California State Capital & Capital Park ~~ May 2015

One of my favorite places in Sacramento is Capital Park downtown.  Now I realize that it is certainly not even close to the amazing parks and botanical gardens found in bigger cities, but there is a lot of diversity and beauty if you like to wander outdoors.  

Today I'm going to focus on a small art installation and the rose garden.  

Across 15th Street are several buildings that house my fellow State workers.  I used to work in this "East End Complex" and loved it because every break and lunch, we were out in the park.  Walking, reading, or even sunbathing...the park is perfect for it.  

It's been a good 10+ years since this art was placed with it's lovely view of the rose garden and capital building.  It has definitely suffered at the hands of inconsiderate humans (what/who hasn't??). 

There are many who consider this art a failure.  And I get that argument.  This is a really good article for that point of view.

But I still find it interesting and beautiful.  Or maybe I just see it still through the good memories I had of when we first moved to the complex as it's brand-new, first-time occupants.  But then again, I still try to see the beauty in everything so it may be that.  And that's not a bad thing. 

One thing I won't argue with is the uselessness of the path that was created when the project managers figured out that this uneven hill in the middle of the street was not easy to negotiate for anyone. 

And don't even try to read the ones with writing.  You can't.  I don't think you ever really could.  But I do like their interesting way of telling the story of some of Sacramento's history.  You just have to be inspired to do a little research. :-)

This pathway of broken art leads to the "Zone of Transformation" which is a slightly futuristic-looking corridor with a golden sphere at the end.   If you look closely, you can see that there is what looks like an old newspaper photo within the color of the walls and floor.  The above article says it is scientist Edwin Hubble. 

After the art funnels you out onto 15th Street, you can cross straightaway into the Capital Rose Garden.  

Where you will find any different varieties of lovely roses.  However, this rose garden does not seem to bloom year around.  Although that could have changed; since I don't work downtown any more, I can't be sure. 

Look at the flowers Lizzie. 

This was always my mom's favorite color.  She had a coral lipstick that she just loved to wear and she grew roses of this color in our front yard. 

This is just a very small corner of the park.  There are many, many kinds of trees since Sacramento is known as the City of Trees.  And there are war memorials, a firefighter memorial, and a bazillion squirrels.  And if you're into walking for exercise, the block around the Capital is exactly 1 mile!

Enjoy!

xoxo

Sights of Sacramento - Architecture of I and J - May 2015

On a sunny, late-spring day, I challenged myself to pick a few blocks downtown Sacramento and then spend the morning walking around seeing what inspired me to take photos.  I wanted to see if I could find inspiration in some of the more "mundane" buildings.  This is what I came up with.

My first shot is from the Sacramento Public Library on I St.  This Italian Renaissance-style building opened in 1918.  The insides and main entrance have been modernized, but I love this lovely lintel on the I Street side is still eye-catching. 

On the side of the building facing onto 9th Street and Cesar Chavez Park, is a little courtyard with an eclectic mix of interesting items.  I liked these lions inset with the different textures and patterns.  

There were some really cool, weird sculptures that looked like witchcraft.  I took some photos of them but didn't get any that were able to fully capture the spirit of the sculptures. 

But I did like this one that shows the distinct difference in the two buildings that exist side by side. Modern on the left contrasting with the old, Renaissance style on the right. 

  

And this one which shows the sculpture from the side.  

This building looks pretty innocuous.  Unless you look up.  It's located on J Street on the corner of 7th.  The weirdly jutting second story has always caught my eye while driving by.  

And on this trip I could see even more interesting details, such as the metallic-gold Chinese writing. This spot is home to Lei's Kitchen. 

Next up is a weird-vignetted picture of the bank building on J and 7th (opposite Lei's Kitchen).  I really like the sharp look of this Neo-Classical building from the corner.  But I could only get the entire building in the photo with the vignette.  

This is the front side.  The National Bank of D.O. Mills and Company opened this building in 1912.  It is now the Sacramento Grand Ballroom. 

At around J and 6th Streets, I ran into a Sacramento "concierge"...a person hired to roam the downtown streets and 1) help people find what they're looking for, and B) keep an eye out for miscreants and report them to the po po if necessary. 

He asked if I needed any help and I told him I was a native, just wandering about to take photos of buildings.  He said, "Oh, well be careful and don't shoot the Scientology building over there.  I've heard they will sometimes come out and try to confiscate people's cameras."

I said, "Really? Then I will definitely take some photos!" He laughed and said to be careful.  I don't know if he was just messing with me or what, but I went over and started taking some photos to find out.  

I thought this was an interesting social commentary...a homeless man asleep in a wheelchair resting his head on bus benches replete with signs of that oh-so-prosperous "church". 

And now, for my last photo, I really like how this one came out.  I did do a little bit of special effect in post-production to enhance the focus on the building.  

This building is kitty-corner to the Scientology building on J and 6th and the sculpture in the front slowly moves around.  It's always fascinated me. 

xoxo

Sights of Sacramento - My Very Own Art Walk May 2015 Part I ~~ Horses!

On this wonderful rainy evening, I realized I hadn't posted for awhile.  I have quite a few excursions to share too, so what better opportunity than a cold, stormy night to reflect back to a bright sunny May day spent walking the city in search of art to photo!

On May 9th I spend the majority of the day just walking around various areas of Sacramento looking for interesting stuff.  I had a couple destinations in mind when I left the house; I wanted to take some photos of three horse statues in particular.  I ended up finding four.  

These horses, as far as I know, were not planned to have anything in common.  But they obviously do.

This is the first one installed - The Butterfield Horse at 5th and J

This forlorn looking beauty was installed in 1983.  The artist, Deborah Butterfield, sculpts horses out of "found" objects.  In this case, she used metal from an old Airstream trailer.  

Once upon a time, I remember this being a beautiful area.  But the drought has taken the pretty green bushes and revealed the detritus of careless humans.  

The next horse to be "installed" was the "Safeway" horse located at...where else...Safeway!  This majestic steed was crafted and unveiled in 2004 by artist Sean Guerrero.  It is made from reclaimed car bumpers.  (See the connection??)

The newest horse statue of the three was installed in a parking lot on Marconi Avenue in Carmichael, CA in 2009.  As you will undoubtedly observe, it bears a strong resemblance to the Safeway horse.  Yep...you guessed it...this one was also created by Sean Guerrero and out of old car bumpers as well.  

Word on the street is that this is in homage to Sacramento born and bred 1886 Kentucky Derby winner, Ben Ali.  Carmichael was home to the original Rancho Del Paso, a Mexican land-grant ranch that passed through many hands and was eventually turned into a thoroughbred horse ranch. 

It's somewhat difficult to get a decent picture of this guy because of it's proximity to buildings and signage that are less than attractive.  So be prepared for some special effects.  

Our last sculpture differs visually from the last two.  But it definitely has something in common with the last one.  It's name?  Remember Rancho Del Paso.  Created by Numan Begovic in 2007, I have to imagine that this is also in homage to Kentucky Derby winner Ben Ali.  Other than it's name, artist, and age I couldn't really find out much about this horse. 

In trying to research a little bit, I found that the person who commissioned the middle two horses also has commissioned several other animals here in the Sacramento area as well as two horses with cowboys in Woodland.  I sense another art walk...errr...drive in my future.  

Stay tuned for more Sacramento eclectic art!

xoxo

Supercar Sunday - 2 Fast but Not So Furious

Where did we leave off?

Oh, that's right...At Supercar Sunday at the Westfield Promenade Mall in Woodland Hills.  If you're ever in the LA area on a Sunday and you like to look at cars, this is your place. Every Sunday local supercar owners bring their amazing rides to the parking lot to see and be seen.  

On this particular Sunday, there were a lot of Ferraris with other cars, both vintage and current, thrown in.  And of course, the McLarens come out to play.  

Every since I was a little chica, I've dreamed of having a Corvette.  I'll take these two please!

At the show, I could indulge my fantasies with all kinds and colors.  If you missed the previous post with the Fast and the Furious 1963 Corvette, you can find it HERE.

Let's get on with the cars!

Talk about vintage!  This is a 1926 Bugatti

This was one of the few Lamborghinis that I saw on that particular day. 

I love this silver Camaro!  Another dream growing up and I still want one. 

And last, but not least, as I was leaving actually, I saw a sight that made me turn my ass around. The Captain America Mobile.   Two vehicles were pulling into the parking lot that were eye-catching, mostly because of their wraps.  And of course because they're SuperCars!  

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  

Breathtaking.

Next time I'm in LA, I'll be there at the show, drooling and dreaming.  Hope to see you there!

xoxo