Monday Mural: Korean hanbok

This graceful image was a delightful surprise.  I happened to be driving down the street and glanced over my shoulder and there it was.  I don't know the reason it is found in this particular spot but did note  it was done by Dave Young Kim and Mansanares.  The Asian Museum currently has a major exhibition of Korean fashion both historical and contemporary.  Not that this mural is associated to the exhibition; it just made me think of it.  If you know the meaning of the loon in Korean iconography, please share.

Welcome to Monday Mural. 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.  Once you start looking you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

I'm pleased to report that Sami of https://sami-colourfulworld.blogspot.com has volunteered to take over the hosting of Monday Mural.  The meme will transfer to her website at the beginning of February.  Thank you, Sami.

Monday Mural: a new GATS

This restaurant must have a new owner.  How do I know?  Because the name has changed (duh) and there's a new mural on the wall!  This is by GATS (Graffiti Against the System) whose style is unmistakable.  He always paints faces with a prominent nose and tattoos that sometimes spell names of artists he admires.  The weird beard thingy used to be teeth and somehow evolved into something more ambiguous.

Welcome to Monday Mural. 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.  Once you start looking you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

I'm sorry to report that beginning Feb. 1 I'll no longer be able to host Monday Mural.  I'm hoping one of you will take over hosting.  I'm working on the possibility as we speak.

Monday Mural: the mighty pen

Saw this one while driving down Telegraph Avenue.  It took me the longest time to figure out what was in the hand.  I thought, sword?  gun?  Finally I realized it was a ballpoint pen.  Duh.  The stop sign says "Stop gentrification and speak up."  Gentrification in the Bay Area has driven real estate prices sky high so working stiffs are having real trouble finding housing either to buy or rent. 

Welcome to Monday Mural.  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.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.  I'll be gone for a few weeks and won't be able to leave comments on your posts.  The meme will still go up weekly via auto-posting.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

Monday Mural: ready for the sun to shine

With the steady onslaught of rain, this Girl Mobb mural represents our expectation the sun will eventually return.  I love Girl Mobb's comic book style.  This gal looks like someone who would fit in an Archie comic.  Found on the Oakland/Berkeley line.

Welcome to Monday Mural.  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.  Once you start looking you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to your mural finds posted this week.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

Monday Mural: spring is in the air

Even though winter officially started only 3 weeks ago, there are little hints of the spring to come.  We've had a few clear days lately, so it's feasible to go out and see blue skies.  This image caught my eye and seemed to radiate warmth in the late afternoon sun.  It is by Caroline Stern who has been in the area for more than 20 years.  This is the first mural of hers I've seen.  For me, it's a reminder of the charms of spring.

Welcome to Monday Mural:  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.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

Monday Mural: lady of leisure

Here's a newly minted mural by Lena Gustafson.  It's on the side of a women's wear shop called Dande Lion.  I like the tropical vibe it offers during this very wet and cold (for us) winter.  It can be found in the Temescal district on Telegraph Avenue in North Oakland.

Welcome to Monday Mural:  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.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

Monday Mural: peace of mind

If you've got a good plumber, you can indeed live in peace.  Spotted in North Oakland.

Welcome to Monday Mural:  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.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

urban garden

This urban farm in on a busy intersection in the Temescal District.  Long ago a bank and movie theater stood on this lot.  They both remained empty for many years before they were finally torn down.  For a while it looked like condos were going to be built on the land, but they never appeared.  Now the lot is home to this urban farm which looks lusher and lusher each month.  Is it possible that the farm will be a permanent resident on the corner?  Don't bet the rent money.

'tis the season

It's that time of year when we start looking for the perfect Christmas tree.  Apparently this guy found his at a nearby tree lot.

Monday Mural: Embracing the migration

I found this mural on the Oakland-Berkeley border next to the Ashby BART station.  It was only recently completed in October and as part of the Bay Area Mural Festival.  Twenty muralists or crews were invited to create murals along the border of the two towns.  There must be 19 other new murals, but I haven't found them yet.  Yet.  This mural goes by the above title and appears to be celebrating water or newcomers to our shores.

Welcome to Monday Mural:  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.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward to this week's mural finds.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

Monday mural: Montclair Village

This mural was a collaboration between the Montclair business district and the local high school.  It is painted on the side of a local pharmacy.  The Village is a neighborhood in the Oakland hills just above Highway 13.  It's an upscale area that caters to local residents.

Welcome to Monday Mural: 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.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  I'm sorry to report that I can't get Linky to load.  If anyone else has had this difficulty, please let me know what resolved the problem.  I hope you will still visit one another through the links participants are leaving with their comments.  Fingers crossed...

"Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

blooming agave

A blooming agave is a sight to see.  When the blooming sprout first occurred it appeared to be a giant asparagus spear, at least 15 feet high.  Now it has opened up and looks like a weird bonsai pine tree.  The bees are buzzing around the yellow flowers while the agave fronds have collapsed.  The parent plant was at least 6 feet tall and 10 feet wide.  My botanical guide assures me that new plantlets will appear at a later date.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

Monday Mural: public portraits

Frank Rowicki did these oil portraits of iconic Oakland scenes around Lake Merritt.  He donated them to what I assume is the Grand Avenue business district association.  They are mounted on the side of a building on Grand Avenue at the entrance of a public parking lot.  They can easily be seen as you drive up Grand.  Frank now lives in Spokane, having moved there in 2005.  It looks like the beating sun is taking its toll on these pieces.

Welcome to Monday Mural:  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.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

Dear mural enthusiasts--I apologize for the Linky problems.  I'm working to straighten them out, hopefully by next Sunday.  Apparently it's related to the new Google feature of sending all visits to our blogs to an encrypted https format.  I say that like I know what it means.  Ha!  The recommended fix is not doing the trick regarding Linky.  If you have any ideas about what to do, please contact me.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

job requirement?

It looks like lots of tattoos are a requirement for employment at the Avenue.  Spotted at the annual Temescal Street Fair.

Monday Mural: under the deep blue sea

This fantastic mural covers the side of the Steele Dive Shop.  It's a new addition to a long lived business.

Welcome to Monday Mural:  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.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

Apologies for being late in putting up the post.  I got lost in the Warriors game, which we won 110-77.  On to Cleveland for game 3.

“ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

S is for stele

She came all the way from Paris and now lays at rest in Oakland's Mt. View Cemetery.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

Monday Mural: Oakland's very own

This mural is hot off the presses, so to speak, and was made by Hector "Hex" Rios, a street artist with roots in LA.  It's gone up in the last week or so, which means a lot of the work was done during successive days of rain.  The composition highlights famous people associated with Oakland.  Perfect for a business called Oakland's Very Own.  Can you identify them all?

Welcome to Monday Mural: 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.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters. Looking forward your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.

"Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Rev. John Watson

busking on the street

Buskers are a common sight this time of year.  Brian looks like he's a one man band.  I should have stayed around to hear him play the dobro.

Theme Day: ephemeral

A little known law of physics is that time speeds up the older you get.  This month's City Daily Photo theme has me reflecting on the shortness of life and the imperative to live it the best you can.  In the end, all things are ephemeral, even the universe itself.  It all depends on your metric.  Linked to City Daily Photo.  This photo was taken a year ago, before the cemetery, in a bow to the drought, turned off the sprinklers.  If you visited this spot today, you'd find the lawn is brown. Brown is the new green.

halloween approaches

The time of ghosts, goblins, and goodies approaches.  Hope yours is fun and safe.  Taken at Piedmont Avenue's annual Halloween parade.