When I worked for the Olkowskis in the late 1970s, one of the cities I regularly visited was Palo Alto. At the time I noticed that in the downtown section (bordered by Cowper Street, Hamilton Avenue, Alma Street and Lytton Avenue, with University Avenue running through the middle) were a number of street paintings. These were whimsical portraits of people adorning the outside of different buildings. I have no idea who the artist(s) was (were), but the paintings never failed to bring a smile to me. In 1983, I went back a couple of times and took photographs of the ten I was aware of (there may have been more that I missed) (Figs. 7.6.1-17.6.10). I tried to note the exact locations, but didn’t get them all. The nun at 436 University appears to still be present (at least it is visible on the street view of Google Earth), but I’ve no idea if the others are still extant or not.
Fig. 7.6.1 A woman with her pet pelican (possibly University & Cowper) (May, 1983).Fig. 7.6.2 Nun with a toy plane (436 University) (May, 1983).Fig. 7.6.3 Bird perched on gardener’s hose (Waverly near University) (Apr., 1983).Fig. 7.6.4 Gumshoe doing job so well, a bird has perched on him (possibly University & Waverly).Fig. 7.6.5 Boy trying his luck fishing – the joke is, the building is a bank (Hamilton & Gilman) (Apr., 1983).Fig. 7.6.6 On an ATM; the upper section is real (possibly Lytton & Florence) (May, 1983).Fig. 7.6.7 A Spiro Agnew lookalike taking his cat out for a stroll (possibly Lytton & Florence) (May, 1983).Fig. 7.6.8 My favorite one: pair of burglars surprised at work (the business was a jewelry store in the 70’s) (University near Bryant) (Feb., 1983).Fig. 7.6.9 Alien interview; the woman walking by is real (Emerson & Lytton) (Feb., 1983).Fig. 7.6.10 Garbage worker unaware of an alien stowaway (Hamilton & High) (Apr., 1983).
