Saturday, January 28, 2012

Bad Joan goes to Watts Towers

In 1921 a man named Simon Rodia set out to built a series of structures in his own backyard. It took him 34 years; he built them entirely on his own and without the assistance of machinery!  Simon used broken bottles, sea shells, plates and other found items to create the mosaic work that decorates the structures. The complex is made up of several towers, a gazebo, benches, birdbaths, and more (the tallest tower stands 99.5 feet)! For more information on this fascinating work of art click HERE.

Once Bad Joan heard the inspiring story behind Watts Towers she just had to go see them for herself! So she grabbed her good friend and talented photographer Dahlia Foroutan and they went to check it out...



When Bad Joan arrived at Watts Towers she immediately went to the Watts Towers Art Center and purchased a ticket for admission ...

... Once inside she took a look around ...

... Bad Joan marveled at the incredible attention to detail ...

... everything from the height of the tallest tower ...

... to the etchings in the floor ...

... were a beautiful and inspiring sight.  Even the surrounding buildings were covered with art ....

... and many of the homes in the neighborhood mimic the mosaic artwork of the towers ...

... After she had seen everything, Bad Joan took one last look around and then headed home to start creating some art of her own ...



What Bad Joan is wearing:
-Cashmere Sweater by Wilen
-Cashmere Knit Pleated Skirt by Wilen
-Bangles by Rich in Friendship
-Bag by Beth Springer

PS - Wilen was actually a clothing line that Bad Joan used to design!

Hope you are having an inspiring weekend!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

Photo Credit: Dahlia Foroutan

68 comments:

Unknown said...

This place looks incredible :) I love all the details

Stephanie said...

Amazing photos! So colorful!

http://fashionroll.net

the creation of beauty is art. said...

Oh my goodness, this place looks incredible! These are amazing photos!
the-creationofbeauty.blogspot.com

Sonsuz Dekorasyon said...

very nice photos!!!

Marcela Gmd said...

Wow great Post!!! beautiful photos!!!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Besos, desde EspaƱa, Marcela♥

Deppa said...

Great! Bad Joan had lots of fun there.
Pretty pictures.

See you!

Gaby Doris said...

increibles fotos! muy lindas! y hermoso outfit! gran look! visita mi blog ;)

Unknown said...

This place looks amazing!

Aya said...

Beautiful photos! It looked like it was a lot of fun. Love the wedges! xoxo

http://fatal-fashion.blogspot.com

Content Director - Strong Female Leaders said...

These towers are really interesting. I like your friend's photographs too. He's certainly talented.
www.thegirlieblog.com

Mery of the style said...

hello, happy day.
Fantastic picture.
And your look is beautiful.
kiss.
http://mary1975.blogs.elle.es/

Lena said...

gorgeous atmosphere, as in a fairy tale!

martinealison said...

Vraiment incroyable!...
Une belle publication.
Gros bisous

Fashion is for idiots [like us] said...

Looks pretty cool!
Thanks so much for your comment! :)

x


fashion is for idiots [like us]
fashion is for idiots [like us]

Leelo said...

great post and I just love the photos! It seems like a great place to visit.

Sophie Isobel said...

This post is really cool! Lovely pictures too :) x

tres chic chica said...

Great post! Love the pics and wedges!

http://nyorkeratheart.blogspot.com

Annie said...

Such a cute outfit - love those wedges! And these are awesome pics :)

Annie
The Other Side of Gray

Laura said...

Wow, that place is amazing!

http://lovelyprettyworld.blogspot.com/

A Very Sweet Blog said...

What a creative genius! He left nothing undone and the houses in the area are too cute. Thanks for sharing.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/

Holly said...

What a fascinating and inspiring place! The photos are beautiful, and so are you. :-)

The Foolish Aesthete said...

Wow! The creations are fabulous, and so was your outfit. Loved all the photography, particularly the one with you looking up with a tower in the background, and the last image. Great post!

Nhi said...

beautiful photos! i love the wedges:)

Love,
Nee
ROSECANDLE11

Unknown said...

wow that place is amazing! love all those colours and details. the man behind it must be so creative!

Unknown said...

What spectacular pictures and such a beautiful place.

http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com

Jessi said...

Wow, the place is so beautiful, it's amazing he built it without any machinery! I love your skirt, it's so pretty! Great post!

Donna said...

Great post! These photos are incredible, the sky is so blue!

Thanks for visiting my blog ♥

http://borrowedwardrobe.blogspot.com

ftashion said...

The photos are really amazing! You look great in them!

Fang Ting
ftashion

melissa said...

You look very happy, great photography and place

Amanda said...

These photos are amazing, Joan! Seriously, so great!

Unknown said...

thanks for the comment.. amazing pics.. x

Jenna Hughes said...

wow it looks so awesome! i'd love to visit there

http://underthefluorescents.blogspot.com/

Punctuation Mark said...

that is so cool... we have something like this in here... definitely will have to pay them a visit!

Ale e Elis said...

Hi,
wow...What a beautiful and inspiring place!!!
You look so beautiful!!!!

Kisses,
brasileiroantenado.blogspot.com

nest + venture said...

Wow everything looks so amazing! You can definitely see the passion this guy felt for creating things. Also, your shoes are great.
ps--I'm hosting my first giveaway, come see!

Beauty Follower said...

Amazing architecture!
Great photos.
Like your sandal wedges.

Martyna said...

nice pictures ♥

http://martistyle.blogspot.com/

Kimberly said...

wow that place looks amazing! in love with your outfit!

http://kc-citystyle.blogspot.com/

Lia said...

wow it looks beautiful. enjoy yourself!
xx
Glass of Fashion

Kathy said...

So interesting! xoxo
http://www.hellohellofriday.com/

E r i c a L u c a s said...

Pretty!
I hope you'll have time to visit my blog and follow me back. :) ecabianca.blogspot.com

Shes Dressing Up said...

Oh wow, amazing! Love your outfit too <3

Alba said...

Those shoes are perfect!!!! :)

http://voguesweetvogue.blogspot.com/

Emmylou said...

Awesomeness all around! The creativity and tenacity of some people are just inspiring:)

Aida said...

Omg must be amazing!!


http://placequotehere.blogspot.com

issatchieu said...

Hello there!!! how have u been Joan?
Looking happy and having a good time from ur posts :)
Thks for liking my post once again!
Ure surrounded by art everywhere..Gorgeous town! Mosaic..OMIGOSH..those wedges are great choice too! Watts Towers Art where this is...I wanna go someday!!!

Bri said...

Wow this place is so amazing, what an accomplishment by Mr. Watts!

You are also looking fabulous!

TarracoStyle said...

que fotos tan bonitas, cuanto colorido!!!!!
besos

yiqin; said...

nice place! Love your outfit too <3

Velvet Bloom said...

so many good photos!

Unknown said...

what a cool place!
now I wanna go too!

The Fashion Philosophy said...

These photos are so lovely! Everything looks like a lot of fun!! And those wedges!! Amazinggg! We're following you no!

ox,
-Davie+Erica
Wardrobe Stylists, NYC

http://www.lpfashionphilosophy.blogspot.com

Jules said...

wow, that is so super cool! love your wedges too :)

http://fabulositywithinreach.blogspot.com/

Bonnie said...

ohmygosh, so pretty! Love the shoes.

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Suvarna Gold said...

omg cool blog

Unknown said...

great place and cute shoes!
www.alwayssaygrace.com

Kassi said...

WOW! That is seriously incredible. Your friend takes amazing photos. You look great!

http://theclosetintervention.blogspot.com/

Annabel said...

this is incredible! must have been amazing to visit :)

pepperandchips.blogspot.com

Popcorn, Pugs & Peonies said...

That is very cool. I want to see that next time I am in SoCal!

Also, you look adorable. You really do have the best hair.

*Erin

Elisa @ Crazy, Amazing Life said...

Not to take anything away from the towers, but I LOVE your wedges!

I am also jealous that you can wear open-toes shoes and no tights, because here in Zurich it's freezing!

E. Katya said...

Such beautiful pictures!!

ekatya.blogspot.com

Katerina said...

Oohhhh....so nice puctures!!!
You look beautiful^^

Unknown said...

This place looks incredible and the photos are gorgeous.


<3 Marina
Fashion.MakeUp.LifeStyle

MANONbonbonn said...

wow beautiful post.
love the pictures!

Sara SHOEmaker said...

wow these photos are absolutely incredible. He made that all By Hand?! what an amazing piece of art. love your outfit too by the way, you look so happy! this is like a magazine spread :)


new post over at The House of Shoes

Honorata said...

Like your wedges!!

oomph. said...

what a sight to see! thank you for sharing these amazing photos!

[oomph.]

Allison Young said...

i need to go visit... great pics!

www.absurdlypeculiar.blogspot.com