I Detour for Art

 

 It's that time of year, Art Detour 26. A weekend of open studios in the central Phoenix area. Of course, we go to see the art work but I enjoy seeing the artists' workspace just as much. Here's Michael Marlowe's t-shirt and duct tape covered chair set for sitting in and admiring his paintings. Admire, we did.

Also at Jackson Street Studios, Diane Silver.

I visited her studio at last year's event. She had newly moved into the space. To see the progression of her work from last year was exciting.

Linda Ingraham is preparing for an exhibition celebrating 25 years of art making. Her studio was at the top of our list. The Chick has expressed an interest in photography. She was intrigued by Linda's inspiration wall in addition to the photos. 

Next stop, Olney Gallery at the Trinity Cathedral. Talk about love...

Kaori Takamura-Screen printed and stitched canvas. Swoon!

 Christopher Jagmin-Detail of his encaustic, "Harbor." Wow!

Last stop of the day, two galleries at the Arizona Center. Fred Tieken at LUxx Gallery. Quite the "E" ride.

"Los Tres Cabrones" at Obliq Art. Gotta love these guys!

Joe Ray-I've had the pleasure of seeing him at work. What passion and fun...

Gennaro Garcia-I'd never seen a Madonna I wanted to bring home until today.

 

Last but not least, Frank Ybarra. With every new painting, it is love at first sight again. This is his blooming agave.

Here's mine! I found one blooming at my eye level outside the Olney Gallery.

Today was somewhat of a throwback gallery tour. Linda Ingraham, Frank Ybarra and Manny Burruel, curator at the Olney, and I met as members of MARS artist cooperative years ago. It's wonderful to step in a gallery and be greeted with smiles and hugs. It never fails that we bump into friends too. 

Tomorrow brings more studios, galleries and the building of new relationships. Can't wait!

Marissa

Art-Locally

Hello, friends! We haven't been on any excursions for awhile. The Chick and the K-9s have been keeping me busy on the home front lately. It's time to catch up!

 

 As you can see from the date, Art Detour in Phoenix has come and gone. Don't despair. I've missed my share of them. Perhaps a decade's worth but it returns next spring and I'll be there.

 Fred Tieken's art was chosen for the official publications representing this year's tour. We have yet to meet but I've been enjoying his energetic art work online.

The event began with Phoenix First Friday. It was a late work night but I dragged the Chick to Grand Avenue to check out the opening for "Tres Cabrones," artists Frank Ybarra, Joe Ray and Gennaro Garcia. I missed out on taking any pictures of their work. Check out the links and enjoy the eye candy. Allow for a few chuckles too!

 

 One brochure leads to another and I picked them up as I went along. I can pin point other galleries to visit on other occasions when the opportunities arise. I've got to wander the mural tour on 16th Street! But for this night we continued on Grand Ave. One of my regular stops was the Lodge, the studio of Fausto Fernandez. He's now set up shop in LA so all you Angelenos need to visit his studio.

 

 From high art, to another form of artistic expression. The Mutant Piñata exhibit at Bragg's Pie Factory. This is one crazy variety of piñata inspired art. The space has now been divided in three and it made for a tight squeeze given all the work.

 Anyone have that "Jaws" theme going in their head?

 

This Phoenix rising was a stunner!

Next day, first stop, Jackson Street Studios. One, I was surprised it hadn't been pushed out and razed with all the downtown revitalization. Two, I was shocked to walk and walk and only find 3 artists studios. Aaahhhhh, but once I did...what treasures.

Linda Ingraham-Shes' been at the Jackson Street Studios since day one.

Her botanical images were my favorites.

We poked around some of her cigar boxes full of goodies. Artist studios are a treasure trove of all kinds of odds and ends. She had a little vignette of some of them here.

Across the hallway is the new studio of artist, Diane Silver. While it's hard to see from these images, these drawings had layers and layers of script. They were spare and beautiful.

 On a opposite wall, these colorful multi-media pieces. I'm a sucker for collage and these were another form of beauty created in layers. I look forward to seeing more of her work.

 Michael Marlowe Studio. I could have sworn I took pics of some of his works. I could have looked at them forever.

This is his set-up for doing just that. Lounge chair with a t-shirt dust cover and duct tape "doilies" on the arms...

I got a late start but had a bit of time to make my way over to The Hive.

This place is buzzing! (Pun intended)! Local art, vintage clothing and art happenings are found here.

The photo doesn't come close to doing justice to this piece by artist, Jeff Slim. This is a paper cut-out/stencil which looked to me to be cut form a 4" x 6" photograph.

Painting/found object art by Michael Hannon

Jenny Ignaszewski

 

 One last look, a mural on the north wall of The Hive.

Along with the art, there's a lot of cool vintage finds in the store. My mom had a collection of souvenir plates from our travels and gifts from friends and family. After all those trips from LA to TJ, I can't believe we never had one of these! At least we have the memories...

Marissa

Phoenix Festival of the Arts

 

It's not as often that we're out and about these days but I was on a mission last weekend to visit the first Phoenix Festival for the Arts.

My goal? To see the 80 plus murals in progress and get a chance to contribute by helping paint some too. Above is Gennaro Garcia, artist, founder of Calle 16 and organizer of the mural portion of the event. He arranged with Home Depot to get all the 4'x8' wood panels donated for the mural.

I got my chance to paint on one of the butterflies. My partner in crime, the Chick, was not into painting. She was content to go online on my phone while I painted. That's a teenager for you!

 We walked the grounds a got a few pics of other murals. Quite the variety!

 I'm not well versed in outdoor art so I was intrigued with some of the techniques used. The desert sun is brutal here. All the panels will get a weather coating before going on display.

 A familiar face and collaged doilies

 The artists were as varied as the artwork.

 Collaged patterned paper and stenciled shapes. These techniques, I can do. If another call to artists like this goes out, I plan on throwing my hat in the ring.

 I'll leave the spray can artwork to the experts.

 

The murals will be on display for the next 3 years along the outer fence of Steele Indian School Park in central Phoenix.

Marissa