Several weeks ago, I saw an announcement about upcoming tours of a local artist’s compound. After closing the property to outsiders for two years due to Covid, they were once again opening it up to a limited number of visitors. In the past when I had read about these tours, I was interested but, for whatever reason, hadn’t gone. There was always an excuse, however, if I’m being completely honest, it boiled down to “Maybe I’ll go next year.”
If Covid has taught us anything, it is that “next year” isn’t guaranteed, and that things can change seemingly overnight. Even though this is true for everyone, at every age, it is especially true for those of us with more years behind us than in front of us. With this in mind – and not wanting to risk my inner procrastinator taking over – I went straight to my computer to reserve two tickets. I am so glad I did.
The compound, designed and built by James Hubbell, sits on a 40-acre ranch near the mountain town of Julian, California. An internationally renowned artist, poet, and architectural designer, Hubbell is widely known for his organic-style buildings which are works of art. His hand-crafted doors, stained glass windows, gates, and sculptures using wood, stone, metal, glass, and clay can be found throughout the property. Although most of the structures were built in the 1950s and 60s, several had to be rebuilt when a wildfire raced through the area in 2003. Now in his 90s, Hubbell no longer lives on the property, but his sons and the foundation he created, carry on his vision and his legacy.
Here are a few of the fabulous doors and windows I saw during the hour-long tour. I will share more next week.
I hope you enjoyed this peek at James Hubbell’s compound. Please come back next Thursday to see more of this incredible artist’s work. In the meantime, check out Dan Antion’s Thursday Doors post and see the doors that others have shared.
Retirementally Challenged 
Such beautiful work. Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome… I’m glad you enjoyed the artwork.
Absolutely beautiful! So unique. I’d love to tour sometime. I do agree with you about taking opportunities when they present, and not procrastinating. ❤️
After procrastinating for so many years, it was great to finally see the property for myself. I hope you get the chance to go too.
There is something incredibly appealing about these doors. I’m glad you visited the property and shared this visual treat with us 😊
Cheers,
Charu
They were definitely one-of-a kind. I’m glad you enjoyed the “tour.” 🙂
Beautiful pictures 😄
Thank you.
My pleasure 😄
Wow,very cool place
Yes, it was!
These are so “organic” is the only word I came up with. Incredible.
Yes, that is what Hubbell is going for. He said tat he likes his buildings to appear as if they came organically out of the ground.
Wow and more wow, Janis. What a beautiful place and gorgeous doors. I’m so glad you went there and shared these photos with us. Can you imagine living in the midst of such art?
I would love to have one of those studios as my own private place to create.
Me too. They’re so unique. Life a real life fantasy world.
Janis, these are fantastic. I was just commenting on Jill’s post about artistic doors if you were a follower given your interest in this subject. I told her I would link you two. Here is here post:
https://jilldennison.com/2022/07/30/doors-doors-everywhere-doors/#comments
Keith
Thank for the link, Keith! The doors on her post were beautiful.
Definitely some classy doors there! I love the stained glass ones! Thanks to Keith for introducing us!
I loved the stained glass and the found-item mosaics. Although I often take pictures of interesting doors when I travel, it was nice to fine unique ones closer to home.
Until recently, I never realized how much character a simple door can have! And now, I look at my own front door in disgust … it’s a brown that looks an ugly purple in sunlight, plain except for the wreaths we hang on it, and with numerous dents and scratches from the neighborhood kids! I want to paint a huge sunflower on it! But, that would get my kicked out of my apartment, not to mention that I have no talent and my sunflower would end up looking like a goat drooled on my door!
The doors in our neighborhood are the same… no imagination. I got very excited when a neighbor had her door painted a pretty robin’s egg blue.
It’s the same here … so boring … yawn! At least we did put a nice big autumn wreath on our door this weekend!
Thanks to you both. It is a pleasure to introduce favorite bloggers. Take care. Keith