Found Objects Archives - Page 2 of 4

Found Objects: Stained Glass in Alexandria, Virginia

June 9, 2016

No doubt, seeing something that you haven’t seen in a while brings back a sudden flood of memories and an appreciation — a nostalgia even — for that said “something.” The last time that phenomenon occurred was a couple weekends ago, when I was in Alexandria, Virginia, for my friend Andrea’s wedding. This Found Objects post is dedicated to the magical, stunning stained glass I happened upon in St. Louis Catholic Church, where she was to get married. As somewhat of a church girl growing up, seeing stained glass has always made me feel a fondness and familiarity. It reminds me of pews and pews of people gathered around the message of Christ, and the times me and my brother went to Sunday school on Sunday mornings in Detroit during the summer with Miss Freda, and how my granddad Freddy would always take us to get donuts from the shop up the street afterward. It reminds me of Easter speeches and church clothes, especially the shiny, black patent-leather Mary Janes with the white, frilly socks, and the flouncy pink dresses that danced with every step I took. It reminds me of choirs and ushers and preachers and shouting and praising. It reminds me of home.

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Found Objects: Interesting Signage in Long Beach and Beyond

May 24, 2016

I know I’ve chronicled lots of murals and street art here, but one thing worthy of coverage is the equally eye-catching signs found all over Long Beach, Los Angeles and beyond. In this Found Objects post, I feature some of the aesthetically pleasing pieces of signage I’ve encountered.

First, let me start at home in Long Beach. This warning sign (literally and figuratively) puts it out there that the Del Amo Swapmeet is in no way, shape or form responsible for vehicle theft or damage. No big deal and reasonable when you think about it. But what made this sign extra special for me is the “Jesus Saves” sticker slapped on the sign’s top left corner. It’s amusing because it’s almost like the sign is an admonition that God is watching (a.k.a. Don’t be a horrible person and take things that don’t belong to you! But if you do break some laws, He can forgive you and save you from your unrighteousness). Great stuff!

See more of the interesting signage that struck my fancy after the jump!

Found Objects: Restaurant Murals at La Frida, Long Beach

April 21, 2016

Call me weird, but great visuals in a restaurant always enhance my dining experience. Like, it makes me enjoy my food all the more. I was recently out at a spot in San Diego where the bathroom was so nice, I wanted to stay a little longer to take it all in and, well, take photos. This Found Objects, taken at La Frida Mexican Grill, captures one of those moments, and highlights renowned Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. See more of the stunning murals after the jump.
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Found Objects: Things Spotted Out in These Streets — Highland Park and Long Beach Edition

April 14, 2016

This Found Objects features some of the sights that I happened upon while out in the lively streets of Highland Park and Long Beach. Confession: This was the first time I’d ever set foot in that neighborhood, which is super close to Eagle Rock. I was out that way for a paper sale. Nerd alert! One of the designers I follow on Instagram was having a sample sale, so my mom, who also is a paper enthusiast (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!), came to visit so we could get some steals. We did, but the sale was way smaller than we expected so we had nothing but time on our hands. We walked York Boulevard and were bombarded with interesting visuals. My favorite was the “Gremlins” mural tucked away in an alleyway so secluded that you could miss it if your head was in your phone. Meanwhile, in Long Beach, I spotted this vibrant melting ice cream cone and another sidewalk sign that made me chuckle. Click through the slideshow to see all the gems.

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Found Objects: Street Art in Santa Monica

March 22, 2016

Guys, Santa Monica is where it’s at! And by “it” I mean street art. The more I get out and about in Santa Monica, the more and more I discover hidden (and not so hidden) gems like the ones in this post. Click through the slideshow to view some pretty stunning pieces of street art in Santa Monica.

The Honest Abe piece has long been a towering presence on, where else?, Lincoln Boulevard. I had always seen this mural of the 16th President of the United States while driving, but I recently found myself in the area with some time to kill, so I took a nice little stroll down the block to see this gem up close. This time-honored Abraham Lincoln quote reads: “Most folks are as happy as they up their minds to be.” And it’s so true. Damn, Abe! Back at it again with the words of wisdom. The good people at Beautify Earth are responsible for this and the colorful piece that follows. That one reminds me of something you’d find inscribed in a totem pole in along the Pacific Northwest. The other two works are just plain lovely, spotted at random. A burst of vibrancy that reminds me of a circus, for some reason, and a concrete rose. I adore!

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Found Objects: Murals on the West Side

February 18, 2016

Nothing brightens my day quite like seeing a beautiful piece of art smack dab in the middle of everyday life. I recently came across some amazing murals on the West Side that made me feel sone type of way. First up, this striking black and orange piece. I call it “Eye of the Tiger,” but I’m pretty sure the artist came up with something way better. I can almost feel the big fella breathing on me. And check out the intricacies of the background that frames the tiger. Stunning!

Keep reading after the jump to see what my eyes spied in passing through Santa Monica and Culver City.

Found Objects: Abandoned Chair With Jungle Print

December 15, 2015

Los Angeles being the eclectic hodgepodge that is, finding abandoned furniture on the sidewalks any alleyways is an everyday occurrence. However, rarely does one find said object fit to claim for one’s self. Well, there was that one time I answered the call of a trio of chairs beckoning me from my alleyway. Don’t judge! On a recent jaunt through Mar Vista, I happened upon this pretty rad abandoned chair and I have to admit, I immediately started devising a plan in my head of how to get this awesome piece of furniture to my apartment some 30 miles away. This is one of the rare found objects that I wouldn’t have minded giving a little TLC to. Yes, the cushion was MIA. Yes, it had a bum leg. But that’s nothing a trip to the thrift shop and hardware store couldn’t fix. I also was quite fond of the jungle scene unfolding on the fabric: stately elephants, tiny people and their dealings, curious monkeys and ample foliage. It would have made the perfect accent chair for my living room. A tight squeeze for sure, but a one-of-a-kind prize, no less. Long story short, I didn’t take home this diamond in the rough and I’m wondering what became of it. Hopefully someone with more patience, living space and a pick-up truck gave my little friend a new lease on life! I guess I’ll never know.

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Found Objects: Street Art in Culver City

November 12, 2015

When I used to play softball at a park off Washington in Culver City, I would catch momentary glimpses of street art peeking from behind narrow alleyways, unassuming street corners and the back sides of buildings. Week by week, for example, I saw the Muhammad Ali (“His momma name him Clay, I’ma call him Clay”) mural come to life, first as a rough sketch and then in layers of color. I hadn’t been in the ‘hood in a hot minute, so on a happenstance trip back, I took a stroll down memory lane and snapped some photos of wonderful pieces of street art in Culver City. Some of these works were originally taken out of context but when I got to see them straight on, I was able to unlock the true essence of the various murals. Each of the pieces reflects the artists’ unique style and create a dramatic contrast to the worlds around them. I wish I could frame the young Michael Jackson poster, and the mural with the twins and flying pizza made me wonder what was going on in the artist’s mind when this piece came to fruition. If you’re ever in the Dub C, I highly recommend getting out of your car and viewing these priceless works of art up close.

To see more street art and Found Objects posts, click here.

Found Objects: Street Art in Santa Monica and DTLA

October 22, 2015

Whether abstract, with a clear message or showcasing a familiar face, these pieces of street art gave me life. Each of them is dope in their own unique way. Take a closer look at these gems I happened upon: street art in Santa Monica and Downtown Los Angeles after the jump!

Found Objects: Luggage Tags

September 22, 2015

I was walking to my office when I happened upon these two nondescript scraps of paper strewn across the dusty concrete. When I took a closer look, I discovered that these were something entirely different: luggage tags. And I was dying to know the backstory.

Read more after the jump!
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