It’s been a good week with a few simple joys:
- Sunny Sunday and Monday
- Cycling and walking outdoors
- Watching beautiful winter birds in the harbour
- A walk and coffee catch up with a friend
- Chatting with family and a longtime friend
- Discovering new public art
- Finishing a good book and starting another good book
- Organizing my digital images (see below)
I organized my digital images of public art into themes and will post them in small batches. I named one of my themes Outside the Box for all sorts of painted boxes. Here’s the first batch.
Outside the Box
I photographed the following five utility boxes when I went for a walk in St. John’s, Newfoundland. There are seven images since the “Jellybean Houses” utility box has different paintings on three sides.
Picture 1: This is the front view of the utility box with painted houses and doors on actual doors.
Picture 2: Side view of the same utility box. I like the painted flowers at the bottom. There is an actual green door behind the box, to the left of the picture.
Picture 3: The back of the same utility box. Again, I like the painted shrubs and flowers at the bottom.
Picture 4: An octopus in nice water bubbles.
Picture 5: Quidi Vidi is a picturesque neighbourhood in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Picture 6: These two boxes together show St. John’s Harbour. The wall behind them is a mural of sea life.
Picture 7: A violinist in bright colours; a sample of the rich music culture in St. John’s.
As I reviewed my pictures, I am reminded that travel provides many gifts: Anticipation before the trip, participation during the trip and recollection after the trip. Going through my pictures brought back fond memories of my walk in St. John’s.
Where Are the Doors?
The paint hides the door handles and locks on these utility boxes. They are there if you look closely. Visit Dan’s Thursday Doors for more door photos.
Weekend Coffee Share
I’d love for you to share what’s been happening, simple joys from your week and/ or favourite public art photos from around the world in the comments or Weekend Coffee Share linkup #103 InLinkz below.
Copyright © 2023 natalietheexplorer.home.blog – All rights reserved.
Natalie the Explorer 
Hi Natalie – we have quite a few utility boxes that have been turned into murals in our area. It’s such a great idea because they’re necessary but ugly additions to the urban landscape, so anything that makes them prettier is a win. I think my favourite of yours is the violinist. Thanks for another great party.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Leanne, I’d love to see the painted utility boxes in your area. I like the implied movements and the bright colours of the Violinist painting. Thank you for linking up. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
A good week indeed. That’s a very creative idea for utility boxes. My favorite is the harbour & sea life. Next is the colorful jellybean houses with the flowers & shrubs. #Weekendcoffeeshare
LikeLiked by 1 person
Karen, I’m glad you like these utility boxes. I think the artists did a great job with many subtle details in each painting. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
I love these painted utility boxes. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Darlene, I’m glad you love these boxes. I have more to share next month. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally missed these when we were there or they are new. We have many done here in Saskatoon. I will have to think about including one or two of them the next time I walk in the city and get some photos. Bernie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bernie, I found these boxes along Water Street, by the harbour. I’d love to see painted utility boxes in Saskatoon. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
I love how you said a week with a few simple joys. I’ve been reading a lot of posts etc..about finding joy in the small things, in tiny moments, in simple things. I need to organize my digital images. I love those images. Love the octopus as I’m reading a book right now called Remarkably Bright Creatures and it’s about an octopus.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kirstin, I think simple joys are more abundant and sustainable than big moments. I’m glad you love these utility boxes. I like how small bubbles were painted with the Octopus. I have Remarkably Bright Creatures book on hold at my library. I look forward to reading it.
LikeLike
I’m halfway through the book and I’m enjoying it. It just got to a part that has me going “hmmmm…..what is going to come of this”. I like when authors make a statement that makes me try and figure out what is going to happen next.
LikeLike
I have it on hold too!
LikeLike
We can compare our opinions after reading the book 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find it amazing how you find new art every week. Just love the colors, and the art on something so functional
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you love the colours and art on these utility boxes. I have more to post next month. Fortunately, Toronto has a very rich art scene.
LikeLike
I got an error message and was unable to leave a comment on your blog.
LikeLike
The Jellybean houses are so cheerful and I really like those atmospheric ones of St. John’s too. Sounds like an excellent week, Natalie 🫠💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jo, I’m glad you like these utility boxes. I enjoyed walking up and down the streets in St. John’s to see the Jellybean houses and public art. My camera had a workout, too 🙂 Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
wow! These are colourful and very clever ways of making utility boxes attractive. Thanks for sharing all the photos. I’ve never seen such painted utility boxes in Singapore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amila, You’re welcome. I’m glad to share something new to you. Painted utility boxes are popular in Toronto. I’ll share more next month.
LikeLike
Love the jellybean house. Very cool utility boxes. Love them. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wonderful week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Patrick, I’m glad you love these boxes. I’ll post more next month. Thank you for linking up. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
I love it when they make the drab utility boxes look delightful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dan, I agree. St. John’s has lots of cloudy and foggy days so bright colours are good antidotes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful way to jazz up utility boxes! Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jill, I’m glad you like these boxes. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just love these! I’m going to keep my eyes open for things like that from now on. Thanks for a lovely, bright start to my Saturday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Barbara, You’re welcome. I’d love to see painted utility boxes or public art in Wellington. Have a great weekend!
LikeLike
Fascinating utility boxes! There’s so many details on each one of them, I have a hard time picking a favourite. They are all great! Thank you for a good start on my weekend 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maria, You’re welcome. I’m glad you like these utility boxes. I think the artists did a great job painting them. I like colours as they just brighten our day and the subtle art details are delightful discoveries. Have a wonderful weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Indeed! Great uplifting colours 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Natalie – Travel definitely does provide us with many rich gifts. I love these paintings – they are so vivid and creative!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Donna, I hope we both get to travel more this year and beyond. I’m pleased you love these paintings. I’ll share more next month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such clever artistry for hiding what is in plain view.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Denny for your concise comment. I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most welcome.
LikeLike
I’m a fan of public art, especially colorful street art. It’s so nice that boring utility boxes are given new life this way. We just drove through the smallest, off-the-beaten track village here in Colombia and many walls of buildings were adorned with colorful scenes. Such a surprise and joy to find murals everywhere!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liesbet, A coat of paint is an inexpensive way to beautify a space. I saw a lot of murals when I was in SA, especially in Chile. Some of the SA mural artists have settled in Toronto as their art is well appreciated here. I hope your SA journey is going well. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are lovely! I like that more and more cities and town are incorporating art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Joanne, Street art has become more popular in cities and towns. I’m glad you like these painted utility boxes.
LikeLike
When I am more organised, I can add photos to albums of kind…so I love your idea to do this, and of course it makes it so much easier to retrieve. I loved the simple black backgrounds and colours. Joined in today with my Sunday Stills post about my visit to Pearl Harbour in 2006. Thank you for the link up. Denyse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Denyse, Thank you for linking up. I feel much better after I organized my public art photos into a few themes. It’s fun for me to think of names for my themes, too. Have a great weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year, Natalie, Very clever the titles you are using to organize your digital images. St. John’s does not disappoint. You captured fun, beautiful, and colourful photos. Great points about the gifts of travel. Thank you for my smiles and a positive beginning to the weekend.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy New Year, Erica/ Erika! It’s great to hear from you. I hope all’s well with you. I’m glad my post gave you smiles. I feel so much better after organizing my images into a few themes. Once I post them on my blog and have a backup, I delete them from my phone, getting ready for new adventures, new travels and new photos 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your public art theme, this week, Natalie. Those are all fancy and fun boxes. Our boxes in Prescott are all painted drab tan and match the wild grasses and the rocks. It sounds like you had another great week in paradise. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Marsha, I’m glad you love my public art theme. I have more painted utility boxes to share 🙂 I’ll post another batch next month. I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So far. I got up too late to start my online line dancing class and to beat my husband to the tv. I think early morning is too early to line dance! I’ll look forward to some more out of box thinking next week. 🙂
LikeLike
Maybe inline dancing videos on YouTube so you can use your laptop? I’ll post more utility boxes in three weeks as I have other topics to post between now and then 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to take some more pictures. I’m out of topics right now.
LikeLike
A nature walk is usually inspiring and gives lots of photo opportunities.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is true. My nature walk yesterday was around the mall six times. That gave my partner and I 10,000 steps.
LikeLike
Well done, Marsha! Keep up the good work and enjoy fun chats with your walk partner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Natalie!
LikeLike
I wish they’d do something like it here, more colour and art is what is needed.
Here is mine:
https://photographias.wordpress.com/2023/01/21/ppac-glasgow-25/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sofia, It’s incredible what artists can do with paint, even black and white as in your mural photo. Thank you for your contribution.
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are great! Our city believes that when utility boxes are painted with street art, they are less likely to be tagged or otherwise graffitied, because one artist will not disrespect another. As seen in your images, and here too, the principle doesn’t hold 100% but I’m sure it makes a difference.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it’s working. I’ll share some painted utility boxes in Toronto next month. The artwork on the Toronto boxes is in good condition and not defaced by graffiti. There is a Graffiti Alley for those who want to create graffiti.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh, look at those utility boxes! Never have I ever seen any like them. Very cool beans
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad to share new cool beans with you. I’ll post more painted utility boxes next month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cool-looking utility boxes. Such a great idea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Regina. Good to hear from you. I hope you’ve been keeping well.
LikeLike
These are great! I have a friend who lives in St John’s.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked these utility boxes. Have you visited your friend in St. John’s? I enjoyed my visit there.
LikeLike
I love it when simple objects are beautified! Have a great weekend!-Pamela
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pam. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
LikeLike
Great boxes. I really like the ones with St. John’s harbor.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Deborah. I like those boxes, too even though tan or beige is not my favourite colour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating pictures! You know how to capture magical places.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your compliment.
LikeLike
Fun post as I recognize most of them, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. I had fun going through my travel photos.
LikeLike
I have been catching up on various chores and appointments since I was last here. New activities will include my signing up for a `2-week Artist’s Way course through UWisconsin via Zoom, which I have done periodically throughout the decades, although the private AW groups seem to have vanished. I also have been planning, during this past week, a personal theme for February’s National Haiku Writing Month. Health has precluded most photography. Hoping to turn that around, once the air quality is better. Thanks for the pretty pictures! Lovely to look at!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That should be a 13 week AW course. (Wonky keyboard!)
LikeLike
Lizl, Your new AW and writing activities are excellent for winter. Hope the air quality improves for you. Thank you for linking up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great idea to make the boxes beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brenda, Thank you for your visit and comment. I’m glad you liked these boxes. I’ll share more photos of painted utility boxes next month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So cool! I love the bubbles in the octopus one!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Those small details like the bubbles are delightful.
LikeLike
I love the idea of prettying up utility boxes! So bright and cheerful.
And it’s always fun to look through photos and enjoy the memories of a trip. Glad you got to do that.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Janet, I’m glad you love the idea. The painted utility boxes are popular here. I’ll share some more next month. I don’t see your link in InLinkz which is optional. I wonder if you encountered any error or forgot or you just wanted to leave a comment without adding your link.
LikeLike
Beautiful art Natalie. I find myself struggling with organizing my photos. But your idea of organizing them in themes is great. I’ll give it a try 😀. My entry is here – https://flightsofthesoul.wordpress.com/2023/01/23/breathing/
while I try to figure out my credentials for inlinkz
LikeLiked by 1 person
PR, I had fun thinking of theme names and felt better after I organized some of my public art photos into a few themes. Thank you for your PPAC contribution.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cool. I’ve seen many painted utility boxes in urban areas. The murals can be quite stunning!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Robert for your visit and comment. I’m glad you liked these boxes. I have a photo collection of painted utility boxes. I hope to share another batch next month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
see you then!
LikeLike
These are gorgeous and really makes a walk more interesting and colourful. I love the ones of St. John’s Harbour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ali, The ones of St. John’s Harbour are quite clever and realistic. I walked by that harbour when I was there. I hope your stay in the UK is going well.
LikeLike
Thanks Natalie, my visit is hard as my mum has dementia and my dad has pancreatic cancer so not sure how long he has or what will happen to my mum, it’s very hard but I’ve been fortunate to have them for so long
LikeLike
Ali, I’m sorry to hear that. It is hard. I hope you’re able to enjoy the present moment with them. Take lots of pictures and videos.
LikeLike
Thanks Natalie
Yes I should 😊
LikeLike
https://travelswithali.com/2023/01/24/first-week-in-the-uk-catch-ups-and-celebrations/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ali for your link. I’ll be over to your blog shortly.
LikeLike
Sorry I took so long to read, Natalie. Sounds like you had a great week! I don’t envy you having to go through photos, but what you selected were beautiful. That container art is really something! Glad you could enjoy some sunshine, I’ve forgotten what it looks like. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terri, I go through my photos in small chunks of time when I feel like it so it’s actually fun to do. We’ve had more cloudy days than sunny days, mild temperatures and not much snow in January until a major snow storm yesterday. Downtown Toronto got about 5 inches of snow but by this morning the main roads and sidewalks are already cleared. I hope the sun returns to your area and mine soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The utility boxes are great…love the violinist the best.
Here is mine https://mywanderings.travel.blog/2023/01/28/st-kilda-public-art/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Teresa, I’m glad you liked the utility boxes. Your murals are great finds. I like their bright colours, large size and variety. Thank you for your PPAC contribution.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always my pleasure to share!
LikeLike