Friday, May 15, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Artists 'Neath the Rim
The past weekend's visit to the cabin wasn't the usual snooze-fest. I was lucky enough to discover that Payson's annual Art League Studio Tour was in progress.
Some of the most artistic gems of the Southwest lay scattered about Highway 87 and the 260 beneath the Mogollon Rim. If you missed out this year, don't be too disappointed. Here is your guide to some of the best artists along the tour and some samples of their work. Thanks to all the wonderful participants for opening your homes, studios and hearts to the public this weekend. The proceeds will go to fund art programs in Payson high schools.
Day 1:
We began our tour at Studio 11, which happened to be in the same gated community as our cabin and the reason that we decided to continue the tour. Evidently the farthest off the map, Marilyn Salomon' cabin studio tour was worth the drive outside of town. Salomon practices Batik painting, which is accomplished by the use of wax, tiny brushes, and either canvas or fabric as the base for the artwork.
She also oil-dyes fabric that she turns into flowing scarves and shawls.
Email: marilyn@batiksbymarilyn.com
Website: www.batiksbymarilyn.com
Marilyn’s studio also hosted the stain-glass clocks of James Bayles.
Email: hour-glass@hughes.net
After visiting Marilyn, my parents and I made up our minds to drive back into town and start near the beginning of the tour with Studio 2. There we met a man by the name of C.M. Okerswall who paints with oils and also does some scratchboard artwork and sketching. Now for those of you, who like me, don’t know art like the back of your hands, scratchboard is worth knowing a little something about. Widely practiced in Payson and the southwest in one form or another, scratchboard works are created by first layering a canvas with chalk and then covering it with a thin coat of black or dark paint. Using a small tool to scratch away parts of the surface, artists like C.M. create detailed, almost inverted sketches.
Email: cmoart@localnet.com
Finally, we made it to Studio 1. It was worth the wait. This locale hosted four unique artists. First, we met John Finkey, who sets and creates his own sterling silver jewelry.
Next, there were the comforting oil paintings by Ruth Overton.
Email: ruthoverton@localnet.com
Third, Dixie Guldner shared her imaginative Gourd Art with us.
Email: caguldner@cox.net
Finally, my mother and I had the pleasure of seeing lithographic handiwork of Brenda Baker.
The next stop on our tour, and the one person my family truly admired was at the home of Donn Morris with his art of the West (Studio 3). But the funny thing about his work was that it’s not just of the West. Morris travels all over the world and paint sketches in journals, writes, takes photos, and returns home to transpose his adventures in some of the most amazing sketches and watercolor depictions I personally have ever seen.
He is also a storyteller, and I could listen to his stories forever.
He says, “Until I retired, I was a teacher who painted… now I’m an artist who also teaches.”
This talented man told me that his future goals include teaching drawing and painting lessons aboard a cruise ship. He also mentioned that he has proposed this plan to several cruise lines and has been met with some opposition, so I feel the need to shamelessly promote him here. Enjoy.
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Day 2:
Studio 10 was our first destination on the second day of our tour. There we visited the garage studio of Delores Hartless, who name is clearly misleading. This sweet lady paints a medley of different wildlife animals and scenes on plaques of wood, blocks of stone and of course any good ‘ole canvas.
At Studio 8, while working our way from the cabin back towards town with antsy kids and panting dogs in the back of the suburban, we met a charming couple. Don and Edna Harmon have a gorgeous log and stone home in Chaparral Pines where they house their own original bronze sculptures and Don’s oil and acrylic paintings, as well as his pen and pencil drawings that truly portray “the essence of nature.”
We arrived at Studio 6 and had the pleasure of meeting Georgianne Smolenski and Glenda & Bob Roark. Smolenski spins her own thread from a myriad of different sources (Newfoundland dog hair, bamboo, you-name-it) and hand weaves wearable art fashions and designs.
Glenda and Bob, the fine founders of B & G Distinctive Designs, displayed their masterpieces of sparkling fused glass pottery and jewelry.
I met Alan and Carole Snyder at Studio 5, where my stepfather purchased one of Alan’s stoneware pottery creations. The innovative piece was a bird feeder with a witty design.
Carole also produces her own scratchboard art (like I mentioned earlier), except on magnets, jewelry boxes, etc.
Much of the couple’s stone pottery is exceptionally creative and exciting.
Email: carolesnyder@pottersvision.com
Website: www.pottersvision.com
***
These were among the very best artists and sites of the tour ‘Neath the Rim, not to forget to mention the wonderful appetizers everyone had to offer.
Among the tastiest homemade treats were:
-Peach tea
-Fresh lemonade
-Fruit Punch
-Chips-n-Salsa
-Clam dip
-Fruit & veggie trays
-Brownies
-Lots and lots of cookies J
After the first go-around, there were many friendly faces and talents that we returned to purchase artwork from and chat with. Hopefully, studio tours like this and fairs like the annual art fair in Prescott over Mother’s Day weekend will inspire people to start investing their money in art, where it’s sure to never lose its value. I hope you enjoy the tour as much as I did.
If you are particularly impressed with any of the artists we visited, please don’t hesitate to find their information above and check them out! Feel free to contact me if their information isn’t listed and I would be delighted to point you in the right direction.
Puppies: 2 weeks old
My aunt's dog named Bagel recently had a litter of puppies. We aren't sure who the father is. To tell you the truth, we're a little worried. Nevertheless, puppies are always cute.
Bagel and her babies:
Some of the pups
His name is U-G-L-Y, but I think he is by far the cutest.
Butterscotch:
Cocoa in the dog dish
(even though his eyes & ears are open yet).
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Over the river and through the woods..
About to head up to the fam's cabin in Christopher Creek. I need a getaway, seeing as how it's finals next week. Did you ever spend 54 minutes on the phone at 2 o'clock in the morning and wake up feeling groggy but satisfied? I have.
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