Images Arizona April 2019 by Images Arizona Magazine

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APRIL 2019

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WHERE INSPIRATION BEGINS Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of

Sedona Visual Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Coalition

COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Amanda Christmann

EDDIE JONES AN EYE ON DESIGN Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Brandon Tigrett

SHADOWS AND LIGHT Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Inge Johnsson

A NEW TAKE ON THE OLD WEST Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Bryan Black

CHOCOLATE AVOCADO PUDDING Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Christmann

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Mitchell

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Joseph Airdo Amanda Christmann Sue Kern-Fleischer Kyndra Kelly Shoshana Leon Shannon Severson Fadi Sitto

PHOTOGRAPHERS Scott Baxter Bryan Black Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek

ADVERTISING SALES Cooper Langston 480-544-8721 cooper@imagesaz.com

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com

I have long maintained that our Images Arizona family of writers, photographers and behind-the-scenes people is what makes our magazine special. From the care our photographers take to catch moments, personalities and emotions in just the right light, to the time our writers dedicate to carefully crafting their words, to the visual narratives that our designer creates, I have been filled with pride for what we do every month for nearly 16 years. A few months ago, I tasked managing editor Amanda Christmann with expanding our team. This is Amanda’s tenth year of writing and editing for us, and finding talented writers who share her beautiful vision was a tall order. She set out, not to find people in the writing business, but to find writers in the people business. One by one, she brought food writer Shoshana Leon, arts writer Joseph Airdo and feature writer Fadi Sitto on board, and their talent and diverse interests have only made us stronger. This month has brought another special addition to our staff. My son, Cooper, was four years old when I began publishing Images Arizona magazine out of our home. He doesn’t remember a time when a steady stream of editorial and marketing staff weren’t part of our daily routine. Now that Cooper is off to college, it hasn’t been unusual for him to come back to Carefree to support us. Still, I was taken aback when he asked to be part of our team.

Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2019 by ImagesAZ, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or part, without permission is prohibited.

And so, without much ado, I am more than proud to introduce Cooper Langston as our new account executive.

The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited material.

Local First A R I Z O NA

Once again, I’d like to say thank you to each and every one of you, our neighbors and friends, including our advertisers and inspirations, who make Images Arizona possible each month. Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

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G R A C E

R E N E E

G A L L E R Y ’ S

A P R I L

E V E N T

FEATURING

MATT JOSEF C O N T E M P O R A RY W E S T E R N A RT I S T

A RT I S T R E C E P T I O N W I T H M AT T J O S E F. A nod to abstract expressionism, Matt’s Western contemporary art is captivating and unique.

Grace Renee Gallery Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7 | Carefree, AZ 85377 i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m A PRI L 2 019 480.575.8080

CONTEMPORARY

ART

GALLERY

CAREFREE

ARIZONA

THURSDAY

APRIL 25 4–7:00 p.m.

Appetizers and refreshments served.

ABOVE :

LEFT PAGE :

“Posse ” 60” by 96”

“Herd” 60” by 60”

GraceReneeGallery.com

APRIL 2019

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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Sedona Visual Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Coalition

As spring begins to blossom among the orange-red cliffs of Sedona, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impossible to ignore the natural beauty. It is no wonder that Sedona has long attracted lovers, dreamers and artists from around the globe. This month offers a unique opportunity to witness the synergy between human creativity and the natural inspiration that captivates us all.

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Each year, the Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition invites guests to share in the process by visiting artists in their studios during the Sedona Artists’ Open Studios Tour. This year’s free, three-day event takes place April 26– 28 in locations throughout the Verde Valley, including Sedona, Cornville, Cottonwood, Clarkdale and the Village of Oak Creek. This year’s tour includes a studio-wide drawing for a $250 gift certificate. The winner can use their gift at any of the studios on the tour—which will, no doubt, be a difficult choice! The tour began with a handful of participating artists and has now expanded to include 50 talented creatives whose work spans from photography to ceramics to paintings. Their mediums include clay, watercolors, oils, acrylics, glass, wood, metals, stone, fiber and mixed media. “For the visitor, the Open Studios experience invites the artwork to speak much more intimately to them as it provides an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the creative process,” explained Open Studios organizer and coalition president Mike Upp, whose ceramic sculptures and studio, Earth and Fire Ceramic Design, are among those featured in the tour. For more than 15 years, artists from the Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition have opened their workspaces and shared their thoughts and processes with thousands of people. They’ve created more than art along the way; they’ve developed a destination where tourists and Arizona residents alike have learned to seek out fine art. Napa may have wine, but Sedona has art. “It’s not like going to an arts festival or a gallery,” Upp explained. “Here, you are actually going inside the space where the artist is creating. Everybody on our tour is really into communicating what their processes are and trying to educate people as to what goes into working with the medium they’re in.” As an added bonus, the stunning visual allure of Sedona, as well as its resorts and inns, fantastic restaurants and unique shopping opportunities make taking a trip “up the mountain” an exciting getaway.

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EXPERIENCE Spring Sedona Open Studios Tour i m a g e s a r i z April o n a . c o26–28 m A PRI L 2 019and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday noon–5 p.m. | Locations available online | Free | sedonaartistscoalition.org | Friday 14Friday–Sunday,

SEE THE WEST It’s becoming so popular, in fact, that many people are making it a tradition. Many of the artists have begun seeing the same faces year after year. They’ve gained a fan following that is owed solely to their individual talents. “The wide range of style, quality and art forms is a testament to the thriving vitality of the arts community in Sedona and the beautiful Verde Valley,” Upp said. “This is the excitement of helping people gain a deeper understanding of producing art.” The Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition is a 501(c)3 non-profit educational and charitable organization that welcomes artists of all levels and encourages creativity, community and camaraderie. More than 125 artists from Sedona and the greater Verde Valley are members of the organization, which sponsors open studios tours each spring and fall.

FROM A WHOLE NEW PERSPECTIVE Stories have the power to inspire, change history and celebrate cultures. At Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, we bring authentic stories to life through Western and Native American art, artifacts and living cultures. Visit our Smithsonian Affiliate destination that connects visitors of all ages to the Western lifestyle — past, present and future.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 Paul Calle’s Life of Exploration: From the Mountains to the Moon Through Oct. 2020

Brochures with a map and list of participating artists will be available in locations throughout Verde Valley, as well as at the Sedona Arts Center and the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in Uptown Sedona. Maps and a complete list of artists and their mediums are also available online. Don’t miss the fun! It’s sure to inspire you, amaze you and create an experience you won’t soon forget. sedonaartistscoalition.org 503-789-4437 mjupp10@gmail.com

4.5 out of 5 Stars!

#SMoWmoments

3830 N. Marshall Way Scottsdale, AZ | 480.686.9539 SCOTT SDA L EM USEU M W EST. OR G Artwork Credits: Paul Calle (1928-2010), The Great Moment, c. 1969, oil on masonite, Collection of the Orlando Museum of Art, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. John J. McMullen, Copyright The Calle Family; Something for the Pot II, oil on canvas, courtesy The Peterson Family Collection; and museum building photo by Bill Timmerman, courtesy Studio Ma, Architect.

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Grace Renee Gallery | 480-575-8080 | GraceReneeGallery.com

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# 7 imagesar | Carefree, Grace Renee Gallery | Historic Spanish Village | 7212 E. Ho HumAPRIL Rd.2019 iz ona .c om AZ 17

COMMUNITY

2019 APRIL

Writer Amanda Christmann

April 20

PASSOVER SEDER Join the North Valley Jewish Community Association for a traditional Passover Seder, including cocktails and service followed by a buffet dinner and cash bar. RSVP by April 15. Make checks payable to NVJCA and mail to 39606 N. Daisy Mountain Dr., Suite 122198, Anthem, AZ 85086. Adults $45; children 3–10 $19.50; free for children under 3. Ironwood Dining Room, Anthem Country Club, 2708 W. Anthem Club Dr., Anthem. 623-322-0957; fkesselman@cox.net

April 4

AI, ROBOTS AND THE FUTURE OF WORK

nonperishable food item for Foothills Food Bank. 39808 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem. 6:30 p.m.

GO GREEN IN ANTHEM

anthemprep.greatheartsacademies.org

It’s time to recycle and safely dispose

From the printing press to cars, TV,

of those old electronics, bulk materials,

computers and smart phones, new

paint, cardboard, and prescription and

technologies have always impacted our lives. Few of today’s emerging technologies have the potential to alter the way we work, or work at, all as much

April 9

A DELICIOUS LEGACY Marcellino Ristorante will take you

as intelligent robots. Join this Big Ideas

through an historic culinary tour of

talk to discuss what the future will look

Chef Marcellino’s childhood in the

like and how it will impact our lives. Free.

Campania region of Italy featuring

Civic Building, 3701 W. Anthem Way,

several courses paired with wines

Anthem. 7 p.m. 623-742-6000

from Italy. $195. 7114 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale. 7 p.m. 480-990-9500;

April 4, 5

BYE, BYE BIRDIE

April 13

marcellinoristorante.com

non-prescription drugs at Anthem’s semi-annual Go Green event. Must bring proof of residency. See website for acceptable items. Free. Anthem Community Park lower parking lot, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Pkwy., Anthem. 8–11 a.m. onlineatanthem.com/go-green

April 13

A FESTIVAL OF STRINGS North Valley Symphony Orchestra’s

Anthem Prep will present the lively

first annual all-day Spring Strings

spring musical. $2 or donation of a

Festival will culminate with a public

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concert featuring the Valley’s most talented adult and youth string musicians. Free. North Canyon H.S. Performing Arts Auditorium, 1700 E. Union Hills Rd., Phoenix. 3 p.m. 623980-4628; northvalleysymphony.org

April 16

HONOR FLIGHT AMERICA Two of Merrill Gardens at Anthem’s residents have been chosen for Honor Flight Arizona, a three-day journey to honor and remember WWII and Korean veterans at their memorials in Washington, D.C. Honor Flight Arizona sends veterans on these pilgrimages to educate others and to recognize their contributions, but they do need donations to do this. You can contribute at honorflightaz.org.

April 18

LISTEN TO THIS … We are so immersed in a world of sound that it is part of our very existence. We take it for granted and don’t think of it as a “field of technology.” Beyond ultrasound diagnostics and sonars, what else is there? You’ll want to “hear” this Big Ideas Forum event. Free. Civic Building, 3701 W. Anthem Way, Anthem. 7 p.m. 623-742-6000

April 26–28

FILM CARNIVALE Arizona’s first all-documentary film festival will take place in the beautiful, otherworldly eco-city of Arcosanti. It will also feature a full weekend of activities, experiences and culinary delights, including an opening bronze bell pour, a Venetian-inspired masquerade ball, and an Art of the Beard exhibition and contest. $20–$85; $100 weekend pass. VIP tickets available. 13555 S. Cross L Rd., Mayer. arcosantifilmcarnivale.com

APRIL 2019

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April 25

MEET MATT JOSEF You’ve seen his work in the pages of Images Arizona magazine, and now you can see it in person—and meet the artist himself. Meet Matt Josef at Grace Renee Gallery. Free. 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., Carefree. 4–7 p.m. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

April 26–28

the program empowers aspiring

circuits, cardio pushes and heart

leaders with the tools, experiences,

rate elevator movements. Group

and networks necessary to address

classes, duets and individual sessions

local and regional challenges and

available. 42211 N 41st Dr., Anthem.

Join artists in their workspaces and

make a sustainable impact on

evolvepilatesaz.com

see their inspiration firsthand at the

social, community and economic

spring Sedona Open Studios Tour.

development. Participants in the

Free. Locations, map and featured

10-month AALA program are a

artists are available online. 10

diverse group of business owners,

SUMMERTIME STAGE TIME WITH MTA

a.m.–5 p.m. Friday and Saturday;

solopreneurs and employees of local

Musical Theatre of Anthem has a

noon–5 p.m. Sunday. 503-789-

businesses. For more information,

complete lineup of summer camps,

4437; mjupp10@gmail.com;

contact program director Sawana

productions and workshops for

sedonaartistscoalition.org

Grimmett at 480-370-6349 or

performers of nearly any age, from 3

Anthem Chamber of Commerce

to adult. Work with award-winning,

Executive Director Heather Maxwell

experienced directors, vocal directors

at 623-322-9127.

and choreographers. See website for a

FEEL THE INSPIRATION

ADVOCATING FOR ANTHEM Anthem Area Leadership Academy

is teaching business leaders in the

PILATES IN ANTHEM

Anthem area how they can advocate

Anthem’s very first Pilates studio,

for local businesses and residents in

Evolve Pilates, is a full-service studio

their communities. Launched by the

offering a unique combination of

Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce,

pilates’ low-impact movements, HIIT

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complete list of exciting opportunities, as well as their costs and dates. musicaltheatreofanthem.org

APRIL 2019

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Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography Antoine Gedroyc

Nick Lowery was having lunch at the Westin Kansas City Crown Center a year ago when a middle-aged man approached him. “You don’t remember me, but you and Kevin Ross spent time with me in 1993 when my mother was in prison, and I never forgot it,” the man said. “It inspired me to make a difference in people’s lives.” It was an unscripted moment that took the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer by surprise and validated why he devotes his life to helping others. The man went on to explain how Lowery and fellow Chiefs Hall of Famer and recent Arizona Cardinals coach Kevin Ross gave him hope for his mother and the other prisoners. Years later, the man bought several houses on a street with the sole purpose of providing a safe place for former prisoners to rebuild their lives after being released. Moments like that fuel Lowery’s philanthropic work through his non-profit, Nick Lowery Youth Foundation. While sports fans know him as the most accurate kicker in NFL history, it’s Lowery’s fivetime record as Man of the Year and his drive for helping others that keeps his non-profit organization in the national spotlight.

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Lowery worked under three U.S. Presidents in the White House during his NFL career, and he was the first pro athlete with a master’s degree and fellowship from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. With all that he has accomplished professionally and personally, it’s hard to imagine he was cut 11 times by eight teams in his young professional football career. “I’m very competitive and I had great mentors, so I never gave up,” he said. “My favorite positions in baseball and football were pitcher and kicker because both require you to maintain your focus, your dignity and your composure on an island with all eyes watching. You had to manage those moments of truth.”

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A Scottsdale resident for more than two decades, Lowery is gearing up for the Phoenix Metro Chamber Foundation/Nick Lowery Youth Foundation Charity Golf Tournament Friday, April 26 at Stonecreek Golf Club. Proceeds from the event will help raise funds for several Nick Lowery Youth Foundation programs, including Champions for the Homeless events at St. Vincent de Paul’s, the Stronger Safer Sports program to reduce concussions in sports, and NBNY, which helps Native American youth find their purpose.

INJURY SCREENING

LEARNING FROM GREAT LEADERS Lowery grew up in the Washington D.C. area with a father devoted to national service as a senior CIA officer. He lived next door to Byron ‘Whizzer’ White, who led the NFL in rushing twice (1938 and 1940) and would go on to become a U.S. Supreme Court

APRIL 2019

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Justice. In a strange twist of fate, Lowery received the Byron Whizzer White Award—the most prestigious humanitarian award an NFL player can receive—in 1993. “Justice White was a Mount Rushmore-figurehead human being,” Lowery said. “Years later, I was also remarkably fortunate to live next to Muhammad Ali in Paradise Valley. “I was incredibly blessed to be surrounded by great role models who taught me that we’re here to make a heartfelt difference in the world. I look at the work I do now as carrying the torch of President Kennedy’s legendary call to service: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” He views his work as much more than making a positive difference in people’s lives. His goal is to help others realize their own potential for making a difference. “God gave us a permanent spiritual filing cabinet in our souls to fulfill a beautiful and powerful purpose, each with our own unique gifts,” he said. “When people tap into their own intentional power to help others, they tap into God’s special wiring within, and a lifetime of what I call the only healthy addiction that can stay with us for the rest of our lives.

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“That purpose-filled filing cabinet in us always increases in capacity, impact, skill, and in the richness of how it fills us up as we drench others with hope.” Proceeds from the April 26 tournament will benefit the Phoenix Metro Chamber Foundation, the Nick Lowery Youth Foundation, Harvest Compassion Center & Mitchell Swaback Charities, Junior Golf Association of Arizona and Girls Golf of Phoenix. Lowery hopes the tournament will inspire people to do more. “Our work is far from done. Homelessness continues to be a big problem throughout metro Phoenix,” he said, adding that 30 percent of the people they serve are homeless veterans. “We are passionate about reducing the high suicide rate among veterans.”

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Champions for the Homeless has set a new standard for volunteerism, and it has provided service opportunities for NFL stars like Larry Fitzgerald, Seth Joyner and David Johnson, tennis legend Bethany Mattek-Sands and top musicians like Country Hall of Famer Jessi Colter. “Our homeless brothers and sisters at St. Vincent de Paul’s shelter say that they have never felt so much love and hospitality in all their life,” he said. “Every program we start never stops giving—and what starts as a positive intention becomes the core values of a life and a community.” nicklowery.com

APRIL 2019

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Eddie Jones is a giant, not only because he’s a bear of a man with flowing hair and a larger-than-life personality. As one of the most respected, talented and well-known architects in Arizona, Jones has been making an impact on architectural design—and doing it his way—since 1979. Earlier this year, Jones was awarded the distinguished Architects Medal at the 2018 AIA Arizona Design Awards Gala, the architectural equivalent of a lifetime achievement award, for his cumulative body of work. It’s a powerhouse achievement, but you’ll never hear Jones brag about it, or likely even mention it. He will also likely never bring up the 40 books, 227 magazines and journals, 29 television shows, various radio programs, the Hollywood movie and a six-part PBS documentary film that include his work. “Perhaps he is missing an obvious opportunity for self-promotion, but it demonstrates that his focus is not on his admirable accomplishments, but rather on more important matters—his compassion and humanness,” said fellow architect Marlene Imirzian, whose own portfolio and impact on the profession earned her the AIA Architects Medal in 2011, and who nominated Jones for this year’s prestigious award. Jones has humbly set the trophy aside, just as he has the other 207 design awards he’s earned during his career. And a remarkable career it has been.

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APRIL 2019

Writer Amanda Christmann imagesar iz ona om Photography by.c Brandon Tigrett

BUILDING A FOUNDATION Forty years ago, Jones Studio was launched from the third bedroom of Jones’s modest house. “Back then, it was easy,” he said with a deep belly laugh. “I had no student loans and had all the equipment I needed from college. I didn’t even have to invest in a computer because they were not invented yet. All I had to do was glue the name of my studio to the right of my front door.” It was a rough set-up. He had no health insurance and no savings account to fall back on. The roof leaked in his “conference room,” which was really his dining room, so monsoon season meant he and his clients had to step around a bucket to get to his table. “I am so grateful for my clients,” he added. “My clients took a leap of faith and trusted me. I just kept plugging away, day after day.” His efforts paid off. Jones Studio’s current Tempe location is not only one of the most renowned firms in the West; it also functions as a center for community events and has won design awards of its own.

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BUCKING THE SYSTEM Not only has Jones held firmly to his ideals, never selling out to cookie cutter design; he has been a warrior in advocating for positive change. In the early 1990s, before the terms “green” and “sustainability” were mainstream, APS sponsored a design competition. The challenge, to build a three-bedroom home using energysaving, passive design principles and technology, was motivated by the utility’s desire to avoid building another containment building at their existing nuclear power plant. It was in APS’s best interest to reduce energy consumption, but it was in Eddie Jones’s intrinsic conscience to create buildings that would reduce impact on the environment. He and his employees not only met contest expectations; they exceeded them. In 1994, the home he envisioned was built and opened to the public, and it became the gold standard for sustainable homebuilding in Arizona. His work led to Arizona’s PBS Channel 8 producing a six-part documentary on the project. A college textbook called “The Environment Comes Home,” still utilized today, was published about the home in 1994. That contest would not be Jones’ only groundbreaking project to develop environmentally friendly design. It was only the beginning. Prior to 1998, the City of Phoenix had never issued a building permit for anything but traditional building materials. Jones pushed the envelope and caused a bit of controversy at City Hall when he submitted an application for a rammed earth home. It was not easy to convince the building department that rammed earth was a

structurally solid, viable alternative to what they’d always known, but anyone who knows Jones knows that he’s not one to back down on his laurels. Eventually, after six months of showing up at City Hall to present data and to educate city officials, Jones won. He became the first architect in Arizona to receive a permit for a rammed earth building in Phoenix, and later secured similar permits in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. It wasn’t only a success for Jones; he paved the way for architects throughout the state to use innovative alternative building materials. He broke new ground a short time later as the first architect in the country to use TREX, a recycled building material used most often for stairs, decks and patios, for a vertical application on his building at 44th Street and Thomas in Phoenix. Today, TREX can be found in vertical applications across the nation thanks, in large part, to his efforts. And, when the City of Tempe refused to approve a dirt parking lot for his current studio site, Jones once again put his powers of persuasion to work. He recognized that the Phoenix metro area has far too much asphalt, which has led to a significant negative environmental impact, so he developed a plan that would allow his parking lot to function with dual purpose, and with minimal impact. His plan was to bury a 2,500-gallon rainwater storage tank beneath its surface and to use a mixture of materials to create efficient drainage. Eventually, the City of Tempe signed off on the plan. Today, the lot always remains dry and is shaded by a beautiful surround of trees, which are watered by the retention tank below. It was yet another example of Jones’s ingenuity for the greater good. APRIL 2019

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AN UNEXPECTED CONTROVERSY In 2006, Jones found himself the subject of a politically motivated skirmish he could not have dreamed. The race for Governor was a contentious one that year, and the Arizona 9/11 Memorial, which Jones had partnered with CoLAB Architecture to design, became a pawn for Republican nominee Len Munsilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign. The 2,000-square-foot memorial was built with a steel visor with laser-cut inscriptions meant to signify the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many reactions to the tragedy. Throughout the day, as the sun moves across the sky, each inscription is illuminated on the ground below for a few minutes before fading out and making way for another inscription. Though the state historian amassed them, Munsil took exception to some of the quotes used in the design, saying they were anti-American. Because the memorial is in the shape of a crescent, Munsil also incited anger in his voters by saying it was pro-Muslim. He vowed that, if he won the election, he would have it removed. Jones and his CoLAB colleagues were unwillingly at the epicenter of the highly publicized controversy. Jones believed, and still believes, that the memorial was designed to create much-needed dialogue, and to serve as a place to reflect upon the circumstances that led to, and that followed, the greatest act of terrorism in United States history. In the end, Munsil lost the race, and the Arizona 9/11 Memorial still stands proudly at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza.

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SIGHTS ON THE FUTURE Though his career has seen many highs, and even a few lows, it is the future that most excites Jones. “I am very optimistic,” he said with a voice that can only be described as jolly. “I think today’s young people have their heads on straight for the most part. They have a social conscience, and they are far more prepared to collaborate and far more able to engage with the larger community. “They’re eager to learn, they’re damned smart, and I can see their enthusiasm. It’s great.” He’s enjoying every day of his career, which recently involves a wide range of projects, from awardwinning ports of entry to public spaces (Thunderbird School of Global Management in downtown Phoenix, Pomona Community Center in Hermosillo, Mexico and South Mountain Community College Performing Arts Center are just three feathers in his cap), to truly stunning residential designs. “All of my clients are wonderful,” he says. “All of my projects, regardless of scale, are uplifting and make me want to get up in the morning.” When asked what project he’s most proud of, Jones responds with a typical “Eddie-ism”: “The next one!” he exclaims. “It’s always the next one that’s going to be the best." Though it is evident that he loves his work, it’s something entirely different that truly has his heart. At the AIA Awards Gala, as he took the stage, it was his wife, children and grandchildren who cheered loudest. “My family was there, and that’s what made me the most proud to receive that recognition,” he said with emotion in his voice. “You think you don’t care about those types of things, but then they happen. Being surrounded by my family and seeing how proud they were, I thought, ‘Wow, I do care.’” jonesstudioinc.com

APRIL 2019

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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Inge Johnsson

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Nankoweap Cactus

To fall in love with the desert is to walk a ledge between danger and beauty. Our desert is Natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s study of contrasts. Glorious purple mountains that appear with each sunrise turn bristled and brown as the day wears on. Merciless skies offer the parched earth no reprieve until monsoon rains drown it with floods, and the khakis and ecrus of monochromatic summers turn into a desert floor brilliantly dotted with yellows, purples, pinks and oranges. This month, Images Arizona magazine celebrates our desert contrast with Shadows and Light. Swedish-born photographer Inge Johnsson, whose work has been featured in Popular Photography, National Geographic Traveler, Smithsonian magazine and Texas Highways, has captured the darkness and luminance of the Arizona desert beautifully in his photographs, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our pleasure to share them with you.

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Monument Valley Totem Poles

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Inge Johnsson was born in the small town of Kalskrona, Sweden, where he lived for the first 30 years of his life. By the mid-1980s, inspired by the sights and people he met while traveling throughout Europe, his passion for photography had been born.

Monument Valley Yeibichei Sunrise

“Part of it was being inspired by my younger brother and some photographer friends of his, and part was just the sense that I wanted to capture what I saw when I was traveling to different places and countries,” he explains. “When I went on trips around Europe and eventually the U.S., shooting slide and negative film at the time, I found myself wanting to better capture all the places I saw and visited. I started to read photo magazines for inspiration. That, of course, helped also, having some visual references and 'how to tips' to apply.”

Grand Canyon Matkatamiba

In 1993, he moved to the United States and continued to capture the world around him in photographs. His trademark has been his unique perspective on color and contrast.

Studhorse Sunburst

“I cannot say that it was some profound experience or sudden realization, but rather a very long evolution,” he says of his photography style. “I will say that seeing the work of Ansel Adams and David Muench did have a great influence on me. The way they captured the landscapes with tones, light and shadow, near-to-far perspective, and perfect technical execution was a great inspiration for me. Later on, the work of other photographers such as Jack Dykinga and Galen Rowell also provided inspiration, especially in how they approached colors. “There is no doubt that the desert Southwest, and in particular Arizona,

has always been one of my absolute favorite subjects. There are so many other places I have fond memories of, such as Toroweap, Canyon de Chelly, Hunts Mesa, the area around Page and Coyote Buttes, to name a few.” When it comes to his passion, Johnsson has learned that patience is key. “One thing I do differently than some landscape and travel photographers is that I really try to stay in a particular area for a somewhat long time so that I can see it in different types of light in terms of angle, intensity, softness and color. “I may take a nap midday while waiting for the afternoon and evening light. I just observe and wait for the ‘right’ light. It is hard to describe exactly what that it is, as it is very personal, subjective and different for every subject. I can just tell when time is right, the way the light and shadows accentuate textures, create depth or that special ‘inner glow.’” Like most Valley residents discover, the desert provides more than simple beauty; for those who choose to look, it offers an indelible connection to nature. “Without doubt my most memorable photographic experience in Arizona was a 12-day rafting trip through the entire length of the Grand Canyon, from Lee's Ferry to Lake Mead. This provided such an immersive and intimate relationship with the fantastic nature on the river, in the Grand Canyon, and all the side canyons we hiked.” Johnsson currently resides in Frisco, Texas, though his heart remains without an address. fineartamerica.com APRIL 2019

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April is National Poetry Month, and there is no better way to honor the magic of language than to pair it with thoughtful imagery.

Monument Valley Teardrop

TELL ME YOUR SECRETS

Inge Johnsson’s photography captures the raw, age-old beauty and power of the desert. Largely untouched by human hands, the shadows seem to hold the secrets of the gods. Though the cliffs of Mt. Olympus are far from our Sonoran Desert, ancient Greek gods would surely fall in love here. In Greek mythology, Nyx, the goddess of night and darkness, was the mother of Hemera, the goddess of daylight. Hemera’s daughter was the Earth goddess Gaia. They are just three of the actors in a performance with a never-ending daily encore that begins in the moments before sunrise.

Through shadows and light, a timeless saga plays out, and the secrets of the desert are revealed—or are they?

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Wave Colorful Stripes

Zeus, god of the skies and the most powerful of the deities, was famously known for his improprieties with nymphs, who were goddesses of nature, and humans. The poem suggests that Zeus, angry because he fails to find love, causes the rains that the desert desperately needs.

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White Pocket Sunrise

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Antelope Abstract Curve

Tell Me Your Secrets Writer Amanda Christmann

Within the folds of Nyxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skirts the secrets, they do hide; sandstone cliffs sun-baked abyss weigh life and death the same. Obsidian skies turn ashen gray as dust begins to stir; empyrean fires older than time burn pink and tangerine. On eastern winds floats Hemera her luminous fingers reaching; in glory she shines upon scenes sublime her reckless flames scorch Gaiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flesh. Woe are the weathered branches and arms begging to Sky for sweet rains; the serpents coil on barren soil and predators become prey. In lustful search, Zeus draws near but finds no nymphs or mortals; in a fit of rage his storms assuage adorning thorns with blooms. Through a veil of seven folds the secrets are revealed; tales of the ages on harlequin stages with curtains made of stone.

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Matt Josef may not look like a typical artist. In fact, with his cowboy hat and youthful smile, he looks like he’d be more than comfortable driving a pickup truck to a cattle lot in his native Oklahoma. Yet more days than not, Josef can be found in his Jerome studio surrounded by tubes of acrylic paints, earnestly focused on a canvas as an image summons itself one brush stroke at a time. A contemporary Western artist, Josef has developed a style that resonates with cowboy and modern art collectors alike. As an autodidactic artist, his images are born more out of instinct than adherence to a particular style. Many of his images are a nod to abstract expressionism. It’s no surprise that Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning are among his favorite artists. In his backgrounds, Josef sometimes utilizes the drip technique, or action painting, that Pollock made famous. For example, one beautiful painting titled “Room to Run” features five mustangs running across a canvas filled with a speckled background. Taken as a whole, the eye turns the abstruse scene into something that somehow feels organic and natural. Other paintings more closely reflect de Kooning’s influence, particularly the passages of bright color found in works beyond de Kooning’s black and white period. Several of Josef’s paintings feature pop art-style repetitive images over de Kooning-esque foundations.

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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Bryan Black

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“Something amazing pushed me outside of all my comfort zones when I began studying de Kooning’s work,” Josef explained. “I became so intrigued by ‘Woman 1,’ which was considered at the time to be one of the most controversial portraits ever painted of a woman in the history of art.” The parallel between de Kooning’s execution of “Woman 1” and Josef’s process cannot be ignored. Despite the fact that the strokes that make up “Woman 1” appear haphazard and quick, it took de Kooning over two years to complete. de Kooning agonized over each color and line, scraping and painting over parts he was unhappy with. Though Josef seldom takes so long, his mindfulness and intention are similar, and it speaks of the profound influence de Kooning has had on his work. As a boy who grew up in small-town Oklahoma, and whose passion for art had always been fed by his mother, Josef knew he wanted to create. By the time he was 15, Josef had decided that he was going to turn art into a career. “You kind of start getting to that age where society is having an influence on you,” he said. “I knew I was going to be making art for the rest of my life. I had several conversations with older artists who’d gotten a late start in their art careers. They took a liking to me and they said, ‘Boy, if only I could have gotten started at your age, where I could have been now!’ “Something stuck with me. I realized that, if I was going to achieve my dreams and goals, I would have to make sacrifices. “At 15, I committed to not having family or wife until I developed my art, and I committed to making it a career by putting in 40 hours a week to do it.” Despite his drive and desire to create, he hadn’t yet found his own style. de Kooning offered a direction that Josef had not yet realized.

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“I came across a book in Barnes and Noble—a biography of de Kooning,” Josef said. “I sunk myself into that book. It became almost religious to me. My eyes lit up.” Even recalling the memory over a decade later, Josef’s face brightened and his voice became excited.

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“Up until that point, I had always been known as the kid who could draw. My family and everybody around me thought I was the world’s greatest artist. I could probably have had an art show at any church in the state, but as an artist, I thought, ‘There’s got to be more in me than ‘pretty’ art.’ “de Kooning was the opposite of ‘pretty.’ He was provocative, and he was doing something I had never seen. It helped push me just a whole ’nother direction. It just grew.” Josef built an audience and a fame base for his work and continued to look for inspiration. He created his own impromptu shows in warehouses, barns and basements. He painted his way from New Mexico to Seattle and showed his work from Portland to New York City. While honing his own creative voice, he admired the work of artists he met and looked to mentors for constructive criticism and inspiration. He also studied the raw, edgy work of Frieda Kahlo and the creativity of Georgia O'Keeffe, adding bits and pieces of their influence to his work. In Taos and Santa Fe, he became friends with several Southwest artists. “That’s when I got behind the scenes and everything opened wide up,” he said. “I saw the reality of the art world—at least the Southwest art world: the goods, the bads and the uglies. “I learned, probably more than anything, what I didn’t want my career to be. It was a pivotal moment in life and career. I found myself looking

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at a lot of successful artists in that region and not liking what I saw.” He returned to Oklahoma for a family visit, and in a fortuitous turn of events, Josef found himself at a professional turning point at about the same time his opportunities were drying up. “Normally I always had a pipeline of interest that trickled in. There were no sales and no interest. At first I got frustrated, then I finally just embraced it. “I went out into the pasture behind my barn studio where we had a couple of old quarter horses. I gave them some loving, and I said, ‘Do you guys mind if I paint you?’ “I’d had people tell me before that I should paint horses, and even though I had done a couple of horses sketches years before, I hadn’t done anything on a horse in years. The next painting I did was ‘Angel in the Pasture.’” That painting began as an abstract, and it actually came about quite by accident. His young nephew, who was a preschooler at the time, came into Josef’s studio. Before anyone could stop him, he’d grabbed a brush and put a blob of blue paint right in the middle. “I thought, ‘What am I going to do with it now?’ When I came back in to paint the horses a few days later, I looked at that painting and knew a horse was supposed to be right there where my nephew left his mark. That space was perfect. It’s probably my favorite painting I’ve ever done.”

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It was the evolution of a new style for Josef, and not only has it grown his audience, but it feels right to the artist. “I saw so much opportunity and freedom within the realm of becoming more abstract, more expressionist—becoming more loose. My art is constantly a work in progress,” he said, “but I’ve found more of my voice in my style than ever before.” After opening dozens of studios and creating his own artistic brand, Josef had decided to take a break from gallery exhibits and focus on travel and events. From his Jerome studio, he’s had time to experiment with colors and ideas. “I took a break and really held off on pursuing galleries,” he said. “I’ve been really taking my time to try my best to find the right fit. I have good opportunities on a regular basis and I turn them down.

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“The wall space is out there. That’s easy. I want more than that, though. I want a relationship, and I want someone to see something in me.” He found that fit in Carefree’s Grace Renee Gallery. “I love the energy they’ve created in their showroom,” he said. “I want to work with a great gallery, whether that gallery has been around for a long time or it’s a new gallery. I see a lot of potential with what the owner, Shelly Spence, is doing and I really dig what she’s about.” As for the future, Josef envisions creating a legacy— both through art, and with art as a tool for something bigger. “Maybe I create enough that, financially, I’m helping generations to come. I think that’s the ultimate career goal with it. My personal goal is to make sure that I enjoy the journey.” With a smile the size of Oklahoma he added, “All we really have is right now. It’s great to have big dreams and big ideas, but at the end of the day, if you don’t love who’s around you, it’s not worth it.” gracereneegallery.com

APRIL 2019

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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Courtesy of Hope4Kids

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As you read this, women and children across the world are walking miles on end carrying jerry cans and wide aluminum pans in their daily quest for water. Once they are filled from ponds, streams and rivers, the heavy containers are hoisted atop heads and gingerly carried back home, where the water can be used for drinking, cooking and bathing. Turning on our water faucets to clean, fresh water is a process we tend to take for granted, and it’s easy to forget that others aren’t so fortunate. One local organization, Water4Kids International, a division of Hope4Kids International, is doing something to help—and you can, too. The third annual Walk4Water in Cave Creek will take place April 6, beginning and ending at Saddlecreek Coffee. The two-mile walk will honor the women and children who travel that distance, and often more, to fetch water each day. The goal of the walk is to raise funds to build deep-water wells in the remote Ugandan villages of Nansaka and Kanyogaga, and to raise awareness of the worldwide issues regarding clean water. Though the daily walk for water that people around the world endure is inconvenient and physically difficult, those issues are not the primary concern. “The number 1 killer of children 5 years old and younger in Uganda are diseases related to unclean water,” said event organizer Peggy O’Rourke. “These are diseases that, in America, would be 100 percent treatable.” O’Rourke has visited Uganda twice on mission trips through Hope4Kids International.

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“It was very clear to me that the water they have available to them is less than ideal,” she explained. “They’re drinking out of the same water as animals, and drinking out of the same water that people go to the bathroom in. “Nobody should have to drink dirty water. By giving a few hours of your time and inviting friends and family to sponsor you, thousands of men, women and children in these two remote villages will have clean, safe water for the first time in their lives.” Water4Kids International has already drilled over 600 wells worldwide. The $10,500 price tag that each bore hole carries includes a contingency fund that will ensure that each well will have a lifetime of about 30 years. They also have teams on the ground whose job it is to check the drilled wells annually, making sure that village administrators are keeping them operational. “This is all done with money raised by people like me,” said O’Rourke. “There is no help from the government. If it wasn’t for help from organizations like this, these people would have no water.” Walk4Water registration can be completed online, and registration is open through the morning of the event. Raffle prizes and a silent auction will be awarded at Saddlecreek Coffee. “If you can’t walk, you can donate, and that’s great,” O’Rourke said. “Every dollar helps toward building the wells.”

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Phoenix artist Kim Walker has a message, but it isn’t something that her gentle smile or carefully chosen words can say. Instead, she is sharing pieces of herself that have taken a lifetime of experiences and lessons to cultivate, and she shares them through visual art and poetic expression. Among the paint and supplies in her workshop are stacks of books and magazines. Though she’s probably read them all, it isn’t what’s published inside that counts. Instead, they hold pages upon pages of pressed treasures—flower blooms, leaves and stems—that she’ll use for her creations. “All of my art uses natural elements,” she explains, her blond hair falling gracefully to the side of her naturally pretty face. “I collect things from nature and press them, then later they are integrated into my work. It’s something I picked up along part of my journey when I was attending Arizona State University.” Though her journey may sound traditional on the surface, it’s far from it. Kim had never gone to college when she met her husband, Rob. He had two young daughters, Jenny and Jacky, at the time, and Kim fell in love with the trio. It was mutual, and together they decided to become a family. Robby and Annie came along, and then they were six.

SOMETHING SPECIAL When their son Robby was born, they began to notice something was a little “different” about him. “Even when he was tiny, Robby was off the charts. For example, he had a great attention span. He’d play with his building blocks for hours. It was the first time I’d had a baby, so I didn’t know that wasn’t normal. I just used to think, ‘Well isn’t that adorable!’” Robby began teaching himself to read at the age of 3, and in preschool, he could compute math problems faster than Kim could punch the numbers into a calculator. His preschool teachers told the couple they’d never seen a child like Robby, and when he started kindergarten, it became even more clear that, academically, Robby was not like the other children.

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Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Loralei Lazurak APRIL 2019

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What also became clear was that parenting Robby was going to require some tough decisions. Kim and Rob didn’t want to hold their son back, but they also didn’t want to thrust him into a world in which, socially, he’d be far beyond his years.

CREATIVE EDUCATION Fortunately, they weren’t in it alone. Robby’s teachers wanted to see him succeed, too. One of them suggested that the Walkers look into ASU’s Center for Academic Precocity. The program, which was intended for gifted middle schoolers, is no longer funded, but three decades ago, it came at just the right time for the Walkers. Six-year-old Robby began college-level trigonometry and algebra classes though the program, and days after his ninth birthday, he began taking classes at Glendale Community College, all the while attending regular school and participating in age-appropriate sports teams. Glendale Community College picked up where ASU had left off, and each day she drove him to Glendale for advanced courses. Being supportive was a family endeavor. Kim had just as much support from Rob as she was giving to him. “My husband and I have always been supportive of our kids and each other, and we’ve always said, ‘Do what you love.’” Before long, with Robby confident in his classes, Kim found herself waiting in hallways while Robby took classes. It occurred to her that she, too, could enroll in school.

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Life is hard sometimes. I want to do something good with it, something that involves loving people.

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“I was already there, so I figured why not?” she says. “I’d never been to college and I thought, ‘I’ll take a couple of classes too.’” Robby earned his associates degree from GCC at the age of 12, and the two of them enrolled together at ASU. Kim and Robby even took some classes together. “I started taking some art classes because art had been something I enjoyed my whole life. Oh my goodness, when I was in my art classes, my heart felt like it was leaping out of my chest!” she says. As the years flew by, it was a time of growth for the whole family. Robby turned 16 and earned his honors degree in math and computer science, becoming the youngest ASU grad in the history of the school. In keeping with wanting Robby’s life to be as normal as possible, the following year he graduated from high school. Kim, who was attending classes part-time while helping with the family business, Xopax, took a little longer, but she, too earned a degree, a bachelors of fine arts in painting.

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Oh my goodness, when I was in my art classes, my heart felt like it was leaping out of my chest! “I had amazing teachers and learned so much. Something in my heart kept tugging at me, and I was learning so many amazing things.” That ‘something’ was a passion for creating, and it was fueled by her love for her family. Kim and Rob had been through the ups and downs of raising a family, and they’d faced plenty of challenges along the way. Through it all, they’d made sure they spent plenty of quality time with their children, much of which was enjoying lakes and trails together. They developed family sayings— things like “Find the silver linings,” and,“Don’t forget to look up.” Whether they were on a hike or working at a computer, she and Rob reminded each other to stop and appreciate the little moments that make life worthwhile. “We had a tradition at the dinner table where we always asked, ‘What did you learn today, and what did you do for fun?’ I wanted us to always have element of fun, because we always have things that are hard. “Life is hard sometimes. I want to do something good with it, something that involves loving people.”

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Find a Way by Kim Walker

What if we are Unique and the same Likely to share Some kudos, some blame What if we try Harder each day To come together, To find a way.

TRAGEDY TO INSPIRATION Those happy years of raising children and finding her artistic voice are a topic that flows easily from Kim’s tongue; it’s death that parks itself in the back of her throat and keeps the words from escaping. “At the end of December 1999, my mom passed away. She was only 64 when she had a stroke, and I just didn’t know where to put all of my emotions, or what to do. I ended up taking lot of long walks. “I was sitting on side of a mountain one day shortly afterward, and a breeze wrapped around me. It felt like a hug. I can’t describe it exactly, but it really helped me with my grief. “I realized that nature is phenomenal; it teaches us so many things. It can heal broken hearts. The beauty is everywhere, and what can be more beautiful than what nature does to each and every one of us? “I thought, ‘This is it. This is absolutely it.’ I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I knew beauty was the way.” It was that moment that led Kim to notice the blooms, leaves and twigs along her favorite trails, and that inspired her to incorporate them into her art. As her work became more heartcentered, something else emerged. “I don’t even know how it happened, but I started to write poetry for all of my work, and poetry became an important part. It become an important part for the people who enjoy my art also.” Dreamily, she recites from memory the first poem she wrote, a simple ode called “Offerings”: Gentle breeze, embrace me Soft rain bathe me moonlight calm me sunlight save me.

“That poem is where it all began for me,” she says. Today, she and Rob are enjoying a new phase of life. Both are following their creative pursuits, and their children, each happy in lives they’ve chosen, are thriving as adults. They also have six grandchildren who they adore. As for Robby, he went on to earn his doctorate in computer science. An entrepreneur, he imagined and built successful tech companies, the first of which was sold to Google. For the last six years, he has been a director at Apple in San Francisco. Like his parents, giving back to others remains a big priority, and his humanitarian involvement is just as impressive as his academic accomplishments. Kim’s art has been featured in galleries since before she completed her degree, and it’s become even more popular as her style has evolved. In February, it was featured in a solo exhibition at the Herberger Theater art gallery, and her works are on display in Sedona at Renee Taylor’s Vue gallery, and at galleries in Palm Desert and Washington State. Locally, it can be found at Wild Holly Gallery in Carefree. Her message remains the same. “I want everyone in the world, whether they are rich or poor, and regardless of race, color, background, or anything else that divides us, to feel that we are all held by the same gravity, that the sun warms us all, and that we can all take a glimpse into nature at any moment and understand the connectedness. “We’re more connected than disconnected, if we can only understand the profundity of it all.” wildhollygallery.com reneetaylorgallery.com

APRIL 2019

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623-742-6866 nanettemiller.com

apri l 2019

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Penne alla Vodka The perfect pasta dish for two! I love making this on date night, or any night of the week. It’s super easy to whip up in a pinch.

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 2 teaspoons jarred garlic or 2 cloves, finely minced 2–3 tablespoon tomato paste (jar or tube) pinch red pepper flakes 1 ounce vodka 1/2 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup penne pasta (or whatever you have on hand) 1/2 cup saved pasta water

Directions: Bring salted water to a boil in large pot. Add pasta and cook according to directions. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add onion. Cook until just starting to brown. Add garlic, stirring. Add tomato paste and red pepper flakes. Cook until bubbling over medium heat. Add vodka and let bubble for a couple of minutes. Turn heat to low and add heavy cream, stirring constantly. When pasta is done, use a slotted spoon to transfer pasta to skillet. Don't worry about excess water. You’ll need this to make the sauce. Scoop out 1/2 cup of pasta water and add to skillet, a little at a time, stirring until creamy and the consistency you prefer. It will thicken up as it sits, so it should be pretty "saucy."

Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

kyndraclaire.com

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Add about half of the parmesan cheese, stirring until combined. Top with remaining parmesan and additional red pepper flakes, if desired.

APRIL 2019

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