Featured photo: “Tremolo” (2015) by Dion Johnson. 60 X 80 inches, acrylic on canvas – diptych. Courtesy of Bentley Gallery. Every time I see local shows of the caliber of “Dion Johnson: Luminous Trajectories,” “Bruce Munro,” and “Ai Weiwei: Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads: Gold,” it makes me want to shout to non-Arizonans, “We’re … Continue reading December is gifting us with wonderful exhibits
Featured photo: “Evolving Palette Portrait” by Jon Wassom, part of his solo show at monOrchid. This week was a good time to play catch-up with the Phoenix visual arts scene, now that I’m back from a lovely vacation in cooler climes. And there’s always art to explore, especially on Roosevelt Row, as well as scuttlebutt … Continue reading Just workin’ the art beat … and seeking shade
Two of Arizona’s favorite artists, Mayme Kratz and Alan Bur Johnson, are sharing space at Lisa Sette Gallery this month. And although they didn’t exactly collaborate on their works, they did have a few conversations prior to the show, says gallery associate director Ashley Rice. A meeting of the minds is not surprising, given that … Continue reading A dynamic duo at Sette: Mayme Kratz and Alan Bur Johnson
I was walking behind a tourist near Main Street in Scottsdale last night as she remarked, “Look at those pretty pink petals on the ground.” Hmmm, I couldn’t quite gather the same enthusiasm for bougainvillea detritus accumulating on the sidewalk after a windy day. My anecdote just goes to show that appreciation of nature, along … Continue reading Scottsdale art walk: Doing the happy/sad dance
Excuse the sensationalistic nature of my headline. It’s partially spurred by a January 22, 2014, story on azcentral.com reporting on Scottsdale’s efforts to bring more traffic to the Marshall Way art district. The story mentions the allotment of $150,000 to find ways to enliven the area and coax art lovers to cross Indian School Road … Continue reading Marshall Way: Dead or alive?
Kudos to downtown Scottsdale for shaking off the summer doldrums this weekend and reemerging as a great place to see visual art. November 7-10, 2013, was the city’s second annual Fall for the Arts, a chance for the more than 100 galleries in the vicinity of Main Street and Marshall Way to open their doors … Continue reading Scottsdale is lighting up the art scene again
I have heard Mayme Kratz described as one of the hardiest souls to be working as an artist in the desert. There is an obvious reason for that accolade once you understand how the process of creating her gorgeous resin panels begins. Kratz’s first step is donning her sun hat and hiking shoes and traversing … Continue reading Finding the ethereal in Mayme Kratz’s work
It’s just so pleasant to get back into art-strolling nights, and Old Town Scottsdale knows how to put on an art show. Last night, October 18, launched the 38th year of the city’s Thursday-evening art walk, which is hard for even an old-timer like me to believe. To celebrate, the gallery community kicked it up … Continue reading Old Town Scottsdale was a-glitter
My impatience for the start of the fall art season is somewhat soothed by a handful of group exhibitions in Scottsdale and elsewhere. Summer doldrums are to be expected for all of us who sweat it out here, even gallery owners. One of the best places to see work by a gallery’s stable of artists … Continue reading ‘Exceptional Works’ at Lisa Sette Gallery
Explore Art: Phoenix 