Stroll Through The Hood

Stroll Through The Hood – September 2017

Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something. It is part of my philosophy about Artful Adventures in Mixed Media – which is the subject of my book. Here are some photos that I gathered in the last couple weeks.

You never know where you spot Dylan Egons black and white paste ups …

my godson sketching our deck on our deck  and writing in his travel journal – mmmmyyyy boyyyy LOL

Love this in Jersey City’s Little India

We took a trip to  the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. I have been here probably 10 years or longer ago when it wasn’t a NHP yet and boy has this been cleaned up. You might remember this if you watched the Sopranos

or if you watched Paterson a Jim Jarmusch movie ( I just love Jim Jarmusch movies and I had just watched Paterson on the plane a couple days before we went there. It is a beautiful movie!) Anyway- it is a very cool place.

Coming back into JC it is always wonderful to be greeted by David

and see other murals along the way

in the dingy weird industrial side streets close to the entrance of the Holland Tunnel – maybe what visiting people see as the ugly NJ …and where I see grungy beauty

and thinking to myself- you guys just have no clue how beautiful NJ actually is ;)

And last pic- this little pop-up- poetry store in the pedestrian area -that was fun and the poem he wrote for my godson and me was:

hands are heavy

bones made to break

hearts born to stop

and still we toss them all

rugged and raw toward…infinity

we are strange adventurers

always moving forward

bold and full of love.

Love it- yes we are strange adventurers !!! Hope you are having a wonderful day and enjoyed this stroll- see you soon in the hood.

Nat

Comments (4)

  • Sue Clarke

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    Gotta love Bowie (as Aladdin Sane here).
    The poet on the street is great fun as well.

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    • nathalie-kalbach

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      So true Sue- so sad he passed away! Hope you have a gorgeous weekend!

      Reply

  • Karen Bearse

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    Great read! Love the pics such a cool neighborhood

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    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Karen – I do love living here a lot – it is always changing and there is always something I haven*t seen.

      Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood – August 2017

Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something. It is part of my philosophy about Artful Adventures in Mixed Media – which is the subject of my book. Here are some photos that I gathered in the last couple weeks.

I know I have posted photos of this view from Liberty State Park several times- but for me it just doesn’t get old!

Here is a newly painted tower at the edge of the park by Mr Mustart.

Kind of in the hood – a little stroll on the Highline early in the morning – what a great time to be there – and seing a little glimpse of a mural by PixelPancho.

And on the walk to the subway a mural by Osgemeos – I love the pants- they are made off all kinds of different flags.

In the East Village this awesome door – love the patterns, the hair, the writing :)

 

Close by the former Adath Jeshurun of Jassy Synagogue, which I believe now has artist studios in it – I hope it is not just abandoned. What a great building.

In the Bowery a Shepard Fairey – I love how the wall is decaying and the purple paint underneath is crackling through again.

And in Jersey City this mural by Nychos

On a construction wall around the corner a paste up by Dylon Egon

And of course…as I am such a dork for elephants …and btw- this has been a block from my place for a long time – how did I miss it so far – by Mr. Prvrt

And last but not least my new fire red bike with which I am strolling through the hood a lot this summer. As you can see I found a piece of drift wood on the water side on that tour, so of course that had to come with me ;)

Hope you enjoyed this stroll and that you had a great time strolling around in your own hood for some inspiration as well.

Nat

Comments (1)

  • Sue Clarke

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    As always it was nice to see what you discovered on your stroll.
    I love older buildings and especially like the photo Adath Jeshurun of Jassy Synagogue.
    BTW, I started to read your book while on vacation and took lots of pics looking at sculptures on an outdoor tour and went back to the cottage and did a mixed media page based on the inspiration that I got from one of them.
    I don’t think that the art based on a specific inspiration “clicked” for me before reading your book.
    So thanks!

    Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood – July 2017

Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something. It is part of my philosophy about Artful Adventures in Mixed Media – which is the subject of my book. Here are some photos that I gathered in the last couple weeks.

When I had to go to get an MRI after hurting my shoulder playing table tennis (yes…you heard right) – I had to walk underneath the turnpike – ugly ugly- but there was a bit of Norman Kirby Fence Art to make the feel better. The funniest thing – the tongue on the right moved in the wind :)

I love how the color bands come out of the R and the movement in this mural.

This is the Historic Jersey City and Harsimus Cemetery again – they had an Oddity Market there one weekend and ha- that is a great location for this. I loved seeing the Before I die… Wall there. I thought it was so clever to have it at a cemetery what a fitting place for this public art project. I did a painting a long time ago called “Before I die, I want to become the person that I am ” – but I think it is time to do this again in my art journal and think about it :)

I also found humor in seeing those to guys in sitting in the grass in between the headstones typing on their cellphones ;)

Ok – this one is a bit cheated- as it wasn’t in my walkable hood – but close enough – I went to a U2 concert and our General Admission spot was spot on ;) Well…it pays when you go with friends who are die-hard U2 fans and know the ins and outs of where to stand at the tour- LOL. Love the swirls- the whole concert was a feast for the eyes.

Of course there was 4th July celebration – we had a small party on our deck and saw several fireworks at the same time -here to the left the NYC Macy’s firework on and on the right at the same time the Jersey City firework.

And this one was apparently a “personal” one  – in the neighborhood – but I take it-as the next day was my birthday- so basically I get free fireworks for my birthday- not too shabby, right? This reminded me of ink/paint splatters.

And those here are also a bit cheated- but hey- I am the boss of my hood- LOL- and this month Manhattan belonged to it too- I mean…I can basically just spit over the river from my hood. We went to the Freedom Tower with family as part of a family day. What a view. Look at the reflection in the skyscraper – I love that- I want to do something with this in one of my paintings.

And oh man ….amazing. It never ceases to amaze me to look at Manhattan from that perspective – it looks all so unreal and orderly and cool. It made me really itch to continue my big Manhattan painting, I am working on for a while now.

And – just because- Jersey City from the Manhattan side- HA  – at Battery Park. I love the juxtaposition between plants and garden and skyscrapers.

And just for fun – I am sure my sister in law at a different idea when she wanted a photo of the girls- but here we are, my niece and I being goofy and my sis in law being her awesome self ;)

Hope you enjoyed this stroll through the hood – until next time!

Nat

Comments (6)

  • Jackie P Neal

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    Great stroll Nathalie!
    And happy birthday to you and America! This is your first 4th of July being an actual citizen of the US -right? I hope it was special for you! Congrats!
    hugs,Jackie

    Reply

  • Robin S.

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    I truly enjoy your strolls through the ‘hood. I may have made a comment like this before, but I am a country girl through and through and am amazed by how much beauty there is to be found if a person is willing to look for it with an open mind; you are a constant source of inspiration to me. LOVE that reflection in the skyscraper!! Keep up your creativity, imagination, and free spirit!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe – thank you so much Robin! Have a wonderful and creative week!

      Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love the reflection in the side of the building and what a view of the city!
    I totally enjoy strolls through your hood especially since they are so different from mine.
    I see wildlife and no street art (bummer).
    Happy belated birthday and keep that inspiration coming.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you sue! Yeah – wildlife is pretty cool too – that is what I am missing here ;)

      Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood – June 2017

Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something. Here are some photos that I gathered in the last couple weeks.

I found this sign embedded in the pavement around the corner of my home- love it- but I am also intrigued who put it there and why.

Liberty State park always a great sight – it calls for another painting.

Love all the amazing pattern spray painted to the house – I should do something similar in an art journal page with my stencils

Besides that I agree with the sentiment on the wall- I love the font :)

And hey- how can you not be inspired by sweet Winnie’s face  :) Winnie is my friend’s dog and she loves celebrating birthdays with us ;)

New shoes to stroll through the hood …unfortunately they need some serious strolling before they will be comfortable- LOL

A cool old cheese sign at a flea market

I loved this sign at my Physical Therapist – would look great in an art journal too.

And after a crazy thunderstorm this huge rainbow showed up

And I took my new book Artful Adventures in Mixed Media on a stroll with me and my friend and photographer Sarah Baumberger took some photos of me and the book. It was a lot of fun.

I hope you enjoyed this month’s stroll through the hood – until next month <3

Nat

Comments (10)

  • Sue Clarke

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    Woof woof Winnie!
    Love those new shoes Nat…they will become comfy as the leather breaks in (I hope).
    That rainbow is AWESOME and the painted building is uplifting.
    Thanks for the stroll.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Yeah – I hope those shoes get better – LOL- they are some problem shoes ;)

      Reply

  • Rae Missigman

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    oh I love these so much and always look forward to these posts. Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait for things to slow down over here so I can get back to my own “strolls.” Hugs!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe so good to see you my friend! Hope you have time soon to get back to your strolls. Huge hugs back!!!

      Reply

  • Nancy Sapp

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    Thanks for all the neat pix you posted of “your Hood.” I HAVE to tell you – you’re so cute! And when you & Julie Fei-Fan Balzer get together on videos, I just crack up! My wish (unattainable, I’m afraid) is to spend an afternoon – painting & doodling with you 2! I’d probably be SO shocked, I wouldn’t be able to do anything but just stare at you two.

    A Fan,
    Grandma Nancy

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      LOL- thank you Nancy. Yes Julie and I make quite a team too ;) Maybe some day it will work out – we have been teaching together a couple times, so you never know ;) Have a gorgeous weekend!

      Reply

    • Sue Clarke

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      Ha ha Grandma Nancy. I’m with you. I’ve taken an in-person workshop with Julie and it was great!
      I’m sure that one with Nat would also be great! The two of them together and I might just faint.
      Silly I am but my two art crushes are together a bunch.

      Reply

      • nathalie-kalbach

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        LOL- of course you know my classes are WAYYYYYY funnier than Julie’s ? Just kidding – LOL. Love teaching with her- and I promise you wouldn’t faint – we wanna keep you . Loves and have a wonderful weekend!

        Reply

  • Delores

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    Thanks for letting us share some of your strolls via the beautiful photos! I am really enjoying your book too!

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    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe- thank you so much Delores! Hope you have a wonderful long weekend ahead! <3

      Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood – May 2017

Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something. Here are some photos that I gathered in the last couple weeks. BTW, I hope you have joined me so far in the Artful Adventures: Stroll Through the Hood Challenge and Free Class – it is so much fun! Come and celebrate my new book Artful Adventures in Mixed Media with me!

I am sneaking in the photo above- this is from a Federal building in Newark ….kind of my hood ….you can see Jersey City and Manhattan – isn’t that a cool view?

Now …what have I been doing in this building?

well…along with 57 other people from 20 different countries I became an American :)

My friends and I also spent a day together in Branch Brook Park close to Newark which has apparently the largest collection of Cherry Trees in the United States …4300 …unfortunately not all on one spot- LOL – so we were quite on a hunt on this trip to find the best spots – but it was worth it and soooo beautiful.

I love cherry trees – too bad it is almost over with the blossoms.

This is part of a ship on the dry dock at Liberty State Park  – I love the colors and the texture- yummie!

Little picnic waving over to Manhattan

enjoying the flowers

thinking about this sign and taking it as a message to Earth …because seriously this looks like we do not love earth at all on this particular spot

and loving once more the many different man holes in Jersey City. Love the star with the pattern around it.

Now these photos are not part of the Stroll Through The Hood Challenge– but I told you – I do this regularly :) You can find all my former strolls here if you wanna see more about where I live.

 

Nat

Comments (12)

  • justbaa

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    Awesome, Nathalie!! Congratulations on your American Citizenship!!!

    Reply

  • ARHuelsenbeck

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    Congratulations on your citizenship, Nathalie!
    I used to live in New Jersey. Your photos made me nostalgic.

    Reply

  • Leap Year Baby

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    Just want to join all the others in congratulating you on becoming an American citizen.
    Love your strolls through the hood and the cherry blossoms are awesome!
    Can’t wait to get your book very happy for you!

    Reply

  • creativetrying

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    Congrats on becoming an American citizen. Enjoyed your stroll … especially the Cherry Blossoms.

    Reply

  • scrapinsue

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    The texture on that ship is awesome. I would love to have it be the background for patterned paper.
    Congratulations on becoming a citizen of the U.S. It’s a great country with some interesting politics going on at the moment (as I’m sure that you noticed).

    Reply

  • Gloria

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    CONGRATULATIONS on becoming an American Citizen.

    Reply

  • Susan

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    congratulations!!! becoming an american is a lot of hard work. thanks for sharing your stroll, too. it is always fun to have a staycation … i really enjoy all that you post!

    Reply

  • CJ Henderson

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    Yay you!! Congrats and such a beautiful stroll through “the hood”?

    Reply

  • friedaquikter

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    The views in your hood are spectacular from both close-up and afar! Specially in that glorious weather. Love strolling with you.

    Reply

  • DK in AZ

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    CONGRATULATIONS on becoming an American citizen! And on your new book too!

    Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood – April 2017

Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something.

Still loving this mural by Pixel Pancho.

I never realized this old sign – probably some historic building marker. Love the patina and the form of it.

On the side of our supermarket-  I rarely walk down this way- so I am not sure if I missed it so far or if it is new.

Tape art by Norman Kirby – love it!

Never showed it finished- the Shepard Fairey Mural at Grove in Jersey City. It feels as if it has a different meaning nowadays.

I love spring and the opportunity to get out of the house more and explore and stroll the hood :) Cannot wait to venture further in the coming weeks .

Nat

Comments (4)

  • Lil

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    OMG!!! That sign!! The rust, the peeling paint. Mouthwatering!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      :) I love it too – it is really cool – glad you liked it. have a wonderful week, nat

      Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love strolls through your neighborhood Nat!
    Happy Easter and Happy Spring…

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Happy Easter and Spring to you you too Sue!!! hugs, Nat

      Reply

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Stroll Through The Hood – March 2017

Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something.

I loved the pattern and texture the melting snow created on our deck …I do not care for the snow so much though …I am glad when it is really spring weather again :)

I love the row of brown stones on our street – the beautiful stairways and all those windows and differently colored stones – and soon the trees will be green too – wohoo

This made me laugh – I am not a big fan of those blow up figures – especially around the winter holidays (sorry!) and I was glad it was over…but nope- should have know there is one for St. Patrick’s Day too – LOL.

Loving this mural by Alice Pasquini – the colors but especially also the lettering!

 

And this one on a construction fence made me laugh !

Cannot wait for warmer weather and more strolling around -it always help me get unstuck and get new ideas or process ideas :)

Have a beautiful day

Nat

Comments (6)

  • Sandi

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    Hi, Nat, love strolling with you. This month was wonderful. See ya next month on the hood

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thanks for joining me Sandi :) See you next month in the hood ;)

      Reply

  • Joi@RR

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    I always love your walks almost BEST of all Nat. The brownstones are WONDERFUL. I see things like that sometimes on TV but seeing your photos just makes them really real. They are soooooo pretty. Love the black on the stairs. And the street art is just so amazing to me. You don’t see much of that around here at all… if ever. Loved this post – thank you! Xj.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Awe- so glad you like the strolls Joi! Thank you for taking a walk with me :)

      Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    I just love brownstones and take pics of them when we go into Boston.
    That snow pattern is pretty cool as well.
    I always enjoy your strolls.

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thanks for strolling with me Sue! My big dream is to live in a Brownstone some day- but I guess I keep on dreaming for now ;)

      Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood – September 2016

NathalieKalbach_Strollhood_Logo

Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something.

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The area around the Holland Tunnel in Jersey City is not really the most beautiful area- in fact …it is really really ugly and unfortunately often all that people see when they drive to or from New Jersey. So I love that there is some street art popping up here and there on the walls of ugly concrete. The above has some cool drippings and I love the monochromatic color scheme.

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Love the stencil work in this one with all the different layering.

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And this one just makes me happy because of the colors.

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this one made me laugh – I think there was a time where we had cards that you could exchange with those- kind of like trading cards? Anyone remember – maybe only in Germany – I guess I am getting old I only have a vague idea of this.

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Oh my- nature is the best painter …or maybe air pollution but let’s not think about this right now *Wink .

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This time is truly amazing regarding sunsets viewed from our deck.

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This one are the remains of a boardwalk at Liberty State Park – I assume it got destroyed in Hurricane Sandy. I love the texture and the pattern with the different materials- wouldn’t that be cool as a textured stamp?

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Here is a view of Manhattan from Liberty State Park – the historic landing pier here in the front of the picture was also heavily damaged in Sandy and has not been restored yet.

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The beautiful historic Liberty State Park train station, where the immigrants that came through Ellis Island headed out to all over America to start a new live. I love the building. It is talking to me *Wink. I need to make a painting of it some time.

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Last week some of our friends hung out at my wonderful friend’s from Beekman Lane – who had a booth with their awesome vintage and antique stuff at the Historic All About Downtown Market. As you can see we are amazing helpers and made sure people came in and bought things ;)

I had to get this hilarious Valentines Card- probably from the 40s – it made me laugh.

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and you see …we helped placing things at the right places too …the policemen on this Valentine’s Card actually has no pants on ….so …we needed to make sure he was covered – LOL . but joking aside the graphics of the box and the cards, and the red lunch box you see peeking underneath are just beautiful.

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And last but not least …another sunset picture. I wish I could make such a nice color swirl into one of my paintings. Maybe by using Pouring Medium.

I hope you had fun with this stroll through my hood – take a walk next time you feel stuck when you are creating something or need a spark – it always helps me to get new ideas!

Nat

Comments (4)

  • ARHuelsenbeck

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    Beautiful sights. I didn’t realize you live in Jersey City. My husband and I both grew up in NJ, but moved to Arizona 28 years ago. Greg used to work for a bank (forget which one) in Jersey City, and would take the tubes over to the World Trade Center during his lunch break.

    Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    Love the swirl of the clouds in that last sunset photo.
    I always enjoy strolls through your various hoods Nat!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      Thank you Sue – yeah that swirl was pretty cool ! Nature is really amazing!

      Reply

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Stroll Through the Hood – August 2016

NathalieKalbach_Strollhood_Logo

Time for a Stroll Through the Hood . Strolls through my hood get me out of my studio, they help me unstuck and often I get inspired by what I see and to get new ideas to create something.

 

Strollaug_01

I cannot get enough of all the beautiful and different views Jersey City offers from the water front!

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Our neighbor hood bakery not only makes really yummy bread, they also love to use stencils on the bread- and this one: LOVE!!!!

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Look at this stink eye …he is not interested in any strolls through the hood …he rather spends his whole day exactly on that chair sleeping!

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I love the iron work we have downtown in some areas around trees.

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I have walked past this alley way a million times and never noticed it- and when I went through I found this mural.

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The biggest Sunflowers I have ever bought at a farmers market – I had to carry them over my shoulder like a log and my arms were aching- but for 8Bucks they are like having the sun four times in your living room – plus, sunflowers are my favorite flowers .

Hope you liked the little stroll through the hood- until the next time . Have a gorgeous day

Nat

Comments (4)

  • Rae

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    I love “visiting” your neighborhood through your strolls. So fun and happy! I would have loved to see you hauling those flowers around! hahahahah! xx Rae

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      LOL- thanks for your visit- and yes the hauling was quite a sight ;)

      Reply

  • Sue Clarke

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    LOVE the stenciled bread! Almost too pretty to eat. I would manage though.
    Sunflowers are one of my favs as well. Those are huge!

    Reply

    • nathalie-kalbach

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      LOL- I inhaled the bread…the last one had Olympic rings :)

      Reply

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