Last week, I shared photos from our recent trip to Oaxaca, Mexico of doors that were bright and colorful. Although I am drawn to vibrant colors and bold contrasts, I also appreciate doors that aren’t quite so pristine. Some are fashioned from a hodgepodge of materials, some show the natural patina of time and weather, and some have been sealed off, no longer used for their original purpose. (I’m pretty sure an analogy can be made to our human aging process, but I won’t go there.)
Like so many gates and doors we saw in Oaxaca, I really wanted to see what was on the other side of these:
This next one is for Dan, who likes his Coronas served with a wedge of lime:
Although the actual door isn’t visible, I love the aging art that surrounds it:
Doors that no longer open:
Thursday Doors is a link-up of fellow door aficionados generously hosted by Norm Frampton. Head over to his blog to view all the amazing doors he and others have posted.
Retirementally Challenged 
A fine collection of door photos! I would want to see what is on the other side of some of them.
I was very tempted to knock 🙂
You find the most interesting doors!! I think I need to look more when I’m traveling or even just every day to see what I’m missing. Great pictures Janis!!
Thank you! I have found that looking for interesting doors helps me be more aware of what’s around me. I love finding hidden gems.
Another interesting group.
Thanks, Kate. Mexico is rich with interesting doors.
Each of these doors has a great personality and I would guess a LOT of fun tales to tell. ;-0 xo
The story behind the door, both literally and figuratively… I’d like to know also.
A great selection of Aging doors Janis. My favorite was the first one 201.
I love that one too. I wondered if it had been put together by an artist, or if its natural aging had made it into art.
It does look like art.
Love them all!
Their imperfections make them more interesting, I think.
Worn and weathered beauties all around. Some great finds in this collection. And a ghost door to finish it off: woohoo!
I was pretty sure you’d like that ghost door. Isn’t it wonderful how they continued the same brick pattern?
I took another view of these doors, in that they made me think how sad it is that they have become so neglected. Unfortunately, Mexico is a third world country and buildings would be the last thing money would be allocated to them. It would be interesting to know what they looked like 50 years ago when people took pride in them.
That’s probably a valid point, but I’ve also heard that even dilapidated doors can hide the most amazing gardens and homes behind them. The doors that are boarded up intrigue me… I really wonder what is/was behind them.
Now is clever, perhaps it is stop light fingered people from thinking that there is nothing of worth in that building? The boarded ones are where the stories have finished and new ones to begin surrounding it.
Will you be doing a collage of these (and others) for a wall display artpiece? I suggest you think about it…pick the best/favs and go to town!
I love the textures…
I’ve thought about it but haven’t actually done anything like that. I may print a few out to frame. I love the textures on the old doors too.
I am drawn to the drawing of the raven or crow. The entire composition is enchanting. Heck the whole suite of images are wonderful. You have a great eye.
Thank you. I thought that bird (you are probably right about it being a raven or crow) was so interesting. I love that someone decided that old barricaded door needed some art.
You had me oohing and ahhing from the first one and getting so excited to visit Mexico!!! Did you manage to have a look inside any of the doors that still open?
It’s always a treat when you can see what’s behind the doors. I found myself trying to look in whenever I saw someone exiting or entering through their door. If my Spanish was better, I might have been able to talk myself inside 🙂
Have The Captain fluent in Spanish definitely helps us charm our way behind closed doors but a smile can get me pretty far on my own as I am sure yours would too;-)
Great doors!
Thank you!
These doors are all quite gorgeous and rustic. Great job showcasing these, Janis!
Thanks, Terri. Although I love the beautifully carved doors, these less-than-perfect doors have a special appeal.
I like the door/gate in the second shot and the one with the vines on it, but they’re all great.
janet
The door with the vine made me think that there might be quite a jungle behind it.
These are great, Janis! I wonder if people ever try to go through the brick “door” after a few cervezas! Thanks for sharing.
Haha! I wouldn’t doubt it!
You captured some pretty cool doors there. I think my favorite is the one with the penguin drawn on it.
Oh, a penguin… Laura guessed a crow or a raven. Either way, I like it too!
Well, thinking about it, since it is in Mexico, maybe Laura is closer to being right. LOL
Great collection of aging doors. So much character…a bit of drawing, a bit of leaves, a bit of decay, a bit of mold 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I like to think that aging adds character (at least I like to think that the older I get 🙂 ).
Haha well in that case, I second that.
You have to appreciate the care in which that last ghost door was filled in. Great attention to the original details. I think it adds to the building.
I thought that was nice too. So often those ghost doors are just filled in with little thought to the way they look. I thought of you when I saw that Corona door… although I didn’t go inside to get a sample.
Oooh, good point on the human aging process. Not us, though, Janis. We have a lot of vibrancy left in us. 🙂 I like how you separated the two groupings of doors. You take amazing photos, Janis! Your photos evoke emotion and tell a story. Possibly why “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Thank you for sharing and I look forward to connecting in 2020!
No way, not us! I would love to know the history behind these doors (as well as what actually is behind the doors 🙂 ).
Splendidly decrepit! I particularly like the one with greenery growing out of it.
I love “splendidly decrepit”! The one with the greenery reminded me that nature will always win out… it’s just a matter of time.
Oh, so pretty! I have always wanted to do a Thurdsay Doors post. I have some good door photos from when we walked el Camino de Santiago this fall.
I hope you join in! There aren’t too many interesting doors where we live, but our travels seem to yield plenty. I bet you saw quite a few on the Camino and I’d love to see them.
What a collection and I especially like the weathered wood door with the bird drawing on the front. How unique these all are!
Hi Linda! That door with the bird has been pretty popular. I love that someone decided to make such a nice drawing on that old wood.
I know Janis – I thought the same thing … weathered wood, new artwork. People sure are creative there, that’s for sure.
Janis – these are really unique and like the mood, extras, and patina on each – my fav is the first one because I love the number 23 – and the door has that and more. I also wonder what is on the other side… hmmmm
Oh, there must be a story about your affinity for that number… I must admit that I was tempted to peek over the top but it was too tall.
Well not really that much with the number – I have a lot of numbers I like – 3, 7, 19 – hah! So many it is kind of watered down- and it does look tall
Oh, the bird! I like all the doors, but that one is just magical.
I like the bird too… I wonder if the same artist added the designs around it or if another artist was inspired to do that.
This was nice, Janis. I like how you featured some of the more weathered ones (something as you suggest, we can all relate to). They are beautiful. – Marty
Thanks, Marty. I love the pretty doors but I think these doors have more of a story.
These doors certainly have a lot of character, Janis! Fantastic gallery. And still quite a bit of color to be found. Hard to pick a favorite, but the one with the ivy is incredibly rustic. Did you knock on any of them? 🙂
I love how the ivy was taking over… I wonder if in a year or so, the opening would be completely covered? And, no, I didn’t knock… I’m too timid 🙂
Wow, these are my kind of doors! They have stories to tell. I especially love the artwork around the one doorway. Great pictures too.
That building and its artwork fascinated me. I love that everything isn’t shiny and new.
Great photos! And I agree, sometimes the old doors are more interesting to look at (and photograph!)
The older doors have a lot of character and they make me want to know more about their history.
I love how you see doors–and share that vision with us.
Thank you! I’ve been taking door pictures for a long, long time. Fortunately, Norm’s Thursday Doors gives the opportunity to share them.
Love all the doors, but the brick one wins this week. 🙂
I love how, when they decided to no longer use it as a door, they kept the same interesting brickwork.
They are marvellous! They surely would have some stories to tell. It just goes to show, whereever you go in the world, you can find intersting doors.
I am always stopping to take pictures of doors when I travel. Fortunately, my husband is a very patient man 🙂 Thank you for your visit and comment!
My husband, aka the MOTH (Man of the house) feels the same way.
I like your reference to hodgepodge of materials. It’s so true. The creative and subsequent beauty is so appealing.
I really like the creative spirit that can take a bunch of different materials and put them together in a way that works well.
Hi Janis! I actually prefer these doors to the ones from last week. Some of those doors (last week) could have been from my home here in La Quinta because they were a little too “tidy.” These doors from this post are more real life looking…especially for much of Mexico. And that’s part of why I love the country so much. While many take great pride in their homes and their “doors” there are others who for whatever reason or not don’t have the time, money or inclinations. But still they are fascinating. Thanks for the glimpse. ~Kathy
I agree, Kathy! “Bright shiny things” often attract the eye (and the camera lens) but the real character can be found in the cracks and crevices… and peeling paint.
Ohh, what a lovely collection. And a special touch for Dan, I love that. 🙂
Thank you! I like the unselfconscious imperfection of these doors.
Unselfconscious imperfection. Well said. This is what I’m striving for, in myself and all that surrounds me. 🙂
Doors that don’t open, doors to keep you out, doors that invite you in, doors that signal status…
Jude
I guess that’s why there are so many of us who have such an affinity to doors of all shapes, sizes, colors, and functions. 🙂
Great photos!
Thank you!
[1st pic – Sta. Ma. Ozoletepec?] I wonder if ‘201’ is actully the house number. If so.. My, what an unusual entrance!
[The last pic] Now this is what I call ‘humor’. 🙂
I think that was the house number. I couldn’t see beyond the gate… but I bet the actual house was pretty interesting too. I love “ghost doors” (doors that have been sealed over). You see a lot of them in Mexico. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!