Page 22 - June 2017
P. 22

ARTSBRIEFS: JUNE2017
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: JEN TURRELL, DONNA CHESLER, PATTI ORTIZ, JENNIFER MACCORMACK, OMAR VICTOR
SENTIMENTS AND FAVORITES
Water colorist Catherine Sickafoose has been a firm fixture in the Flagstaff art scene for many years. Few artists so accurately capture the feel of both the extraordinary high desert landscape and the particularly laid back, small town, nature-loving culture as well as she.
Through her use of transparent watercolors, Ms. Sickafoose consistently captures the unique qualities of high altitude light and shadow with skill, while infusing humor and sentiment into her images at the same time. A great example of this is her newest series “Sentiments and Favorites,” included in her upcoming show. “I’m especially excited about these watercolors,” she reveals, adding that the early half of 2017 had seen demand for her commissioned pieces, two of which will be on display at Brandy’s this month.
One is titled The Mystery of Johnny Elden, painted in collaboration with the research of John Westerlund, Flagstaff historian and author. It depicts the site of the Elden family homestead where legend has it six-year old Johnny Elden was murdered in 1887 by an itinerant muleskinner named Bob Roberts. Ms. Sickafoose visited the site with Mr. Wester- lund, where they viewed the gravesite and marker for the boy but found little proof of the authenticity of the story.
The other is of Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, a bright panoramic depiction from an early photograph of the buildings, updated with today’s landscape. “I loved being able to paint this favorite Flagstaff destination,” Ms. Sickafoose says of the famous mansion.
From May 30 through July 31, Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery will be hosting Ms. Sicka- foose’s “14th Annual Watercolor Show.” As a member of the Artists’ Coalition of Flagstaff, Ms. Sickafoose shows her work at the Arts Connection Gallery at the Flagstaff Mall and will be participating in Flagstaff Open Studios, August 26 and 27. Zani’s Cards & Gifts and the Flagstaff General Store also carry select pieces; and prints and greeting cards are avail- able in the Riordan Mansion gift shop. For more of her work, check CatherineSickafoose. com. Details about her upcoming show are at BrandysRestaurant.com.
WILLIAMS SCENE PICKS UP STEAM
Lilly and Doug Miley share the featured artist space for the month of June at The Gallery in Williams in downtown Williams. Both are inspired by the landscapes of the Southwest and often paint on location. Lilly is a watercolorist who enjoys depicting flowers. Doug is an oil painter particularly noted for his works of Grand Canyon and Sedona. Original artwork, limited edition and archival prints will be available during their exhibition. DouglaSmiley- Art.com SecondSaturdayArtWalkwelcomesanartists’receptiononJune10,6-9PM,with free food, wine and live music: 145 W. Route 66.
The ArtWalk in downtown Williams continues every second Saturday through October. Shuttle service is available on the Big Red Ride golf cart from one end of town to the other, but the tour is walkable. Hot pink ArtWalk signs emblazon the windows of participating businesses on historic Route 66 from Our Mountain Home Gallery at one end to Wild West Junction and Sign Carver at the other. There’s even art in the Union 76 gas station at the west end of town.
TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY
Continuing through June 20, Journeys in Spirit returns in its eighth year at the Smoki Museum, presented in part by ‘Tis Art Gallery, bringing together artists from many Native cultures including the Acoma, Apache, Choctaw, Diné, Hopi, Yaqui, Yavapai and Zuni. For each of the artists, the making of art is an integral part of life. For many, inspiration emerges from stories, ceremonies and rituals passed to them through many generations. Sacred col-
ors, symbolic imagery and materials from the earth are integrated into the final work. For others, it emanates from personal experience in today’s world where so many walk and work within and outside of their tribal lands.
The selected work for Journeys in Spirit encompasses a variety of mediums including beadworking, metalsmithing, painting, woodcarving, basketry, photography and sculpture. Some of the artists work in traditional style while others gravitate towards the contemporary and/or a combination of both. For all, it is evident the creation of art is an ongoing quest for discovery and knowledge. It is every artist’s journey and there are stories to be told. Addi- tional support for the exhibition is provided by the City of Prescott and the Prescott Area Arts & Humanities Council. SmokiMuseum.org
TWISTED ROOTS
John Hoyt and Thatcher Bohrman are featured at ‘Tis Art Gallery in Prescott June 15 – July 14, with a 4th Friday ArtWalk reception June 23, 5-8PM.
Mr. Hoyt is a master of the hand carved burl wood sculpture, which emerge from dead and downed wood he finds within the area’s forests. “Burls yield a very peculiar and highly figuredwood,prizedforitsbeautyandrarity,”heexplains. “Isearchforwooddisfiguredby decomposition: fallen trees rotting in the woods, covered by moss and dirt, often eaten by insects; these have a special character, color and depth.”
He finds inspiration “working with the irregular shapes and unknown interiors of the burls, carving and polishing reveals intricate patterns and unexpected beauty and an or- ganic natural edge reminds us of the soul of the tree.”
Mr. Bohrman unveils his newest series, “Poetically Powerful Paintings of Practically Per- fect People,” which he candidly reveals are, in actuality, portraits of his family ties. “Creativity is a way of living and being in the world, where possibilities are opening, always available. Making the creative choices is not easy, but it’s either open or close, and opening is moving toward the source of life, and the other is ...”
Of his art, he says: “Painting opens me up ... I paint standing up, and my whole body is involved ... My breath is like that of someone crossing a tight wire, used to move forward and keep balance, reacting to the moment like life depends on it ... A whistling sound happens.” TisArtGallery.com
ARTSHOP
ARTShop Sewing & Craft Camp for kids ages 9 and older, runs Monday through Friday, 8AM to noon, June 5 – July 28, in Flagstaff. Students will learn basic machine-sewing, bead- ing, paper-making, scrap-booking, and gift-making. Choose from weekly themes, including tea and pajama parties for 18-inch dolls, wearable art, and Christmas in July gifts. Small classes are taught by certified teacher and fiber artist, Vera Baron. artshop524@gmail.com
ON THE RIVER
Verde Valley artists descend on the 2nd Saturday ArtWalk in Old Town Cottonwood on June 10. Arizona Stronghold Vineyard Tasting room will be unveiling new art by Jeremia Sunfellow, with samples of fine wine from 6-9PM and live music by Jason Kevin.
Ms. Sunfellow is a self-taught artist, living and working in the Verde Valley. Using wood panels as her canvas, she is inspired by the unique qualities of each piece of wood. Constantly striving to incorporate new material and techniques into her work, she combines pyrography, oil, water- color, pencil, ink, gold leaf and charcoal to create her pop-surreal images. AZStronghold.com
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