Lens-Artists Challenge #249 Public Art

This week’s Journeys by Johnbo challenge features a focus on the arts. Public art in all its forms and locations. Whether in a park or a parking lot, an outdoor theater, or a street corner, art in public places can be found in communities worldwide.

Sidewalk Art

Found outside a store. It has a message.

Airport Art

Baggage Claim at the Sacramento Metro Airport

Big Red Rabbit seeing travelers at the Sacramento Metro Airport

Art Found in a Park Setting

Memorial Art

Art representing place

One day this sculpture appeared on the corner of Eastern and Marconi. I went home, grabbed my camera, and headed back. A while later it was gone.

A couple of years later, this rooster appeared at this remodeled shopping center. So far, this rooster has found its home in Fair Oaks.

Historical Monument in front of Mono County Courthouse

Entitled ***Double Check*** in Zuccotti Park in Manhattan

George M Cohan on Duffy Square in New York City

Claude Chana Prospecter, founding father of Auburn Ca.

“Welcome” to visitors of Rough and Ready, Ca.

Animals in Public Art

Public Art that enhances its surroundings

Found this creative exhibit of public art in South Sacramento in a vacant lot.

Have I shown you something that you yourself have seen? Are there similar works of public art where you are? There is always surprises to see! Enjoy.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #234 Messages

Donna asked me to search for messages in photography this week. The options are endless. Does the message from your last fortune cookie resonate with you? Clouds? Does street art, neon signs, or storefronts grab your attention? What about the underlying messages from marketing logos, or the message you want to portray in your photography. Just have fun! This blog hits my photographic pursuit ideally.

Smilies

People leave signs along the way. A message, I was here!

Signs of Peace and Love

February 14 and hearts abound

Walking about I see hearts in nature

I’m always looking for hearts: leaves, stumps, puddles, and rocks

Hearts were created to show the loving spirit

I love this image. Someone took the time to create this public art piece

I collect stone hearts and they sit in my room in a candy dish. There are some things that you don’t really know about its history. You just know that it has been with you your entire life. It holds my love stones perfectly.

Here is my dish of love stones with my parent’s photograph

Graffiti

Leaving marks of love without regard for the environment.

Love Locks on a bridge in Fair Oaks

So ends my small contribution to messages I find all around me. I stayed with positive thoughts, and I finish with the many faces of my Moxie. Her face is so expressive.

Are you done working on the computer? I really am not interested in another photograph.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #196 Humor

John asked me to dig into my photo archives and find something humorous. (Please, nothing that might be injurious of anyone or anything, of course. WE, the collective Lens-Artists that we are, must retain our civility.)

I’m not one that usually tells jokes. As a matter of fact, when I was the librarian at Rio Americano High School my principal would stop by and ask me to share a joke he might use as an opener for an upcoming meeting. Sadly, I could not provide one, but I did get a book of jokes, and story openers for him to use. But when I am out with my camera I often look for funny signs, or happenings. So here goes.

Giving directions in a positive or negative way

Public restrooms often are a source of amusement

Heed these warnings

Some suggestions to follow.

Some food-related signs

Katz’s Delicatessen encouraged the home front to not forget soldiers fighting during World War II.

Candy Heaven in Old Sacramento allows customers to taste.

This Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant brings in customers with a
life-altering cioppino! We gave it a try.

Catering to a particular customer in Monterey.

The following signs are a mixed bag of honest information that might make you smile.

Are you sometimes overscheduled? Just hang up a sign!

The Truss Bridge in Folsom has quite a history.

I wonder when this plant will figure things out?

Some more suggestions that may keep you from getting into trouble.

And sometimes I come across situations that are just too funny not to grab my camera.

I met Trawler and his owner as he was tied up at the downtown waterfront on the Sacramento River.

30% off a bargain price. Get down to *Bye Bye Baby* for a limited time!

Never be overcharged in Rough and Ready, California

That’s all folks! Now it’s your turn to leave me a comment.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #145 – Getting to know you

“The artist’s gaze, the photographer’s eye, when cast on a subject begins a relationship. That relationship can grow into a deep affection and a profound wisdom. It is that aspect of relating to your subject that I invite you to explore in this challenge.” Thank you Priscilla of scillagrace.

Photography has always helped me to see the world. It may be the quiet moment when I am out and can appreciate nature. It allows me to take a deep breath and slow down. You must be still as you press the shutter button.

Exploring my backyard with my macro lens I spot this dragonfly.

Sometimes I am occupied looking for the unusual. This may be a funny sign, or an object found out of place.

Other times I see faces or animals in many of my images. This is pareidolia. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines pareidolia as, “The tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful, image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern.” Hey, photography has even opened me up to learn new terms.

My photography has helped me get away from my introverted self. I like to people watch, and I use my camera as my lookout point. Some images are candid moments, some environmental portraits, and some tell a story