is wonderfully composed with a tiger, maize, and saxophone, symbolizing the major groups that live in the neighborhood.  Holla Back refers to the intercom visitors use to gain entry to the building.  The message is further emphasized by the microphone next to the intercom.  Other murals sponsored by the organization have been previously posted.

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.

Monday Mural: Clothing Town

Clothing Town, a discount store at 34th Avenue and Foothill Blvd., added this mural to its wall in 2011.  The mural was made by many community volunteers with the guidance of the Eastside Arts Alliance, previously featured here and here.  The cultural and historic references in the mural no doubt educate some who view it.

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 murals posted this week.  Once you start looking, it's amazing how many you can find.