For me, one of the bright spots of this year has been Thursday Doors, a challenge by blogger Norm Frampton that encourages photographers (and those of us who point and click) to share entrances, arches, doors, and even sometimes windows from around the world, both the grand and the not so grand. Sometimes those entrances have a backstory and sometimes they’re just whatever catches the eye.
My favorite doors from this year were actually garage doors. I found them in a neighborhood of San Francisco known for its extremely diverse culture: The Mission District. Before the 1970s this area was heavily hispanic and not on any tourist’s map. Then artists and hipsters, attracted by the low rents, began to move in. They convinced home owners, restaurants and shop keepers to let them brighten otherwise dark and suspicious alleyways with their artwork.
Many of the murals (like the above) have political messages. Others are whimsical.
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A few had cultural overtones. I don’t know what Che is doing in the above mural but there he is.
Because the Mission District is named after 1776 Mission Dolores, it’s not uncommon to see religious murals. Some are inexplicable.
To see other Mission doors click on any of these links
- The Mission, Part 1
- The Mission, Part 2: Unity
- The Mission, Part 3: Whimsy
- The Mission, Part 4: The World is an Orange
- The Mission, Part 4: The World is an Orange
- Alta Impunidad (street art in the Mission)
- The Eyes Have It
Finally, this door caught my eye down in San Diego.
Saying nothing in particular 
Jan, I love colorful murals and those made for wonderful doors! Great choices. Hugs on the wing!
Tugs back at you!
Hi Jan,
Okay, I’m starting to warm to doors. Nice photos. I want to issue a new challenge: Unusual Outhouse Doors. No typical outhouse doors. There must be something exotic about them, something that grabs one’s imagination at 2:00 a.m. on the dark path of semi-consciousness and dread. Thanks. Duke
I don’t think I’ve ever run into an outhouse at 2:00 a.m. that didn’t fill me with dread! Generally because a bear might be nearby … or a skunk.
Oh my goodness is this good art! I can see why these are some of your favs!
Too bad this arrears does not have more cheaper rent areas – sure would or could help with homelessness
The homeless in SF tend to hang out where the tourists are – the downtown areas and the wharves.
so sad that it is such a big population there and hope they find a solution.
Years ago I did a quick post on my trip to Virginia Beach to see my niece perform. I liked my photos and the post that unfolded – but it always slightly haunted me that I failed to take photos of the huge group of homeless folks behind the center. We drove by them at least three times.
at first it was such a large group – in the afternoon – we thought it was a concert.
later – we realized they were congregating there as a homeless community.
I likely did not snap any photos because I was still so surprised.
and as noted, after my post – which I liked just fine – but it felt incomplete to leave off that segment of the area.
__
and coming back here today – the third photo down showed me more – like the 19 on the cup and the words – hmmmm
Hi there. The outdoor art “movement” is a terrific thing for the most part. And it’s been happening all over the world. I really like the examples you show in this article.
I’m not sure why WP won’t let me like this post, but consider it liked. It’s been a great year of great doors and I can see why you would pick these as your favourites 🙂
WP is capable of many strange things. I was completely taken by surprise by the alleyways of the Mission. I expected more graffiti and less true art.
These are some of the best door-photos I’ve ever seen! I’m thoroughly impressed by the quality and quantity. Happy holidays!
Thank you! Nice to meet you and happy holidays as well!
Stunning. So real, so colorful.
So much colour in your doors…and that’s how I like it 👏👏👏
Me too! Either that or ironwork.
Some stunning beauty in the artwork you found here. The colors catch the eye and make you want to stop and take a closer look, and then they just pull you in deeper.
Happy Holidays to you and yours Jan, and here’s to many good doorscursions in 2020 🙂
I didn’t get on many doorscursions in 2019 – hope to remedy that situation this year! Happy Holidays to you as well.
Lovely set
Thank you – have a wonderful Christmas!
Ah, these photos make me “homesick” for San Francisco! I love the Mission district – home to my favorite Chinese restaurant in the world.
Love these colourful murals.
Me too!
Really enjoyed your highlights of the Mission District, Jan. The art, color, and passion that can be found here are a delight. My best wishes to you for a really happy new year, lots of creativity, fun, health and good times.
Thanks Jet. Definitely didn’t start out too well (I got the flu) but hey, can only get better from here. Hope this is a great year for you – memorable for all the right reasons.