Okay, so I admit this blog is way under the gun (the deadline for this call to artists is August 3rd) but I just wouldn’t feel right about life if I didn’t at least mention it.And, since the applicants are artists, I figure working under pressure at the last minute…
Recycled, re-used or re-appropriated materials in fine art is nothing new. Especially with the whole Green movement and rash of sustainability enthusiasts, this practice is everywhere.I’m cool with the whole idea, I really am. But, sometimes, I just want to come across an artist who relishes in aesthetics, not politics…
Tonight, you should do what I did a week ago. Really, you should. Because I went to the Phoenix Art Museum to see “Phantom Sightings: Art After the Chicano Movement”.I have to say, I loved this show. And while I won’t get too heavy-duty on the criticism here, there are…
I’ve had this blog idea in my back pocket for a while and I believe this is the day I’m going to write it.I heard about a website. A crazy one. And I’m not going to pretend that I really understand what’s going on here. Okay, go ahead and click…
It’s no rumor that Marilu Knode, associate director and head of research at Future Arts Research @ ASU (F.A.R.) is leaving Phoenix for considerably less dust storms and considerably more humidity to become Executive Director of the Laumeier Sculpture Park in St. Louis, Missouri. One of just a handful of…
Once again, I find myself in a position where there’s a darn good Third Friday Art Walk to blog about, but I’d rather blog about an event on Saturday. Hmmm, what to do…Ok, here’s the plan: I’ll throw down some links to some sweet stuff happening tonight that you can…
Local artist Preston Graves has a fascination with the night. He’s not one of those creepy pseudo-goth types, nor is his art influenced by the occult, like that of Perihelion Gallery’s Rachel Bess. Graves is passionate about biology — specifically plants, cells, and living organisms that transcend the ordinary when…
Move over, MySpace and Facebook, Twitter is about to have its day. The social-networking site is three years old and has an estimated 4.5 million users worldwide. Flagstaff artist Mike Frick (a.k.a. Frickshow), is one of them. He lives on the outskirts of the town and, though he doesn’t own…
We’ve all snapped photos of our beloved pets before. And with the aid of websites like icanhascheezburger.com, we get to see everyone else’s mediocre kitty and doggy shots.So how is it that when William Wegman takes photos of his Weimaraners, it’s considered high art?I say one look at any of…
The Bragg’s Pie Factory Building, on Grand Ave, wants your trash. Of course, you have to make it into something first. And I trust that you local artists will do a spectacular job. I mean, you have an endless bounty of free materials to work with.Although I do ask that…
I am so sad to find out today that Leslie Levy Fine Art in downtown Scottsdale is closing at the end of August, after 32 years in business.It’s the latest in a string of closures in the area, famous for its well-established Arizona art galleries.Their final exhibition, “Cool and Collected”…
Last night, as Kathleen Vanesian and I were poking through the show at Lisa Sette Gallery (which is awesome, by the way), we were both whining about how much we wish we had some serious cash to throw down for art.Poor us. We, like many folks out there, just can’t…
Tomorrow, Scottsdale is getting all kindsa artsy on us. There’s the Summer Art Spectacular that you’re not going to want to miss from 7-9 p.m. But allow me to suggest another art event that you may be able to squeeze into the evening…and it’s a great way to stay in…
I have to say, I love the idea for the upcoming July exhibition at Lisa Sette Gallery. It’s called “Everything Is Illuminated: Revealing the Back Room” and it opens this Thursday, July 9, as a part of the Summer Spectacular Art Walk in Scottsdale from 7-9 p.m. I don’t know…
I love blogging about this kind of thing, I really do. Because if I’m putting words to paper (or laptop screen), that means I’m nearing the end of my deadline – just as I’m writing about a deadline for others. I feel like I’m passing some sort of stress-torch and,…
It’s been a year since I sat at Art One Gallery in Scottsdale with a Cornish Rex cat sleeping on my lap. And on a recent visit to check in with owner Kraig Foote, history repeated itself — thankfully. A year ago, Foote didn’t think Art One would stay open…
Much like the death of Michael Jackson overshadowed the loss of Farrah Fawcett, Bisbee, AZ artist Rose Johnson’s untimely and tragic demise diverted attention from the June 4th passing of 83 year old Robert Colescott, an internationally known artist who lived his last days in Tucson, AZ. We haven’t heard…
The social pressure is on to gain independence. I can’t tell you how many bitter divorced women have stressed the importance of financial and emotional autonomy to me.Of course, when I was most successful at being independent, I was pretty damn lonely. It’s a tricky game – gaining freedom without…
Just got a heads-up from Eric Iwersen, Senior Planner for the City of Tempe, that the city’s talking about preserving one of artist Rose Johnson’s murals that graces a bicycle locker at Tempe City Hall. The locker mural was executed by Johnson in 1997. Iwersen, whose job involves integrating public…
Writing a story can be disastrous if you’ve not received the proper education (just ask my editor). So if your kid is a little storyteller, likes to draw and you need a place to stick ’em for a week over the summer, local artist Cyndi Coon is your best friend.She’s…
So this whole Phx Bux idea is all over the internet. Yesterday’s report by Channel 15 has got twitter and facebook going a little nutty right now. So, of course, I gotta chime in with Arty Girl.If you haven’t heard, Phx Bux is the name of a local currency created…
Back in the late 80’s, little nine-year-old me saved my $2.50 per week allowance to buy my first cassette tape, “Faith No More: The Real Thing”. I played that thing to death on some crappy, portable tape player with one speaker. Needless to say, both the player and the cassette…
