My mom works and lives downtown. She takes different routes to and from her job, depending on weather, inclination, and schedule. She’s lucky to see the city from such an intimate angle. Being on foot allows her to stop and actually look at things, to take them in with consideration and deep thought. Columbus is a city awash with public art. It’s everywhere you turn: bold, unique, subtle, provocative, demanding attention, always evolving. Boredom is turned away; it has no place there. I accompanied my mom on her Wednesday commute. I am a writer, but the profound human experience conjured by urban surroundings-gritty, beautiful, humorous- is one of the things that fuels my creativity. These images represent a handful of the aesthetic wonders we saw that rainy day, that she sees several times a week as a matter of routine. Lucky lady.
“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”-Pablo Picasso
“A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament.”-Oscar Wilde
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
Love that you accompanied your mom and see what she sees. So interesting that this city values public art; always does my heart good. Is your mom offended by graffiti? I am washing the dust off my soul this morning, in my studio. Thanks, maedez.
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I usually accompany her to work once every visit home. Her boss and co-worker came to my wedding a couple of years ago, so we are just one big happy.
My mom is extremely artistic and modern. She is definitely not offended by graffiti, although what you see in these photos is officially sanctioned art and not vandalism (which has its place, too).
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Reblogged this on msamba.
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I enjoyed to see the title of Iran,Tehran… suddenly i got happy
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It is definitely an unexpected sight to see on an American sidewalk, and it makes an excellent point.
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Next time, we’ll walk down by the river and then on the way home stop by the Thurber House.
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I haven’t been by the river in ages, yay! Agreed, about the Thurber House. I cannot wait to go there.
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I love the “Columbus never came here” sign, and the size of it, too.
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I think it is fantastic. I saw it for the first time on this visit. It’s definitely no shrinking violet!
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I love embedded works of art whether they be graffiti (sanctioned or not), statues, etc. What I love most are the works of art that are slightly hidden so you’d miss it if you weren’t paying attention. Those are my favorite 🙂
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You’d like Columbus then, as there are works of art in the strangest nooks and crannies. My mom’s various routes to work are a visual delight.
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Ooh! Something to keep in mind when I choose my next travel location 🙂
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It’s a GREAT city, and I say that not just because it is my hometown. BONUS: I, and my cupcakes, live only 2 hours away.
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EEEEEEEEEEE! Oh my goodness that would be SO EXCITING!! I’m already planning on visiting another blogger in Amsterdam next summer so you are much, much closer! 😛
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Oooh, Amsterdam! Nice. I am much closer, and in the Queen City you can be in a total of 3 states within a few minutes. Grasping for straws here. So not as cool as Amsterdam. But Columbus, which is 2 hours North, is awesome. I actually met Jennifer of Quirk’n It 3 months ago. We had dinner in North Carolina. It was fun!
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That’s so cool! I always like to book random last minute trips as the weather gets warmer so who knows…maybe one day you’ll find me in your city! 😛
That’s so great!!
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Haha, just give me a small heads up, random girl! 🙂
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I shall! 😀
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🙂
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I shall! 😀
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Damn, I suck. Please ignore my misplaced reply…
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Does this belong on the James Thurber shopping thread? If so, no worries. You have enough other charms to get by on this one…:)
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Heehee 😛
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Love the “piled on” of that first shot. You can tell so much about a place by its graffiti, imo.
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That building is next to where my mom works. Columbus is filled with public art. It’s everywhere.
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