Poppies Replaced by Kiosk

 

Springtime Poppies Under a Contrail Sky had a three-week stint at the smokers bench in downtown Santa Margarita. The public site now has a kiosk for the Santa Margarita Historical Society. No worries though; pop-up art will continue and thrive where it's needed most.

Mural Progress

I think I'm done. The side of my studio has been the outdoor painting area for the last month and a half. Initially, it was a project conceived three years ago as part of Santa Margarita Beautiful. Back then, we gathered eager volunteers from the Santa Margarita Community Church and cleaned, painted and revitalized this little downtown blight. This mural is either the last installment of that project or the beginning of something new...
The walkers on the railroad access road have watched the progress and have been inquiring about it. For the curious, I wrote in chalk: "THIS ART IS A GIFT TO MY TOWN." CONTRIBUTE! It's meant to be a rally cry that you can make a difference by being a part of your community and giving.

The title of the mural is: "Springtime Poppies Under a Contrail Sky".

The Power of Art, Free Art

Selfless Selfie (is there such a thing?)

I believe in the power of art, free art. I believe art changes the place we exist. It brings connectivity to humanity. It enriches a community when it is given to them from the heart of the artist. It brings wealth twofold when it is given away. I'm getting ready to enrich our little downtown blight with a glimpse of spring explosion that happens usually all too short. This gift of art is for my community to enjoy. I can't wait to install it. Here's a glimpse of the WIP below.

"Poppies under a Chemtrail Sky"

Banksy Public Art Attack NYC

Banksy Public Art Attack NYC continues with this brilliant piece called Sirens of the lambs. National Public Radio has a short article and posted a video that really captures the public reaction in a real way. BRILLIANT!

"This is a piece of sculpture art, and I know what you're thinking: Isn't it a bit — subtle."
The audio guide also explains that the animals are controlled by four mime artists, who sit inside the truck. Banksy apparently used to work at a butcher shop, which might have inspired the sculpture art.

Learn more about the problem:
The Humane Farming Association

Guerilla Art Lives! (for a brief time until it is taken down).

Dancing on the Union Pacific Train Trestle

Oh Great Bike Spirit

Dancing Bikes
The Tribune

Flights of Genius by Stephen Powers

Flights of Genius by Stephen Powers from Jun Lee on Vimeo.

I used to be a sign painter and like Stephen Powers. I enjoy the rare tradition of sign painting and these beautiful subway pieces for the masses bring the flavor of Coney Island to the land of the working blahs. Bravo!

“Up In Arms: A Creative Response to Gun Violence”

The group show is called “Up In Arms: A Creative Response to Gun Violence”

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2013/07/05/2573116/local-exhibit-is-a-creative-response.html#storylink=cpy

at the Steynberg Gallery. This one is called "What are you?" - a step back commentary on home grown terrorists and politicians that fuel the paranoia fire. Read about the in the SLO Tribune then go see the show. My favorite piece is Russell Hodin's "Exercises For Small Arms".

Take My Idea and Roll With it!

I envision a day when I can ride my bike or a hike along the wonderful trails of Bob Jones, Railroad Safety Trail,  Bill Roalman Bike Blvd, Cal Poly, Eucs, Reservoir Canyon ...(name your spot), see and hear a bicycle wind-chime along the route. Here's a recipe card just for you to use on your next Guerrilla Art project.

Here are the final pieces:

Atonement

Funk WIP

Thunder Chime Time

Keith Haring

Keith Haring was an artist that spoke to me. It was my awakening to the concept that art didn't have to hang in a gallery, that art at it's true essence, was to be shared and not reserved. His art is original, but his influences and fellow artists fuel that fire to create and make it his own. The Brooklyn Museum has done a great job in giving us a taste of his current show through sketches and his personal journal entries.

Somewhere my bicycle is out there, enjoying the night...

Streaming video by Ustream

Brother Can You Spare a Dime?

Every town needs a gathering spot. Without one there is no heart. In Santa Margarita, it tends to be the Post Office where the community gets their mail. The daily ritual gives us an opportunity to see neighbors and maybe share a sandwich, coffee and conversation. The sad fact is that our little public space is in need and has very little curb appeal except to the town drunk and an occasional bicycle nomad. As an official Adopt-a-Highway Tall Bike Posse Team Leader, I spend approximately 20 minutes in this area picking up strewn cigarette butts, big gulps and faded fliers.
In a visual presentation on my Flickr site, I outlined my proposal. I took site photos, painted a concept sketch and proposed a future solution to the town's public art. Please have a look and give me your comments.
We are fortunate to have civic minded people in this town who care for community. Please visit Santa Margarita Beautiful and participate on 2011 Cleanup Day - May 7th.
Question: What have you done for your community lately?

Public Art the way it should be:

Street Sign Sculpture from Six Stair on Vimeo.

Street sculptor shows us all how it should be done; unexpected, revealing, speaks to your soul. Street art is a a shared moment between artist, observer and their surroundings. Awesome job!

BOX ART SLO

The City of San Luis Obispo's Art in Public Places Program has commissioned local artists to create masterpieces on 16 utility boxes featured in downtown San Luis Obispo as part of the “BoxArt” program. I was told there were over 30 submissions and 13 artists selected (two were assigned more than one box).

I took a self guided tour to see progress, talk to the artist and post photos on bilbord99's Flickr site. Many were still at it on Day 3. 

I think the artists are doing a great job, and the city should be grateful for their time and effort, and hope each and every one of them get great commissions for future work.

BUT...

Where are the artists Jeff Klassen, JA/BC boys, Jon T. Jones, Burly Vreeland, Neal Breton 

AND...
Does the art do more than look pretty? 

Does it stimulate thought, a reaction, an emotion? 

Does it relate to its surroundings?

Talk amongst yourselves...

 Wipeout Trout Coleen Gnos

How many remember the fiberglass Trout About Town? There was a lot of vandalism and theft to these a few years back.

Parts art in San Rafael

Parts art in San Rafael
Originally uploaded by i am a lineman for the county
Again, Public Art speaking to me.

Bike Sculptures

Bike Sculptures
Originally uploaded by twofishblu
This public art speaks to me.

Broken Fingaz Stop Motion Graffitti

Broken Fingaz -Graffiti Stop Motion from Broken Fingaz on Vimeo.

Beautiful work, prolific, and humorous.

The Cadillac Ranch

Art is not meant to be static on a wall. Art is meant to provoke, inspire, react and tap your soul. The Cadillac Ranch continues to be a roadside attraction, environmental art, activist art, and inspires others to paint and repaint, photograph and riff. Do you know the story and the people behind the Cadillac Ranch? Well you should.

Texas Twisted
Roadside America
Ant Farm Retrospect
Ant Farm Introduction

"Stanley suggested we buy it and the smash up the front end with sledgehammers in front of the proud previous owner. So we did in fact smash it, with the cameras rolling as the bewildered owner winced in agony."

-Ant Farm cohort Chip Lord

Banksy 2009 Summer Show Bristol

One of my favorite current artists has a hometown show. Banksky has taken the theme of formal art and tweaked it by the ear. The result is public commentary on institutional art, its pedigree, and in his own fashion, made it contemporary.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Recovery.gov Logo Unveiled

Our new administration has branded the recovery plan with a new logo. This is the first time I have seen it but certainly will not be the last. They plan on using it on many of the programs rolling out for infrastructure and other public projects.

"These emblems are symbols of our commitment to you, the American people -- a commitment to investing your tax dollars wisely, to put Americans to work doing the work that needs to be done," Obama said. "So when you see them on projects that your tax dollars made possible, let it be a reminder that our government -- your government -- is doing its part to put the economy back on the road of recovery." read more...

Many are comparing it to FDR's Works Progress Administration which put millions of people back to work and started the New Deal public arts project that commissioned wonderful art in public spaces across the United States. The Smithsonian just opened their exhibit titled: 1934: A New Deal for Artists.

Shepard Fairey Media Blitz

Shepard Fairey of Obey Giant fame has been in the media swirl lately for good or bad. Either way, it is a great way to mark up your hourly rate;) It's hard to keep track of all the flurry but here is what I have come up with lately:

Shepard Fairey arrested in Boston
Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand show opens ICA Boston
AP wants credit for Fairey's Obama image

I want to stand back from all this and let you consider the following:
Art is a powerful tool and can take many forms from the hyper-nostalgic Thomas Kinkade to the art sampling of Shepard. Both reflect our society and current culture in perfect clarity.
Where do you stand on this?