The California State Fish - The Garibaldi - In Tile

by RTK Studios 1998-1999

Here's yet another tile mosaic that can be found on Casino Way in Avalon  like most of the others I've posted about.  The image of a Garibaldi as though seen through a submarine port hole.  This image was also part of the Avalon beautification project of 1998 and was created by RTK Studios in Ojai, California. 

I never tire of seeing these bright orange fish weaving in and out of the kelp and their coloring makes them pretty hard to miss.  My two year old daughter screeches with delight when she spots one.

For more about this series, read my first post Catalina Tile.

Catalina Tiles - Mariachis & Casino Way Arch

RTK Studios - 1999

This tile mosaic was inspired by a postcard from the 1930's.  It shows Mariachis playing in front of Avalon Harbor with the Casino Building and Casino Way Arch in the background.  These tiles are located on the Casino Walkway in Avalon like many of the others I've posted about. 

There are many more beautiful tiles I haven't posted about yet, so stay tuned...

For more information about these tiles, see the first post in this series - Catalina Tile.

Catalina Tiles, The Casino Building at Twilight

RTK Studios, 1999

Here's the next tile mosaic in the Catalina Tile series.  This is one of the most beautiful ones, I think, of the Casino Buiding at twilight.  These tiles can be found on the Casino Way walkway that goes from town out to the Casino Buiding.

For more information about the Catalina tiles see my earlier post on the subject:  Catalina Tiles, Feb 1, 2012

Tiles in Avalon - Bison

by RTK Studio's - 1999

Here is another tile mural on the Casino Way walkway.  Also inspired by postcards from the 1920's & '30's, it depicts the bison that still roam the interior of Catalina Island.  This is one of my favorites.

For more details about these tiles see my earlier post Catalina Tiles.

Catalina Tile

This is a ceramic tile representation of Sea Lions lounging at Sugar Loaf Point on Catalina Island before the Casino Building was built. The Casino was built in 1929.

I was walking down the Casino Way yesterday, admiring the beautiful ceramic tile murals along the way.  I always think, "I should take pictures of these" and yesterday I finally did.  The tiles on the walkway (including the one pictured above)were created by artists Richard Keit & Mary Kennedy of RTK Studios in Ojai, CA in 1998 and were based on Catalina postcards from the 1930's.  They were hand glazed using the authentic "cuerdaseca" technique used by the historical Catalina Potteries.

Catalina has a history of tile and ceramic making due to the plentiful clay deposits on the island.  Catalina Island Tile and Pottery was in business from 1927 - 1937.  This is a picture from the archives:

There is still a ceramic studio on the island.  Artist, Robin Cassidy owns Silver Canyon Tile Company and her beautiful creations can be seen all over town and for sale in Avalon Shops.

Catalina Sunrise

It's my fourth day back on Catalina after having been in NJ for seven weeks.  This morning's sunrise reminded me of why I love it here so much.  It feels good to be home.

Another Frigid Day in the North East

I'm counting down the days till I return to sunny, (relatively) warm Southern California.  This was taken this morning at around 9am.  The temperature was around 17 degrees and windy.  I don't know what the actual wind-chill factor was but I'm guessing in the single digits.  Suffice it to say it was REALLY cold!

California Dreamin'

I do live on Catalina Island and have for the last eight years but I'm very sorry to say that I haven't been "in residence" for the last month or so.  I've been in New Jersey with my daughter since early December to spend the holidays with my family, which I try to do every year.  As I'm sure you can imagine, New Jersey is not my first choice of places to spend time but if I want to see my family, and I really do, it's something I must endure.  I'm here for a bit longer than usual this year because I'm seeing a specialist about a mysterious autoimmune disease I apparently have, but I won't go into all the mundane details about that here.  I have another blog that serves as my outlet for that very uplifting subject.

I really miss Catalina.  Especially when I glance over at my desktop weather app which reads 72F in Avalon and the temperature where I am is 30F.  The weather here in the North-East, simply put, sucks!  I was raised here and lived on the east coast into my twenties.  The weather was, in my opinion, uncomfortable most of the time:  too hot and humid in the summer and too cold and icy in the winter. If I never see another flake of snow in my lifetime, it would be fine with me.  Being here reminds me of all the winter mornings I spent scraping ice off my windshield, heating my car key with a lighter to get it in the icy lock or standing on the train platform, my still slightly damp hair, freezing into solid chunks, while my clouded breath swirled around my head.  I know many people live in relative happiness here, after all NJ is the most densely populated state in the US, but I guess I'm just a wimp.  I can't wait to get back home to Catalina.  I'll be leaving the gloves and scarf behind for sure. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!