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.

Bike Cog Medallions

P1140791
Originally uploaded by bilbord99
18 first place winners of the slo cyclocross will get one of these trophies. Visit www.slocross.com for all the flyers and more information.

I forgot my Masonite!

I thought I had it all together for a paint session after QiGong at m.BODY along the tracks in San Luis Obispo this morning. Unfortunately, I seem to be reaching that point in my life where the mind is not so sharp...

I ran through my mental checks:

• Rag, check. 
• Tin cup, check. 
• Water for cleaning, check. 
• Water for Bill, check. 
• Sunscreen, check. 
• Cowboy hat, check...

Until I had pulled up to the site. 

"Did I stash the Masonite board in my kit? Shite-no!"

I did stash a No. 2 pencil and my sketchpad:

Century Plants along SLORR Tracks

I need a trip to the Bay Area...

There's some good art afoot in the city...
I'm thinkin' it's time fer this country mouse to visit his city meeces soon.

El Camino site

Below are three versions of the same place. It shows the process of making a beautiful space my own. It also gives me a way to be influenced by the medium, responding to the site and perceiving it in a different way.

The Native Americans found great places to hang out while they ground acorns. This is one of them. Notice the mortar holes in the rock in the foreground.

I forgot a cleanup rag so I sketched on the masonite. I will return and paint it - Pencil and Chalk

Ths is the third in a series of medium responses to the site - Acrylic

Enpleinair

Protect Your Parks - WPA Posters - Vintagraph Fine-Art Wall Prints and Posters

I love WPA Posters; the reason for the program and their variety. These two in particular caught my eye while dreaming about our wonderful National Parks. In general, I could waste a whole night looking at the beautiful posters on this site: Protect Your Parks - WPA Posters - Vintagraph Fine-Art Wall Prints and Posters

ON-TRACK Returns...

For those who missed the On-Track show in December at Ancient Peaks Winery Tasting room, I'm presenting the selected plein-aire works at New Frontiers in San Luis Obispo through the month of August.
Besides the Track series will be a "sneak preview" of a new theme titled Sacred Spaces which depict various places where the West Coast Native Americans gathered and lived their lives. When I reach a good number (a dozen?) I will have a show. Until then you can behold three sites from in and around Lake Tahoe basin.

On-Track
Selected plein-aire works by Bill Mulder depicting trackside landscapes and water.
August 2 - 29th
New Frontiers
896 E Foothill Blvd Ste C
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
(805) 785-0194