Images Arizona November 2019 by Images Arizona Magazine

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SOARING WITH PETER KUTTNER Writer Amanda Christmann Photography Submitted by Grace Renee Gallery

COMMUNITY EVENTS Writer Joseph J. Airdo

FALL FEATHERS Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Adrienne McLeod

ARCHITECTURE IN MOTION Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Photography Courtesy of Sharen Bradford

SUE HUNTER HIDDEN IN THE HILLS COVER ARTIST Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography courtesy of Sue Hunter

CARAMEL APPLE STICKY BUNS Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

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Anthem resident, Theresa Vogel, has had a life long interest in fitness. She became a member of Sweat and immediately loved the members and community feel of the gym and jumped at the opportunity to acquire this business and become one of the owners. “I love the gym atmosphere and I am really looking forward to making significant improvements to the business along the lines of adding new equipment, technology, and most of all making the client experience second to none,” says Theresa Vogel. Since the acquisition 3 months ago numerous changes have been made to improve the membership experience: New equipment (and more on the way)! Evaluation of technology to enhance the Sweat experience at the gym, at home and when on the road Focus on creating simplicity and transparency for the members across the business Creating mechanisms for membership feedback at all times

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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

MANAGING EDITOR Amanda Christmann

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Meaghan Hanie

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

PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Kyndra Kelly Loralei Lazurek Carl Schultz

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

Images Arizona P.O. Box 1416 Carefree, AZ. 85377 623-341-8221 imagesarizona.com Submission of news for community section should be in to

Looking through the pages of this month’s colorful edition of Images Arizona magazine, I have to say—wow! What an incredibly dynamic and talented community this is that we call home! It’s a gift to be surrounded by so many people who are pursuing their passions while they make beautiful and meaningful marks on the world. This month, Sonoran Arts League’s signature Hidden in the Hills returns to the North Valley, and I hope you are as excited as I am! Just shy of 200 artists will show off their work in more than 40 working studios across our area. It’s one of my favorite events of the year, not only because I love to meet so many fantastic local artists, but because Hidden in the Hills is a unique opportunity to see artists at work, and to learn about the inspirations behind their unique artistic voices. It’s the stories behind what we all do that make us feel connected, and telling those stories is what we’ve been doing at Images Arizona for 16 years. I’d be remiss if I didn’t shine a spotlight on our own talented writers, photographers and designers, who have outdone themselves this month. Our Images Arizona family is made up of parents, husbands, wives, and active members of our community who love what they do. Every month, I’m amazed at how they overcome family challenges, full schedules, and other often significant obstacles to put together what I believe is the best locally focused magazine in the greater Phoenix area.

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

Local First A R I Z O NA

The best part for me is to watch the collaboration, connection and genuine respect our Images Arizona team has for each other as they make it all happen. Every month, they make me proud to be part of something so wonderful. I hope you feel the same as you browse through the pages of this month’s edition. Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

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ANCIENT + OLD TRUNK SHOW Wed. & Thur. 10

| Dec. 4–5 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

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

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

ANCIENT + OLD TRUNK SHOW Wed. & Thur.

| Dec. 4–5 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

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

Writer Amanda Christmann

i mSubmitted a g e s a r i z oby n aGrace . c o m Renee Nov Gallery e m b e r 2 019 Photography 12

Some artists approach a canvas with dreams in their heads, dipping brushes into paint and watching with fascination as work spontaneously emerges. Other artists yield to a process, layer by layer, their ideas materializing in a labor of love.

MAKING MEMORIES H WESTERN STYLE

OLD WEST SPIRIT NEW WEST TALENT

The work of artist Peter Kuttner straddles a wavering line between improvisation and process. Though his whimsical landscapes seem to appear impromptu, Kuttner has perfected a step-by-step method of creating the vivid swirls of color that seem to pop from his canvas. As a young artist, Kuttner admired an unlikely pair of artists: Walt Disney and Claude Monet. Looking at Kuttner’s art, it all makes sense. The bulk of his work involves playful scenes of brightly colored hot air balloons, boats or flowers. He has a knack for capturing a nearly animated spirit of happiness in all he does, which, like Disney, is part of his allure. Whirls of color fill Kuttner’s still life creations, an ode to Monet’s Garden at Giverny and other classics. Though Kuttner is not an impressionist artist, he seems to channel the purity of Monet’s aesthetic.

A UNIQUE MEDIUM At the heart of Kuttner’s work is a conscientious effort to create zero-waste art. “It started from a conservation standpoint. I didn’t like throwing things way—I still don’t,” he said. “I would scrape my palettes for the next day and I’d end up with these vibrant paint chips. I saw that there was value in them.” In a nod to both creativity and sustainability, Kuttner combines trickles and drops of acrylic paints to make brightly colored chips. He skillfully trims and combines them to form balloons and other elements. Pieces from his Cut-Out series have been compared to the work of Matisse in their utilitarian simplicity. Kuttner utilizes negative space and abstracted details to create lively and mesmerizing texture and depth. Though his name is now dropped into conversations about notable contemporary artists, Kuttner remains modest about his art.

6130 East Cave Creek Road • Cave Creek, AZ

www.lastiendascavecreek.com N ovember 2019

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“I don’t do many elevator pitches,” he says from his Tucson studio. He laughs from beneath the brim of a brown cap. His stubble is a couple of days old, and he looks relaxed in a brown t-shirt. Like his work, he is disarmingly candid. “The first thing I want to do when I create a piece is make it colorful and happy. I like to go to this happy feeling with my work. “I’m also process-oriented. There are a lot of steps I follow to get there. To make paint scrapes, I paint on glass or on a mirror, and then I let that dry. Once it’s dry, I cover it with gesso and let it dry again so I can pull the paint off the glass. “The whole process provides brilliant, pure, unadulterated color that you just can’t get from mixing colors on a canvas. Every time, there are unforeseen things that happen. I love the spontaneity of color production.” Kuttner’s methods and skill have evolved over time. “My first attempts were really bad paintings, but I got better at it. I feel like I’m still getting better at it every time, and I’ve been doing the Cut-out series for 10 years.”

SETTING HIS OWN COURSE Kuttner’s work has been embraced by Architectural Digest magazine; in popular films and television shows, including Californication, Two and a Half Men, and Nashville; and has been exhibited alongside other prominent American contemporary artists in shows, museums, and private, royal and corporate collections from coast to coast. Not bad for a guy who entered college thinking he could never make it as an artist. Kuttner grew up just south of Boston. His mother was also an artist, though she never received formal training, and his father was a musician. “My mother did illustrations, and I really loved watching her draw. I discovered early on that I loved art, too,” he said. “In first grade, my teacher had the whole class create crayon drawings, then put watercolors on top of that. It was a resistance-type painting. The best part was that we got to show our drawings at the local library. “It was my first art show. I still remember how I loved having people see my work, and I also remember that I

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

saw a difference in my work from the other kids’ work.”

“

The work of artist Peter Kuttner straddles a wavering line between improvisation and process. Though his whimsical landscapes seem to appear impromptu, Kuttner has perfected a stepby-step method of

“

creating the vivid

swirls of color that seem to pop from his canvas.

EXPERIENCE

For as long as he can remember, Kuttner had wanted to be a Disney animator. He spent hour upon hour drawing sketches, and he was quite good. When it came time to choose a college degree, however, he tried to be more practical. “When I went to college, I didn’t know I was going to be an artist,” he said. “I majored in art history because I thought I’d have an easier time getting a job afterward. Fortunately, I had teachers tell me, ‘You’ve got a talent. Why don’t you pursue a degree at an art college?’ I did, and thankfully I found a great art school. Kuttner transferred to Ringling School of Art & Design in Florida, which was, at the time, a farm school for Disney animators. However, times were changing. At about the same time he graduated, animation turned away from hand-drawn sketches to digital imagery. He did realize his dream of working at Disney World, but not as an animator. Instead, he dressed up as a cloddish cowboy named Judge Benedict and served food in one of the restaurants. “I worked for Disney for eight years,” he said. “I learned a lot of good things and bad things—but I kept all the good things. I never worked in their animation studio at all, but I got to visit quite a bit. Disney definitely gave me a lot.” In his spare time, Kuttner painted. He worked in oils en plein air creating landscapes.

“I didn’t know it would get me this far.” Eventually, he moved to Phoenix and began working in an art cooperative. He developed new techniques in his own paintings, but he also earned commissions recreating work for the cooperative. “I learned a lot about business and art,” he said. “I didn’t enjoy recreating other people’s work. When I left, I made sure that everything I created was brand new and that it was nothing anyone had ever seen. I worked hard.” He began selling his work through local galleries in 2004. His style and medium have evolved along the way, and he’s continued to find ways to connect to people through art. His latest works featuring hot air balloons were inspired by a trip to New Mexico where he watched the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Many of his newer pieces will be on display at Grace Renee Gallery during an artist reception Nov. 21. “I’m very proud that I do art for a living,” he said. “I feel like I’m fortunate that I kind of stumbled into something I really loved.” Every bit of happiness Kuttner puts into his paintings seems to come back to him. “I’ve gotten so much value and so much—I don’t know—I hate to use the term ‘healing’—but working with color does something to you. I feel lucky every day that I do what I do.” gracereneegallery.com

“I loved color,” he said. “It made sense to start painting.” His face broke into a shy smile.

— ITALIAN DESIGNER JEWELRY WEEKEND —

NOVEMBER 8–10

.. .

Friday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wine and Appetizers: 4 – 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

.. .. . .. . .. . ..

.. ..

From highly polished silver by Pesavento to chic South Sea pearls by Alessandra Dona, to the exquisite hand-textured gold by Nanis, experience three different designers—ultimately feminine and uniquely Italian.

— PAUL PLETKA “ SARSI ” PAINTING —

NOVEMBER 14

.. .. .. .. .. ..

“Sarsi,” a Paul Pletka original painting, has been released from a private collection and is now available on display and for purchase for the first time ever, exclusively at Grace Renee Gallery.

Thursday: 4 - 7 p.m. Wine and appetizers served

— GOSHWARA JEWELRY — .. .. .. . .. . .. .. ..

. ..

Historic Spanish Village

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NOVEMBER 15–16

Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wine and appetizers: 4 - 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sweta Jain’s collection infuses couture with a sumptuous variety of color. Soft shapes and playful sophistication make this jewelry showcase one you won’t want to miss.

7212 E. Ho Hum Rd. # 7, Carefree, AZ 85377

480.575.8080

— ARTIST RECEPTION WITH PETER KUTTNER —

NOVEMBER 21 ..

Thursday: 4–7 p.m. Wine and Appetizers.

.. .. .. .. .. ..

Artist Peter Kuttner’s work embodies a simple yet thoughtful contemporary retrospective. Meet Peter and see for yourself why his work has been featured in national publications, popular films and television shows, museums and private, royal, and corporate collections worldwide.

Grace Renee Gallery is a refreshingly beautiful way to explore fine contemporary art in the breathtaking shadows of the Sonoran Desert foothills of Carefree, Arizona. Artfully designed jewelry, inspiring sculptures, spectacular wall art, stunning ceramics and more await.

UPCOMING EVENTS — AARON HENRY JEWELRY — ..

NOVEMBER 22–23

.. ..

Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wine and appetizers: 4 - 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

.. .. .. .. ..

Meet the father and son team behind this luxury jewelry collection. Each brilliant piece is hand-crafted bringing classical Old World quality to modern design.

— JACQUELINE EARLE JEWELRY — .. .

DECEMBER 6 - 7

.. .. .. . .. .. . ..

. ..

Friday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wine and appetizers: 4 - 8 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Jacqueline creates magical jewelry with diamonds that are strung rather than set. This process allows each stone to capture light in a fun and playful manner.

GraceReneeGallery.com N ovember 2019

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COMMUNITY

2019 NOVEMBER

Writer Joseph J. Airdo

Nov. 8–10

ITALIAN JEWELRY DESIGNER WEEKEND Grace Renee Gallery will feature jewelry from three different Italian designers—from highly polished silver by Pesavento, to chic South Sea pearls by Alessandra Donà to the exquisite hand-textured gold by Nanis. Free. Friday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 1–24

SETH FAIRWEATHER: INDIVIDUAL VOICE

Nov. 2–29

EARTH COLORS

a select group of artists and retailers. Free. 5–7 p.m. 6554 E. Cave Creek

Experience Dennis Kleidon’s paintings

Road, Cave Creek. 480-828-0987;

Discover the thought-provoking glass

at the WHAM West Gallery’s Textures

skinrevisionaz.com

and steel sculptures of artist Seth

of Taliesin exhibit, inspired by the

Fairweather through this impressive

desert boulders used to build Frank

exhibition. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Bryant Nagel

Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West. Kleidon’s

Galleries, 431 SR 179, Sedona. 928-282-

paintings express the earth colors of

6865; bryantnagelgalleries.com

the boulders and adapt their textures to many hues. Free. Tuesday–Saturday

Nov. 2, 3

CELEBRATE AMERICA

10 a.m.–4 p.m. The WHAM West Gallery, 16560 N. Dysart Road, Surprise. 623-584-8311; wham-art.org

In its first concert of the season, ProMusica Arizona presents American music including Broadway, folk tunes,

Nov. 7

BEHIND THE SCENES OF HIDDEN IN THE HILLS Go behind the scenes and meet some of the artists participating in this year’s Hidden in the Hills Showcase. Try your hand at several different art

Nov. 6

processes and watch a visual slide tour of artists in action in their unique

as a salute to servicemen and women

DISCOVER YOUR INNER BEAUTY

with the stirring piece “Armed Forces:

Come celebrate SkinRevision’s new

Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road,

The Pride of America.” See website for

Cave Creek location and Nurse

Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

times, pricing and venues. 623-326-

Kelly’s anniversary with the company.

5172; pmaz.org

Enjoy light bites and sips along with

spiritual and patriotic music as well

some pre-holiday shopping fun with

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studios in preparation for the event. Free. 12:30–2:30 p.m. Desert Foothills

Nov. 9

AT&T VETERANS CHARITY 3-MILER Come walk or run either a one-mile or a three-mile course around the Carefree Desert Gardens and downtown Carefree. Proceeds benefit Helping Hands for Freedom and other veterans’ charities. Bring a non-perishable food item to support Foothills Food Bank. 9 a.m. Carefree Town Hall, 8 E. Sundial Circle, Carefree. 480-488-3686; attveterans.org

Nov. 9

KIWANIS OF CAREFREE PANCAKE BREAKFAST Enjoy a morning of all-you-can-eat pancakes that yields a good time with friends, family and neighbors while supporting the community. Adults $8; Children 14 and under $4. 7–11 a.m. Carefree Town Center Gardens, 101 Easy St., Carefree. kiwaniscarefree.org

Nov. 9

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL Celebrate Native American heritage and honor the contributions of all U.S. veterans. The event, which will feature the 19th Annual Veterans Day Weekend Traditional Pow Wow, will include colorful regalia, dancing, music, Native arts and crafts, kids’ activities, artist demonstrations and food trucks. Free. 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Arizona State University’s West campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Road, Glendale. asuevents.asu.edu

Nov. 11

CAREFREE’S VETERANS DAY HONOR Carefree will honor the sacrifice of military service members and their families in ensuring our nation’s freedom. This year’s event will feature guest speakers and a mixture of patriotic and military music. Free. 3–5 p.m. Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, 101 Easy St., Carefree. 480-488-3686; visitcarefree.com

N ovember 2019

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Nov. 14

PAUL PLETKA’S SARSI “Sarsi,” a Paul Pletka original painting, will be on display and available for purchase for the first time ever. With wine and appetizers. Free. 4–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-5758080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 11

PHOENIX TAKEOVER AT CARTWRIGHT’S

ellipses. Free. 10 a.m. Anthem Veterans

Daniel McCarthy, Maricopa County

Memorial, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak

Recorder candidate Stephen Richer,

Parkway, Anthem. onlineatanthem.com

Maricopa County Sheriff candidate Jerry Sheridan and Corporation

Nov. 12

Commission candidates Lea Marquez

with Arizona wines. $250. 6:30 p.m.

HARVEST MOON FEAST

p.m. Anthem Civic Center, 3701 W.

Cartwright’s Modern Cuisine, 6710

This fundraiser for Arizona’s Careers

Anthem Way, Anthem. 623-742-6000

E. Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek.

Through Culinary Arts Program

cartwrightsmoderncuisine.com/events

features Valley chefs cooking with

Chefs from around the country will showcase their best dishes paired

students as well as live and silent

Nov. 11

SALUTE OUR NATION’S HEROES Anthem’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony will honor the service of all

Nov. 15, 16

auctions. $125+. 6 p.m. Ocotillo

GOSHWARA JEWELS

Restaurant, 3243 N. Third Street,

Sweta Jain’s Goshwara collection

Phoenix. ccapinc.org

infuses couture with a sumptuous variety of colors. This special jewelry

Nov. 12

showcase features soft shapes and playful sophistication. Free. Friday 10

pay special tribute to service members

MEET THE 2020 GOP CANDIDATES

of the World War II-era. The program

Prepare for the upcoming election

Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho

will conclude with the solar illumination

by getting to know the GOP

Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-575-

of the Great Seal of the United States

candidates. Confirmed attendees

8080; gracereneegallery.com

through the five armed services pillar

include U.S. Senate candidate

veterans and their families, as well as

Peterson and Eric Sloan. 6–8:30

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

a.m.–8 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Upcoming Community Events The following events are free and open to the public. Please join us! STAR PARTIES Nov. 21, 2019 Jan. 23, 2020 Feb. 20, 2020 Mar. 19, 2020 Apr. 16, 2020

More Info:

JAZZ CONCERT STEAMtastic Apr. 16, 2020 Mar. 5, 2020

paradisevalley.edu/blackmountain 34250 North 60th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85266 602.493.2600

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or national origin in their programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information visit: http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.

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N ovember 2019

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Nov. 21

MEET PETER KUTTNER Artist Peter Kuttner will visit Grace Renee Gallery to showcase his work that embodies a simple yet thoughtful contemporary retrospective. His pieces have been featured in national publications, popular films and television shows, museums and private, royal and corporate collections worldwide. With wine and appetizers. Free. 4–7 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 16

CELEBRATING THE HISTORY OF WATER

Music Performance Series. $25. 4 p.m.

his brilliant American luxury jewelry

Christ the Lord Lutheran Church,

collection. Each piece is hand-crafted

9205 E. Cave Creek Road, Carefree.

in the Aaron Henry Los Angeles studio

480-488-2081; ctlcarefree.org

in a meticulous process using models

Arizona’s Hip Historian Marshall

and molds, bringing classical Old

Shore will use storytelling magic,

World quality to strikingly modern

film footage, old photographs, sound recordings, ephemera and artifacts to bring Arizona’s water history to life in

Nov. 16

MUSICAL CHAMPAGNE SALON

design. Free. Friday 10 a.m.–8 p.m. with wine and appetizers 4–8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace

Get treated to an evening of musical

Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum

Institution's Museum’s “AZ Water/

performances by talented ProMusica

Rd., #7, Carefree. 480-575-8080;

Ways” program. Free. 3–4:30 p.m.

Arizona vocal and instrumental soloists

gracereneegallery.com

Pioneer Masonic Lodge #82,19055 E.

and small ensembles at an exquisite

K-Mine Road, Black Canyon City. 602-

private home in the Anthem Country

738-8381; blackcanyonheritagepark.org

Club. Includes hors d'oeuvres, desserts,

the final presentation of the Smithsonian

champagne, wine and other beverages.

Nov. 16

LIVING MUSIC PERFORMANCE SERIES

$85. 6 p.m. 623-326-5172; pmaz.org

Nov. 22–24

THE NUTCRACKER SUITE Legacy Ballet Academy will usher in

Nov. 22, 23

the holiday season with its production

Curtis on Tour violinist Grace

MEET AARON HENRY

See website for times. The Madison

Clifford will perform as part of Christ

Jewelry designer Aaron Henry will

Center for the Arts, 5601 N.

the Lord Lutheran Church’s Living

visit Grace Renee Gallery to showcase

16th St., Phoenix. 602-314-8033;

of “The Nutcracker Suite.” $25+

legacyballetacademy.com

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Nov. 23

CLUBCORP CHARITY CLASSIC

the art of organization

Anthem Golf and Country Club will host its annual open-house event to raise funds for Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, the ClubCorp Employee Partner Care Foundation and Youth for Troops. Enjoy a fun golf outing, a great silent auction and a post-tournament extravaganza for a good cause. Golf tournament $150; post-tournament dinner and auction $50. Anthem Golf and Country Club, 2708 W. Anthem Club Drive, Anthem. 480-3868916; classic.als.net

Nov. 29, 30

GRACE RENEE HOLIDAY SOIREE Help Santa make his list and check it twice at Grace Renee Gallery! Enjoy mimosas while showing your special someone what you would like to find under the tree this year. Or, better yet, treat yourself to the perfect gift. Free. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Grace Renee Gallery, 7212 E. Ho Hum Rd., #7, Carefree. 480575-8080; gracereneegallery.com

Nov. 30, Dec. 1

Home Ofﬁces

Garages

Entertainment Centers

Wall Units

NATIVITIES OF THE WORLD EXHIBIT The Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center will sponsor an exhibit of more than 350 nativity sets from around the world. The sets, which will be on loan from local artists, collectors and families, are made from every imaginable material— from fine porcelain to craft sticks, rocks, gourds and even banana skins. Donations of nonperishable food or cash to help those in need this holiday season are appreciated. Free. Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Desert Foothills Library, 38443 N. Schoolhouse Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-2286; dfla.org

480-998-2070 www.closetfactory.com

www.facebook.com/closetfactory

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ADOPT-A-FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAYS Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center is seeking donors to brighten the holiday season for children, families and seniors in the northern Arizona foothills community as part of its 17th annual Adopt-a-Family program. Interested donors determine the size of the family they are willing to adopt then a family wish list is provided as a shopping guide. Monetary donations are also accepted to support the program. 6038 E. Hidden Valley Drive, Cave Creek. foothillsfoodbank.com

Dec. 1

MUSEUM STORE SUNDAY

Restaurant. It is the only year-round Christmas store in Maricopa County, offering a wide variety of holiday

Scottsdale’s Museum of the West will

décor and locally crafted gifts. 8–10

celebrate the latest in the line-up of

a.m. RSVP. 6738 E. Cave Creek

post-Thanksgiving shopping days

Road, Cave Creek. 480-488-9542;

by hosting a great sale and special

thehornytoad.com

on-site activities. All purchases

RUSSO AND STEELE ANNOUNCES NEW VENUE Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions will return to Scottsdale Jan. 15–19 at a new site just south of the Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road. The new 20+ acre

11 a.m.–5 p.m. Scottsdale Museum

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

of the West, 3830 N. Marshall

Stock up on local organic, gluten-free

Way, Scottsdale. 480-686-9539;

profile visibility, easy access with

and GMO-free groceries to make

scottsdalemuseumwest.org

ample parking, a significantly larger

your holiday meals extra special

display area and improved weather

this year. Fridays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at

contingency. russoandsteele.com

support the non-profit organization.

Dec. 14

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS

Carefree Desert Gardens, 101 Easy St., Carefree. Sundays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Anthem Community Park, 41703 N Gavilan Peak Parkway, Anthem and 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m. at Desert

Join Jolly Old Saint Nick and his

Ridge, 5415 E. High Street, Phoenix.

wife for a morning meal and presents

arizonafarmersmarkets.com

at Cave Creek Christmas Company,

located inside The Horny Toad

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site will offer an array of dramatic improvements including high-

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Michele Dawson Photography

Julian Rodriguez estimates that she will go through as many as 18 pairs of ballet shoes this holiday season. The 14-year-old Cactus Shadows High School freshman has been cast as Clara in Legacy Ballet Academy’s production of “The Nutcracker Suite,” which will take place Nov. 22–24 at The Madison Center for the Arts in Phoenix. “I dance six to seven days a week during Nutcracker season,” says Rodriguez, who has been dancing with the non-profit organization since her family moved to Arizona in 2011. “I have about 15 hours of classes per week, and then another 10 to 15 hours of rehearsals.”

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For this year’s production of “The Nutcracker Suite,” freelance performer, choreographer, ballet master, dance teacher, adjudicator and répétiteur Darren McIntyre will join Legacy Ballet Academy’s

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students on stage

as the Sugar Plum Fairy’s cavalier.

That incredible commitment is typical of the dancers in Legacy Ballet Academy, formerly known as Arizona Dance Artistry. Amee Miller, who will be portraying a dewdrop fairy and an Arabian princess in this year’s production, estimates that she devotes eight to 13 hours to dancing each week this time of the year. “I think that because ‘The Nutcracker’ is so iconic and so special to so many people, we as dancers performing in the show tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make it as perfect and special as possible for the audience,” says the 17-year-old Deer Valley High School senior. Legacy Ballet Academy owner and director Samantha Gobeille says that one of the ways that the non-profit organization makes its “Nutcracker Suite” performances as special as possible for the audience is by presenting shows with very high production values. “We want to present an amazing show for our audience,” she explains. “Our budget for these shows is more than $50,000. We bring in quite a lot of backdrops, sets, lighting and special effects. Every year we make it different and try to improve it.” Of course, those who benefit the most from the performances are the stars—Legacy Ballet Academy’s students. Gobeille adds that the attention that the non-profit organization puts on its youth is what sets its production of “The Nutcracker Suite” apart from the many others from which audiences have to choose in the Valley. “The teenagers are doing the lead roles of sugar plums and the younger dancers are doing parts in the show that have significance instead of just standing around as a prop on stage,” Gobeille says. “We have learned to value how to

make our productions specific to the kids that we have and help them really shine.” One of the ways in which Legacy Ballet Academy does that is by inviting national and international guest artists to dance alongside the students. For this year’s production of “The Nutcracker Suite,” freelance performer, choreographer, ballet master, dance teacher, adjudicator and répétiteur Darren McIntyre will join Legacy Ballet Academy’s students on stage as the Sugar Plum Fairy’s cavalier. McIntyre—who received an advanced diploma of dance from The Australian Ballet School—has toured throughout the U.S., Australia, Asia, Canada, Europe and South America, performing a wide range of both classical and contemporary works. Gobeille says that the inclusion of guest artists like McIntyre gives older dancers the opportunity to partner with professional dancers who can properly lift and turn them, thereby elevating their training. “A lot of dancers do not get to experience partner work until they are in a ballet company,” Gobeille says. “Plus, our younger students see that this is what they can do when they get older, so it makes it more applicable to them and elevates the entire production.” The companies with which McIntyre has performed include Louisville Ballet, City Ballet of San Diego, Milwaukee Ballet, New York’s Ajkun Ballet Theatre, Germany’s Landestheater Detmold and The National Ballet of Ireland. “We are very excited to have Darren for this upcoming show,” Gobeille says. “He has been in a variety of ballet companies, so he is very well-versed.”

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Gobeille adds that “The Nutcracker Suite” also aids Legacy Ballet Academy’s students’ growth in maturity as dancers because it requires robust rehearsal schedules and the development of advanced skills to showcase. “[Our students] are working on a traditional storylength ballet that is usually performed by professional ballet dancers,” she explains. “Sections of the ballet, such as ‘Land of the Snow,’ ‘Dewdrop,’ ‘Clara’ and other soloist roles, are still performed with the same level of difficulty as if an adult professional were dancing them.” Legacy Ballet Academy’s Saturday, Nov. 23 show will be immediately followed by a special cookie party during which audience members can meet cast members in their costumes. Gobeille says that it is the perfect way for everyone to welcome in the holiday season. “We do [the show] before Thanksgiving to get our students geared up and excited for the holidays,” she notes. “It feels like the holidays, just from the music and the energy in the theater. It gets everybody in a very festive mood.” Rodriguez’s favorite parts of performing in “The Nutcracker Suite” are listening to the production’s music—which she begins doing in August—and seeing all of the beautiful costumes and extravagant props come to life on stage. “This is my ninth year performing in ‘The Nutcracker,’” says Rodriguez, who has been dancing since she was only 3 years old. “I love ‘The Nutcracker’ and sharing my joy of it on-stage. I am honored to be part of it.” Miller shares Rodriguez’s sentiment. “I am so so grateful that I have gotten to be a part of this production for three years now,” she says. “It is so special. This is truly one of the best times of the year for me. “‘The Nutcracker’ is such an iconic part of the holidays that I just have to hear the word ‘Nutcracker’ and I’m ready for Christmas.”

EXPERIENCE

legacyballetacademy.com

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Writer Shoshana Leon Photography by Olivia Vlachos and Tamara Stanger

Arizona chefs regularly donate their time and talent to a variety of worthy causes and events. A cause that is especially meaningful to Arizona’s culinary community is helping high school students achieve their dreams through Arizona’s Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). “We want to see these students succeed, not only for their own future, but for what they have to offer to the future of Phoenix food culture. This happens by helping the students build confidence and trust in their creative ideas,” said Tamara Stanger, executive chef at Cotton and Copper in Tempe who mentors C-CAP students. “I remember the moment that lightbulb clicked on for me, and it would be wonderful to help spark that in them.” C-CAP is a nationwide non-profit organization that started in 1990 at 12 New York City high schools to help prepare underserved students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Today, C-CAP partners with 150 public high schools to support more than 17,000 students and 220 teachers nationwide. C-CAP offers job training, professional development for teachers, career guidance, competitions and scholarships, along with product and equipment donations to partner high schools. Since C-CAP was founded, it has awarded $56 million in scholarships. C-CAP operates in seven locations across the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Some of Arizona’s most influential chefs helped to start C-CAP Arizona in 1992, including Christopher Gross, Vincent Guerithault and Mark Tarbell, who remains very involved with the program. C-CAP Arizona helps more than 6,600 high school students state-wide develop their skills for careers in the culinary and hospitality industry.

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“C-CAP Arizona started with just a few schools in the East Valley and organically grew over the years as more teachers found out about it,” said Leslie Gennaro, program coordinator for C-CAP Arizona. “Now we have about 40 high schools across the state participating in the program. “In the beginning, C-CAP was primarily the culinary competition and teacher assistance, including product donations to use in their classrooms. Over the years, it has evolved to include many other programs.” C-CAP Arizona provides training, internships and apprenticeships, as well as competitions where students demonstrate their culinary and presentation skills with opportunities to win scholarships. C-CAP also offers students tours of professional kitchens, demonstrations by professional chefs and job placement.

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C-CAP offers unique educational experiences in far more areas than just cooking in the constraints of a classroom.

EXPERIENCE

“We typically get three to four calls a week from employers,” said Gennaro. “We place 100 percent of students seeking employment in the Phoenix metropolitan area.” One of the most exciting opportunities for C-CAP students to practice their technical and soft skills is participating in culinary events where they work alongside professional chefs, including James Beard Taste America and the Nirvana Food and Wine Festival at Sanctuary Resort and Spa in Paradise Valley. One of the events that students, chefs and supporters look forward to every year is the annual Harvest Moon Feast fundraiser. November 12, C-CAP students, alumni and teachers will cook with some of the Valley’s best chefs at the Sixth Annual Harvest Moon Feast

fundraiser at Ocotillo Restaurant in Phoenix. “Harvest Moon is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our students,” said Gennaro. “The collaboration of student, teacher and chef mentor makes this event so unique and leaves students with a feeling that they've participated in something really special.” Last year’s Harvest Moon Feast was hosted at the Omni Montelucia Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. Marcos Seville, executive chef at Montelucia and a C-CAP alumnus, is participating in this year’s event and is extremely supportive of the program. “I currently employ six C-CAP alumni. It is a great resource for local culinary professionals to be able to work with young adults who are passionate about working in our industry,” he said. Chefs understand the importance of hands-on training. “C-CAP offers unique educational experiences in far more areas than just cooking in the constraints of a classroom,” said Chef Stanger who is mentoring C-CAP students for the Harvest Moon Feast. C-CAP programs are designed to prepare students for the workforce and a productive future, said Gennaro. “By offering opportunities for students to work food events and participate in competitions and workshops, we allow them to hone their technical skills and develop the crucial soft skills necessary to be successful in the industry and in life.” ccapinc.org

2019

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Left to Right: Matt, Lisa and Don – partners of Whitman & Jackson, CPAs

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019 Left to Right: Tiffani, Don and Lisa – partners of Intentional Wealth Solutions, LLC

Writer Amanda Christmann Photography by Loralei Lazurek

So much of life is about living intentionally. We care for our physical health by doing what we can to eat well and exercise, and we nourish our mental and emotional health by taking part in activities that challenge us to make the most of who we are, and who we can be. Yet when it comes to our financial health, it’s all too easy to go on autopilot, hoping for the best. It’s no surprise. After all, many people are overwhelmed by the thought of creating a simple budget, much less sorting through an alphabet soup of investments and the tax implications that go with each one. Luckily, you don’t have to. After nearly 20 years of collaborating and friendship, Don Whitman and Lisa Jackson of Whitman & Jackson CPAs have joined forces with Tiffani Davey, formerly of Pittman Davey Wealth Management, to form Intentional Wealth Solutions. The team at Intentional Wealth Solutions will work with you to create a strategy to plan for all stages of life, while protecting your assets. Hope, they say, is not a plan. This trio of financial powerhouses takes the mystery out of planning for your future. They are local and involved in the North Valley community, and they genuinely care about providing customized advice and options. The new company shares office space with Whitman & Jackson CPAs, allowing the financial planning services they offer to be intertwined with tax advice. It’s a uniquely holistic approach to financial health.

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Intentional Wealth Solutions LLC Whitman & Jackson CPAs PC 2040 W. Whispering Wind Dr., Suite 149 Phoenix, AZ 85085 623-455-9630 intentionalwealthsolutions.com wjcpa.com

DO YOU NEED WEALTH MANAGEMENT? “Wealth management is for everyone, not just the wealthy,” said Whitman. “Planning financially for one’s future is full of individual and family decisions that help one to live their best financial life, intentionally. “It does not matter how well off a person is financially; everyone should set financial goals tailored to their individual desires and assist in preparing an achievable plan to reach those goals. We are here to help individuals and families intentionally reach those goals and to help with adjusting things as life happens.” Wealth management can look different throughout our lives, but whether you’re starting your first job or preparing for the last day of your career, there is no bad time to begin. “Ideally, it’s best to start planning in your early 20s, but we understand that does not always happen,” said Davey. “We have been told by some, ‘I’m about to retire, so it’s too late for me.’ The answer to this is no, it’s a great time for you. “You will need information on the best way to start your next chapter in life and manage your income stream. We help clients with this every day,” Whitman added. “Retirement is not simply one day you stop working. Retirement is another phase in life to enjoy, and with proper planning and by taking important steps and considerations beforehand, retirement can give individuals and families a sigh of relief in life.”

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A WINNING COMBINATION The experienced team at Intentional Wealth Solutions has more than just investment savvy; as CPAs and tax specialists, they have unique knowledge to help build your wealth while avoiding tax pitfalls along the way. “We are dedicated professionals with over 50 combined years of service that we provide to our clients,” said Jackson. “We create peace of mind by using our tax expertise and knowledge to build comprehensive financial plans.” “We also have a strong commitment to continuing education, so we can invest in the knowledge we need to best serve our clients,” she added. After many years of friendly competition, Don Whitman and Lisa Jackson combined their practices to become Whitman & Jackson CPAs. This year, they celebrate 10 years together and welcome a new partner, Matt O’Day, to round out their CPA services. Whitman has been a CPA for over 26 years, and a financial advisor for more than 18 years. “I grew up in a lower-middle-class environment and witnessed many family members and friends failing to succeed in securing a quality retirement,” he said. “My

motivation is to assist my clients in achieving a satisfying and fruitful retirement.” That doesn’t mean people need a lot of money in order to benefit from their services. “Anything can be accomplished,” Whitman added. Jackson has been a CPA since 1990 and added financial services in 1999. She began business with less than 100 clients, but quickly earned a reputation for providing personalized, outstanding service. Her practice grew tenfold, mostly through word of mouth. Both Whitman and Jackson hold CPA licenses, as well as FINRA series 7 & 66 securities licenses. They are licensed life, long-term care and disability insurance representatives. Davey began working with her mentor, Ron Pittman, in 2000. She worked her way through school and earned her licensure, growing her client base along the way. In 2017, she and Ron became partners of Pittman Davey Wealth Management Group. Today, Davey holds FINRA series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as a licensed life, long-term care and disability representative. She has also earned Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation.

For all three partners, satisfaction comes from more than having professional designations. “Seeing the look in a client’s eyes when they realize all the planning has made a difference in their lives and the lives of their loved ones is what makes me smile,” said Davey. “It’s having a client tell you how much you have helped them sleep at night, knowing that you are there to work through any problems that life throws at them,” she added. Jackson agreed. “Hearing, ‘I don’t know what I would do without out you,’ is pretty powerful, and so is helping others achieve their goals and dreams.” O’Day is approaching 10 years as a CPA, and as a new partner, he looks forward to continuing to build client relationships and taking a more active role in growing and managing the firm. In addition to Tiffani, Lisa and Don, Intentional Wealth Solutions staff is rounded out by Craig Miloz, financial services manager and Shilo Thornton, financial services assistant. Whitman & Jackson CPAs staff also includes accountants Keri Wohrle, John Lowndes and Bethanie Ciccollela as well as Renee McKay, office manager.

It’s never too early—or too late—to take control of your financial health.

Intentional Wealth Solutions Whitman & Jackson CPAs

Intentional Wealth Solutions is there every step of the way to take the mystery out of financial planning. There’s no need to be intimated when you have the best team on your side! • Tax Planning, Preparation and Bookkeeping

• Retirement Income Management

• Retirement Planning

• Business Planning

• Estate Planning

• Education Planning

• Life, Disability and Long-Term Care Insurance Securities offered through Avantax Investment ServicesSM Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Avantax Advisory ServicesSM. Insurance Services offered through 1st Global N ovember 2019 imagesar iz ona .c om Insurance Services, Inc.

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography by Adrienne McLeod

Just as the colors of leaves signify the arrival of fall, the pretty plumage of many of our state’s desert birds creates a magnificent mosaic through which we can appreciate autumn in Arizona. Many of these birds blend in with the landscape as a means of protection against predators, but those with a keen eye can experience an array of splendor just outside their window. For starters, the barred black, white and brown feathers of our official state bird—the cactus wren—are a sight that those in other parts of the country may never have the fortune to see up close. As is also the case with Gambel’s quail, whose beautiful bluish-gray bodies, cream bellies, chestnut wings, copper heads and black top-knots can be seen bouncing around the desert in groups called coveys of more than a dozen at a time. If we are even more observant, we can even catch quick glimpses of dark brown- and white-streaked roadrunners with their distinctive spiky head crests and colorful bare patches of skin behind each eye. From hawks to owls to woodpeckers, our state is home to many fascinating birds whose feather color schemes are a terrific representation of autumn in the desert. Arizona even features three species of wild turkeys—the unofficial stars of November due to their association with the Thanksgiving holiday. However, you will have to travel to the farther reaches of our state in order to see them, as they are typically located in the ponderosa pine forest and other vegetation types in elevations ranging from 3,500 to 10,000 feet. Photographer Adrienne McLeod counts herself very lucky to have seen and photographed so many of these dazzling desert birds. This month, in celebration of the season, Images Arizona magazine is proud to share with our readers a small sample of the fall feathers that McLeod has captured over the past three years as she has hiked our state’s trails in search of these and other creatures.

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CAPTURING THE SHOTS “Cornell Laboratory has some apps that are good to help find where birds might be,” McLeod says. “As far as the camera goes, I generally try to bump up the shutter speed to at least 1/1,000th of a second, have a mid-range f-stop and keep the ISO fairly high. “I just make sure that I am able to take a lot of pictures at once on repeat fire. But it is just luck of the draw sometimes.” When it comes to her photography, McLeod is less concerned about the technical aspects that many other photographers focus on than she is with simply getting the shot. “I do not really put too much thought into the creative process,” says McLeod, noting that she is self-taught outside of that high school club all those years ago.

“Generally, I just document anything interesting that I see. I just ilike m a g epretty s a r i z o things.” n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

WHERE TO CATCH A GLIMPSE Photography works hand-in-hand with her other hobby— hiking through Arizona’s various nooks and crannies. She embarks on hikes almost every weekend, camera in hand, to enjoy the outdoors and document the interesting plants, animals and scenery that she encounters. Having grown up in Tucson, one of McLeod’s favorite areas to hike and photograph is Seven Falls. For birding, she enjoys Ramsey Canyon Preserve and Sweetwater Wetlands—the latter of which is home to many ducks and herons. However, her favorite trail is always the one that she is hiking at any given moment. “I am always trying to find a new place to hike,” McLeod explains. “I just feel at peace outside. I do not necessarily like the company of too many other people. I feel a sense of quiet out in nature that I do not get in the city.”

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ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER Adrienne McLeod’s first entered the world of photography when she was in high school, when she approached her teacher with the idea of starting a photography club. “I just loved art and wanted to expand my horizons a little bit,” McLeod says. “I did not know too much about it, but my teacher was pretty familiar with the process. So we got a few students together, started a club and began learning all of the technical details of photography.” McLeod initially used her mother's old Nikon camera for her hobby, spending a lot of time outdoors photographing nature. She eventually updated her instrument and has been playing with the art form off and on since then—until about three years ago when she decided to get a bit more serious about it. adriennemcleod.com

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Good News. Rates just got lower. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m excited to announce auto insurance rates just went down. I can help you find coverage that works for you.

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623-742-6866 nanettemiller.com

I really like owls. They are hard to find. But when you do find them, they are so majestic. They seem like they know a lotâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all the secrets of nature. Adrienne McLeod

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There are a lot of wild turkeys in Ramsey Canyon. They were making a lot of noise and I kept wondering where they were. I finally saw some and I was surprised at how large the tom turkey was. He kept dragging the tips of his wings on the ground and making these scary noises. It was pretty funny. Adrienne McLeod

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LET’S TALK TURKEYS! Arizona is thankful to be home to three species of wild turkeys: Merriam's turkeys, Gould's turkeys and Rio Grande turkeys. Of the three, Merriam's turkeys—a native species—are most plentiful in our state and are most frequently found in the ponderosa pine forests north of the Gila River, with strong population densities along the Mogollon Rim. Merriam’s turkeys feature primary wing feathers that are white with small black accents. Arizona’s other native wild turkey species, Gould's turkeys, are far less common, having experienced dramatic population declines over the years. Slightly larger than Merriam's turkeys, Gould’s turkeys were an important food source for miners working in southern Arizona between the Civil War and World War I. The few that are left stick to the isolated high-altitude forests and remote mountain ranges of our state. Meanwhile, Rio Grande turkeys are a slightly smaller species with primary wing feathers that are black with small white accent bars. Rio Grande turkeys tend to occupy areas up to 6,000 feet in elevation with drainages and stream beds in relatively open brush. N ovember 2019

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42044 N. MOSS SPRINGS RD., ANTHEM

Offered at $489,000

RE/MAX Pro fe s s i o n al s | L i n da Re h w a l t | 6 0 2 -4 0 2 -1 1 3 6 | l in d a r e h w a l t @ a z r e a l t y. c o m

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Just Lovely! Everything about this meticulous Anthem home will make you feel comfortable and relaxed. Located in the much sought-after, gated Anthem Country Club community, the 3-bedroom+, 2.5 bath home leaves nothing to be desired. Serenity is the theme of this 3,170-square-foot beautiful Del Webb Arbella model. Its tranquil neutral color palette, stunning updated kitchen with a chef’s gas stove and an extended island, 12-foot ceilings and gorgeous landscaped yard are just a few of the features you’ll want to come home to. Relax on the couch or sit for a while by the gas fireplace in the spacious family room. Gettogethers have never been so fun as they will be in the open living, dining areas complete with an adjacent wet bar. It’s not only the beauty of this home that makes it special. It’s full of costsaving, energy-efficient upgrades, including $5,000 Toto toilets, a $30,000 owned solar system, high-speed flexible ductwork, six zoned thermostats, two solar attic fans, a low-maintenance yard, and 3/4” lines to reduce water bills. Extensive shutters and security doors add additional practicality and style, and a central vacuum system makes keeping it all clean a cinch. All of this and more are located in one of the Valley’s most loved communities. Anthem Country Club features miles of biking and walking paths, children’s playgrounds, heated community pool and spa, workout facilities, a community media room and 36 holes of championship golf right outside your door. Yearround activities, including fun events like trivia night, football nights, holiday celebrations and more make this Anthem find the perfect place to call home! This one won’t last! Schedule your showing today!

Please call Linda for your private showing. Linda Rehwalt RE/MAX Professionals 602-402-1136 lindarehwalt@azrealty.com

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Courtesy of Phoenix Art Museum

The Phoenix Art Museum has big plans to celebrate its 60th Anniversary in grand style. It all starts with the pARTy in the Garden Nov. 2 when long-time supporters Ellen and Howard Katz will be honored. The fall gala will also premiere two major exhibits: Legends of Speed and PhxArt60: The Past Decade. Elegance will abound as guests enjoy custom cocktails and a seated dinner in Cummings Great Hall, followed by dancing under the stars in the verdant Dorrance Sculpture Garden. The afterpARTy will be open to the public at 9 p.m., and will feature music and a hosted bar, along with spirits and beer tastings, complimentary hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and light desserts. Attendees will have access to Legends of Speed from 9 to 11 p.m., and the 60th Anniversary exhibition until 1 a.m. The annual event plays a vital role in the financial support of the museum. Since its debut in 2007, the gala has raised nearly $10.5 million to support exhibitions and art education programs at the museum, which welcomed its first visitors Nov. 18, 1959. Since a major retrospective display was done for the 50th anniversary, chief curator Gilbert Vicario decided to focus on the past 10 years for PhxArt60: The Past Decade and its landmark partnership with the Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona. The exhibit runs through Jan. 26.

The afterpARTy

“I focused on the very recent decision we made to collect photography that is historically relevant and that fits into our other five departments,” says Vicario. “It occurred to me to structure an exhibit around documentary photographs that go beyond mere aesthetics. I’ve installed them alongside our existing art collection. It really demonstrates what the museum has been collecting, but allows me to have some curatorial play and to make a statement about diversity and identity in this country and how that can help define the institution moving forward.” Legends of Speed will have hearts racing with its display of 20 cars by Maserati, Ferrari, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and more. Among these wonders of automotive design are the actual vehicles that crossed finish lines to win iconic races at Le Mans, Indianapolis 500 and Italian Grand Prix, among others. Profiles of men and women behind the wheel of these speedsters give the glass, steel and pure horsepower a separate, more human dimension. “The relationship between design and art has always been tightly wound together,” says Vicario. “Form and function have also been intertwined. “It’s not just the aesthetics of the automobile, but how it functions, the technical aspects, that are of interest to visitors. We take it a step further to draw in the relationships of the cars to the drivers. These really are historic artifacts, and part of that history are the vivid stories of those who drove them.”

Comfort Food At Its Best Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Events • Full Bar

The exhibition officially opens to the public Nov. 3 and will run through March 15.

enjoy our patio seating Happy Hour Specials Prime Rib Special Tues & Sat

“The museum continues to grow, innovate and present extraordinary exhibitions to its diverse community due to the generosity and undaunted determination of countless advocates, supporters and friends like the Katz family,” says Jon Hulburd, chair of the museum’s board of trustees.

All You Can Eat Pasta on Sun Breakfast Served Sat & Sun Pet Friendly Patio

breakfast with santa December 14th at 8 am

The Katzes have been an essential part of the museum's growth, endowing funds to support the construction of the 25,000-squarefoot Ellen and Howard C. Katz Wing for Modern Art. Ellen Katz served as trustee chair, and in 2007 and 2011 respectively, she created and served as the inaugural committee chair for The pARTy in the Garden and the Independent Woman luncheon. These events have raised nearly $13 million to-date in gifts of support for the museum’s programs.

Call for Tickets!

Watch Football at the toad

Watch these games on our 14 TVs & 2 Big Screens!

Cave Creek's Official Vikings Bar 11/3 Chiefs @ 11 am

11/17 Broncos @ 11 am

11/10 Cowboys @ 6 pm

12/2 Seahawks @ 6 pm

Michigan Headquarters & BIG 10 Football 11/2 Maryland @ 9 am

11/23 Indiana @ TBD

11/16 MI State @ TBD

11/30 OH State @ 10 am

phxart.org 6738 E. Cave Creek Rd | 480-488-9542 | TheHornyToad.com

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Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Keith Alstrin

Each time that Amanda Huf designs a Christmas tree, she feels like she is sharing a personal piece of herself. “I am putting myself out there as a tree,” says Huf, who serves as the director of operations for Arizona Home and Holiday. Huf is just one of several professionals who, Saturday, Dec. 7, will be contributing their expert Christmas tree decorating skills for the Arizona Burn Foundation’s Holiday Festival of Trees at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort. Huf has participated in the event every year since 2013. The Arizona Burn Foundation’s chief executive officer Rex Albright says the Holiday Festival of Trees—currently celebrating its 21st anniversary in the Valley—is one of the non-profit organization’s premier fundraising events. “[Being burned] is a traumatic experience for people, so this event is a way to show rebirth and to create an atmosphere of hope and beauty,” Albright says. “And what says the holidays more than a decorated

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“

This year’s Holiday Festival of Trees will be slightly more missionintegrated than it has been in the past, as the Arizona Burn Foundation showcases video vignettes

“

surrounding its

prevent-survivethrive mantra.

tree? Everybody has fond childhood memories of decorated Christmas trees, so the energy around them is the centerpiece of our fundraising.”

stage lasts the better part of a year for her. In fact, she has already started thinking about the tree she will design for next year’s Holiday Festival of Trees.

The event will kick off with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., during which attendees have a chance to bid on a handful of decorated tabletop trees and wreaths while the Dickens Carolers perform.

“Next year is 2020, so I would like to do something a little far out because it is such a cool year number,” Huf explains. “There is usually one thing that is the inspiration. It could be a ribbon that I see or a cute ornament that I find. There is always one catalyst that makes me say, 'Oh my God! That is my tree this year!'”

Then the full-size, decorated trees will be unveiled at 7 p.m. Attendees have an opportunity to explore them, dinner will be served and the program and live auction will commence. Trees will be carefully wrapped and delivered to the homes of the highest bidders, then made to look the way they were showcased during the event—which is one of Huf’s favorite parts of the process. “I love to see the pictures that the Arizona Burn Foundation posts [on its social media] on Sunday when the trees have been delivered,” she explains. “When you look at each tree in somebody's living room with their kids standing in front of it, you can see how perfect it is in their home. To see who will be appreciating it through the holidays brings it full circle.”

She adds that watching her fellow designers decorate their trees in the days leading up to the event is quite a sight to behold. “When nobody has gotten there yet, they are all just trees in a ballroom,” Huf says. “Then, as the layers start to go on, we see how many hours it takes and how many people are around each tree making them turn into the masterpieces they are at the end. “I do not think that you could truly appreciate the trees unless you were to stand in front of each one for at least an hour and really look at every single piece. Not everything is hanging from the tips of the branches. There are things that go all the way in—almost to the trunk. So it is really cool to see it all come together.”

ADORNING WITH DECORATIONS The Arizona Burn Foundation has partnered with several designers in the past—like Huf—as well as a few new ones who have approached the organization with their innovative designs. “We pick the designers based on what they have done historically with us or with others, or what they have showcased,” says Albright, noting that the full-size trees are 9 feet tall and decorated with 5,000 lights. Although the actual decorating process takes Huf about 20 hours, the design

PUTTING DOWN ROOTS This year’s Holiday Festival of Trees will be slightly more mission-integrated than it has been in the past, as the Arizona Burn Foundation showcases video vignettes surrounding its preventsurvive-thrive mantra. “The event is going to be wrapped around very quick, visual, emotional stories showing all the stages of care—from prevention to surviving to thriving,” Albright says. Serving the community since 1967, the Arizona Burn Foundation is the state’s

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leader in burn prevention advocacy and education. Its smoke alarm installation program, which began in 2006, ensures that burn survivors and community members living in older homes or in high-risk areas have at least one working smoke alarm in their home. The Arizona Burn Foundation also has a kid-friendly program that teaches burn prevention and fire safety education to children. Geared at educating preschool through fifth-grade students, the Milo and Moxie program—named for its animated dog and hummingbird mascots—is available to individual classrooms, schools and health fairs in the Valley. “Our primary hope is to prevent any type of burn or fire safety problem,” Albright says. The Arizona Burn Foundation also provides survivor support programs that help children and adults cope with the devastating psychological and physical effects of their injuries. The organization offers lodging, emotional support and hospital food vouchers, as well as daily transportation to and from their lodging facility and the Arizona Burn Center. “We have social workers employed by us who go into the hospital setting,” Albright explains. “While the patient is getting care from the medical team, we are there for the family to determine their needs. We can take on some of the financial burdens to help that family maintain a quality of life, thereby releasing some of the stress and helping the patient heal.” The Arizona Burn Foundation then helps burn survivors get back on their feet and begin thriving again. “You have a scar, you have a burn and you have emotional and traumatic experiences that you have lived through,” Albright says. “We work with survivors and their families to provide them with counseling and therapy services.”

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The organization also offers a number of camps and retreats where survivors get to talk with one another, share their experiences and learn skills that help them return to normalcy. These programs include Camp Courage, World Burn Congress Scholarships, school re-entry, peer support groups, yoga, family retreats and young adult retreats. “We take away the stigma of being a burn survivor so they just become a person again,” Albright says. “They are no longer a burn survivor. They are now just a person who happens to have a burn.”

PLACING THE STAR ON TOP Holiday Festival of Trees helps the Arizona Burn Foundation achieve its goals. The organization has been raising a net amount of about $500,000 each year through the event, which draws an average of 500 attendees. Albright acknowledges that $500,000 is just a number though, so he intends to translate that into the impact the money has made toward the organization’s mission during this year’s event. “We will relate it to how many smoke alarms we have installed, how many children have learned about Milo and Moxie, how many kids were able to enjoy camp and how many adults went to their own retreats,” Albright explains. “You are not just coming to an event to support it financially. You are coming here to make an impact.” azburn.org/holiday-festival-trees

EXPERIENCE Arizona Burn Foundation’s Holiday Festival of Trees Saturday, Dec. 7 | 6 p.m. | JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort | 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale | $500 | 602-230-2041 N ovember 2019 imagesar iz ona .c om azburn.org/holiday-festival-trees

Writer Joseph J. Airdo Photography Courtesy of Sharen Bradford

Many years ago, French-born dance choreographer Jacques Heim was living in an apartment complex in Hollywood. He did not know any of his neighbors until an earthquake shook the area. “Suddenly, the neighbors started sharing food, blankets and water,” Heim recalls. “We finally started creating this beautiful community—living together and helping one another.” Heim was moved by the experience and sought to instill the humanity that he felt as a result of it into Diavolo, the dance company that he founded in 1992. “Sometimes, modern society does not allow us to actually help one another,” Heim explains. “We are so individual and so much in our own world and cocoon because life is complex. I wanted audiences to see the power and the beauty of humans helping one another, supporting one another, teaching one another— like it is their last day on Earth.” That is one of the reasons there is an element of danger in the repertoire of Diavolo, which will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 22 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Exactly what the company will be performing, though, is somewhat difficult to describe—even for Heim. The artistic director likens Diavolo’s identity to a salad in which he—a French chef in this scenario—mixes a fusion of different movements. Chef Heim begins by chopping up some everyday movement and placing it into a bowl. To that, he adds a little bit of ballet, a sliver of modern dance, a sprinkle of gymnastics, a fair amount of acrobatics and a morsel of martial arts.

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“Then I will tweak it and toss it before adding an architectural environment—large structures that the dancers live in,” says Heim, noting that he is not a dancer and is, in fact, the most dyslexic and unflexible artistic director you will ever meet. “Those structures tell a story or transmit a feeling.

“

Sometimes, modern society does not allow us to actually help one another. We are so individual and so much in our own world and cocoon because life is complex. I wanted audiences to see the power and the beauty of humans helping one another, supporting one another, teaching one another—like it is their last day on Earth.

“

Jacques Heim

“I wish I could have been an architect but I did not have the discipline to be one. So I decided to mix my loves—the love of movement, the love to push human beings beyond their limits and the love for the language of architecture.” Diavolo’s repertoire features a variety of different set pieces inspired by architecture, hence the company’s show title Architecture in Motion. Set pieces include a 3,000-pound boat that symbolizes the transcendence of the human soul against all odds; several skateboard ramps that represent an urban environment with ever-shifting physical and emotional spaces; and a giant morphing staircase with multiple doors, passageways and shifting surfaces showing the tenuous balance we attempt to strike each day. Diavolo’s newest adventure, inspired by travels in space and the first moon landing, sees gravity-defying bodies encountering whimsical, kinetic structures in a challenging environment. Heim gets the ideas for the company’s repertoire from the very world in which we live and breathe. “I travel and walk a lot,” Heim says. “Sometimes I see something that catches my attention—something that is peculiar, something that I am curious about or something that I want to analyze.” Heim uses a recent experience with a hotel’s large glass revolving door as an example to shine some light on his thought process. He recalls watching a woman, who had just arrived at the hotel with her suitcase, enter the revolving door. “There were all of these other people

coming from the inside of the hotel, and one of the suitcases got stuck,” Heim says. “The woman entering and a man exiting suddenly got stuck in the revolving door and were facing one another, trying to negotiate how they were going to move.” Heim aspires to one day create and add to Diavolo’s repertoire a gigantic revolving door that represents the revolving door of our lives in which we sometimes get stuck. “I can take that concept of the hotel and put it into a metaphor about life,” Heim explains. Over the past 20 years, Diavolo has appeared before audiences in 250 cities and 14 countries and has performed to sold-out crowds throughout the U.S. Two years ago, Heim’s imaginative ideas and creative choreography propelled Diavolo to the finale of NBC’s reality competition series “America’s Got Talent,” introducing the company to audiences across the country. However, Heim acknowledges that there is only so much that can be seen, experienced and felt through a television screen. “Seeing Diavolo live is exciting because you do not really understand what you seeing,” Heim says. “It is very visceral. It transports you to a place that makes you use a bit of imagination. It is like a journey that you take.” Heim notes that it is not uncommon for audiences to stand up and cheer at the end of Diavolo’s performances—not because the shows are a spectacle but because the performers have exemplified excellent teamwork. “You see these men and women on stage working together as a unit, as a community, as a family.” Heim says. “There is a little bit of envy because you wish that you could be part of it.

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“You recognize that these performers on stage are fighting together like great gladiators to make this extraordinary journey happen. They work together as a battalion of men and women in the trenches of war. You see this team facing an adversary because this work is dangerous.” Heim reiterates that Diavolo is like no other dance company. He therefore looks for the perfect performers to bring his ideas and choreography to life. Diavolo’s dancers should have some technique— especially ballet, since the artistic director believes that is the basis of all movement. But instead of talent, Heim looks for dancers’ commitment to themselves. “I look for individualism,” he explains. “I look for artists who have something to say and something to fight for. They do not have to be the best dancer ever, but they have to have passion and they have to move like they are taking their last breath.” Heim aspires to create more than just art with Diavolo. He aims to push his performers beyond their physical, mental and emotional limits so that they can discover their full potential. “They can then discover who they are and eventually be able to accomplish anything that they put their minds to,” Heim says. “Diavolo is more than a dance company. It is a program.” That mindset is what fuels Heim’s mission for the company, which has incorporated educational and community outreach since its inception. Through The Diavolo Institute, the company shares the power of dance as a means of social impact with people of all ages and abilities. In 2016, The Diavolo Institute expanded upon the programs it offers. “Three years ago, we started to work with the veteran community,” Heim says. “We offer movement workshops for the men and women of the armed forces who have PTSD. The movement of Diavolo becomes medicine to those veterans. Our movement workshop is basically a restoration of their mental, emotional and physical strength.” Heim adds that working with the veteran community has forever changed his life and that of the company. “When you can use your art to serve and help others, you realize your greater mission in life,” Heim explains. “Twenty-seven years ago, I had no idea what I was doing. Three years ago, I finally connected the dots. The reason I have a dance company in the United States of America is to help and to celebrate humans.”

EXPERIENCE

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Studio #15

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Glass: Single bloom - Sandy Pendleton

Sandy, a glass artist, and Nancy, a mixed-media painter, are two of 199 artists participating in the 23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour taking place Nov. 22-24 and Nov. 29-Dec. 1. Coordinated by the non-profit Sonoran Arts League, Hidden in the Hills is Arizona’s largest and longestrunning artist studio tour. This year’s free, selfguided tour features 47 studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale.

Glass-Neighbors - Sandy Pendleton

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Some sisters share clothes, and other sisters share recipes. Sandy and Nancy Pendleton share a passion for creating beautiful art, both independently and together.

This is Sandy’s sixth year participating in the art tour, and her first year as host of Studio #20 in Cave Creek. Her younger sister, Nancy, returns to the tour after many years to exhibit her new work at Sandy’s studio. Nancy’s colorful, abstract painting graced the cover of the popular glossy Hidden in Hills artist directory in 2000.

A LOVE OF GLASS Sandy Pendleton’s passion for glass art was ignited after she took a basic glass class at her local community college. She became fascinated with the way glass interacts with light, the way it moves with heat, and the creativity it allows. Her colorful fused glass sculptures include several series, such as her intricate, multi-layered glass houses; her captured motion sculptures, where glowing, molten glass is manipulated in a kiln to create unusual one-of-a-kind pieces; and her Earth-inspired sculptures, which are iridescent and accented with glass textures that allow for the pieces to react to changing light over the course of the day.

What Else Would a Dog Say - Nancy Pendleton

Writer Susan Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Sandy Pendleton and Nancy Pendleton N ovember 2019

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Phoenix - Sandy and Nancy Pendleton

Using a series of processes, she introduces movement, depth and textures into her fused glass pieces. Bubbles and iridescent surfaces alter the path of light, allowing the glass to interact with its environment.

Desert Bloom - Nancy Pendleton

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“I think the little details in an artwork are what makes a piece interesting and speaks to the quality, so I put in the time. It may take several firings to make the small parts that I will assemble into a larger piece,” she said. One of her collaborations with her sister Nancy had 1,600 tiny glass triangles that she hand-cut and placed. “I use a lot of textures, and that means I need to carefully control the heat in my kiln. Glass is not forgiving. You need to think through what you are doing, and you must be patient,” she said.

INSPIRED BY NATURE, ANIMALS AND FASHION Nancy Pendleton graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design, with an emphasis on illustration. She worked as a freelance illustrator for several years before landing a job in the Arizona Republic newsroom as an illustrator/graphic artist. While at the Republic, she won numerous Press Club awards for her work. An acclaimed mixed-media painter, she is best known for her vibrant, whimsical mixed-media paintings of people, animals and desert flora. Some of her pieces are also abstract. “I paint with acrylics and incorporate handmade paper to give pieces more texture. In the past, I have added sticks petals, leaves, found objects and fabric,” she said.

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N ovember 2019

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE NancyPendleton at work

Collaboration between sisters Nancy and Sandy Pendleton. Her intense love and devotion to animals is evident in her work, and she often donates her time and talent to many local animal-related charities.

Better Together Diptych - Nancy Pendleton idea of women being strong and bold as individuals, but even stronger together,” she said.

A CREATIVE COLLABORATION “My animal paintings are not portraits. They are about all the warmth and joy animals bring to our lives. My life would not be complete without my four dogs,” she said, adding that she also loves drawing cats, even though she is allergic to them.

Sandy and Nancy began experimenting together in 2011. Their collaborations consist of glass focal points created with a variety of techniques. The glass is mounted to a textured and painted mixed media wooden panel.

Nancy recently did a series of paintings of women.

The sisters learned early on that, because the glass color palette is limited while the paint palette is infinite, it was best to start the process with the glass. They individually make samples, and then discuss color choices and how

“I admire women who are willing to speak their truth, especially in the face of adversity. My inspiration was the

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Laughing Glass Studio

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

to build out their contemporary, mixed media panel pieces. Collaborating has not only strengthened their bond as sisters, it has also helped their individual work. “We work on art, we talk, we get a little silly,” Sandy said. “It certainly helps me creatively. Often the textures and color combinations I developed for a collaboration reappear in my individual work.” Nancy agreed, saying that her favorite part of working together is brainstorming in the studio. “We push each other creatively in the pieces we do together, as well as in our individual pieces,” Nancy said, adding that she sometimes consults Sandy for input on her own work.

Glass: Autumn Splendor - Sandy Pendleton

Glass: Golden Spire - Sandy Pendleton

23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour

During Hidden in the Hills, Sandy and Nancy will exhibit their individual artwork as well as collaborative nature-inspired, colorful, abstract pieces with very textural finishes. Guest artists at Sandy’s studio also include mixed media artists Mark and Nancy Dabrowski, ceramist KimmBerly loane, and jeweler Carole Tenwalde. hiddeninthehills.org

EXPERIENCE

Friday through Sunday, Nov. 22–24 & Nov. 29–Dec. 1 | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free, self-guided tour featuring 199 artists at 47 studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree & N. Scottsdale Maps available at Sonoran Arts League’s Center for the Arts | 7100 E. Cave Creek Rd., Suite 144, Stagecoach Village, Cave Creek hiddeninthehills.org im a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

M I C H A E L

M c K E E

Hidden in the Hills Studio #32

I strive to create dynamic landscapes of the southwest featuring distinctive, joyful color. See my work at â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Hidden in the Hillsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Studio #32 November 22, 23, 24 & 29, 30, Dec1 Contact me to schedule a personal visit if you would rather see my work in your home. Together, we can find a beautiful piece that brings joy to your life. Your friend in Art - Michael

m i c h a e l m c k e e g a l l e r y. c o m Call for a home visit; 630-779-3793 N ovember 2019

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST FEATURE

Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography courtesy of Sue Hunter.

There’s no predicting what Sue Hunter will paint next—and that’s exactly how the talented artist likes it. Lately, she has devoted much of her time to creating whimsical mixed media collage paintings, but her diverse works include traditional oil paintings, acrylic non-objective paintings (abstract), impressionistic watercolors, and she even worked in pastels for a few years. Her subjects include landscapes, animals, figuratives and florals, and all of her work is full of color and emotion. A Scottsdale resident, Hunter is one of 199 artists participating in the 23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour taking place over the last two weekends of November, and she is this year’s chosen cover artist for the Hidden in the Hills directory. Coordinated by the non-profit Sonoran Arts League, Hidden in the Hills is Arizona’s largest and longest-running artists’ studio tour. This year’s free, self-guided tour features 47 studios throughout Cave Creek, Carefree and North Scottsdale.

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HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR AND SALE

Ballerina Emerging

TRUE TO HERSELF A native of Arkansas, Hunter moved to Arizona in 1960 where she worked at Honeywell for 20 years. While she has always been creative, she didn’t pursue art full-time until 2002. She is a graduate of Western International University and has studied at Scottsdale Artists’ School. While famous impressionist artists Claude Monet and Edgar Degas influence her, she has found her own unique style that, while impressionistic, is true to herself. “I like to paint what I feel, not what I see,” Hunter said. “I start with a photo, or I may be painting plein air, and at some point, my intuitive nature takes over and the painting N ovember 2019

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takes on the character of the emotion of the image." She views each painting as a problem-solving opportunity, and she often takes liberties, even with her still life and figurative paintings. “Early in my career, my painting style was traditional realistic, but I didn’t like being so structured,” she said, adding that oils and watercolors require more structure. She prefers the freedom to experiment with no restrictions. “I learn the rules then break them if necessary for the success of the painting,” she said. “I never know my subject matter or the background of a piece until I start painting a non-objective painting. Composition, value, color and texture are important to me, but I like to be surprised at the outcome.”

Book of Knowledge

She prefers to paint with fluid acrylics because of their vivid colors. Acrylics also allow her to work quickly. “I teach classes at Shemer Art Center and in my private studio, so I have to paint in spurts when I have time,” she said.

COLLAGE CAPTURED HER SPIRIT Hunter’s studio is jam-packed with boxes of handmade and store-bought paper, stamps, maps, Coca-Cola bottle caps, stencils, sheets of music, glass beads, buttons, feathers, eyeglasses, wire, embroidery thread and other unique items. “I never wanted to do collage because I knew it would take over my studio,” she laughed. However, that changed when she traveled overseas two years ago.

Peking Duck “When a friend invited me to Ireland to work with other artists on a mosaic, I thought I would be a “go-fer” since I had never done mosaics before. Experiencing how the mosaic was constructed and completed influenced me when I started doing collages,” she said. She has the most fun embellishing pieces, and she wishes people could see more of her mixed media elements in photos.

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Evening Glow

“My ‘Book of Knowledge’ painting, for example, includes a set of real eyeglasses that a student gave me,” she said, adding that several students have given her items that she has incorporated into her work. “One student gave me a bag of beads she had made, and another a student gave me a wreath of white silver tipped feathers which were used in my collage, ‘Peking Duck,’” she said. Several collages include coins and music notes. Another painting includes a button that belonged to a student’s grandmother. “I often include mixed media pieces that have meaning, and each painting has a story behind it,” she said.

HITH COVER ARTIST This will be Hunter’s 19th year participating in Hidden in the Hills, and her first year as the featured cover artist for the popular event. Her mixed media collage painting, “All Tied Up,” featuring a scarlet ibis, graces the cover of the 23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour directory. Over the years, the popular four-color, glossy artists directory has become a collectible among patrons. Hunter’s colorful, whimsical collage painting was among more than 75 pieces of diverse fine art entries submitted for consideration for the cover art during a juried selection process. “There were so many terrific entries, but we kept going back to Sue’s whimsy and bright mixed media collage painting,” said Hidden in the Hills co-chair Jane Boggs. Hunter said “All Tied Up” includes mixed media elements from a trip to Poland two years ago. “The flowers on the bottom of the painting are from napkins I brought home, and if you look closely, you’ll see some Polish stamps,” she said. The colorful painting also includes a subtle message. “While creating it, I began to think of how so many items we discard end up in the environment, causing harm to the animals,” she said. Hunter has received many accolades for her work, but her greatest reward is teaching others.

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French Necklace

All Tied Up

At the Beach

“I love teaching, and I encourage students, but never dictate,” she said. “I have had many students who had never painted and who did not believe they could produce a painting. But when they completed their first painting, the wonder and joy were unbelievable!” She believes art is good for the soul, and she said her art has helped her get through many difficult challenges, including the loss of her husband, John, several years ago. “I believe art is the best therapy for everyone,” she said. “I prefer to go with the flow, let the brush dance along, and then surprise myself with how I can use mixed media elements. If I have to stop to think about it, I’m no longer having fun.” During Hidden in the Hills, Hunter will exhibit a variety of mixed media collage, oil and abstract paintings at Jane Boggs’ Studio #28 in Cave Creek. hiddeninthehills.org

EXPERIENCE

23rd Annual Hidden in the Hills Artist Studio Tour

N ovember 2019

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Writer Sue Kern-Fleischer Photography Courtesy of Jane Boggs

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS

The four seasons of Arizona sometimes blend together, but there is a fifth season that starts right around now: art season. For the past 26 years, the award-winning Thunderbird Artists has been kicking off the arts season with its Fall Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival, a juried show featuring diverse fine art, wine tastings, microbrews, delicious food and live music. This year, 165 renowned artists will showcase and sell their original work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Nov. 1–3 along Ho Hum and Easy Streets in downtown Carefree. A popular event for locals and tourists alike, Thunderbird Artists’ fall Carefree show was recently ranked as the No. 2 arts festival in the country, behind La Quinta Arts Festival in California. The prestigious industry accolade was included in Greg Lawler’s Art Fair SourceBook (AFSB) 2019 “Premier 100” Fine Art Events. Thunderbird Artists’ Carefree January and March shows also ranked well.

FEATURED ARTIST USES GOURDS AS HER CANVAS This is the first year that Cave Creek mixed media artist Jane Boggs will exhibit her work with Thunderbird Artists. As the featured artist for the Fall Carefree Festival of Fine Art, she will exhibit a variety of gourd masks, sculptural figures and whimsical pieces. “Jane’s bold, colorful gourd sculptures have evolved to include elaborate and stunning pieces that are mesmerizing,” said Thunderbird Artists President Denise Colter. “Although much of her work has been done in a Southwestern style, patrons to our November show will see her new, organic, multi-cultural pieces, which are magnificent!” While always creative, Boggs didn’t pursue art as a career until later in her life. A former United States Tennis Association (USTA) employee, she worked in Colorado for 10 years as director of the Intermountain Region Junior Competitive

ST U D I O # 4

JUDY

BRUCE

STUDIO 7162 EAST STEVENS RD CAVE CREEK, AZ 85331 JUDYBRUCEART.COM

N ovember 2019

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Division, managing six states before retiring in Newport Beach in 1993. Three years later, she and her husband, John, moved to Cave Creek where she began taking painting lessons. Gourd art was not in her plans until she and a friend visited a gourd farm. "I was so enthralled with the variety of gourds, that I bought 100 with no idea of what to do with them,â&#x20AC;? Boggs said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A visit to the gourd farm is a special type of shopping trip. There are 13 varieties of gourds, and by now, I have a good sense as to which ones will make good vessels, masks or sculptural pieces." Challenging her creativity, she taught herself how to create art pieces using high-powered carvers and pyro-engravers. Over the years, she began to experiment with various embellishments, including stains, watercolors, acrylics and metallic inks. She also uses organic materials, including feathers, woven fabric, palm fronds, handmade paper and other decorative items.

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

N ovember 2019

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“The gourds are my canvas,” she said. “I’ve learned so much in 20 years that I now teach classes.” Her stunning gourd masks are her specialty. “Most of my masks have thousands of feathers. It’s a very laborintensive job. Each feather has to be selected, trimmed, shaped and glued—even the tiny ones,” she said. Her largest mask, Avatar, was inspired by James Cameron’s award-winning science fiction film. The fivefoot by five-foot piece sold for $10,000. Another breathtaking piece, Mardi Gras, features thousands of ostrich and peacock feathers. Her gourd sculptures range in size and price, with some smaller pieces priced at under $100. Recently, she began experimenting with more mixed media elements, adding natural reeds, seeds, pods, shells and fossils. “I’m having a lot of fun with my new series of multi-cultural figurative sculptures,” Boggs said. “I start off with an open mind and never know what to expect. In fact, this is the first time I wanted to keep these sculptures in our home rather than in my studio—that’s how attached to them I have been.” Throughout the three-day festival, patrons can take in live music and enjoy wine tastings, microbrews and a variety of festival food. The festival’s featured performer, AfterGlow, will perform contemporary jazz and funk tunes all three days in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion. Other participating musicians include Vibhas Kendzia, a master of the Indian flute. thunderbirdartists.com

EXPERIENCE Thunderbird Artists Fall Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival November 1–3 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Easy and Ho Hum Streets, Carefree | Admission: $3 for adults; free for children 17 and under; $10 wine tasting i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019 76thunderbirdartists.com

Hidden In The Hills Artist Studio Tour 480.575.6624 • HiddenInTheHills.org

SEE ARTISTS IN ACTION! — 199 ARTISTS at 47 STUDIOS —

NOVEMBER 22-24 & NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 1 CAVE CREEK • CAREFREE • NORTH SCOTTSDALE N ovember 2019

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i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

Caramel Apple Sticky Buns Made with a super simple biscuit dough, these buns are the perfect sweet treat for your weekend brunch! Be sure you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t over-knead the biscuit dough. If you want to make a little icing for the top, combine 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of heavy cream. Mix and add more or less until desired consistency.

Ingredients: Caramel: 6 tablespoons grass-fed butter 1-1/4 cups brown sugar 1/2 cup organic heavy cream

1/4 cup water 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Filling: 3 large organic apples, peeled and finely chopped 3 tablespoons grass-fed butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon organic cinnamon Dough: 4 cups Bob's Red Mill Organic All-Purpose Flour 4 teaspoons Bob's Red Mill Baking Powder 1 teaspoon Bob's Red Mill Baking Soda 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 1/2 sticks (12 tablespoons) cold grass-fed butter, cut into small chunks 1 1/2 cups cold organic buttermilk 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cardamom ice cream, if desired

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter a 13x9 inch baking pan. Caramel: In medium saucepan, combine 6 tablespoons of butter and 1/4 cup water. Cook over medium-high until butter is melted. Stir in brown sugar and cook until smooth and bubbling. Lower the heat and stir in the cream. Cook for about one minute over low heat. Add salt and remove from heat. Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

kyndraclaire.com

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

Pour in enough caramel to cover the bottom of prepared 13x9inch pan. Reserve remainder for topping the rolls.

Filling: In a large skillet, melt butter and add apples, cinnamon and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved and apples have softened slightly. Turn off heat and let sit while you make the dough. Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add cold chunks of butter and cut in using your fingers or a dough cutter until the crumbs are the size of small peas. Add buttermilk and mix gently to bring the dough together. Turn out onto a floured surface. Scrape and gently knead dough to bring it together. Making sure your surface is wellfloured, roll out the dough into a large rectangle, approximately 1/4inch thick and 12x16 inches. Spread lightly with softened butter and sprinkle with additional brown sugar and cinnamon to your liking. Spoon the cooled apple mixture over dough, leaving a 2-inch border along the long edge that will be the end of your roll. Starting with the long side, tightly roll up the dough, pressing to seal the edge. Trim the ends off and cut the remainder into 8 rolls. Place in prepared pan.

INJURY SCREENING

Bake at 375 for 25 to 35 minutes, or until top is lightly browned. Remove from oven and let stand for about 5 minutes. Carefully invert pan onto a serving platter or surface. Drizzle remainder of caramel over the top of the rolls and eat! N ovember 2019

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Sweet Potato Shingle Casserole Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll love this unique twist on plain old sweet potatoes! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect side dish to serve for your Thanksgiving get-together. Makes: One 1.5-quart casserole dish Prep time: 1 hour Cook time: 1 hour

Ingredients: 3.5 pounds sweet potatoes 1 stick butter 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon brown sugar

Directions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel sweet potatoes and, using a mandolin, thinly slice them to be about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Melt butter. Add spice, honey and sugar. In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes with butter mixture until all are coated. Layer sweet potatoes vertically in a casserole dish. They should all fit and be very snug. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until fork-tender. Drizzle with honey, top with candied nuts and serve.

Writer and Photographer Kyndra Kelly

kyndraclaire.com

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019

N ovember 2019

imagesar iz ona .c om

i m a g e s a r i z o n a . c o m Nov e m b e r 2 019