Well, as long as I’m writing about art

I don’t know word one about plein air painting (except that it’s not spelled as an American would spell it). But this guy seems to have a familiar look to him. And the paintings aren’t bad either.

There’s no place like home

I admit it; I’m a sucker for place-based art.

Local maps aren’t bad either.

The walls of Philadelphia

When Philadelphia gets national attention, all too often it’s because of our horrific murder rate. So it was a pleasure to see Time spotlighting one of the most powerfully beautiful projects of the last 20 years.

I always take out-of-town visitors on a tour of my favorite Philadelphia murals. Not only do we have more murals than any other city in the U.S., the city’s Mural Arts Program has perfected a process that gathers community input to design each mural, making every one truly a homegrown phenomenon. In this city of neighborhoods, where people feel passionate allegiances not just to areas but to single blocks, that’s important.

So if you visit Philadelphia, please take a tour of our gorgeous murals. And if you’re not here, at least get yourself a book for your coffee table.

And right now, go look at the photo essay. I like #6, for its artsy craziness (is that a water tower the mural is covering up?), and #12 for its creative use of jagged building edges. And I love the soaringly tall Dr. J, the legendary Julius Erving. What is your favorite?