Monday Mural: mystery mask

This mural can be found off Park Blvd. near Lake Merritt.  It has an interesting mixture of elements from multiple cultures.  I like the dragon with the brush in his mouth.  It may be a reference to the crew that painted it.  If Desi reads this, he'll set me straight.  The figure to the right reminds me of Javanese iconography, especially with the kris in his hand.  The central face is a mash up of different cultural styles but especially makes me think Aztec meets Rorschach.  All in all, a composition that makes you pay attention.

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: cool jazz on a warm day

An auto repair shop on Park Blvd. offered three of its walls for new murals by the Community Rejuvenation Project.  I showed you one side a couple of months ago.  Here is part of the west facing wall.  The horn player reminds me of Miles Davis.

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

The old Parkway Theater

The old Parkway Theater on Park Blvd. was a popular place for second run movies.  It was known for cheap tickets, casual seating using sofas and loveseats, pizzas and beer, and family night for families with small children and infants.  The story I heard is that the landlord raised the rent, the theater couldn't afford it, and the operation shut down.  The theater has been empty since 2009.  A new Parkway later opened in a neighboring town and now the new, new Parkway has just opened in Oakland's Uptown area.  Sofas and loveseats--check.  Pizza and beer--check.  You decide how much to pay for the tickets--whoa!

Monday Mural: Capitan Galaxy?

When looking for murals, it pays to go back to your old hunting grounds.  This mural--another product of the Community Rejuvenation Project--has appeared in recent months.   This local auto repair shop offered its walls for several new works.  This is what was on the this wall the last time I visited the area.

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: shoe repair

This vintage neon sign continues to advertise an actual neighborhood shoe repair shop.  Found on Park Blvd in the Glenview neighborhood.  The skies are blue and clear despite this being the rainy season.  For skies around the world, visit Skywatch Friday.

Monday Mural: Aung San Suu Kyi

Students at Oakland High School created a series of murals of winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.  Now that Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest and has decided to participate in the coming elections in Burma, I thought about her place in this mural.  Hard to believe it's been 10 years since she won the Nobel Prize, most of which she has spent in confinement.

Halloween survivors

Spotted on Ivy Hill just off Park Blvd.  A bright spot on a gray day.

roof decoration

A roof detail on Ivy Hill.

Monday mural: happiness and suffering

While exploring Ivy Hill, I spied a mural on a garage door.  It seems to express a personal story of memory and loss.

seeing the past, present, and future

It's amazing how many "psychic readers" have storefronts in Oakland.  Who goes to these folks?  This advisor is on Park Blvd.  But I see them all over Oakland along with the ubiquitous nail shops.

Monday mural: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Park Blvd. entrance to Oakland High (not to be confused with Oakland Tech) is faced with murals of Nobel Peace Prize winners.  This section is posted in memory of Dr. King in honor of his birthday.

Weekend Reflection: tiled entry

A wonderful old apartment building in East Oakland.  The entry of this building is decorated with vintage California tiles, many of which were manufactured in the Bay Area,  This building is located at about 7th Ave., E. 24th St. and Ivy.  The reflection was an added bonus.  For other reflective photos, visit Weekend Reflections, a creative meme with many participants.

artists live here

Driving around East Oakland I came upon this nifty building which had been retrofitted and then adorned with glass mosaics.  You could just tell that this is/was an artist studio.  No signs identified the tenants, but I heard bongos being played inside.  Below is a detail of one of the mosaics.  Found at 24th Street and 8th Avenue near Park Blvd.

Cool, no?