Lens-Artists’ Photo Challenge #42 is the topic Creativity.

I love to visit cities where I get a surprise free art show! In Lincoln, Nebraska last May, after visiting tourist attractions such as the Capitol and the Sunken Gardens, I Googled restaurants and found Lazlos, in the old part of downtown. After lunch, we walked around and across from the restaurant was an alley that local artists had decorated with murals, whimsical sculptures, and more. It reminded me of Black Cat Alley in Milwaukee, which we had visited the previous November. There were a variety of styles and media.

The face sculptures were done by Mary Kolar and the stars by Ann S.

This family was created by Julie McCullough out of discarded miscellaneous objects.

Andy Peters created a sculpture (at right) using the theme of the painting at left.

I think these are boats?

This 1960s-style mural took up a large section of wall.

I like the way this artist used the contours of the windows when painting this mural.

Jen Gay was the creator of this piece.

And here’s a warning!

A few days later, we spent 3 nights at an Airbnb in Denver hosted by artist Marlene Feinholz. Most of her paintings have local themes, but there are some unusual pieces too.


This space, essentially a “garden apartment” below her residence, used to be her studio, but she decided to move her studio upstairs and rent out the apartment to visitors to Denver. Most of the artwork (with the exception of a couple of Picassos she apparently picked up in Spain) was her own.