Arizona Artist a Day

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Day 254: Lauren Lee

Lauren Lee is a fine artist and muralist based in Phoenix, Az. She graduated from Arizona State University in 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Studio Art and went on to teach art for five years at New School for the Arts and Academics before becoming a full time public artist. Lauren's work has been covered extensively in the press, with two front page features in The Arizona Republic and the cover of Echo Magazine. Her "Three Birds" mural in the center of the arts district of Phoenix gained her wide recognition, and when the building was demolished in 2015, Lee went on to paint "Three Birds in Flight" on the new building Illuminate. This story of the ongoing development and changing face of Phoenix, Az and the role of public art in communities gained her mention in as far reaching outlets as The New York Times. Currently Ms. Lee works predominately within the field of public art, from "Don't Wake The Dreamer" a 153' mural through Tempe Public Art, to ongoing projects with Phoenix Public Art and an upcoming large scale mural project with Scottsdale Public Art. Her work continues to put biodiversity and the unique beauty of the desert at the forefront of Arizona's public art offerings.

www.laurenleefineart.com

The Opulence of Nature

Three Birds mural, formerly 222 E. Roosevelt, first mural.

Still We Bloom for Valley Metro

Quail and Barrel

Good Love (Passed it Last Night in a Dream)

Friday, October 13, 2017

Day 253:Nick Rascona

Nick creates paintings which twist and tilt from the wall, encased by welded steel scaffolding. The steel sculpture runs in front of, behind, and around moments captured with oil paint. These moments become windows which hold images you might pass on a walk through the city, and poems which are scratched into paint. The hope is to inspire deep thought and reflection about the complex relationships we share with our environment.

n icolasrascona.com

Effects'

Inside so Outside

Control

Insights

Natural Selections

Pollinators

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Day 252: Shawn Gorritz

My name is Shawn Gorritz and I am an Artist/Photographer/Jewelry Designer living in Tucson, Arizona. My biz is called 3QuarterMoonCreative.com and it encompasses all my artistic adventures. My weapons of choice are pen and ink, laser cut jewelry and most recently, polymer clay sculpture. For the sculptures I turn into pendants, I create a master sculpts and pour resin casts, which I then hand paint. I am inspired by just about everything, but I lean towards Horror, SciFi and Comic themes.

My tastes are constantly evolving – this is both a blessing and a curse! I suppose I am a bit of an art-squirrel in that I really do jump from one thing to another at a moments notice. I draw and ink my hand off then I put the pens down to sculpt for a week or two. I itch to draw again, then that’s all I do until I’m pulled in another direction. I sometimes think this is a terrible way to be “successful” but I can be no other way...

My website / shop is:

3QuartermoonCreative

Instagram

@3quartermoon_creative

Gorgeos the green

My Own worst Enemy 2

Extch 3

Grumpy Alien 3

Fire Fans

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Day 251:Bernard P. Provencher LeVautour

"Bernard P. Provencher LeVautour is a Phoenix-based multi-media artist, originally from New Hampshire. His visual-art work is usually composed of combinations of acrylic, spray-paint, and 3D assemblage elements. When not splattering paint and adhesive on canvases and pieces of repurposed found-junk, Bernard plays bass and freaks out on various stages for Phoenix rock/ alt-country act Devil Grass. More of his work can be found at Etsy.com/shop/levautour."

@b_levautour on Instagram

Twitter, www.levautourchronique.blogspot.com

Missed Connections

Inevitable Vulture

Monkey-Bite

Revolka

Habitat

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Day 250: Piersten Doctor (Feature and Interview)

Artist statement

My art up to now has been based solely upon pop culture and how to escape the reality like everyone else. We can't really enjoy nature, stars, amoung most things, fresh air. So we binge watch films, long tv shows, and enjoy hobbies and materials most societies can't enjoy. Music is a subject nobody can can deny because we have such delicate taste. I love painting about music and emotions to help connect better to everyone around me. I have no choice but to look away and find escape in video games, films,ect, when the worlds problems are right in front of me.

In my current years of painting I've had two mentors to help me understand the world of art. My brother Riedel Doctor who is also a tremendous creative artist. The other is my current mentor Jose Andres Giron. Heavy inveloped in his culture and years of experience in the art scence has made him a jack of trades amoung the city. Both have had a huge leap wirh knowledge and life experience, which makes me eager to live everyday and be happy with what I create.

dpiersten@gmail.com

Soul Released

The Strokes

Bike Force

'Bike Force" painting in progress

You take your selfie too seriously

Endangered Species

interview;

What do you paint with? What inspires your artwork?

"'I use everything. Pastels, pencils, oils and acrylic.

How were you inspired by art even as a teenager?

'Seeing what people could. You were competitive, took art as a sport.

What was your earliest show in Phoenix/

ALAC.

Do you paint large or paint big? How big or small do you like your drawings/

'Doesn't matter.'

How is the Native American art scene in Phoenix?

Barely tipping my toes in there.

How has your culture enriched your artwork?

"Barely shown what my culture has to offer. My grandmother is a Navajo rug weaver.

You do live painting? Do you like live painting for an event?

Body painting is fun. right place. Hardest thing is a model. Painted a body for a Frida Kahlo shwo.

What is your studio practice? How many days do you spend in the studio

I do art all the time. i paint 5 days a week. I try to do one hour at least.

What is your full time job? How do you work and also do art? Jimmy Johns. It gives me a lot of time. ALAC helps to frame your work. you're gonna have a frame.

What can you say about art education? what have you learned from a class that has richly enriched your artwork? High school. Mostly self taught and youtube. Internet is a helpful DIY.

What community are you part of in Phoenix scene?
ALAC

You have a lot of movies and tv shows in your artwork. Do you care to expand on why that is part of your imagery?

Everyone can relate to pop culture. It takes away from reality.

Who are your favorite Arizona artists? El mac has tons of murals around here.

Why do you use the color palette you use? It's very bright and vibrant. Why do you use the colors you use/

Experimenting with color choices right now.

You volunteer for ALAC. how is volunteering for an art gallery like/ Why is volunteering important to do as part of the art community?

Working but not being paid to work. You're investing yourself into a facility.

What political philosophies inspire you/

Most green ones.

Why do you think some galleries succeed and some don't?

The way they operate. Working in galleries require artists to do most of the self-promoting. My mentor Jose Andres Giron says your artist should be ready to hang and presentable with frames.

What keeps you of artist block? Music not to get suck binge watching tv. Exercising.

What do you want to in the future art wise?

Traveling doing shows across the world.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Day 249: Valerie Hildebrand

Biography

Valerie Hildebrand was always focused on her goal to become an artist carrying a double major in college - art, with a focus on painting, and theoretical mathematics. Her early career took her in the direction of computers, so it wasn’t until she moved to Arizona in 2000 that she was inspired to create art again. Since then she has been exploring various mediums and techniques expanding her knowledge and skills well beyond the painting of her college days. Valerie considers herself a “Multiple Media Artist” since she has not yet determined her preferred medium for her artistic expression, although batik and acrylic painting are currently her main focus. She never stops searching for new techniques and inspiration so her adventures in art have taken her into the realms of glass, batik, jewelry and metalsmithing, fabric design, painting, embossing, graphic design and digital art. Artist Statement “I studied art/painting and theoretical mathematics in college and promptly went into the field of computers where I enjoyed a very successful career. However, a few years ago I decided to pursue my earlier goal of becoming an artist and gave up that hectic life of technology, deadlines, and long hours. Now that I have time to devote to my art I’m really inspired to learn as much as I can about new techniques, styles, materials, and tools. This art business still involves a lot of technology, deadlines, and long hours, but they are for my art and I enjoy working hard to achieve my goals.” “I’m a “Multiple-Media Artist” since I haven’t yet found a single medium that fulfills all my creative desires. I’ve been fascinated with glass, inspired by batik on paper, and thoroughly captivated by jewelry design and construction. I’ve also been embossing, painting in acrylics, studying abstract design, learning the ins and outs of graphic design and digital art, and designing fabric from my batik artwork. I am constantly exploring various mediums and techniques and typically have several projects going at the same time. I’m definitely driven to continue to learn as this seems to be the best way to keep my creative spark alive and my interest level high.” “I hope you enjoy my art!”

Valerie Hildebrand

VHildebrand@aol.com

www.ValerieHildebrand.com

www.Facebook.com/ValerieHildebrandFineArt

Insight, Batik on aquaboard

Fireworks on the Lake, Acrylic on yupo

Illumination, Batik on aquaboard

Elemental, Acrylic on aquaboard

Pear series, Batik on paper

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Day 248: Jason Hugger

I started drawing in perspective and realism in my early teens and received a scholarship to attend the Columbus College of Art and Design in 1991. Graduating Cum Laude in 1995, I settled in Phoenix, Arizona to a new and exciting art scene in Phoenix.

My paintings and silverpoint drawings reflect my love of still life and landscape which I combine to create surrealistic desolate and isolated desert landscapes. I am a veteran and live with my wife in Phoenix.

Painting for me is an exploration. When I paint a still-life I am not just describing the objects in front of me, I am also exploring the scene as if I were going there in person. By using extremes in scale and perspective, color and light, I create drama in my paintings and silverpoint drawings. My subject matter are found and recycled items such as rusty metal bits and old broken things.

Artist Member of the Sonoran Arts League

Artist Member Local First Arizona

Education

BFA Cum Laude from Columbus College of Art and Design 1995

Scholarships

Albert K. Murray Scholarship, 1995

Heart of Ohio Tole Award, 1994

Heart of Ohio Tole Award, 1993

Alumni Association Scholarship, 1992

CCAD Foundation Scholarship, 1991

Selected Shows:

Collision at The Icehouse Gallery with Joe Holdren, Eric Cox, Eric Kaspar and Eddie Sparr PHX AZ January 2017