Austin's Lesser Known Waterfront Art

Everyone wants to talk about Austin's music scene. Can we discuss its other, under appreciated art work? Here is just a sampling of the inspired pieces that can be found just along the river.

Medium: Spray paint on trestles. Artist: Anonymous member of the Pacman support group. In this inspirational piece of vivid color and emotion we see pop culture icons Pacman, Blinky, Pinky, Clyde, and Inky (from left to right). In this heart pounding image, Pacman is simulaneously moments from death and steps away from becoming invincible. It is in this critical moment that the artist leaves us with a bold and motivational statement: never give up.


















Medium: Tree, white paint. Artist: unknown (but probably could be discovered if I put some actual research into this). Here we have a tree in the river. It is white. Barren. Isolated. What could it mean? Who would have put it there? It feels eerily out of place. Like a ghost of a tree.

Medium: white paint. Artist: Erin's Lover. It is either deeply romantic or jaw droppingly cheesy. It is all up to Erin. The artist's love for Erin shines blindingly through this piece, not just because of the very public marriage proposal, but also because of the sheer size of her name. Judging by the proportions of her name relative to the size of this piece, it is safe to say that Erin means everything to this artist. While the artist is undoubtedly devoted to Erin, uncertainty toward Erin's commitment come forward when you notice the small question mark in the lower, right corner. This tiny punctuation mark, almost an after thought in the piece, makes one wonder, did Erin say yes?

Take THAT Safeway Delivery

Click on the image to make it bigger.

If you thought online grocery shopping with home delivery was convenient, you should know that in other parts of the world, the entire produce section comes to you.

For some reason Jason Bourne didn't sweep me away that day

While I was in Cartagena last October, INTERPOL happened to be having a conference there at the same time! Sadly, I did not meet any international super spies (at least not that I'm aware of, although now looking back, I did meet these three guys whose back stories didn't quite align...but that is a tale for another day...).

Naturally, the Colombians took that opportunity to showcase their own National Police Force. Let's have a look.

Here I am holding a gun! Of course, they did not let anyone shoot it, BUT the scope was really cool! Who knew those things were so powerful?! You want to see the expression on someone's face two blocks away? No problem.

Now this is the cutest little surveillance drone there ever was. It flew around the plaza overhead, all the while feeding a live video to an iPad that one of the police men was holding. When are they going to make these for personal use? I could really use some eyes in the sky when I am trying to find a parking spot in a crowded lot. You know? Also, the paparazzi, I'd bet, would love to have one of these. Let's commercialize them already!

Here are some more firearms, and, in the brief case, the Eye Ball R1. You know those cartoons where the creepy character pops his eye out and rolls it into the next room to look around without actually being there? It's like someone at Remington was watching that and then thought to himself, "If only my tactical team could do that." POOF. Wish. Granted. That's the R1.

The riot police showing some love! They were even letting people try on the gear! I did not partake. It was so freaking hot I don't know how anyone managed to wear long pants, much less riot gear.

Even the horses wear special gear! A word of advice to the Colombian National Police for next year's showcase: choose not to bring four horses. It's a tad apocalyptic. I think you might be sending the wrong message.

Of course, horses aren't the only way to get around- gotta have some wheels! Why does that second car look like something out of the 80's?

And now I leave you with one more bonus photo, because who doesn't love girls with guns? ;)