I saw this artist and his work in progress during a recent visit to Santa Barbara, California. I wish I had taken more pictures of his work because I can barely remember it all. But, I can remember that I was fascinated and taken in.

The artist was talking to someone next to us. "Yeah, he came down and added this part", he explained about a new addition to his piece.

There were many facets to this piece. One sign read "Live Life Fully". The black discs you see here are old LP's. He was playing Frank Sinatra on his CD player. Kids were joyfully tossing coins on the beach towel wishing well from the pier up above. Having coins land on the towel was the goal and seemed to be their prize as they moved happily along with their parents after a good hit.

My Story About This Picture:

Doug, my husband, and I recently visited Santa Barbara, California where we encountered this site (sight?).

I walk into the Cafe Roma coffee shop and smile. I smile because I can picture Maria here. Maria, an Igniting student, had recommended this particular coffee shop to me. She had been here last month.

The place oozes "artist". The art hanging on the wall is not my taste but still it adds its flavor to the atmosphere.

Three gentlemen are discussing the meaning of life over in the front corner. One is dressed in a suit with clean cut hair. Another wears camouflage pants and a white t-shirt. His hair is tasseled, mid-length, and sandy-colored. The other one wears khakis and looks pretty non-descript. They are loud and boisterous as they each have their own opinion on life's matters.

An older bulging tummy guy walks past our table. "You been to Mexico?", he inquires as he sees Doug's golf shirt that sports an embroidered cactus plant on it and reads "Mexico". Doug begins a conversation with him.

Later that morning, as we walk the streets of Santa Barbara, we hear a loud ruckus. We turn around and see two of the guys from the coffee shop talking loudly. One of them is on his cell phone, waving one arm, and laughing as loudly as I could ever imagine anyone laughing.

We stroll along the beach where I take notice of an Installation Art Piece happening below the pier. We think the artist is one of the men we saw at Cafe Roma. Doug and I discuss our own stories about this guy. Doug thinks he is a homeless person. I think he is an eccentric business person who likes to create art after work and on the weekends. After all, he was in the coffee shop buying coffee and a donut, right? His appearance was such that I was led to believe that he had recently showered and wore clean clothing.

The next day as we wait for a friend, Joyce, two police cars showed up down by the pier. Two policemen headed down toward where the beach artist was hanging out.

"What do you know about the artist down by the pier"? I ask her as we walk our lunch off. She explains that she didn't know anything about him or his work. I tell her about the police cars and coffee shop and him talking loudly on the sidewalk. A passerby hears my conversation. He speaks up that he could say something but he had better not. "Just a snippet?", I inquire.

"That guy is a menace to the town. He is causing all sorts of problems. We can't do anything about him because he declares his rights to Freedom of Expression. We can't get rid of him. He and his buddies hang out down there, sleep, and stuff their clothing under the pier."

Joyce tells me of her friend who is writing a dissertation on people who are "flooded" with creative thoughts. Apparently people like this are on the fringe of society because no one knows how to deal with them. She wonders if this is the case with this fellow.

So, what do you think? Is he crazy or just a creative artist on the fringe of society?

Post your comments

Email Mary: mary@wisdompainting.com

Post your comments to our website: click here.

Go to the Inspiring Images Art Gallery, click here.

Go to Mary's Art Gallery: click here.

Read what people are saying about our posted artwork, click here.

Home

Posted: June 6, 2002
Written by Mary Gravelle

Gallery More images

Tell us what you think (post your comments) Read what others say

Future issues -- every other Friday:

@ 2001-2007 Mary A. Gravelle. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be copied or distributed, except for personal use, without prior written consent. Please contact us if you would like permission.

Webmaster: mary@wisdompainting.com