The Red Umbrella

 

Above: The Red Umbrella
I spotted this on the upper level on the back of a building in one of the little laneways that Melbourne is famous for. It reminds me of a 20th century Mary Poppins - remember how Mary Poppins held her umbrella high and flew up over the treetops? Well it almost seems as if these two are about to do the same. One of the things I find so endearing about this sketch, is the look of love on the mother's face as she looks at the child and the look of trust on the boy as he looks back.

Today's quote: Until the sun comes out again for you, my umbrella is big enough for two ~ Author unknown

Theme Day ~ Creative Artisan

 

Above: Artist at work

Walking to the St. Kilda Esplanade Market one Sunday afternoon, I was fortunate to see some of our wonderful street artists practising their craft. I love the colours and motion of this artwork and on asking the artist permission to take a photo, he answered, "Yes, but not my face" to which I dutifully complied.

Street art (or graffiti) is art, but specifically visual art - it is not something you go to a museum or gallery to look at, it just is. It is for the joy of the passerby, the flaneur taking a constitutional, for anyone and everybody. It makes you think about what you are seeing, what the artist is saying, in short, street art is an Art in itself and should be encouraged by councils and governments alike.

To see other theme day photos click here.


Today's quote: "Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make someone smile while they’re having a p-ss." ~ Banksy

Theme Day - Graffiti...Dining With Dinosaurs

Dining with Dinosaurs?
I just love this wonderful piece of glorious graffiti don't you? I noticed it while on one of my Melbourne Walks. They say art imitates life, well imgaine if art came to life - think of the mad scramble there'd be!
I don't think many would want to be din-dins for this fellow! Look at those teeth...

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

I am going to my daughter's for a day or two and will visit on my return. May you all have a lovely Friday and a safe weekend. God Bless.

Today's quote: Dinosaurs may be extinct from the face of the planet, but they are alive and well in our imaginations ~ Steve Miller, Freaks!

Red Flower Graffiti

 

Splish Splash
I was walking from the car park towards Main Street in Croydon when I spotted this beautiful art on the brick wall of a shop.

 

Today's quote: The holy grail is to spend less time making the picture than it takes people to look at it ~ Banksy

The Butterfly

Flutterbies and Flowers
This brilliantly bright mural is painted on the side wall of the Lord Mayor's country children's holiday camp in Portsea. The camp was established to provide holidays for children of the outback areas. Portsea is a seaside town on the Mornington Peninsula across Port Philip Bay.

When I saw this I was reminded of the song "Butterfly" written by the French singer-songwriter, Danyel Gérard. Click here to listen to the song. This is the English version I remember. This is the German version sung by Gérard.

Today's Quote: The butterfly is a flying flower, the flower a tethered butterfly ~Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun.

Graffiti Triptych

 

Strolling through Melbourne Central last Thursday, as I was making my way along to get to Russell Street, this glorious riot of colour met my eyes.

 

The artwork was longer than a Chinese dragon! Melbourne has some very talented artists who adorn our laneways and alleys with terrific paintings.

 

I have been to all states and territories but Melbourne stands out as the Graffiti capital - so much originality - much more interesting than looking at plain walls.

 

The three shots joined together to give you some idea of what I saw.


Today's quote: I paint because I love it, and it adds character to any inanimate object. Whether it is a wall or a footpath. It brings the streets to life - Rone.

Theme Day - Graffiti ...Dining With Dinosaurs

Dining with Dinosaurs?
I just love this wonderful piece of glorious graffiti don't you? I noticed it while on one of my Melbourne Walks. They say art imitates life, well imgaine if art came to life - think of the mad scramble there'd be!
I don't think many would want to be din-dins for this fellow! Look at those teeth...

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Today's Quote: Dinosaurs may be extinct from the face of the planet, but they are alive and well in our imaginations ~ Steve Miller, Freaks!

Ahh - Pizza!

Le Chef in action - Mama Mia!
Carosello's just opposite the railway station has been around for many years, and seems to have taken on a new lease of life with this painted kitchen scene. This villa-style pizzeria has an authentic Italian menu, is fully licensed and BYO (wine) Inside is memorabilia of the Essendon Footy Club and plenty of boisterous families fill the main dining room - so bring the wife, bring the kiddies as you tuck into the best pizza, sip your chianti, raise your glass and salut!
Buon Appetito!

Faces

I have my eye on you
This is the companion piece to yesterday's photo (Life in a bottle). As you walk along the side street to the main road, the eye is drawn to the sea of faces watching which leads you to the next painting, which in turn shows you the restaurant name - Turkish Place.

Life In A Bottle

The beautiful briny sea
Another great work by one of our talented street artists, this time on the wall of a restaurant (Turkish Place) in Bay Street Brighton about 1500 metres from Brighton Beach.

Swimming My Way?

Good advertising isn't it? This is painted on the side of a fish'n'chip shop.

Marital Dispute in Art?

While taking a short cut to avoid traffic on the way to work, this piece of public art caught my eye. It definitely wasn't there last week and makes an otherwise dull laneway bright and cheerful.



Wonder what the "tag" means and how the roving artist managed to get enough paint supply. Spray can anyone?