Street Art in the City

Here’s the thing about living in New York City: you have to appreciate art. Okay, you don’t have to but it definitely makes the whole city experience better if you do. And I don’t only mean the artwork housed in the many museums or galleries, but the things you see on a daily basis while walking the streets. Mostly found in downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn there are wall murals and graffiti art on the sides of buildings, glass mosaics on lampposts, and the occasional chalk drawings hiding around each corner. These creations of artistic expression bring a magic and personality to the city and each neighborhood.

The other day I went downtown to SoHo (which stands for South of Houston Street) and Nolita (which stands for North of Little Italy) in search of some street art. I was not disappointed!

My first stop was the Little Cupcakes Bakeshop, which is located on 30 Price Street (between Prince and Mott St.). On the side of this cute little bakery is a back wall painted with hearts descending for a helicopter. You can’t help but smile when you see the hearts. And obviously you have to stop walking and have an impromptu photo-shoot right there on the spot.

As an added bonus the shop right next store also is painted with bright images of lipstick, roses, and sneakers.

After we’d taken our fair share of photos and double check to make sure our eyes weren’t closed in all of them (like always) we walked a few blocks further on Mott Street to the corner of Mott and Kenmare where we turned left and found the love wall! The love wall, also known as bleeding hearts, was pained by James Goldcrown and is relatively large. The multicolored hearts jump out at you as you approach and beckon you closer for a better look at the details. It’s also become a “thing” to go to the love wall and take a picture! If you ever have the chance to walk by I would highly recommend it!

Remember, always take time to look up at what’s around you, you never know what you’ll find just around the bend!

Do you have a favorite piece of street art in the city or where you live?

~Monique~