I love the whimsical artwork (oils, acrylics and block prints) by artist Maja Nostrant, having seen her work at at least two art shows in the past, one being the UA Poetry Center recently on September 2nd. She draws everyday people and scenes in a simple unique style, having grown up in Mexico and Scandinavia (Iceland).

On Saturday, November 27, MAST (an eclectic store/gallery in the Lost Barrio) will have an opening reception for Maja’s art, 6 to 9 p.m. Photos courtesy of MAST and UA Poetry Center.

MAST is located at 299 S. Park Avenue, south of Broadway, (next to Tooley’s Cafe). Their phone number is 1-520-720-0299, email is info@ilovemast.com.

I recently wrote about the “Unique Finds to be found at the Lost Barrio” (click here), about the interesting collection of shops there.

Maja’s new art works are part of those unique finds. Enjoy her show.

A Historic Warehouse Shopping District is located south of Broadway on Park Avenue, called The Lost Barrio. It’s a group of charming stores and one restaurant in renovated warehouses, offering colorful gifts, accessories, and lots of furniture from all over the world. Most of these stores will be open for the upcoming Labor Day weekend, but call ahead. Click on the website links below for more photos.

Here’s a list of some of the unique shops down there, carrying imported and unusual gifts:

–Aqui Esta!
“fine custom furniture & interior design” (mostly Southwestern)
204 S. Park Ave., 520-798-3605
aquiestaaz@hotmail.com

Colonial Frontiers storefront in The Lost Barrio

– Colonial Frontiers
“antique furniture, folkart & architectural elements”
244 S. Park Ave, 520-622-7400
www.colonialfrontiers.com

– Eastern Living
“Antique Asian furniture, stone garden elements”, international furnishings
242 S. Park Ave., 520-299-3889
www.easternliving.com

–Eclectic Flea
“Uncommon finds, soulful decor” (artsy, used vintage items)
265 S. Park Ave., 520-404-4067
www.eclecticflea.com

–MAST (opened December 2009, in the former art gallery space next to Tooley’s Cafe)
collective of oddities, jewelry, some upholstered furniture, clothing, gifts
299 S. Park Ave, 520-720-0299
MASTARIZONA@gmail.com

unique items for sale at the MAST

–Old Brazil
“Furniture, home decor, jewelry”
228 S. Park Ave., 520-461-1063
www.south-nest.com

–Petroglyphs (sharing large space with Southwest Furniture & Design)
“furniture, lighting & accents”
212 S. Park Ave., 520-628-4764

–Rustica
Mexican folk art and home accessories
200 S. Park Ave, 520-623-4435

–Southwest Furniture & Design (sharing space with Petroglyphs)
“custom handcrafted furniture & cabinetry”
212 S. Park Ave., 520-461-1341

I dropped by Colonial Frontiers recently and found some unusual home furnishings, including Asian/Pacific art carvings and head rests, and a beautiful teak wood chair from Burma.

Other unique finds were several Mongolian cabinets in the Eastern Living store next door, which mostly features furniture & accessories from China and Tibet. They also had an elegant free-standing Japanese style tiered tong su (cabinet).

Before or after shopping you can stop for a bite to eat (including their famous turkey taco) at Tooley’s Cafe, 299 S. Park Ave (next to MAST). They are open M to Sat. 9 to 3 p.m, www.tooleyscafe.com, no current phone #.

And lastly, check out the unique Basket Bridge found by going to the far end of Park Avenue, below E. 14th Street, south of The Lost Barrio. This Tohono O’odham woven basket design bridge spans over Euclid Avenue, just to the west of Park Avenue. I love walking over it looking at the geometric designs.

Basket Bridge in Tucson, art by Rosemary Lonewolf

Hope you find what you’re looking for in The Lost Barrio.

Self-taught Mexican American folk artist Francisco Franklin’s largest show to date is currently at Tooley’s gallery next to their cafe in the Lost Barrio, 299 S. Park Ave, south of Broadway. I dropped by tonight’s reception and was taken by his portraits of women and angels, as well as his honesty.

In his handwritten statement Francisco says he paints “in spite of himself, not because of himself.” He also states that “in the solitude of my life something somewhere gives me the ability to do what you see here.”

For a preview of his art (paintings, carvings in wood and alabaster, B/W sketches, wooden furniture) on sale at the exhibit, you can still attend another opening tomorrow from 3 to 8 p.m.

See his website: franciscofranklin.com, with a link to an Az Illustrated show on 3/11/08. He lived abroad in Sweden, Iceland, France, and Germany before settling back here in Tucson.
He can be reached at 520-622-3125 (h), 520-275-9987 (c) or via his website.

In his AZ Illustrated interview Francisco said that he thought “women were closer to God than men”, and that the women he painted were “kind, safe, and benevolent.” His art does reflect just that. Click here for KUAT show.

Here’s an example of one of his lovely paintings, complete with whimsical hand carved frames:

angel painting by Francisco Franklin

This show only runs through Monday, November 30.