Sunset from Monterey Hills...

by Laurie Allee

...up by the water tower.

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Clouds and Golden Light Above South Pasadena

by Laurie Allee

I can't resist sharing another moody, magical November sky...

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South Pasadena Abstract #7

"The longer you look at an object, the more abstract it becomes, and, ironically, the more real." -- Lucien Freud

(Or, the more drinks you have on Mission Street, the more artistic each venue becomes...)


Feel like getting real?  Talk to me.

South Pasadena Abstract #6

Zoom into the puddle near Trader Joes ... tune in to a parallel universe!  The last few days have been all about finding abstract art in unlikely places.  (Like the gutter.)

Want to leave a comment?  Feel free.

South Pasadena Abstract #5

"Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes."  --Arshile Gorky

With your eyes you see autumn leaves from a tree on the Arroyo Seco.  What does your mind see?

(Tell me here!)

South Pasadena Abstract #4

Yesterday I found optimism in a door.  Today, I find an abstract image in my own vintage lace curtains.

What did you find?  Tell me about it here.

South Pasadena Abstract #3

Okay, so this might not be technically abstract, but file it under modern, which is close.

I love the South Pasadena Craftsmans and Victorians ... but the mid-century modern homes in Monterey Hills are also wonderful.  These ginormous doors really sum up that middle of the 20th Century optimism, don't they?

I'm all about finding art in the ordinary, people.  (And optimism in doors.)

Feel free to leave a comment here.

South Pasadena Abstract #2

River rock as modern art?  Yes!  At least that's what I see when I focus closely.

Everyone who lives here knows that the San Gabriel Valley it is (literally) built on river rock.  Here, we have a detail of my almost 118 year old home's original river rock foundation, built with stones dragged from the nearby Arroyo Seco.  There are hundreds of similar river rock foundations holding up my friends' and neighbors' houses, but no two are exactly alike. 

Stones as foundation, shapes as foundation of art, art as foundation for expansive thought... now you see it too, right? 


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South Pasadena Abstract #1

I feel like looking at things in the abstract this week.  Art is everywhere if you just know how to frame it.

(I found this as an entryway to a house in Monterey Hills.)

Want to say hi?  I'd love to hear from you.

And Many More

This is a special birthday wish for the beautiful, effervescent and brilliantly talented Shanna Galloway:

My dearest Shanna, may your year be filled with inspirational views and dreamlike vistas. To heck with silver linings ... here's to gold ones!

(Now, everyone go over to Shanna's blog VIEW and marvel at the most gorgeous sky photographs of all.)

Abstract Sky After Thunderstorm

I got caught in the freak thunderstorm that passed over yesterday. As the clouds broke up, the sunlight painted a few amazing pictures in the sky. For the briefest of moments, this is what I saw out of my car window while sitting at a light on Mission.

Abstract by iPhone

I've always thought the angles of my bedroom would make an interesting picture, but I never got around to taking any shots. This one came about by mistake. I hit the shutter button shortly after I downloaded the latest update for my iPhone Retro Camera app.

I love happy accidents.

Tennis, Anyone?

I was wandering around the baseball fields at Arroyo Park the other day. While I was taking pictures of these cool shadows, a kid was playing catch with his grandfather. Their conversation went something like this:

"You've got to throw it harder!" The grandfather said.

"I don't want to practice anymore!" The kid said.

"You're going to keep practicing and that's all there is to it!"

"I'd rather ride my bike!"

"When I was your age, I didn't even have a bike!"

"Yeah," the kid said, "that's probably why you're so mean now!"

The grandfather started laughing. The kid joined in.

"Well," the grandfather said, "you certainly know how to throw a fast ball ... with that smart-aleck mouth of yours."

"If I do," the kid said, "I get it from your side of the family."

I can't help but think with all that volleying, they picked the wrong sport.

Caption This Photo (61)

I really need your help with this one...

Caption this photo (#58)

I need help with this one...

Mighty Wind

Next time you're having coffee at Charlie's, be sure to look up. You'll be amazed by the largest, most elegant ceiling fan you've ever seen. (Too bad it's saddled with this name.)

Still Life With Dirt Pile

It's the number 3 that does it for me. (Hey, if Fair Oaks is going to be torn up for a while, we might as well make art out of it...)

Ticket Booth in Limbo

I often take odd, abstract photos of the Rialto. The theater cries out for someone grieve its decay and imagine its rebirth. It has been reduced to a moldering collection of walls and doors and objects, not the thriving city arts, film and music center it could be.

It really could be!

But, until then, it sits. Very still. Perfect to find little pieces of it to fill my viewfinder.

Caption this photo (#54)

I really need help with this one.

Caption this photo (#43)

I love it ... but I've got nothing. Anyone else want to take a crack at captioning this one?