Art from Austin, Texas (& Matthew McConaughey poster in Trader Joe’s)

Posted on by Prior...

Hello Readers,

I have some more art to share.

When we visited Austin in October 2021, I noticed artsy buildings and a lot of quirky art installations. I could easily see why one of the city’s phrases is “Keep Austin Weird.”

Buildings can so artsy and Austin has some beautiful structures.

Photo: Building on the right is almost completed. When we take photos of structures under construction, it time stamps when we were there. It also provides a unique photo because the building will never look this way again – ever – and this phase of construction was captured.

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I am a fan of art along the street – as seen in the above photo with a nice blue backdrop. The streets in Austin show wear and tear and I rather like that in a city.

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We went downtown to shop at Trader Joe’s (those stores are the same in every state) – well we had to smile when we saw this Matthew McConaughey art poster.

I know Matthew is popular in Austin but when I  think of McConaughey, I tend to think of his Lincoln commercial (it likely came about because of the movie he was in called the Lincoln Lawyer, which is a decent movie by the way).

Have you seen the popular McConaughey Lincoln Commercial? If not, you might want to check it out (even just the first 30 seconds) and then see how SNL and Jim Carrey had a little fun with this commercial in the video after this one.

Here is the SNL spoof on McConaughey’s original Lincoln commercial.

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While parking in the garage to get to Trader Joe’s, I noticed they had art installations right there in the parking garage – just to infuse you on your way to and from the car. Is that weird or is that just cool?

Here is some more Austin art from down the street, which is pretty neat, eh?

We  crossed this artsy bridge, reminding me again that art can be found right there in basic structures.

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Last up for this post, some graffiti art (I like this angle for the extras – the brick wall, the overgrown grass, gate, lines, posts, gold buyers, etc)

Joining in with Photographing Public Art #31  and T’s Weekly Smile

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75 thoughts on “Art from Austin, Texas (& Matthew McConaughey poster in Trader Joe’s)”

    1. Hi Jez – thanks for the commment and see you later this week with some flower photos to connect to your “fan on” challenge

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  2. Yvette, thank you for this lovely introduction to Austin! How fascinating to capture a building whilst not yet completed, it looks terrific and sweeping. Oh, those car adverts had me in stitches. I can see why the spoof came about yet they were hypnotic! Feel like I’m driving the wrong car! 😀 I appreciate the heads up about The Lincoln Lawyer as I’m always on the look out for new films! Hope you’re having a great week! Xx

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    1. Hi Annika – thanks for the comment and the Lincoln Lawyer was a “B” of a movie but would be worth your time (I think)
      And you are right that those commercials can be hypnotic – there are some additional Lincoln commercials with MM
      that have some nice filming – but the one in this post was the one that had folks talking.
      And the week is off to a nice start here – hope yours is too
      😊

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Interesting artworks as you say, Yvette.
    I don’t get these long ads that seem to be made in the US. They are like mini-movies. Where and when are they shown? Must be in the cinemas is it, when there’s a captive audience? Much too long for television.
    I listened to Matthew read his memoir Greenlights earlier this year. It’s quite interesting. Jim Carrey does him well. Almost as well as he does himself. I hadn’t watched any of his movies prior to listening to his book. I’m not quite sure why I chose it, but I’m pleased I did. Sometimes I liked him. Sometimes I didn’t. Like most people, I guess. Since then I watched The Lincoln Lawyer so know what you are talking about. I’ve also watched the first episode of True Detectives so I guess I’ll be watching the rest of those over the coming weeks and months.

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    1. Norah – thanks for sharing – and the memoir sounds good (and you really never know what books resonate with folks – my habana unexpectedly found Rob Lowe’s memoir to be excellent) – and when Matthew Was on the Joe Rogan podcast he talked about Austin and keeping it weird – he also briefly mentioned Miami and how unique (and crazy) it can be there in South Florida (like someone rents a sports car for the day and then charges people to take photos in front of it)

      Regarding the commercials – I am not a huge TV watcher (have seasons and usually try to avails commercials) but I think the Lincoln commercial had one minute versions of that and then played them at different times
      And side note – what is really scary is the way drug companies are marketing now! They have these long story commercials and our friends in Canada were talking about how crazy those commercials are. Norah – I think it is very sad how out of balance things are here where these for profit private organizations are treated like health gods. And then prices are so “over” priced and the price gouging is allowed – anyhow – there commercials can be VERY along and is propaganda and is sickening

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      1. I agree, Yvette. Many of the ads are now infomercials, but they are often more focused on the ‘mercial’ rather than facts in the ‘info’.
        There’s weird everything, I think. (And, as they say, ‘It takes one to know one.’ 😅)

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  9. I’ve been to Austin for one night. It looked nothing like this. Of course I was there during a hurricane, so I saw lots of water. Thanks for showing me what else I might have seen, weather permitting.

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      1. Not one of our better vacations, but I did learn about hurricanes so there’s that. The more you know the farther you’ll go… 🙄

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  10. This is great, Yvette. I love the leaning glass building and the commercials were great. I’d never seen one so the Jim Carey one wouldn’t have meant as much if you hadn’t included the first clip. The artwork in Austin is something else. The freeway art is fabulous, and I love their motto, “Keep Austin Weird.” fun post this week for PPAC, my friend. 🙂

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      1. Yes, it was perfect. BTW, I am saving your comments for my nutrition posts for WQW. I’ll be interested to know how you like the exercise one.

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        2. I posted it on Wednesday. Check it out. I’ll be doing three more on exercise and fitness four altogether, and four on nutrition.

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        3. Okay. I will be over early next week – we have family visiting and so I will be limited on blog time – but might be over sooner (look forward to it)

          Liked by 1 person

        6. Vince did an impressive job. He has quit working out so much since we moved away from our trainer friend. But he’s become quite good at Pickleball even if his wife did not excel.

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  12. Hi Yvette! Great smile and artsy post! I need to visit Austin as I didn’t know it was so eclectic and fun. I’ve seen Matthew’s car commercial lots on TV, but the SNL skit I hadn’t so that was funny!! Thanks for including. 🤣 You totally made me SMILE today!! FUN! 💞

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    1. JT! I agree and I almost mentioned MC Escher in this post (because I got my MIL and her husband an MC Escher book for Xmas – ) but I didn’t mention the book because there was enough extras with the Lincoln ads!

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    1. Well i think you will enjoy the city and — the food! I have another couple of Austin posts and when I do the “food” post I will make sure to link you Diane

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    1. Hi Tierney, I knew you were in Austin once, and well – how fun you were able to go twice – 🙂
      and I have a food post coming to share about the BBQ (mmmm – and I am not a huge fan of BBQ untilI had it in Kansas City and then in Austin – dang!!)
      and thanks for adding another comment after your first one disappeared

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  21. Pingback: PPAC #32: Wickenburg Walk #2 – Marsha Ingrao – Always Write

  24. It looks like a fun and artsy place to visit and I like the art you showcased here, including the commercial and take-off … I was surprised about all the interesting art from Mackenzie’s blog and now your post here.

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  25. I’ve never been to Austin – this art is very interesting. I also like art along the street and this picture you show is nice .- fits with the worn streets. Also, I agree The Lincoln Lawyer is a decent movie – I read the book too and liked it!

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    1. Hi – well of course you read the book too (ha – jk) and thanks for checking out this post –
      I am not sure Austin is a place I want to live, but I sure want to visit again – and next time we will enjoy more of the food truck options – my goodness were they good

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  26. Those were some really cool pictures. And I watched all the Lincoln commercials. Those were funny! That building under construction is particularly neat, as was your reflection that it will never look that way again! I think the art in the parking structure was a nice touch. The fact that it’s so unexpected there makes it even better. 🙂

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    1. Hi – good point about the art being so unexpected in the parking garage – and so many places where they have art in Austin makes me think “why not?” – because art just makes life more interesting and so glad they add it in all these random places.
      I guess Austin is also noted for their “stickers” on poles and random spots and I might feature those in a post eventually 🙂

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      1. “Why not?” seems like as good a reason as any. Around here there are lots of utility boxes that have been painted. It makes me happy that people go to the trouble just for others’ enjoyment. 🙂

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