Jun 30, 2009

Norfolk - Day/Night 2

Dusk on Granby St. by Finijo

On my second night in Norfolk, I ventured out with my two new friends, Letha and Lauren, and we made our way down Granby Street in search of a restaurant that had been recommended. I loved the fact that each intersection we came to had a view of the harbor. That is a battleship moored at the end of the street.
Maid In Voyage by Finijo

Norfolk has adopted the mermaid as its city symbol/mascot. All over the city you will find not only the city logo, but also artistic variations on the theme.

Definitely Downtown by Finijo
This mermaid apparently changes hats from time to time. The hat she is wearing now is not the one found on the website that shows all of the mermaids.
Plated Mermaid by Finijo
This one looks like an antique because of the patina, but she is in the same style as most of the other mermaids. It reminded me of Houston's Art Cows that can be found all over the city.
Ella Fitzgerald Star by Finijo
Another surprise as I walked through downtown Norfolk was the music walk of fame. Not all of the musicians and singers featured in their own stars are from Norfolk, but all are from Virginia. I was unaware of how much musical talent came out of my home state.

Granby Theater by Finijo
Another thing that struck me as I strolled downtown was how much renovation is taking place. I had been warned before my trip that Norfolk was not worth the trip, but I think the city's efforts to revitalize Norfolk are really paying off. This is a photo of the Granby Theater next to a derelict building, that will likely be restored and put to good use, if what I saw in the rest of the city is any indication.
Brick Ads by Finijo
These advertisements were on the side of a building, and I honestly could not tell if they were old ads for businesses no longer in existence or if they were an artistic homage to days gone past. Either way, I found them eye catching.
456 Fish by Finijo
After many blocks of walking and a lot of picture taking, we finally made it to 456 Fish. The atmosphere was great, quiet enough to hear each other when we spoke, but also very warm and inviting. We enjoyed our meals quite a bit, too.

Jun 29, 2009

Arrival in Norfolk

Marriott Waterside Bed by Finijo

After arriving at the Marriott Waterside in Norfolk, VA, I found the most wonderful bed waiting for me. This bed is a tie for the most comfortable hotel bed I have ever slept in, which was the Heavenly Bed by Westin. This is the kind of bed you get into and just don't feel like getting out of. I know, this is a lot of praise for a bed, but if you had been there, you would understand.
View from Dinner by Finijo

After being to amped up from caffeine and travel to successfully achieve nap, I decided to go out for dinner. My team had not yet arrived, so I decided to take my camera and my book (Jack Kerouac's On the Road) and set out to find food. In Norfolk, there are not a lot of places open downtown on a Sunday evening, so I settled for Joe's Crab Shack, because it was open and had seating on the deck over looking the water.
Dinner Duck by Finijo
I ordered dinner and started taking a few photos of the restaurant's begging duck when I heard someone calling my name. Two women (Letha and Lauren) I met on the van coming in from the airport were at a nearby table. This was both good news (I would not be eating alone) and bad news, as I had ordered food that I would likely only eat in front of family or close friends - the dreaded steam pot. My reticence at eating a steam pot full of crab legs in front of virtual strangers is two fold. One, I eat more slowly than anyone I know and eating something you have to crack open and remove only slows down the process more. Secondly, the food is really messy and I save my gross eating for the people who have to love me anyway. I guess it worked out, because I finished dinner about the time they finished desert and I was invited to dine with them again the next night.

Whaling Wall #47 by Wyland Foundation - photo by Finijo
I took this shot of “Humpbacks off the Virginia Coast” located on the Dominion Towers 999 Waterside Drive Norfolk, Virginia from the deck outside of the pool at the Marriott Waterside. It is 280 Feet Long x 80 Feet High and dedicated to Jacques Cousteau - August 23rd, 1993. This was the first sighting of a lot of art located around downtown Norfolk. From the research I have done, the mural appears to be going by two different names (hence the two names in my post).

Jun 15, 2009

Commercial Street Art

Touch of Red photo by Finijo

I drive past this shop at 2402 Montrose all the time, but never really noticed the artwork on the front door until today. It brings to mind Frida Kahlo. I will have to visit the store to see what's behind the red door someday...

Jun 10, 2009

Art Car Cat

Art Car Hairse by Finijo

I found this beautifully modified hearse in a parking lot and thought I would share. The owner obviously likes cats.
Art Car Cat by Finijo
Apparently, this hearse is now advertising hair care in a most eye catching way. I am pretty sure the coiffures are for the living, not the dead.

Imperial Properties

Townhouse 1 by Finijo

I was asked by my friend, Karim ElRaheb, to photograph one of his properties for his business, Imperial Properties.
Townhouse 2 by Finijo

He is in the process of trying to rent out this townhouse and wanted some photographs that showed how beautiful and elegant the space really is.
Townhouse 3 by Finijo
We went through the townhouse room to room and tried to pull out some of the unique characteristics of the property, and I think we did a pretty good job.
Townhouse 4 by Finijo
Imperial Properties offers a boutique real estate service for both the purchase of homes and the rental of apartments and other properties.
Townhouse 5 by Finijo
I've always enjoyed architectural photography, so I am looking forward to doing more work with Karim and perhaps some other real estate agents in Houston.

Jun 8, 2009

Erick Gonzalez Mural Update

Erick's Completed Mural by Finijo

I went Sunday to check out the mural and see if could get better photos of it. I was intensely disappointed with my first shoot of this incredible piece of street art. My camera was acting up and most of the shots I took were out of focus. The failure of that shoot and the loss of those photos prompted me to get a new camera. I am much happier with the results I am getting now.
Erick's Roy Head by Finijo

Erick Gonzales the young artist who painted this mural made some changes since I first met him a few weeks age. Jimi Hendrix was replaced with Roy Head, to keep with the theme of Texas Musicians. Click on any of these photos to see more detail. I am amazed at what control Erick has with a can of spray paint.


As I was reshooting the mural, I sensed that there was something going on behind me and when I turned to look, Erick was standing on the train platform with his family. He brought them out to see the finished mural and it was obvious how proud they are of their talented son. He just graduated from Yes College Prep (and acknowledged his school with the big "Y" under Beyonce in the mural).
Erick's Mural Panel I by Finijo

This is the first panel on the left of the installation. it features Lightnin Hopkins. Hopkins was a Texas blues musician in the 1940's, 50's and 60's. He lead quite a fascinating life and influenced many of today's musician.


Erick informed me that the individual paintings will be auctioned off in a few months. The mural covers the front of a building that is under renovations. When it is completed, this mural will be disbanded and he will be asked to do two more murals on the building. He is off to a very promising career, I think.
Erick's Mural Panel II by Finijo

Panel II shows Archie Bell, an R & B musician from the 1960's and 1970's, and Roy Head, a rock and roll/rockabilly musician from the 1960's and 1970's.
Erick's Mural Panel III by Finijo

Panel III features country music star, Mickey Gilley, who still plays at a theater he built in Branson, Missouri. The other half of this panel features Flaco Jimenez, a Tejano musician from San Antonio. His music has won many awards and he won a Grammy as recently as 1990.
Erick's Mural Panel IV by Finijo

The last panel in this musical tribute to Houston features rock musicians ZZ Top , who formed in 1969 and still tour. The other half of this panel features Beyonce, who started with Destiny's Child and who continues to make solo albums and also has a successful acting career.

Jun 7, 2009

This Is Houston Mural by Reginald Adams

This Is Houston Plaque by Finijo

This plaque is at the center of the brand new mosaic titled "This Is Houston" on the side of the Hubbard Financial Services building at the corner of Montrose and California. The mural was sponsored by Leadership Houston Class XXVII and The Museum of Cultural Arts, Houston.

This Is Houston Mosaic Mural - photo by Finijo

This is a full shot of the gorgeous mural that will be unveiled on Tuesday, June 9th. This work of art was created to "raise awareness of local diversity in the areas of art, education, the environment, health care, and leadership. The artist responsible for this vibrant addition to a rather plain little section of Montrose is Reginald Adams.
This Is Houston Mosaic Pt. I
This portion depicts oil derricks, wind mills, and the ship channel with Leadership Houston looking over plans, presumably for future development. You can just begin to see the diverse people of Houston on the road leading to the right.
This Is Houston Mosaic Pt. II - photo by Finijo
In this section you can see the windmills, but also Hurricane Ike with the rainbow representing the good that came from that storm. There are also people out walking, using the bicycle lane and walking their dogs.
This Is Houston Mosaic Pt. III - photo by Finijo
This is the center of the mosaic and it includes the Mecom Fountain, the San Jacinto Monument, and the Scurlock Tower in the center. Education is represented through the apple, the blocks, and the chalk board. The arts are represented by the comedy/tragedy masks and the piano keys at the bottom right. The light rail is also depicted, so METRO got a free plug. I like that our parks are also shown through the trees and greenery.
This Is Houston Mosaic Pt. IV - photo by Finijo
In this section, the arts are showcased by the dancers at the top. There are also notes suspended in the top right of this panel . Houston's diversity is shown in the people at the bottom, and the medical center is shown in the EKG line (green) and the stethoscope.
This Is Houston Mosaic Pt. IV - photo by Finijo
In the last section of the mosaic, there are more people and the space shuttle is flying off into space. Each end of the mosaic is bordered by flags from around the world, symbolizing the international make up of Houston's population. I am sure that I am leaving out some of what this wonderful new addition to Houston's public art scene is representing, but you get the gist.

Jun 1, 2009

Galveston Gulls

I went to Galveston today on a lark and got some cool pictures with my new camera. I got some interesting video footage of a sea gull feeding frenzy, too. The big surprise was that no heads were showered with gull poo. It was an absolutely gorgeous sunset at the beach.