Unusual things can happen when you strike up conversations with artists at an art festival. I found this out while chatting with sculptor Merrill Orr at the recent Waterfront Fine Art & Wine Festival, a Thunderbird Artists event.
“Have you ever worked with alabaster?” he asked. He knew the answer to that question as he handed me a rasp and said, “Give it a try.”
I did, tentatively, for fear of messing up his sculpture-in-progress, “Headless Warrior,” inspired by ancient Roman lore. It’s gentle pressure as you move the rasp forward on the alabaster — which I learned is softer than marble — and a release of pressure as the rasp comes back. I instantly admired the patience it takes to carve stone.
Other artists were happy to talk about their work as well, and who wouldn’t be in a good mood soaking up the art atmosphere at a beautiful setting like the Scottsdale Waterfront?
The event, October 26-28, was Thunderbird’s first art and wine festival on the banks of the Arizona Canal,
under the gaze of the Paolo Soleri Bridge. In addition to juried art running the gamut from glass works to bronzes to artisan furniture to paintings, the festival offered wine-tasting booths and a smattering of live music.There’s more to come this season from Thunderbird Artists in various northeast Valley locations, so be sure to click the link and check the group’s calendar.
Explore Art: Phoenix 