My art explains my life. My life explains my art.
It is hard to detect plagiarism in my work, but It comes by simulating the beauty of nature and light. The spirituality and the ethos of the desert have become the aesthetic in my art. I use light as a medium and a metaphor. My personal spirituality is nurtured and enhanced by my wanderings in the wilderness, both physically and mentally.
My studio/home is surrounded by an undisturbed desert in an obscure canyon overlooking the lights of downtown Phoenix. It provides daily inspiration for my work.
www.larryjortega.com, @anobliqartist
What does it mean to be an innovator to you?
Artists that cross the boundaries of conventional wisdom and norms produce innovation. We are all born curious. But it is something easily lost. Innovators never lose their curiosity. It is like an itch. It is only satisfied by scratching. To be effective as an innovator is never losing interest but persevering. You must use more than one’s eyes to see the invisible. Faith plays a significant role in steering innovators to explore unknown realms.
Pete Deise
Sculptor
Deise effortlessly intertwines a love of science and nature with his art in a way that draws the viewer into his own world of curiosities. For over the past 20 years, Deise has studied the relationship of art and nature through his writings, drawings, paintings and sculpture. Through the elements of fall, winter, spring and the fire of the desert summer, Deise continues to adapt along with the movement of each season, absorbing information from nature and expressing it through his handcrafted raw steel sculptures. www.peterdeise.com, @peterdeise
Dyana Hesson
Painter
Botanical artist Dyana Hesson loves a good adventure. As a child in the gold country of Northern California, she was always happiest exploring outdoors. Hesson found art in college and has been painting professionally for 29 years. Represented by Bonner David Galleries, Hesson is a Master of the Southwest award winner, Master Signature member of American Women Artists and a founding member of the Art on the Wild Side art exhibit program at the Phoenix Zoo. Hesson lives in Mesa with her husband, Randy, daughter, Sydney, and Jack Russell terrier, Beau. www.DyanaHesson.com, @dyhesson
Melissa Zimmer
Tattoo Artist
Benjamin Hall Design, founded in 2011, is a Phoenix-based design practice. The firm, led by Benjamin Hall, is committed to the lost profession of master builder and provides top quality services on both sides of design and construction.
Phoenix-native Melissa Zimmer is co-owner of Iron Key Studio, a custom tattoo and piercing shop, in Old Town Peoria. Whether it is realism, neo-traditional, old school, or black and gray, her ability to execute professional and original work keeps clients coming back time and again. She also exhibits at art shows, donates artwork to nonprofit organizations and creates commercial painting projects. www.melissazimmer.com, @melissazimmer
Catrina Kahler
Artlink
An Arizona native, and a Valley resident since 1989, Kahler has over 27 years’ experience in marketing, community development, public relations and has been actively involved in the development of urban Phoenix for 17 years. As president and CEO of Artlink, a 33-year-old nonprofit that connects artists, businesses and community, she leads the development and implementation of engagement strategies.
Kahler is also publisher of Downtown Phoenix Journal, the first online magazine for downtown Phoenix, and serves on the board of Arizona Citizens for the Arts and Phoenix Community Alliance as Chair of PCA’s Arts, Culture & Public Life Committee. www.arizona.uli.org
Mark Tarrant
Altamira Fine Art
Mark Tarranti is the executive director of Altamira Fine Art, which specializes in the exhibition and sale of Western Contemporary artwork with two gallery locations in Old Town Scottsdale and Jackson, Wyoming. Altamira offers fine art in a range of media; from oil painting, acrylic, contemporary glass and bronze, to digital art installations and mixed media. www.altamiraart.com, @altamirafineart
