Taste of Adams

Just getting around to editing some of the photos from the Taste of Adams event a couple weeks ago.  That's the second time I've been, and the girls are right.  There is so much food to taste, getting a single ticket, sharing it between 2 people and alternating tastes is definitely the way to do it.

As usual, the Blind Lady Ale house was a favorite...stopping by for some great beers and pizza.  My favorite restaurant of the stop was the Farm House Cafe (http://www.farmhousecafesd.com/).  My other favorite was the iced Toddy from Lestat's Coffee House.

Along the way, we stopped to see some rather cool street art...

...and it was just a pleasant day with friends and family.  Especially, having Terri and her mom in town before Terri's big world vacation ;). 

Good times!

Cheers,
Ryan

Interior Photos for Surfside Animal Hospital

Just finished editing the interior marketing photos for Surfside Animal Hospital, based in Oceanside, CA. 

We owe Dr. Haver and Dr. Siebert continuous thanks for their help with our young dog Otto.  Soon after we adopted Otto, he became diagnosed with a disease called Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (or IMHA).  Otto's condition quickly became life threatening, and there was a good stretch when we honestly didn't think he was going to make it.  Dr. Haver and Dr. Siebert administered an after hours blood transfusion, and came into check on him regularly (on and after normal business hours).  After months of medicine, Otto is back to puppy life...getting into all kinds of trouble he would have otherwise missed out on.  I couldn't possibly recommend them enough.  For more information, visit:  http://www.surfsideanimalhospital.com/ .

My wife, Linda, did the interior design of the building.  I'm obviously biased, but it looks great.  It was pretty awesome to observe the project through its initial phases to where it is now.  Dr. Haver and his wife, Dana, also added a lot of great touches throughout the project.  It's really neat to have seen it all come together.  The space is clean, comfortable and casual.  And the fish tank is really cool.  Kudos on all the great work!  See more of Linda's interior design at http://www.spacesid.com/ .

More photos at www.ThePhotoBus.com/surfside ...

Cheers,
Ryan

Art in the Streets...Pt.1

As I still have some photos to edit...I'm going to do this blog in 2 parts.

Ben, Linda and I went to the Museum of Contemporary Arts (MOCA) in L.A. today.  I was told by my friend Terri that the Art in the Streets exhibit was one of the biggest in the world right now...and I believe it. 

In San Diego, I've had a chance to see great pieces here and there in the city.  From Space invader to Shephard Fairey and many others...I was amazed to find out how much is actually here. 

Shephard Fairey - more popularly known
for his iconic images of Barack
Obama and the face of Andre the
Giant (also seen in this image)

So what is Street Art anyways?  Well as someone just learning about it myself, it's not just graffiti.  It has evolved into different facets.  The spray can is still a quinessential tool, but cut outs, paper, glue and lot of other tools come into the mix.  Some of it is destructive, some of it is made to deteriorate rather quickly.  At Art in the Streets, you see the timeline and how it has evolved.  You see street art making bold statements, such as Banksy's "I Hate Mondays." In this image, a kid in Darfur, seemingly starving and in need is wearing a rugged, oversized t-shirt with bright lettering "I Hate Mondays."  The colorful lettering pops out of the image against the drab neutrals used throughout.  It has that visual and subject matter contrast I've come to appreciate in Banksy's work. 

On the other end of the spectrum, artists like Space Invader create small aliens out of tile (similar to those from the early arcade game, Space Invader) and places them all over in conspicuous places.  His work is on the more light-hearted end of the spectrum, and most of the fun is in trying to find them :).

If the photos peak your interest, I encourage you to do 2 things (if you haven't already):
1) Rent the movie "Exit through the Gift Shop" - excellent film that will quickly get you up to speed, and entertain you the whole way through
2) Pay a visit to the Geffen MOCA in LA between now and August 8th (if you're anywhere nearby)

I hope you enjoy the photos.  As I have time, I will come back and add photos, artist names and descriptions.  Visit my website at www.ThePhotoBus.com/StreetArt to see more, or click on any of the images to go directly to the gallery photo.  Drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Cheers,
Ryan