Ray Villafane’s pumpkin art is the centerpiece of Halloween By Lynette Carrington   Fall is the ideal time to get acquainted with Ray Villafane, a talented artist who has literally carved a niche of his own. It’s safe to say Villafane owns Halloween. The world-renowned talent will take center stage once again in the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden in Carefree from Friday, Oct. 19, to Sunday, Oct. 28. Hailing ...

Hidden in the Hills studio tour gives guests an in-depth look at local creatives By Sue Kern-Fleischer   Like a geode, the artistic gems of the North Valley are hidden inside. You have to crack the surface to see all the treasures. Luckily, art collectors and those seeking original holiday gifts can get inside the proverbial geode during the 22nd Annual Hidden in the Hills artist studio tour and sale, ...

Artist's vintage collages and minimalist paintings fascinate viewers A self-taught artist based in Phoenix, Daniel Shepherd creates fascinating abstract paintings and collages. Shepherd's abstract paintings are contemplative and minimalist in style. He refers to his painting technique as ambient painting and works with bright, saturated colors that often collide with pastels or minimal abstractions that bec ...

Exhibition features extensive collection of western film graphic arts   By Julie Carlson Photos courtesy of Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West   Throughout history, Native Americans have been portrayed inaccurately in the media. A new exhibit at Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West challenges those perceptions and misconceptions by bringing a new understanding to Native Ame ...

Art Sense  Denise Fleisch brings a distinctive style to her Scottsdale gallery. By Nicole Royse Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale is Lotus Contemporary Art. Owned by Denise Fleisch, a local artist, the art space features her provocative abstract paintings. Fleisch has been creating art and running her own gallery for over 20 years in the Valley. She creates minimalist abstract paintings that cente ...

Cultivating Art  Nicole Royse aims to showcase Valley artists in a fresh light. By Emma Suttell Nicole Royse has spent her career moving between art shows and galleries and writing about emerging artists for North Valley Magazine. Now the owner of her own gallery, Royse Contemporary, she’s extending her art network to showcase Valley artists in a new light. Raised in Orange County, California, by her grandp ...

The Sole of PHX  Area artists come together to celebrate the Suns’ golden anniversary. Photos by Tim Sealy By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski A Grand Canyon State native, artist Isaac Caruso has fond memories of Compass Arizona Grill—the never-ending view of the Valley, the colors and the Mother’s Day brunches. “I recall looking out through the window and seeing the whole downtown skyline,” Caruso says. “It was ...

Floral Fascination Scottsdale’s Gallery Andrea showcases the work of mother-daughter duo. Owned and operated by international artist Andrea de Kerpely-Zak and her daughter Andrea Zakrzewski, Gallery Andrea has been a staple of the local art scene in Old Town Scottsdale since 2004. Andrea de Kerpely-Zak has been creating and exhibiting her mesmerizing artworks for over 35 years and her pieces are internation ...

John Randall Nelson Local artist offers a bold and unique narrative. Phoenix-based painter, sculptor, and performance artist John Randall Nelson offers his viewers familiar subject matter. Utilizing a bold and vibrant color palette blended with his painterly style, he works in a faux-naïve way that seamlessly blends painting, drawing, and text with a unique and bold narrative. “Ambiguity and metaphor are ce ...

Charmagne Coe  Mixed-media artist captivates with her enchanting surrealist artwork.   By Nicole Royse Phoenix-based artist Charmagne Coe creates alluring surrealist mixed media paintings that feature a dazzling combination of watercolor, ink, and pastel that dance across the canvas. Her work conjures both the inner and outer-worldly, and possesses a free and delicate style. Coe’s creations transport v ...

Original Works Couple combine their artistic talents to open Desert Mountain Fine Art Gallery. By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Photos by Kimberly Carrillo As a child, Phillip Payne saw art galleries as his playground. In some ways, he still does. “I used to play hide and go seek in an art gallery,” Payne says with a laugh. “It probably makes most parent cringe, but that was my world.” He and his wife, Gabi, n ...

Pyrographer Alexandra Bowers redefines wood burning. By Nicole Royse Artist Alexandra (Lexi) Bowers’ work is greatly influenced by her home state of Arizona. Born and raised in Scottsdale, Bowers is a pyrographer (also known as a wood burning artist). As a child, Bowers spent her days outdoors with her family exploring the natural wonders of the desert. This fostered a curiosity for nature, which developed ...

John Carbis  Phoenix photographer captures the essence of Phoenix. Phoenix native John Carbis is a self-taught artist creating vibrant multiple exposure digital photography. His fascinating imagery of downtown Phoenix captures the unique beauty and reality of a bustling city and compels the viewer to look beyond the surface of everyday surroundings. “My photography allows me to express my individuality by c ...

Rafael Navarro Mixed media artist blends mediums and symbolism to create enchanting artwork.   By Nicole Royse Images courtesy of Rafael Navarro and Nicole Royse Local artist Rafael Navarro possesses the ability to skillfully handle a variety of mediums, which results in pieces that combine imagery and symbolism for spectacular visual impact. Originally from Mexico, Navarro began creating art at a youn ...

Beth Ames Swartz: Valley artist has a long and storied career painting powerful imagery. By Nicole Royse Renowned Paradise Valley artist Beth Ames Swartz has been creating amazing paintings for 55 years. Her artwork reflects a reverence for the natural world, while expressing her interest in the spiritual. Swartz creates her art in series, exploring systems of knowledge and translating them into visual expe ...