On the road - murals in Norway

Oslo, Norway

I've been on a trains, boats and bus adventure in Norway resting my eyes with the sight of beautiful mountains, waterfalls and the enjoying the deliciousness of crisp, cool air. I arrived back to the stressful watch and wait to see what Hurricane Florence brings our way and it's hard to get in the mood to post fun travel shots when I am glued to endless news updates and trying to figure out if I am hunkering down or making a dash inland.

Meanwhile here are a few fun Norwegian mural and graffiti spots I discovered in my travels. Most are from Oslo with a few from Bergen. More to come after things settle down and we can think of something beside wind speed.

Stay safe and dry my friends!

Don't go down the stairs!

North Charleston, SC 

Happy weekend, kids! I felt like yesterday was Friday so this feels like a bonus pre-weekend night. I am sharing one last shot from the old Navy base before we leave the location. It is such a grand hodge-podge of buildings from modern, historic, industrial and disrepair that I was able to stockpile blog shots for the week.

This scene was from the back of the abandoned hospital building in what may have been the psychiatric ward. That is certainly what the graffiti content wants to imply. Boo! Don't let them take you down the stairs!

Have a great weekend. I am off to the Walk for Water in the morning so if you pass me as you carry your bucket of water say hello. 

Prom time!

Tunnel Road

Years of paint. The most recent artist gets attention for their message until someone else paints over it. I took my life in my hands getting the pictures hoping no one would race through the tunnel as I focused my camera. Alyssa loves Gregory, Bradley loves Amanda, I love Ken. I wonder how many of the couples are still together. Long live the moment!

Historic graffiti

Drayton Hall, Charleston, S.C.

Uhoh. Timmy is going to get in trouble!

It appears to be the name "Timmy" scribbled in black on the inside of the door at the historic Drayton Hall. The guide mentions repeatedly how the house has been preserved rather than renovated and the graffiti remains on display.

It is my least favorite way to take a tour, guide led, standing on a square of carpet in the middle of the room with the rest of the group with no freedom to explore but the building is fragile and protected carefully. We were instructed NOT to try to stay at the end of the tour group to try to frame the shot we wanted. Oooops. Still, it is an incredible building and the story is interesting. 

I believe the free admission offer for folks who have "liked" Drayton Hall on Facebook continues through to the end of January so you can still take advantage of it. I appreciated the offer!

Now, who was Timmy?

New street art - Queen St. Grocery

Queen St., Charleston, S.C.

I spotted a picture of this new bit of street art on the side of the Queen St. Grocery last night and had to go down to pay a visit myself this morning.

What a dreary day! The wind is wild. I think they actually closed the Farmer's Market this morning and folks in the upstate are posting pictures of snow. I had a good morning walk in town but it feels like a soup day for lunch.

Steal Back Your Life

Steal Back Your Life, Charleston, S.C.

Oooooh, I try so hard not to glorify vandalism but you know how much I like this kind of thing. Shame on them. They shouldn't do it on private property but I've had two glasses of wine with dinner and I'm letting this one slip by.

Now, here is one I featured on Facebook but not here.....I thought it was very nice of them/him to leave such a thoughtful message for me. I drove extra carefully on the way home. 

Doors of Charleston - the alternative collection

Burns Lane, Charleston, S.C.

Hey, I thought it was supposed to rain all day! It wasn't a bad day at all.  I stayed up most of last night reading a book on my tablet so it was a good thing I didn't have to leap out of bed and get to work this morning.

Here are a couple of additions to my Charleston Doors series. It doesn't quite match the poster that is sold to tourists that can be found here: Doors of Charleston Poster. My first shot is on Burns Lane and is the back entrance to Tasty Thai restaurant (Green Curry ....Mmmmmm) and the graffiti door below looks like Patch Whisky's work.

North Charleston, S.C.

North Charleston, S.C.

The Last Page

House Plants, Charleston, S.C.

I forgot to boast that Charleston Magazine used one of my pictures on their last page in February. Pretty cool since I was actually featured myself in January. They always feature one single picture on their last page each month and after spotting this one they emailed asking permission to use it. Then they asked me to bill them. Hello! How fun is that? Pretty darn fun I say.

This bit of graffiti wall is in an alley on upper King St. It is normally gated off but they left it open one day and that was enough for me.

Smile!

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

Doesn't everyone walk around with a Smiley sticker in their pocket? I have friends who are clowns and always trying to stick Smiley stickers on me. I finally asked for a couple to dot the "i"s in the pavement. Smile!

Bedtime already. I got caught up working on a slideshow for work and the time slipped by. Now I am wide awake.

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

Guess Where, Charleston?

Mural Section

Okay kids, here is a lowcountry location quiz question. Can anyone place this lovely piece of a larger wall mural?

Hints - it is not part of the graffiti walls behind Buffalo South on Folly Rd. although I featured them a couple of days ago. It is part of a large wall mural and easily visible outside.

Sheepman's Graffiti Panels, Folly Road

Sheepmans Graffiti Panels, Folly Rd., Charleston, S.C.

It's been a while since I checked in on Sheepman's graffiti panels in the back of the Buffalo South plaza on Folly Rd. I was worried that they might have been defaced. Someone might have sprayed graffiti on the graffiti. This artist was given permission to paint so we can wallow in the enjoyment of his art.

The shopping center that used to be abandonded is now active and the parking lot is full of boats for sale but I was pleased to find the gaffiti panels still looked fresh and good and some pieces had been updated since my last visit. This is a shrine for worshippers of graffiti art and there are lots of images online.  Holler if you need directions. I think most photographers have found it by now.

Before I Die

Before I Die, St. Philips St., Charleston, S.C.

What is on your bucket list? The Before I Die project at Redux Studio invites you to add your goals to their list in chalk.

Redux Contemporary Art Center is proud to present, Before I Die…, the 6th mural to go on the facade of the building. This project was organized by Nicole Diefenbach and inspired by Candy Chang’s Before I Die… project in New Orleans. We will transform the side of the Redux building into a giant chalkboard wall. The community is encouraged to visit Redux any time of the day and write their dreams and aspirations in chalk. Before I Die… is an interactive public art project where we can discover the ambitions of the people around us.

The mural will be unveiled at the end of Redux’s 2nd Annual Professional Development Day, lead by visiting artist Susan kae Grant. This informational and inspiring workshop focuses on seven strategies that Grant believes are crucial for preparing yourself for a successful and satisfying career as an artist. At the completion of the workshop, participants will have the first opportunity to write their goals on the blank chalkboard.
OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2011

I'm no spring chicken so I can check quite a few I saw this morning off my list. The last one,  "See the World"? I hope I never check it off - it is such a lovely project. What should be added? 

LOVE

LOVE, Cannon St., Charleston, S.C.

There are some benefits to living amongst the college student chaos - creativity! I don't think you'd spot this driving by but I can peek in driveways when I am on foot.

Lot's of action around town. The Farmer's Market is packed so tight I walk the outskirts and just dash in for my tomatoes and there is an October Fest tent set up on upper King St. Y'all have a good weekend!

Home Sweet Home

King St., Charleston, S.C.

Nothing makes a house a home like a plant in the window. Cute, eh?! It was a piece of a large graffiti wall in an alley on King St. just below Spring. Here is the larger view in case anyone wants it.

In other news, Charleston Magazine is asking for votes for their annual Giving Back Non Profit Award but you don't have much time before votes are tallied on Wednesday at midnight. Vote for your favorite lowcountry charity here: Giving Back Awards. There are so many good charities listed I was torn and am happy that five of them will be featured. I love Windwood Farms, the Hemangioma Treatment Foundation, the Lowcountry Food Bank and many others. I ended up voting for the Ryan White Foundation because I process their volunteers and see what good work they do on a regular basis. Go support all these good folks!

Graffiti Walls

Spring St., Charleston, S.C.

There is some wild color on the walls behind Read Brother's store on King St. I didn't get any closer because the yellow door told me not to. That and I was afraid it might be an unauthorized homeless shelter and I didn't want to step on anyone.

Image Sign

Vanderhorst St., Charleston, S.C.

What do you think? Does the art work symbolize something significant about each business owner in the building? I hope so.

What would yours be?

Ocean View

James Island, S.C.

I gave my brother a break from painting and took him to the ocean.

We went to see Super 8 at the Terrace Theater. I didn't realize I was going to an alien monster movie. I read the first part of the review and assumed it was all about Super 8 film. It was actually a fun movie although unexpected.

The Terrace Theater is breeding baby theaters. Behind every door another movie is playing. They now have four separate little theaters. This afternoon we were in theater two where you exit facing the menu from Zias. It isn't a bad evening so we sat outside and enjoyed the cooler break.

This bit of graffiti is in the back parking lot at the Terrace Theater.

WWJS

King St., Charleston, S.C.

Sidewalk Curator reporting in from King St. Not sure what to say about this one!

Switchbox Love Letter

Charleston, S.C.

"and even after all these years I still treat my phone like you're gonna be the one to make it ring"

It's gone of course.

In other news, the next session of Pechu Kucha will be held Wednesday evening with an impressive line up of presenters. The $5 tickets usually sell out but so far it looks like tickets are still available. Go get 'em!