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.

K is for knitting

Fashionable knitted goods at a yarn festival near the lake.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

more paste-ups

I really like the innovation and flexibility that the wheat paste medium allows an artist.  As with last week's piece, this no longer exists.  It seems to me that in general there are fewer paste-ups around town.

Monday Mural: mural on the go

Temporarily parked downtown.  It looks like it could be a collaborative effort.  I imagine this makes quite an impression when traveling down the road.

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.

wheat paste art

This paste up is by Get Up.  He frequently glued them up on the BART piers in North Oakland.  Since renovations on the tracks began a year ago, all of the art pieces have disappeared or disintegrated.  I miss the innovation of Get Up's work.

J is for Japanese cuisine

Japanese food is popular in the Bay Area and there are many choices for such restaurants in Oakland.  As in San Francisco, the Japanese restaurants in Oakland appear to be run by Issei, first generation immigrants.  They bring with them traditional recipes and a dedication to only the freshest ingredients.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

I am well, Mother

Louisa Kohler was only 5 years old when she died in 1854.  Her parents erected this monument on her grave showing her sleeping on a bed with her faithful dog at her side.  The side of her grave marker is engraved with the above line.  Linked to Taphophile Tragics.

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.

I is for ink

Tattoos are not my thing, but I'm clearly in the minority.  It is fascinating to observe how people are now choosing to decorate themselves.  No more hula girls, anchors, and hearts that say "Mom".  I bet  laser tattoo removal will be a good investment in the very near future.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: Baby World

This mural is on the side of Baby World, a business focused on baby clothing, toys, and equipment.  It was done by Universal Mural Styles (UMS).  Unfortunately, I couldn't find any information about this artist (or crew).  Even if it's essentially an advertising piece, the image is sweet, colorful, and depicts the childhood parents hope to provide their children.   I like the way the brick wall has dissolved to reveal the scene.

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.

Lake Temescal

Lake Temescal is the other Oakland lake.  Swimming, fishing, and boating are popular activities.

H is for holding hands

Spotted at Bites off Broadway.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

high ambition

Oakland has a large and dedicated biking community.  Here's one of the latest innovations.  Didn't WWII parachutists also have fold up bikes?

Monday Mural: Go As!

Several small murals now decorate the Kelly-Moore Paint Store on Telegraph and 42nd St.  It's up in the air whether or not the As will stay in Oakland.  So I thought I'd feature this mural before it becomes obsolete.

Here's the long view of the building that serves as the gallery for these 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 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.

Theme Day: people watching

This month's theme is "People Watching."  The CDP portal is still down, so this post is linked to the CDPBlog hosted by Sydney Eye.  Spotted at Bites off Broadway.