Let’s Paint The Town Read - Episode III
When I did Episode I of this series, I shared 43 images of street art with you, I made a mental note not to exceed that number for future articles. I posted the second one when our collection reached 37, that worked out well. I split the difference and decided 40 pictures is the cut-off. That makes it easier collecting, too, each time I reach 40 street #art images, I’ll post a new article, wipe my phone out and call it episode whatever number we’re on — that was my intention.
I was going through my notepad just now, trying to decide which article I’d like to show you next and I saw “Ep 3.” I counted the saved images I have for it and it seems we’re at 54 — so much for 40! Hey, what’s up #steemit?! Thanks for clicking on this post just now, ready for a #new one? Grab a ticket and have a seat, your tour guide for this #adventure is yours truly. Welcome to LA County. Welcome to Episode III.
All photos: About 1/2 with a GoPro Hero 5 and the other 1/2 with an iPhone 8+
Below: Zoom in on the right side of the art, you’ll see the Queen Mary just left port. I like the way they added structure to the roofline to extend the art also. I recognize the Queen Mary but if you start from the left, I think the artist is depicting a timeline. What the Long Beach Harbor in Los Angeles used to be compared to what it is today.
The man and woman staying under the dentist sign were really nice, see them? They acted like they were trespassing as I was taking a picture and quickly gathered their belongings, offering to move. I told them not unless they didn’t want to be in the picture. I introduced myself and shook Eduardo’s hand, the woman wouldn’t talk. They’re part of the picture now.
This a five-story building. There isn’t a motel nearby, just this storage facility where a large number of people sleep.
“Unity Through Diversity” in three different languages. It’ll be a good day when we all understand what that means in one language. Check out the vertical eyeball in the center of the mural and then you’ll notice all of the eyeballs inside the purple leaves around the top edge.
This is the side of an elementary school, there’s a public park adjacent to it that’s separate from the kids’ playground.
I was so impressed with the way the artist captured the vehicle traffic on any given freeway in Los Angeles, at any given time or day, I decided to get closer.
That sheet of paper behind the light pole too.
This one’s left to interpretation, what do you think the message is? It looks to me like a hot, naked woman can tame anything, even an alligator.
Black and white, a wide array of colors and shapes, stars in black and gray surrounded by clouds and paint. They compliment each other well in this heart shape.
This next building is an art studio that’s just a couple of blocks away from that elementary school I showed you. What I remember most about this one is the very old and tired woman who was having a difficult time moving her earthly belongings through the crosswalk — I have “Mary” written in my notepad. I introduced myself and asked her if I could help her. She was so happy I offered, “oh, God bless you young man.” I pushed her shopping carts for her, we talked for a little bit before we parted ways. She told me how hot it’s been lately. A few months back, we had some 90 degree days. I asked her why she doesn’t stay down by the beach and she told me “there’s too many ‘Looky-Lou’s’ down there.” God bless “Mary!”
There’s five iguanas and one wolf (I think it’s a wolf) painted on the side of this bar called Iguana Bar. Do you know the significance of the wolf?
Many buildings around here have street art on the side with alley access. It’s normal to peddle up and down alleys in the city and find a couple of murals like these.
I like when the artists use a bunch of loud colors. How cool would a piece like one of these be inside your home? On the ceiling.
A bunch of figures; people, animals, vampires and snakes and lizards and all kinds of things hanging out at the bar, together, having a good time. No ego trips.
I like the way the sky blends with the scene. I didn’t notice the chem trail across the sky when I took the picture but this is Los Angeles, those trails are as normal in the sky as the sun.
“I got the whole world...”
Speaking of robots... This is an apartment building next door to a smoothy/juice joint. Those planters on the wall are filled with succulent plants.
Different wall, different city, new photo. I like this one because it’s big and without any shadows around the images, they look like decals.
This next one is a brand new piece. It’s painted on a block wall that separates a Chevron gas station from a 7-11 convenience store. I was through here a day prior to taking these pictures and it wasn’t painted so this spray paint is brand new. I took two pictures of it.
This building is a bait/tackle shop with a side of liquor store and smoke shop on the ground floor and the second floor is an apartment duplex. Any guesses what the message in this one is? It looks like everything is sinking in beach sand. That red stream of ‘liquid’ flowing from a megaphone to the three triangles, two of which have eyes, there’s a lot going on in this one.
This is Mckenzie Music School, across the street from the Dirt Bags training facility and parallel to Pacific Coast Highway. You know you wish your school mascot was a Dirt Bag!! I searched where “Mckenzie” came from and found this story. The world needs more Janet Mckenzie’s.
This looks like a mixture of marvel and revelation. I think the artist is portraying America as the rider of death.
This looks like three different pistols to three different heads and a police officer in the middle. Any ideas what they’re trying to say in this one?
This looks like an animated dog, wearing sunglasses, who just caught a wave, inside the kitchen and there’s grapefruit on the counter.
I like this because it says LA but I like the way the artist did it. If you look on the bottom right corner of this piece, the artist is from NYC. Interesting how he painted the ‘LA’s’ upside down.
This one isn’t upside down.
Neither is this one — also painted with a heart.
These next six pieces are all portraits. The first pair are painted on metal, sectional, roll-up garage doors.
The next three are scripts and don’t require deciphering. Typically, street art is difficult to read and requires a lot of practice, even then, we’re never really certain. These next three are pretty easy.
There’s a lot of action on with this wall. As you can see, the vehicles didn’t pay attention to the white paint that says “no parking.”
I did a drawing a few months ago called Eyes In The Back Of My Hand. I found this piece about a month later and it kind of reminded me of it.
Zoom in on the messages in this one. Between the text and the characters, I count eight different messages.
The size of the clouds and the two paratroopers — the artist painted a giant ostrich.
Your guess is as good as mine with this one. Nice and loud in color again, though, I like it. I don’t know if that’s a doll or a child in her arms but no eyes is interesting. She’s covered by night too.
I like this one a lot. Just a bunch of black and white paint to give the building dimension. “Living A Dream” on the right side. That’s what you’re doing right now, right? “Guilty!”
Another one of those walls I think would be really cool to have on the ceiling.
So cool! It looks like something a 21st century street artist who’s a big fan of Picasso would put together.
I found another piece by Scan, remember Scan? How cool is that?! In a completely different city, on the other side of Los Angeles County, I found this piece. The same artist I featured at the end of Episode II.
Here’s the wall it’s on. The gorilla’s hat says SsSs” and in between Scan and the gorilla it says “Four Ssss...” I’m assuming that’s the name of their crew.
From metal, roll-up garage doors to a cinderblock building with windows, look at the detail the artist put into these women’s portraits.
This woman standing in the forest is painted on the side of a nursery/gardening warehouse.
Our last stop on this tour is a painting of the Pacific Ocean. This is on the backside of a dry cleaners in the city and just to the south, about a 1/2 mile away, is the real Pacific Ocean — our last stop!
This is the conclusion of another street art tour through Los Angeles County, California! Once your ride comes to a complete stop, please release your lap belt and exit whenever you feel like it!
Half way through another fantastic post of yours @dandays, and a query popped in to my mind... 'I wonder if it's possible for all those street artists to copyright their work?'
I mean, it could be a bit tricky depending on whether they had permission to use that building as the canvas or not. But some of that art most be worth thousands. Look at Banksy, some of his stuff sells for ridiculous money.
Or is it all classed as public domain and therefore free for anyone to copy?
Edit: How's that tag working out for ya?
I sure am glad you think so Sive! So long as you, Pura Vida and the few others stick around this platform, I’ll keep dancin for ya’all! 👍🏿
I don’t think the Artists are really looking for the money, it’s more about the appreciation. I think when people like me and you are looking at it and talking about it, the artists feels rewarded. They showcase on public buildings for viewing but the majority of them have pieces behind closed doors somehwere that ‘pay the bills.’
Banksy for sure! That dude is in a league of his own... a world of his own. But even him, some of his best stuff was free.
Or maybe some of them did get laid by the building owner?? I can see that as a possibility.
Thanks for stopping by @sivehead! It’s always nice to hear from you.
edit The tag, whoops! I dig the way it says followdandays story. The first three can be mixed around. Good idea stevehead!
Simply amazing!!! I could totally walk around and get lost looking at all those paintings. I really wonder if 1 person took on the whole wall of some of those paintings or was it a team effort? Either wasy, that just doesn't appear over night!! I was showing the kids and they just kept saying, "Whoa....Whoa....Whoa....Cool....Cool...."
The kids enjoyed that, too?? That’s awesome. The area we’re in right now, they would love it, each city street will have something if you find it.
I answered your drawing one, too, under weirdheaches. That’s pretty awesome I got two people wanting, well three counting Pura Vida, wanting me to draw. That’s I don’t even know..
Thanks for stopping by @jlsplatts!
I believe drawing is something that can't be forced. It just has to flow naturally and one has to be in the right frame of mind to do so. kinda like me and working on a vehicle, sometimes I just really don't want to. That is when wrenches get thrown and knuckles get busted. LOL
P.S. I have been messing around with photoshop and changed my cover image. I just got photoshop on my PC about 1 hour ago....finally
Yeah, I didn’t want to say first to say anything but the guy in that cover image does look a little better than the last guy. 👍🏿
The Line-Life takes it toll on ya. That was back in the apprentice days. Lol
You're a Boss Man! Id like to see more art from you....😎
That's what I am saying... a little less writing and a little more drawing from Mr. @dandays himself HAHAHAAH
Hey what’s up man?? Thank you. How’s it feel being 30 pounds lighter?
I’ll try the short version. Our take off date keeps getting closer. When we get there, Pura Vida will be teaching, stuff like that. The truth is, I can’t draw if I’m not by myself. (Stop.thumbs.now)
Soon. That’s cool you said that.
Thanks for stopping by @weirdheadaches!
I was gonna scroll through and look at the street art, but I was soon sucked into your narrative, which for me was nothing less than sublime. The term "labor of love" has been slung around to describe many artistic projects, but in this instance I think it can be aptly applied. You obviously put forth substantial time and effort (as per usual) , and you loved every minute of it just as I enjoyed reading your exquisite insight into each piece, as well as enjoying the piece itself. I"m sure I've told you this on numerous occasions, for various things but once again: good job homie.
You’ve said a lot of things to me since the 70’s, I’m glad this one is on the blockchain homes.
Um 🤔 thanks! (Gotta clear my theoat after that one)
Thank you. I’m glad you stopped by here, Veech. This response made my day. Kinda made me choke too. I admire what you have to say, to read your admiration of something I got goin on, to a visual explanation, that was dope. I guess you just got it like that. Did I already say ‘thanks for filing it on the blockchain?’
I was telling Pura Vida that not too long ago actually, this piece has so many hours in it, it’s crazy. I think like 3 or 4 just transferring the information from my notepad to #steemit, who know how many hours in the notepad... at least 3 or 4 months worth of collecting pictures. Such a long time. Thanks for noticing dude.
Eh, how’s Ayp? The little football players? What’s the latest?
You know I could type to you forever right??
Thanks for stopping by el filio. 👍🏿
I think God's been testing me lately, but what else is new?
It's when He stops testing that I gotta worry about it. All in all, it's all good.
I know that you understand that
Dude, as I mentioned to @puravidaville, the thought of a morning visit with y'all makes me happy...
Ima make a drive-by soon ...
In the meantime, tho I'm not on the block, I am on the chain : that's somethin' aye?
Wow that is all I can say, great photography. Took a second look and enjoyed even more!
Awesome! I’m glad you liked it. It’s a lot of fun collecting pictures but it takes a lot of time.
Thanks for stopping by @thebigsweed!
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