Houston Daily Photo

Not Your Typical Heart Day

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:27:00 +0000

Today is Valentine's Day and as usual, hearts will be featured on cards and advertising. I decided to take a different twist as today's image is from the Cooley family plot in Glenwood Cemetery. If the symbol looks familiar it is because I originally featured it HERE.

Go Ahead... Take Another Step Closer

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:15:00 +0000

From yesterday's close-up and you'll see this detail that covers the electric service boxes on the back of the building. Details most people don't notice as they drive by.

Take a Step Closer...

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:06:00 +0000

From yesterday's photo and you can appreciate the Mayan detail of the student's work. I wonder how many of them drive by and show off their work to others.

Painting the Wall

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:02:00 +0000

Now vacant, but still visible from the Gulf Freeway has you drive north towards downtown is this mural that was created in the fall of 2000 by art students from George Sanchez High School in the fall of 2000. Using the back wall of a now vacant distribution center, the project was funded in part by a grant from the Cultural Art Council of Houston and Harris County.

Semper Fidelis

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:54:00 +0000

Located in The Woodlands' Town Green Park is this tribute to Texas Marines.

Nothing Fancy

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:31:00 +0000

This whirly-gig (that's the scientific name, in case you were wondering) is from another visit to the folk art mecca, otherwise known as The Orange Show.

More Arches

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:08:00 +0000

This is the view of the Main Street Bridge as it crosses Buffalo Bayou near the historic birthplace of Houston, Allen's Landing. The concrete arched bridge, originally built in 1914, is still in use today.

Talon Park

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:03:00 +0000

The namesake and very visible part of Talon Park in Clear Lake is this Northrop T-38 Talon. NASA still operates a fleet of 32 T-38s, using them as chase planes and as a jet trainer for its astronauts.

No Clue...

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:08:00 +0000

Not sure what this glass paneled structure is or what purpose it serves, but what I do know is that is stands within the Facilities Operations Compound on the campus of Rice University.

Is it a piece of public art?

Maybe a collection panel for solar power?

It very well could just be something that tortures the occasional curious passerby, and in that case… it worked!!

Take a Step Back

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:53:00 +0000

from yesterday's photo (well... maybe more than just one step) and you will see the whole building.

Scales of Justice

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 01:14:00 +0000

This is a close up of a frieze on the newly renovated Harris County Courthouse depicting... yes, you guessed it...

The Scales of Justice

Sometimes You Wonder

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:07:00 +0000

Well... I do anyway.

Not sure what the story or history of this building located on the 2900 block of Main St. is, but it does have a sort of Eastern temple feel to it.

Walk the Halls

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:42:00 +0000

Almost Mediterranean in style, the breezeways of Rice University's Lovett Hall have always been a favorite of mine.

Another Piece of the Wall

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:06:00 +0000

Located on the backside of the James Baker Institute for Public Policy on the campus of Rice University is this iconic piece of history. This part of the Berlin Wall stands as a monument to freedom and is a testament to the works of those involved to unify Germany’s peace and freedom.

Good News

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Built in 1925 the Houston Light Guard Armory building has a very interesting story. Only used for 13 years housing the Light Guard, its original purpose, it was then deeded to the city. Long vacant and the victim of vagrants and hurricanes, it is now in the process of being refurbished and saved.

The Buffalo Soldier National Museum has stepped up and is raising funds to turn this treasure into their new home. Though initial clean-up and minor demolition is getting underway they are still a far cry from reaching their $4 million goal. Contribution to the reconstruction effort can be made HERE.

A Chip On His Shoulder

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

This remarkable work is an untitled work of Robert Fowler located in the Frank C. Weber Plaza near University of Texas Medical School in the Texas Medical Center. If that name sounds familiar it’s because another of his pieces was featured in a previous blog post HERE.

Holland Lodge #1

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:36:00 +0000

Holland Lodge #1 of the Ancient Free & Accepted Free Masons of Texas was the first Masonic Lodge in Texas. Originally formed in Brazoria in 1835, it relocated to Houston soon after the Battle of San Jacinto and the forming of the Republic of Texas. Their present lodge, built in 1954, is located in the Museum District on Montrose and sports this incredible structural mural.

All Alone...

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:21:00 +0000

While this statue by Edd Hayes, entitled “In the Line of Fire” is quite striking, the odd thing is resides on an empty lot on the corner of Main St. at Hadley in the midtwon area.

It seems that eventually... the Houston Fire Museum will be located in a new building on this location. Until then he's on his own honoring our local firefighters.

Just Wait Until Summer

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:25:00 +0000

Not a lot going on along the banks of Lake Houston this time of year.

Unless you like the peace and quiet.

Which I do.

Taking A Step Back

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:28:00 +0000

To follow up yesterday's post, here is a step back to show the entire wall, giving you a glimpse of some of Daniel Anguilu‘s urban art.

...and the walls bled

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:06:00 +0000

A sign of the apocalypse?

Well... not really.

The former Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority Building in Midtown has become a canvas for local urban artists and this is just a close up of one of its painted walls.

In-Spire-Ing

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 19:32:00 +0000

It may not be the largest or the most ornate, but the First Church of Christ Science does have a unique spire atop its building.

HALT!!

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:29:00 +0000

Who goes there??

Erected in 1908 and now located in Sam Houston Park, “The Spirit of the Confederacy” honors “…all heroes of the South who fought for the principles of states rights”.

What Does One Do?

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:57:00 +0000

When you reach a dead end?

Buy... or Sell?

Today's public service announcement was taken near the intersection of McKee and Lyons St. in the Fifth Ward area of town.

Empty Boardwalk

noreply@blogger.com (ramy_v) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:38:00 +0000

The Kemah Boardwalk is somewhat of a tourist destination in nearby Kemah. Developed by restaurant magnate, Tilman Fertitta, it contains a small amusement park and several eateries within its 42 acres just outside of the Kemah Causeway, seen in the background in today’s photo.

While vacant now… you should see it in the summer.

…or even on a some of the mild winter weekends we have been having lately.