This mural, by Pasadena artist Victor Ving, is at 2830 E. Foothill Blvd., across the street from East of Allen favorite, Foothill Restaurant. The mural is about 90 feet long on the side of a an otherwise nondescript industrial building. Despite the size of the mural, it is set back off the street so it is not easy to see unless you pull into the parking lot. A little inconvenient, but well worth it.
I like the mural a lot. It reminds me of some of the truly beautiful things that are distinctively Pasadena. And I appreciate that the artist (Mr. Ving) and building owner (Wohl Property Group) devoted their time, talent and property to transform a blank wall into this wonderful piece of art. As far as I know, this was entirely a private endeavor and, as such, is an extraordinarily public spirited and generous gift to the community.
The mural’s images remind me of fun things that I’ve blogged about here. I see Eaton Canyon Falls. It still amazes me that we have waterfalls nearby and I am reminded of many hikes there including one with an entire third grade class. There’s the Mt. Wilson Observatory, which reminds me of various treks I’ve made up the mountain and the incredible views (did you know Mt. Wilson was almost named Mt. Kinneyloa?).
The crate of oranges? For a time, hundreds of acres of orange groves were scattered across the San Gabriel Valley. And wouldn’t it have been something to drive along Foothill and Colorado escorted by snow-capped mountains and mile upon mile of orange groves, as Glen Duncan relates in Route 66 in California. All that is history, but the citrus trees in my yard aren’t. I’m reminded that very soon our cara cara oranges will be ripe for picking. The Mar’s Rover? Yeah, not much personal connection there but I get the local significance.
Then there are the parrots — red-crowned parrots. Most every morning I hear them screech and watch them fly into and out of neighborhood trees.
Back in 2011, I believe East of Allen broke THE story of how the parrots got here. That’s an interesting tale about a 1959 fire at east Pasadena’s Simpson’s Garden Town and the release of parrots who would have otherwise died. That original East of Allen post has been viewed more than 10,000 times and is repeatedly referenced (with and without acknowledgment). Now the parrots are a big deal with their own east Pasadena brewery (Wild Parrot) and flock of scientists following them at Occidental College.
Last add — the cat at the bottom of the mural is a nice touch.
The Mural is The Second Ving Mural On Old Route 66
Today, Route 66 officially runs through Pasadena on Colorado Blvd. But, that’s not always been true. This stretch of Foothill Blvd. was part of the original Route 66 through east Pasadena and before that it was part of the National Old Trails Highway. So, the old road’s been around a while and is a good spot for murals celebrating Pasadena’s natural wonders and landmarks.
A few blocks to the east, there is another Victor Ving mural at the corner of Foothill and Sierra Madre Villa. This mural commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Convalescent Aid Society. I wrote about the CAS mural earlier this year.
These Murals Remind Us to Appreciate Where We LIve
I can relate to many of the images depicted on the murals – the mountains, the falls, the oranges, parrots, the Rose Parade and so on. The images bring to mind good memories and good feelings about where I live. So, I am happy to see these murals on big blank walls of a 100-year old Pasadena institution and an otherwise nondescript industrial building.
Some would say these kinds of murals, portraying the positive attractions of an area, are good for you. I’ll leave the science to the experts. But it is easy to overlook the beauty that surrounds us.
The Ving murals make me feel more connected to my city. Scenes of local nature and iconic places connect with my personal experience as a resident. Also, it is nice to know that the artist and the building owner and I all have something in common. If nothing else, we share an appreciation of the parrots, the falls, the mountains and no doubt other wonders that make Pasadena special.
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