This mural was a pleasant and unexpected surprise. It took the sting out of paying my ticket!
Recently I got my first traffic ticket (for the sake of this blog no less!) Happily, I found a wonderful mural when I visited the Burbank Courthouse at 300 E. Olive Avenue in Room 100. The American flag, the scales of justice and the constitution are all represented in this patriotic piece. In the upper right we see the constitution upheld and beneath it a list of the Burbank Municipal Court Judges. The artist's signature in the right hand corner looks like it says GAWA.
This mural was a pleasant and unexpected surprise. It took the sting out of paying my ticket!
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It has been a while since my last post. I took a little break from blogging. I wonder, did anyone miss it? I'm picking up where I left off, at Monte Carlo Deli and Pinocchio Restaurant at 3103 W. Magnolia Blvd. The back room of the restaurant boasts a multitude of murals. On one wall, including the patio, there are arched niches theatrically displaying scenes from the story of Pinocchio. I'll show you the other walls another time! The artist, Heather Rasmussen, painted the lively and detailed scenes shown below in 2006. I have linked to a website for Heather Rasmussen, but since I don't see any paintings on her website, I'm not sure I have the right artist. Cool work though!
There is a beautiful fairy tale scene on the side of Monte Carlo Deli and Pinocchio Restaurant located at 3103 W. Magnolia Blvd. It looks as though Pinocchio has made a yummy pizza for Geppetto. It is a touching little scene, and the landscape through the arch is lovely. I like the use of shadows, particularly Pinocchio's. It is interesting that Pinocchio looks a little cartoonish compared to everything else that looks more realistic. He is obviously not a real boy yet. I can't quite make out the artist's name but I know there are several other scenes inside and I believe it was the same artist, so hopefully the signature will be clearer on those. I'll show the interior murals another day.
( Update--the interior paintings were not done by the same artist) Burbank Scales 'N' Tails boasts two murals. The one on the windows across the front is an aquarium scene by an artist named Ana. You can find these artworks in the little strip mall between Olive and Verdugo. The business address is 1720 Verdugo Ave.
"That mural has been the best advertisement we've had for bringing people into the store," said Larry Ross. He is the owner of Blast from the Past, a movie, TV, and comic collectibles store found at 931 Hollywood Way.
It's so true, because I noticed Frankenstein even while driviing by on Magnolia Blvd. The artwork was painted by multi talented artist Nick Butler. The way he painted the glowing light saber appeals to me. I also like the dynamic lines created, and the choice of different genres of characters. An underwater world of adventure is hiding behind a couple of beautiful trees. The shadows of the trees create a fascinating complement to the painting. It adds movement to the scene which was gracefully painted by an artist named Laurah. Be sure to click on the pictures to make them larger. There is so much detail among the shadows. Notice the diver between the crossed tree shadows with a school of little fish at his feet. You can find this large mural on the side of the Aqua Adventures Unlimited building at 2120 W. Magnolia Blvd. at the corner of Myers.
I'm excited about this beautiful mural. It seems it has been around since 2005 and yet somehow it was only recently that I saw it for the first time. It is on the curved side wall of Choza Mama, an express restaurant of Peruvian cuisine, located at that funky intersection of Olive and Alameda at the corner of Ontario and right across from NBC studio. The address is 3121 W. Olive Ave. (click on images to make them larger) I just adore the way the artist has described the people as so musical, joyful and colorful. I am fond of his use of painterly strokes. It is a marvelous scene, well suited to the curved wall.
Mariscos Costa Azul is at 2001 N. Buena Vista at the corner of Empire. The mural is on the backside of the building facing the parking lot. I usually see this building from the other side so recently I was delightfully surprised by this mural while riding with a friend and coming from the other direction.
I took pictures on two different days. The first time the sun was shining and caused that diagonal shadow you see in the bottom photos, but it helps you can see how vibrant the colors are in the painting. Stepping into the rotunda of City Hall one is greeted with this outstanding mural. It is 24 feet tall and 8 feet wide. It is called "Burbank Industry" and was painted by Hugo Ballin who also created other magnificent paintings found inside City Hall, the Griffith Park Observatory, and other well known places around Los Angeles. He also created 26 murals for the Wisconsin State Capital. City Hall was built in the early 1940's and over the years 'improvements' were made. Including removing the bottom third of this mural in 1964 to make a doorway to an adjacent building. The section seen below was in storage for 37 years! Fortunately at the turn of this century the building and it's murals were restored to their new and improved original condition. The painting pays tribute to the community and it's most famous industries. It has a base of resourceful, caring individuals surrounded by agricultural beauty then above that the film industry, the power plant, and aviation.
Burbank City Hall is located at 275 E. Olive Avenue in Downtown Burbank. Take a visual trip to the mediterranean with your patio dining at 164 E. Palm Ave. #3. The sign says Greek and Mediterranean Cuisine but according to the menu it is named Golden Chicken. There are many more decorative paintings inside the restaurant that were all painted by a Greek artist who has since returned to Greece.
This quaint little place is located in the Burbank Entertainment Village beside Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and behind Sweety's Candies. |