Love Your Mother

Charleston, S.C.

It's been a glorious weekend in Charleston. Warm enough to tease my azalea into blooming and that is a worry in January. I've done lot this weekend but not all of it sitting here at my computer so here is a quick fun photo. Eat your grits. Love your mother.

Green monsters at the door

Redux, Charleston, S.C.

Redux Contemporary Art Center has a new mural by Mark Hosford. I have taken pictures of almost all of the murals they have featured. Funny thing is, I've never been inside. My daughter used to go when she lived here and in my mind I wrote it off as her territory where mom didn't need to be popping up. I guess she has been living across the country long enough that everything should be considered fair game now.

Dark and rainy night here and I am itchy and twitch because once again I worked late enough to miss my brief window of walking time before it got too dark. Aaaargh.

Mural Progress

Here is a recent update on a couple of mural projects. For more painted walls around Charleston you can check in on this album: Murals, Charleston, S.C. The ones I have featured today are part of the Avondale murals. Enjoy!

Rogue Elephant in Avondale

Avondale, Charleston, S.C.

I am clearly on a mural kick again. This giant rogue elephant is charging a parking lot in Avondale. I grew up listening to stories of rogue elephants terrorizing villages and being hunted down. It was a frightening thrill to imagine. I think I can take this one down but I'll wait until I look him in the eyeballs. It wouldn't be fair to attack a blind elephant.

Interested in the restaurant scene in Charleston? Bookmark the Eater Charleston blog. Makes me hungry just reading it.

This is just beautifully awful: Creepy Taxidermy Art. Too bad it is so expensive.

In fun news, one of my volunteer gentlemen fell in love with the co-worker in my office suite. How fun is that?! I threw a ice cream social for them today before they sneak off to get married and run away on a vacation/slash honeymoon in Ireland. Congratulations Dianna and Bobby! I wish you many years of happiness.

Before......

Murals at Avondale, Charleston, S.C.

I was checking on the progress of the murals behind the Avondale shops of Savannah Highway when I came across this one in the beginning stages. This mural is by Designs by Empwr and will be based on the image she is holding below. I'll have to go back soon so I can share the finished mural.

Designs by Empwr

North Charleston Murals - Patch Whisky

Patch Whisky mural, North Charleston, S.C.

The colorful Patch Whisky mural in North Charleston is a happy surprise!

Check out his web site for more info, upcoming events and items to purchase: patchwhisky.com.

The City Paper has the scoop on his more adult themed show which sounds like a current hit in New York: Patch Whisky takes his designs to NYC for an X-Rated exhibition.

Patch Whisky mural, North Charleston, S.C.

Patch Whisky mural, North Charleston, S.C.

Weekend Reflection: mural and tiles

After I took a picture of this mural, I noticed it reflected in the tiles on the building across the street.  Since I also love the old tiles that decorate so many of Oakland's buildings, I had to take a picture of this one too.  I like the abstract, watercolorish, fractured quality of the reflection.  But I agree, without an explanation, you don't know what you've got here.  For more reflections, visit James' meme Weekend Reflections.

Flying Babies

Read Brothers, King St., Charleston, S.C.

Watch out for flying babies on upper King St. I believe this is one of Phillip Hyman's.

I did my walk past Piggly Wiggly this morning meaning to toss a few things in my backpack only to discover that I left my driver's license and debit cards locked up in my camera bag at work. Ooops. It's going to be a frugal weekend.

The King on Folly

Planet Follywood, Folly Beach, S.C.

I love this mural wall on Planet Follywood on Folly Beach but this is the first time I spotted the artist's name and was able to follow up.

The sign in the photo below, led me to James Christopher Hill who actually has a new blog himself at: James Hill Artwork.  Here is the link to his portfolio page. The wall at Folly is still a favorite of mine.

Mural Quiz Solved

Bert's Market, Folly Beach, S.C.

I posted the lizard portion below from a larger mural a few days ago to see if anyone could place it. So far there were no correct answers so no one will ever know if there was a prize. Ha! Here is the answer. Although not visible in this view, the image was from the far left upper corner of this outside wall mural on Bert's Market on Folly Beach.

Cool, eh! A pirate! I walked one morning just before Christmas when it was very quiet on the beach. I imagine the lot is usually full of parked cars blocking the masterpiece so I got lucky. It is by Douglas Panzone from dynastymuralworks.com. He invites stalkers so consider me on the job.

Guess Where, Charleston?

Mural Section

Okay kids, here is a lowcountry location quiz question. Can anyone place this lovely piece of a larger wall mural?

Hints - it is not part of the graffiti walls behind Buffalo South on Folly Rd. although I featured them a couple of days ago. It is part of a large wall mural and easily visible outside.

Soda Bottle Cap Art Mural

Bottle Cap Art, Fish Restaurant, Charleston, S.C.

I've always loved this mural made out of colored soda bottle tops that is on the wall in the dining room of Fish Restaurant. Isn't it amazing? Last night I was seated across from it so I made one of the other guests stand up and pose with the image. Wow. She was so beautiful! Thanks Nina :).

more turtles

Dan Fontes is adding to his Emergent Sea mural featured yesterday.  Although you can readily see the mural from the freeway, finding the street it's on is another story.  I had to circle the area a few times before I found the circuitous route there.  Whew.  Mission accomplished.

Surfing on St. Philip St.

St. Philip St., Charleston, S.C.

Blogger was out of commission last night. For awhile a couple of entries went missing but things seem to be back in order for the moment.

It's Friday kids! My sweet, sweet Friday. I've already seen a movie at the Terrace Theater, eaten a bowl of portobello mushroom linguine at Mustard Seed and I am debating a walk. Whatcha all got up your sleeves for the weekend?

Weekend Reflection: Venice in the courtyard

The owner of a local apartment building has covered the side of his building and the back courtyard with a Venice mural.  There is no attribution to the artist.  Or the motorcycle.  But there is a reflection in there somewhere.  Be sure to visit James' meme for other reflections.

Save the Crabs!

Spring St., Charleston, S.C.

I left work early to go to a funeral (sniff) at Pinecrest Baptist Church and then had to find chocolate gold coins for a Leprechaun to hand out tomorrow. I tracked them down at World Market along with a little tiny marzipan treat that didn't last until I got to the car.

Today's picture used to be on the side of the building at King and Spring St. Oddly, although the building is in the same state of disrepair and remains the faded pink color, someone painted a big blank square over the crab mural. Why, huh? Why? Inquiring minds want to know. Save the crabs!

I am home early enough to walk while it is still light which is a treat. Would it be so terrible to end an exercise walk at Five Loaves Cafe?

ABC Wednesday: E is for Ella Baker

Ella Baker was a seminal figure in the Civil Rights movement.  Among her many accomplishments was her role in founding the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) which organized the Freedom Summer drive in 1964 to register southern blacks to vote.  Her name graces the Ella Baker Center in Oakland which works for social justice issues and green jobs in the Bay Area.  For other E posts, visit ABC Wednesday.

Bert's Market on Folly Beach

So very cool! Can't wait to get out to see it.

Chasing the Black Cab - Charleston Hat Man

Broad Street, Charleston, S.C.

I haven't added to the Chasing the Black Cab series for far too long but I simply don't see as many of them around as I used to. Anyone know what the deal is? I know they aren't based at Charleston Place Hotel like they used to be but has the fleet of British Black Cabs in Charleston decreased?

Stay warm tonight, kids! My electric blanket has become my favorite appliance.

City Market Murals

Market St., Charleston, S.C.

I featured the mural on the other end of Market and recently spotted this gentleman. Nice! I imagine it is more of the talented David Boatwright's work. The market buildings are gradually getting spruced up.

It has been a day of end of the year reports and counting numbers. One of my volunteers was at loose ends today and started cleaning MY office. Shock and awe! Brave lady.