by Charles Spillar on Nov.06, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
FEATURED ARTIST: Photographer, Karen A. Dombrowski-Sobel
From the moment she saw a print developing in a tray years ago she was entranced with the magic of photography. She learned early on to handle a negative in the darkroom and make it speak from her soul. Ever since that moment, she has followed her passion with her camera.
Karen’s award winning work certainly speaks for itself. Her vision seems to always come from somewhere inside herself as each of her subjects speak through her, revealing some meaning of itself and herself in the finished photograph.
She says the process of selecting the precise second to expose the film comes through a meditative process where her intuition takes over and light, form and feeling are transposed through her camera and herself. Her spiritual insight has given her an eye for the unusual from the ordinary. By viewing the images below you will SEE the unique professionalism she has achieved.
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For more examples of her photography visit her web site at: http://www.kadsphoto.com and view the many subjects she has captured. Everyday she is creating something new following her passion. The sensitive Portraits, unusual Textured Photographs and her Nude photos on her web page clearly demonstrate her uniqueness and sensitivity to her subjects.
Karen is presently focused on photographing trees and plants for an upcoming book titled: Visualizing a Greener Planet. She senses the urgency to show how important and beautiful trees are to our existence. She feels man’s effort to fulfill the desire for bigger homes and buildings, has been obliterating our natural growth. She hopes this new work will help create an intimate relationship with nature that the viewer can feel.
The photographer and her husband moved to Tucson from their former home in New York City a few years ago. The life changing 9/11 tragedies had a major effect on their lives since her husband was working on Wall Street as a stock trader a short distance from the World Trade Center collapse. He experienced first hand the horror of something that most of us can only imagine. In a few short minutes both their lives were changed forever.
It is obvious to anyone viewing Karen’s work the sensitivity coming through her images and the abundant love she has for her subjects. The Flux Gallery (2960 N. Swan Road, Suite 136) at Plaza Palomino and Arts Marketplace (40 W Broadway Blvd) are presently exhibiting her work.
by Charles Spillar on Nov.06, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
Former Zee’s Warehouse SOLD at Auction today!
The former Zee’s Warehouse located at 1 E. Toole Ave. (Stone/E. Toole) was auctioned off this morning by the Arizona Department of Transportation. The former occupant Zee was forced out in late 2007 due to safety issues at the historic building.
For several years the City of Tucson has made gestures to help save the historic warehouse district by trading ADOT for city owned property which would have included 1 E. Toole. Anyone knowing anything about the arts district in Tucson knows the City talks more about preserving the arts district than actually doing any positive action. With the present economic situation they perhaps have an excuse for not implementing their Master Plan created by the city over 5 years ago.
At this mornings auction there were three bidders. The starting price was $165,000 and the final selling price was $252,000 offered by Patricia Schwabe of Peach Properties. Peach Properties has a good reputation for supporting the arts district and owns several art related properties in the area.
by Ben McNitt on Nov.04, 2009, under arts
Jos Villabrille – Tucson’s Muralist
WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD AN OCEAN BAY VIEW, a Tuscan countryside horizon or a Sonoran Desert panorama to your home? Then Jos Villabrille is your man.
He’s Tucson’s muralist, adept at the trompe l’oeil (trick the eye) style of bringing three dimensional vistas to large two dimensional wall spaces.
Jos Villabrille at home with his own seaside view
Not only that, but Jos’s skill as a painter ranges credibly over a multitude of schools and styles – Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic, Southwestern, he’s even done futuristic murals of galaxy hopping spaceships in the Star Trek tradition. (continue reading…)
by Charles Spillar on Oct.29, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
Piñatas: A Unique Art Form Made To Be Destroyed
Sponge Bob as Dracula
For weeks I traveled by a little shop on N. Stone and kept noticing paper maché sculptures drying outside. Recently I ventured into the shop called the Party Factory to discover a fun new world: The world of Piñata creation.
Paper Mache Sculptures Drying Outside The Party Factory
Sculptures Drying Inside Party Factory
This family operated store specializes in making over 250 different Piñatas in about every shape imaginable. The family business is third generation Piñata craftsmen. They are originally from Aqua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico and their family has been master Piñata craftsman for over 75 years. A fourth generation is learning the trade today from the father.
by Ben McNitt on Oct.26, 2009, under arts
Artist Lynne Yamaguchi’s “Absolute True Decision”
“THE INSTANT I STARTED WOODTURNING, I KNEW I’D MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE,” LYNNE YAMAGUCHI SAYS. “It was the absolute most true decision I could have made.”
That was seven years ago. Yamaguchi was stuck in a high pressure, deadline driven job that she felt was draining her life away. When she asked herself what would make her happy, the answer came instantly: woodturning.
Maple burl hollow vessel by Lynne Yamaguchi
Woodturning? She’d never done it, didn’t know how. No tools, no shop, no training.
by Charles Spillar on Oct.20, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
MAGIC CARPET CHAOS AT HISTORIC VALLEY OF THE MOON!
Tucson’s historic Valley of the Moon is continuing its 36th annual Halloween show at the famous fantasyland this month. It started on October 14 and will continue up until October 30. The reviews from visitors I talked with have been impressive. This year’s performance is titled Magic Carpet Chaos at the Haunted Ruins
The EVIL ONE! Photo by (halfpricecarboncredits.com)
The Evil One has returned and his minions are trying to hijack the new Magic Carpet Land from the Genie. Will the Wizard and the Genie have enough power to stop him? Return to the land of fairies and gnomes and embark on a mystical adventure armed with nothing more than your Magic Stone to help protect you and the Valley of the Moon from the forces of evil. The play is spooky but not frightening to younger children. (continue reading…)
by Ben McNitt on Oct.18, 2009, under arts
Etherton Gallery’s Leap of Faith
TERRY ETHERTON WAS APPREHENSIVE last spring when the concept for the current exhibit at the gallery that bears his name began to gel.
Known nationally and beyond as a premier southwestern gallery of photography as well as of painting and other traditional art forms, this exhibit, Etherton says, “was a leap of faith” to create an ensemble from some of Tucson’s finest artists in a setting resembling spaces an exquisitely appointed home.
The result is a welcoming balance among furniture with the design qualities of sculpture, marvelously hand blown glass, bold mural sized paintings and warm hand woven rugs.
Mesquite furniture by Stephen Paul; King's Canyon painting by Jim Wald.
by davida on Oct.11, 2009, under arts
Second Saturdays on Congress
I’m starting the week with snaking out a drain for the Tooley’s expresso machine. Expresso coffee grinds can indeed plug a half inch pipe. It’s cleared now, but coffee stains the hands, and wearing my clean, light colored, clothes wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve done in preparation of this Anaconda wrestling match.
Last Saturday evening, a good time was had on the 200 block of East Congress. Live band in front of Tooley’s, 4 art galleries open plus Metropolis Beauty Salon. Kids were running around with newly painted faces creatively designed by Danielle, Cathy, and Caitlin from The Shane House.
Recently Club Crawl consumed the eastern blocks of Congress. In response, last Saturday, there was a Cupcake Crawl. Cupcake Crawl was more fun, in my opinion. There was also a Pumpkin Carve-A-Palooza with about a dozen scary pumpkins as a result. What a fun mess.
People bought in cupcakes which were decorated in Dinnerware. Probably a hundred cupcakes were decorated followed by artistic admiration, then consumption.
The second Saturday of the month is going for a test drive on the 200 block of East Congress, maybe to become the new Downtown Saturday Night, which will have three basic components: music, arts, and a pedestrian interactive experience. In other words a block party that adults and kids can all enjoy.
There was also a fabulous artist reception for 55 artists who responded to the theme “Luminous Landscape”, at that sliver of an art space called The Rocket Gallery. The name “Rocket” is meant to convey up-and-coming exhibiting artists. The gallery was packed with art, floor to ceiling. The artists, spouses, and significant others, hung out together, with appropriate amounts of chardonnay, celebrating their accomplishments of surviving the experience of making art, then exhibiting such. Many of those artists met other Tucson artists for the first time.
Next Thursday, October 15th, 7pm is Dinnerware’s Art Auction, 264 E. Congress. Chris Stevens will provide acoustic tunes beginning at 6pm. There’ll be wine, Brooklyn Pizza, Tooley’s treats and a fun social environment.
At 7pm, Arthur Smith will start the live auction.
Tucson artists are among the most generous beings in our community. They donate their work, frequently make little money themselves, have more than one day job, but they see that Dinnerware performs an important mission that reverberates through the artistic community.
At this year’s auction, a variety of works will be sold, and if you thought that buying art was too expensive, come to this auction. Sales will range from $10 to $100 on up. It’s free to participate. As with any auction, you have to be there to see what that special handcrafted artwork is going to sell for. I like the adrenalin of a live auction, myself. It’s all about the drama. And if that’s too much for you, try your hand at the silent auction.
There might even be some cupcakes around.
by Charles Spillar on Oct.06, 2009, under Tucson Art, arts
Magic Carpet Icon Is Saved!
The Magic Carpet Sign
On Monday, October 5, the neon sign from the closed Magic Carpet Golf property on Speedway was removed and transported to storage. Within the next six months the sign is scheduled for restoration and to be reconstructed at a public location in the spring of next year. It took over 8 hours to remove it by the De La Cruz Neon Sign Company of Tucson.
Hooking up for removal
Prep for removal of sign.
The Magic Carpet neon sign was a beacon for the past 40 years to the popular miniature golf course. Hundreds of thousands of Tucsonans have enjoyed this unique facility and it had become an icon for Tucson before its closure in December of 2007. (continue reading…)
by davida on Oct.05, 2009, under arts
Follow the Rabbit
At 11am this morning, a wild cottontail rabbit appeared at the front door of Dinnerware Artspace, 264 E. Congress.
I happen to be standing just inside the door at the time and watched in amazement as it approached the glass door. It sniffed the air, searching for the fragrance of familiarity. Not finding it, I watched it move up the sidewalk to PREEN, then onto the middle of Congress St.
My mouth gaping open, I felt my heart sink. Somehow this little one found itself in an alien world of wheeled beasts, 2 legged giants, hard, lifeless surfaces and anything but the sounds and smells of the desert.
As I watched, the rabbit became more terrified. Like in a movie, it found itself in the middle of Congress Street, removed from time and space.
A green, 5th Avenue traffic light released a herd of urgent giant beasts, guided by texting and cellular brains.
Our rabbit, waiting as rabbits do, until the last second, leaped, and dashed up Arizona Alley, toward Beowulf Theater, disappearing from view.
I wanted to cry.
For a few moments, I was that rabbit, in an alien world.
I’ve been there, and felt for that rabbit, and I think many Tucsonans at one time or other felt alienated or felt like misfits. That’s one reason many of us live here. The Sonoran Outback.
Our rabbit is on a new adventure now and it will never return to its home again.
At the time, an artist had just dropped off a large painting for the Luminous Landscape exhibit. She parked in front of Dinnerware. She said she just drove in from Sabino Canyon.
What a wild ride it must have been for our rabbit.
Down the rabbit hole.
Downtown.
I’ve spent a lot of time watching rabbits at close range. They’ll stand on their back legs, stretched upward to to eat mesquite leaves or beans. I’ve watched rabbits do bunny hops over other rabbits. This rabbit must have gotten up into this artist’s vehicle.
It appeared to help show me the way. Like Alice, I want to find out where this scene fits in with my life, what’s ahead, and I want to know how I’ll handle it.
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