Sally Wakelin – Studies in Creativity
Paintings, drawings, sculpture and writing
Reflections of white numbers and the red hull of the ship Star of India in San Diego Harbour. The water looks so oily and yet the reflection of the numbers is still so white. Because the ship is permanently moored, green algae is growing along the water-line which gives that green line.
I particularly noticed the jumble of lines in this photo, the variety of colours, angles and textures, just wish I’d used a smaller aperture to increase the depth of field so it was all in focus.
Before this visit, I had only passed through LA in transit 20 years ago, couriering a consignment of historical objects and paintings. We had landed at LAX and then transferred the consignment to an enormous truck and set off by road to San Diego. My colleague rode in the truck, whilst I rode in the police escort with two fully armed LAPD officers.
This visit was purely for pleasure, so we took the hop on hop off bus tours to make the most of our short visit to the city and hired a Ford Mustang Convertible to drive up the PCH to Malibu and beyond.
Santa Monica Pier at night looked more sophisticated than the slightly tawdry funfair atmosphere during the day. The pier’s wooden planks and steps are witness to the millions of footfalls each year, wearing into rich textures and shiny raised nail heads.
Wiltshire boulevard from the top of an old London double-decker bus, with its roof removed, complete with the textured cigarette stubbing out plates on the back of each seat.
LA Eyeworks took pity on the patient punters queuing for their sunglasses sale and lent them all colourful Chinese parasols – what a delightful scene.
Just before sunset, everything grows warmer in hue and the light softens all the edges (maybe that’s just an excuse for poor focus). I like the way the tiny green traffic lights and the car headlights are pinpoint accents.
A unique grouping of elements, sunshine, high-powered business, Hollywood glamour and more in LA makes for a rich and energetic architectural style. The former May Department Stores built in 1939, the facade is tiled with gold leaf mosaic, is now part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The birds just love resting on the ledges. (taken from the Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour, Red Route.)
A perfect sandy beach within 2 minutes walk of our rented condo in La Jolla made for the best scenario for watching the surfers back-lit by the setting sun.
Sally Wakelin - Studies in Creativity 
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