Images Arizona: Paradise Valley March 2017 Issue by Images Arizona Paradise Valley

Paradise Valley :: McCormick Ranch

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SEDONA VISUAL ARTISTS' COALITION: OPEN STUDIOS TOUR

ARIZONA WILDFLOWERS

CROATIA

By Grace Hill

By Margie BouttÃ©

By Grace Hill

COMMUNITY EVENTS

CHECK PLEASE! CHEF MARK TARBELL SAVORS LIFE

BANANA BUNDT CAKE

14 By Grace Hill

By Ken LaFave Cover photo by Loralei Lazurek

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By Monica Longenbaker

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PUBLISHER Shelly Spence

EDITOR/CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jenn Korducki Krenn Amanda Larson

ART DIRECTOR/PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANT Jennifer Satterlee

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ana Petrovic

STAFF WRITER Grace Hill

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tom Scanlon Beth Duckett Monica Longenbaker Kenneth LaFave Gregory Granillo Shannon Severson Katherine Braden Lara Piu

PHOTOGRAPHERS Bryan Black Loralei Lazurek Monica Longenbaker

ADVERTISING SALES Loren Sheck 480-309-6410 loren@imagesaz.com

It’s that wonderful time of year! Our rugged mountain vistas are dotted with a carpet of Mexican poppies and lupines, and the entire desert seems to have come alive with gorgeous color! This month, our writers and photographers have done a beautiful job of helping us remember why we live here by sharing inspiring stories of the people, locations and sights that make our community unique. From inspiring young people, to amazingly talented artists and musicians, they remind me once again how fortunate we are to live in a place where so many aspects of community life are supported, embraced and encouraged. This month is especially outstanding because we are featuring photographers Paul Gill and Lori A. Johnson. Right now, their work is a gorgeous reflection of what we are seeing all around us, but in another month or so as temperatures rise, it will be a reminder of exactly why we endure the heat to call this place home. So here’s to all of us! Grab a cold treat and relax, and enjoy all we have to offer! Cheers! Shelly Spence Publisher, Images Arizona magazine

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

shelly@imagesaz.com 623-341-8221

Submission of news for community section should be in to shelly@imagesaz.com by the 5th of the month prior to publication. Images Arizona is published by ImagesAZ Inc. Copyright © 2017 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.

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Local First A R I Z O NA

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED DEALER OF NATIVE AMERICAN ART & JEWELRY Old Town Scottsdale · 480-990-1808 Main St. & Scottsdale Rd. gilbertortegagallery@gmail.com Not affiliated with the Gallup, NM stores. Don’t scrap your Native American jewelry & silver, come see us first. Apri l 2017 IMAGESA R IZ ONA .C O M

SEDONA VISUAL ARTISTS’ COALITION

Open Studios Tour

Writer Grace Hill Artists Barbara Donahue, Cheryl Waale and Terry Israelson

Iridescent glass work, delicate ceramics, masterful paintings and imaginative hand-crafted jewelry — just a few of the many creations that will compete with the magnificence of the surrounding red rock buttes during the Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition’s (SVAC) 14th annual Open Studios Tour. On April 28–30, this free, self-guided tour returns with more art to uncover in the areas of Sedona, the Village of Oak Creek, Cornville, Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Camp Verde. As guests enjoy a relaxing day perusing artwork of excellent craftsmanship, they will also delight in the opportunity to observe and interact with working artists from over 40 studios.

Barbara Donahue "You've Got Mail," oil on canvas, 14"x11"

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This year, the tour welcomes three returning artists: painter Barbara Donahue; mixed media painter Cheryl Waale; and glass artist Terry Israelson.

Barbara Donahue Barbara Donahue hopes her paintings transport the viewer to the place that inspired each image. Through her skill depicting natural light and her application of color, she effortlessly achieves this. However, it boasts of more than her skill. Emotions that run through Donahue while she creates consequently materialize within her paintings, becoming an essential element in her work. “When I observe something interesting, I feel a connection and a lifting of my spirits with a warmth and joy along with a desire to share the feeling with others,” explains Donahue. “It is important to me to have others enjoy and feel the same things that I feel when creating.”

Barbara Donahue "Taos Winter," oil on canvas, 30"x40"

Connecting through creativity has been important to her since she began drawing and painting as a child. Growing up on a farm in Ohio, nature became her close companion and her main source of inspiration. It would have been easy for Donahue to focus on more pressing tasks, like cooking for the field hands. Yet, she still made sure to create, and through her art she brought joy to those who worked tirelessly around her. Barbara Donahue "Summer Blooms in Taos," oil on canvas, 14"x11"

As a senior in high school, her family moved for her mother’s health. And so, she left her beloved farm for the Arizona desert, but this would bring new inspiration to Donahue. “I loved the Southwest as soon as I saw the beautiful skies and mountains. My first sunset really sold me,” says Donahue. “The scenery seemed to satisfy a need in me to express my feelings in a painting.” As she grew as an artist, she experimented with other mediums. However, painting was her first love and she always returned to it. During the Open Studios Tour, as guests experience Donahue’s paintings, they will sense that love and all the other emotions that flow from it.

Barbara Donahue "Old Payson Barn," oil on canvas, 16"x20" Apri l 2017

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Cheryl Waale From a young age, Cheryl Waale had a desire to create. Whether sketching wildlife outside or painting horse murals on her bedroom wall, she found a need to make any blank surface reflect the energy that painting gave her. As an adult, the opportunity to commit to her passion full-time didn’t often present itself. However, no matter the day job, there was no taming her creative side as it always emerged in some form of her work. Then in 2006, after encouragement from her women’s group, she finally committed to full-time painting.

Cheryl Waale "Material Girl," mixed media on canvas, 30"x24"

“When I started painting again after years away from it, they said, ‘When you talk about it, your energy increases. This is what you should be doing!’ It felt like I was finally given permission,” says Waale. “It also helped to have a very supportive husband. I have to add, there are plenty of times when I get discouraged. But one thing I’ve learned, the only way through those times is to keep at it. You can’t think your way through them. It takes brush mileage.” While her brush has traveled many miles, it shows no sign of slowing down. For Waale, the energy necessary to continue through the challenges of her acrylic and mixed-media work has come from being constantly inspired. “My favorite things to paint have been trees, barnyard animals and certain birds,” says Waale. “And, lately it’s been the female form in abstraction. I love abstract works. They are so personal, and they’re more difficult to do well. This has been my latest challenge. Learning how to sell an idea with less information takes a lot of skill.” Less information, though, doesn’t mean guests of the Open Studios Tour will experience simple paintings. Rather, they will discover complex images made by beautiful layers of color, texture and material, reflecting Waale’s artistic energy. Cheryl Waale "Tapestry," mixed media on canvas, 40"x30"

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Terry Israelson Terry Israelson spent most of his adult life creating wood furniture and cabinetry. With a successful business and the ability to experiment within his craft, Israelson was in a comfortable place as an artist. However, feeling that he had done all he wanted with wood, he was ready to travel a less comfortable road. It was time for a new creative endeavor. After asking the powers that be for direction regarding a new medium, he thankfully only had to wait two days for a response. When Israelson read a Facebook ad that said, “glass artist seeking studio assistant,” he felt it was the natural next step, as many of his woodworking

Terry Israelson “Navua,” mixed media glass, 9"x18"x4"

Terry Israelson “Lune,” glass art, 14"x3"

Terry Israelson "Corn Bowl,” glass art, 9"x2.5"

Experience

Sedona Visual Artists’ Coalition’s Open Studios Tour April 28-30 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free 928-239-9967 sedonaartistscoalition.org See website for a map of studio locations and list of participating artists.

Terry Israelson “Tekta,” glass art, 18"x3"

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skills applied to glass working. But he also found an excitement with glass that didn’t exist with wood. “Glass is a very seductive medium for me,” says Israelson. “What excites me the most about glass is using light and color. Glass can be either front-lit or back-lit, and one’s design must account for this. I am currently working on wall pieces and light sconces to encapsulate both considerations. I find the sconces the most fun because they have to work both ways: when they are off during the day, and on at night.” The opportunity to admire these gorgeous sconces and other works by Israelson will occur during the Open Studios Tour. In addition, the event will become a family affair as his daughter will join him as a participating artist. Getting to know Israelson and his daughter exemplify one of the main benefits of attending this event. Israelson says, “The SVAC Open Studios event is a rare and fantastic opportunity to see a plethora of art in Sedona, and more importantly, to meet the artists who create it. For me, hearing their story, seeing their work environments and learning of their artistic inclinations and inspirations always add depth to the work. A day or two in Sedona ain’t half bad either.” And what better motivation than the SVAC Open Studios Tour to make a little trip to Sedona. sedonaartistscoalition.org barbaradonahue.com cherylwaale.com terryisraelson.com

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COMMUNITY arts // announcements // culture Writer Grace Hill

APRIL 1 CWPP BOOTS ’N’ HOOTS FUNDRAISER The Creative Women of Pinnacle Peak (CWPP) will host a Westernthemed evening to benefit local charities that help women and children in need. Gourmet dinner, music by the Herndon Brothers Band and J. David Sloan, silent and live auctions and much more.

APRIL 1

$195. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Grayhawk Peak Pkwy., 480-502-1773,

PHOTOGRAPHER PAUL GILL MEET AND GREET

creativewomenofpinnaclepeak.com.

Meet photographer Paul

Golf Club, 8620 E. Thompson

APRIL 1

APRIL 2, 23

2017 ART FROM THE HEART AUCTION

SCOTTSDALE’S MUSEUM OF THE WEST HIGHLIGHTS YELLOWSTONE

The 2017 Art from the Heart Auction will benefit Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, a non-profit organization healing homeless and abused children through artistic expression. Includes cocktail reception, appetizers, live music and hosted bar. $100. 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saks Fifth Avenue, 2502 E. Camelback Rd., 602-258-8100, freeartsaz.org.

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April 2, Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West presents “America’s Yellowstone,” a film featuring the oldest and largest national park. April 23, the film “Grizzly” will follow the journeys of two Yellowstone grizzly bears. Free with museum admission. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. 3830 N. Marshall Way, 480-686-9539, scottsdalemuseumwest.org.

Gill, whose work is currently featured in Images Arizona’s April Wildflower Photo Essay, at Boyce Thompson Arboretum Gallery in Superior for a one-man wildflower gallery show. Gill is co-author of the book, Photographing Arizona’s Wildflowers: A Guide to When Where, and How. Free with arboretum entrance fees. 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Boyce Thompson Arboretum Gallery, 37615 U.S. Hwy 60, 520689-2811, paulgillphoto.com; wildinarizona.com. Photo courtesy Paul Gill.

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APRIL 6 SIPS AND SOUNDS PRESENTS MARMALADE SKIES The Shops Gainey Village brings back the Sips and Sounds concert series just in time for beautiful spring weather. Live Beatles covers from Marmalade Skies. Free. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 8777-8989 N. Scottsdale Rd., theshopsgaineyvillage.com.

APRIL 6-7 ALTERMANN GALLERIES 2017 APRIL AUCTION Altermann Galleries & Auctioneers Scottsdale will auction 470 lots of unique art at Venue 8600. Interested buyers can preview auction pieces on Altermann’s website. Venue 8600, 8600 E. Anderson Dr., 855-945-0448, altermann.com.

APRIL 16 HYATT REGENCY’S EASTER BUFFET & CELEBRATION Hyatt Regency will host an

Fine Art

APRIL 13- MAY 3 MARSHALL GALLERY’S FRANK BALAAM EXHIBITION The Marshall Gallery of Fine Art hosts new paintings by British artist Frank Balaam from his “Edge of the Forest” exhibition. As a classically trained fine artist, Balaam masterfully depicts his beloved English woodlands in this exhibition. On April 13, from 7-9 p.m., Balaam will talk about his art and tell stories about his global adventures. The Marshall Gallery of Fine Art, 7106 East Main Street, 480-970-3111, themarshallgallery.com.

I M AG E S A R I Z O N A . C OM AprFrank il 2 017 Balaam “Edge of the Forest.”

Easter brunch buffet, including live music, a larger-thanlife Easter egg, Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail petting zoo. Gondola boat rides available from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for $10. Buffet costs: Adults $90; with champagne $100; children 6-12 $42.50; children 5 and under free. All prices exclude tax and gratuity. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, 7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd., 480-444-1234, scottsdale.regency.hyatt.com.

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APRIL 23 CENTER DANCE ENSEMBLE PRESENTS AMERICAN VOICES Center Dance Ensemble presents American Voices. Includes performances by Dance Theater West’s Storybook Dance Theater and readings by high school poets from the Poetry Out Loud regional competition. Adults $16; seniors $13; students $10. 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Herberger Theater Center Kax Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., 602-527-5180, centerdance.com.

APRIL 27-30 SANCTUARY DEBUTS CULINARY FESTIVAL Nirvana, a star-packed culinary festival, brings delicious food and drinks to Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa. Tastings, special meals and a celebrity golf tournament. Chefs include Todd English, Robert Irvine, Scott Conant and Sanctuary’s Beau MacMillan. A portion of proceeds will benefit HopeKids, an organization supporting children with serious medical conditions. nirvanafoodandwine.com.

APRIL 28 WE ARE UNITED 2017 FEATURING GEENA DAVIS Academy Award-winner Geena Davis will speak at We Are United, a fundraiser luncheon presented by the Women’s Leadership Council of the Valley of the Sun United Way. Honorary chairwoman of event will be Arizona’s First Lady Angela Ducey. Proceeds benefit Breakfast in the Classroom. $125. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Phoenician Resort, 6000 E. Camelback Rd., 602-240-6335, vsuw.org/wlclunch.

APRIL 21 PINNACLE CONCERT SERIES: ORGANIST JONATHAN RYAN April 21, multi-prizewinning organist Jonathan Ryan performs J.S. Bach's Clavierubung III to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Co-sponsored by the Central Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Premium seating $35; general admission $20; students free. 7:30 p.m. Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Rd., 480-303-2474, pinnacleconcerts.com.

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Photo courtesy Pinnacle Concert Series.

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APRIL 30 HERBERGER THEATER’S ANNUAL PLATED & STAGED Herberger Theater Experience presents the second annual Plated & Staged fundraiser. A cocktail reception and silent auction will precede a threecourse meal at a fine dining restaurant. Event proceeds benefit the Herberger Theater’s youth outreach programs. Table of 8 $1,800; single ticket $225; cocktail reception/silent auction only $50. 5 p.m. Herberger Theater, 222 E. Monroe St., 602254-7399, herbergertheater.org.

MAY 3 JEWISH FEDERATION B&P HOSTS CORNER OFFICE Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix Business & Professionals Groups invites business professionals and students to “Corner Office: Lessons Learned from Jewish Business

Introducing THE MISSION OPENS AT KIERLAND COMMONS

The Mission Restaurant is now open at Kierland Commons. The menu features starters like Almejas Al Vapor Peruvian

Clam Stew; entrees like Chorizo Porchetta and Green Chile Duck Confit; and desserts like Espresso Churros and Pumpkin Bread Pudding. The Mission’s wine, cocktail and tequila menu includes over 55 premium tequilas and a selection of hand-pressed cocktails. Lunch and dinner served daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; weekend brunch from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Mission Kierland, 7122 E. Greenway Pkwy. #140, 480292-7800, themissionaz.com.

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Leaders.” Panelists include Rory Carder, president of DAVIS; Mitch Ginsberg, CEO of CommLoan; and Josh Simon, president of Simon CRE. Adam Goodman, president & CEO of Goodmans Interior Structures, will moderate. Cocktail reception and hors d’oeuvres are included. Registration required. Professionals $36; students $18. 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Phoenix Plaza, 2929 N. Central Ave., 480-481-1754, jewishphoenix.org.

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Writer Beth Duckett Photography courtesy of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, now in its twenty-first season, has broken ground time and again with a pioneering repertoire of contemporary-classic performances, emerging choreographers and talented dancers. This self-labeled â&#x20AC;&#x153;jewel of a dance companyâ&#x20AC;? performs for two evenings in April at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts before heading east again on a national tour. Both nightly performances offer an eclectic arrangement of commissioned and non-commissioned work, comprised of three ballets by different choreographers.

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Experience Aspen Santa Fe Ballet

7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale April 13, 7:30 p.m. April 15, 8 p.m. $35 - $69 480-499-8587

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Executive director Jean-Philippe Malaty describes the company’s overall mission. “We really believe in the essence of dance and moving people emotionally,” he says. “The physical beauty and the sheer athleticism of the dancers should be enough to move you as an audience member.” The poignant, abstract presentations of the ballet’s 11 classically trained dancers are best witnessed on the stage. Even Malaty, a dancer-turned-administrator who is verbose in his knowledge and enthusiasm for the craft, encourages dance enthusiasts to look beyond written and verbal descriptions and experience the show live, in person. “We believe in the visceral power of dance,” he elaborates. “It’s something you should see for yourself. There’s nothing much to understanding it. You come and are moved because of the beauty of the human spirit.” “Huma Rojo,” or “red smoke,” premiered in February 2016 and is the company’s newest ballet. Choreographed by Barcelona-born Cayetano Soto, the high-energy performance features Latin-inspired and diverse music by greats such as Ray Barretto, Nat “King” Cole, and Abbe Lane. The second ballet-commissioned work, “Silent Ghost,” is an emotionally charged performance with tinges of romanticism and kindness, underscored by the palpable connection between dancers. Malaty describes it as “an abstract work; there is no storytelling. You can really see the emotions of love and loss.” Jorma Elo’s “1st Flash” is an acquired work created more than 10 years ago for a company in Holland. Featuring music by the late Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, viewers seeking a true ballet experience might appreciate this work above all.

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“It will probably satisfy their hunger because it has beautiful classical music,” Malaty explains. Two decades ago, Malaty joined with founder Bebe Schweppe and artistic director Tom Mossbrucker to form the dance company in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. From modest beginnings, the trio forged new ground with an “open, exploratory” style and approach to the medium that involved commissioning new works and hiring promising new choreographers, many of whom have since flourished in their careers. “We wanted to create a different style ballet company, a different model,” Malaty explains. “To this day, 20 years later, it is still our reason for doing things differently.” In 2000, the Aspen-based ballet merged with Santa Fe to offer a year-round season in both cities. In addition, the company now tours nationally and internationally, with a sizable annual budget and endowment to help maintain its distinctive vision. Malaty, originally from France, says the company’s mission is not to promote social justice or take itself too seriously, as some contemporary dance companies are prone to do (and many do well, he acknowledges). “That’s not our mission. That’s not our aesthetic. It’s not our artistic voice,” he says. “We believe in the entertainment value of dance. We don’t apologize by giving an entertaining evening.” With such an eclectic array of offerings, audience members in Scottsdale are sure to be entertained above all. aspensantafeballet.com 970-925-7175

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Writer Grace Hill Photographers Paul Gill and Lori A. Johnson

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As Arizonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winter comes to an end, our flowers get to work saying hello to the world, reminding us all to take a moment to appreciate the new life that bursts forth and that will soon follow everywhere else. What a bursting of color occurs this season!

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With the abundance of rain the grounds soaked up during the winter months, Arizona now boasts a glorious display of wildflowers, showcasing colors like pink, purple, yellow and blue, and all the different shades one could imagine. These flowers pour out intense hues â&#x20AC;&#x201D; brilliant hues frequently seen above us in our sunset skies, but that can now be experienced at our feet.

Photo by Paul Gill

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AUCTION APRIL 6TH & 7TH | SCOTTSDALE OVER 470 LOTS BEING OFFERED

Photo by Paul Gill

FRITZ SCHOLDER | CHIEF #1 Acrylic on canvas | 60 by 48 inches | Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000

VIEW ONLINE CATALOG AT WWW.ALTERMANN.COM OR CALL ALTERMANN GALLERIES FOR INQUIRIES (855) 945-0448 Photo by Paul Gill

Auction taking place at Venue 8600 8600 East Anderson Drive, North Scottsdale

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Photos by Paul Gill

However, with their days numbered - our summer sun will soon diminish their vibrancy - these wildflowers wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stick around to be admired! Now is the time to head outdoors for a vivid reminder that Arizona is more than just a monochromatic desert landscape.

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Paul Gill Hometown: Phoenix Current: Phoenix Photography experience: “I started shooting, processing and printing 35 mm black-and-white film at Scottsdale High School at age 16. I moved to medium format at Arizona State University, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. After 17 years working and photographing in the graphic design business, I started shooting nature with a large format wood field camera and, finally, with digital cameras a decade ago in 2007. You can see my work in Arizona Highways magazine, National Geographic calendars and in the Smithsonian’s permanent collection of nature photography.” Favorite AZ wildflower location? “Bartlett Lake is my favorite local wildflower location that has a great showing in March. It is one of the only places in Arizona to view albino Mexican Gold Poppies.” Advice on capturing a great flower photograph: “If the carpets of color don’t show up, get close. Macro photography is a more intimate view of the beauty beneath our feet.” What drove you to wildflower photography? “Color! The desert Southwest is mistakenly thought of as a dull, colorless place. Every spring at this time I search the Sonoran Desert for the color explosion of new life and a new beginning.” paulgillphoto.com facebook.com/paulgillphoto wildinarizona.com

Lori A. Johnson Hometown: Omaha, NE Current: Phoenix Photography experience: “My first job out of high school was in a photo lab/camera store in Omaha, Nebraska. I bought my first Canon SLR at that time and never looked back. When I decided to move out of state for college, I chose Arizona State University after admiring the stunning landscape photos in Arizona Highways magazine.” Favorite AZ wildflower location? “While spring desert wildflower displays can be spectacular, they rely on seasonal conditions to be just right. However, the mountain meadows around Flagstaff are much more dependable and have a longer window of opportunity for photographers to catch late summer wildflowers at their peak.” Advice on capturing a great flower photograph: “Do your research and be prepared to drive many miles on short notice. Don’t be intimidated by photographers with expensive gear! Most smartphones are capable of taking impressive landscape photos, as well as close-ups. Tell a story by mixing wide shots with close-ups.” What drove you to wildflower photography? “The ephemeral beauty of wildflowers can dramatically change a landscape for a brief window of time. Capturing one peak bloom can make up for several lean years!” lajphotos.com instagram.com/lajphotos twitter.com/lajphotos

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Of course, the various types of wildflowers, like the Mexican gold poppy, desert marigold or Coulter's lupine, thrive depending on the location and the amount of rainfall that came down in individual areas. Luckily, many trails within and surrounding the metropolitan area provide enjoyable hikes right into the midst of the wildflowers. To find a specific type of flower, visit Desert Botanical Gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website. In partnership with Arizonaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parks and gardens, Desert Botanical Garden makes the search simple by providing an online guide showing where wildflowers currently bloom.

Photo by Lori A. Johnson

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hon-dah.com 1.800.929.8744 Apri l 2017

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For those who do take that trip outdoors, this month’s photo essay photographers, Lori A. Johnson and Paul Gill, reveal the exquisite beauty that awaits. If these images don’t inspire you to grab your camera, sunscreen, walking shoes, water and hiking partner (safety first!) to spend the day admiring our breathtaking landscape, then you must be one of the unlucky ones suffering from seasonal allergies. In that case, we feel for you, and encourage you to stay allergy-free and enjoy the wildflowers through these stunning photographs. For the rest of you, hurry up! The heat is coming! It’s time to see the flowers! Share your wildflower photographs with our Images Arizona Facebook or Instagram pages using the hashtags #iamAZproud and #imagesAZ. Photo by Lori A. Johnson

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Photo by Lori A. Johnson

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Writer Beth Duckett

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David Kessler was a young graduate student at the San Francisco Art Institute when he was first introduced to the idea of photorealism. In the art movement, which gained popularity in the 1960s and ’70s, artists re-create photographs in a hyper realistic way, capturing even the smallest details of a photo on canvas. Kessler, one of a dozen students accepted into the graduate program there, was drawn to the style almost immediately. “In photorealism, basically whatever was on the slide went onto the canvas,” he says. “Once an artist picked the subject of the painting, he or she didn’t make any aesthetic choices for what would go on top of the canvas.” Forty years later, Kessler continues the tradition as the basis for his famous waterscape paintings. Now an Arizona resident, the artist relies exclusively on photographic slides that he takes at iconic places throughout the state, from Sedona to Greer in northeastern Arizona, where he has a second home. Shooting during the golden hour of photography, Kessler captures images of flowing eddies, swirling puddles and other slower-moving water bodies around the state. “I don’t pride myself on being an excellent photographer,” Kessler says, laughing. “I just shoot hundreds and hundreds of slides. I go through the slides until I see an image that strikes me.” “Maybe it just rained and there is a puddle off to the side,” Kessler describes. “I take a lot of my images from very small bodies of water.” It helps that the light in Arizona has a certain quality that you don’t see a lot in other places. “The clarity of the light here is just unbelievable,” he adds. Since his days as a graduate student (he earned his master of fine arts degree in 1975), Kessler has refined the style of his work, which is featured in museums and galleries across the country. His paintings are a blend of abstract imagery and reality, captured inimitably over a surface of polished and abraded aluminum. After the slides are taken, Kessler visits an industrial metal supply shop in Phoenix and selects a very thin piece of aluminum, ensuring there are no scratches. “The only scratches I want on the metal are the ones I add,” he says.

"Reeds in Cadence," 72"x48"x2"

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Kessler projects the slide images onto the piece of aluminum, using different tools, from a tiny jeweler’s brush to a drill, to create marks with different pressures. At that point, Kessler airbrushes paint onto the aluminum, either transparently or opaquely. “I can do images where 70 percent of the image produced is by paint,” Kessler says, “Or I can do images where 70 percent is produced by refracted light.” The result? A unique, visual experience that reflects the ethereal quality of the surface of water, transcending the everyday “paint-on-canvas” look.

"Silvered Catsclaw," 48"x84"x2"

“His work has a freshness and beauty that is quite grand,” longtime Kessler collector Dennis Frings remarks. “His paintings have a luminosity with the light coming at you from different perspectives both from the paint itself and the aluminum below. You are looking at a two-dimensional object, but it appears three-dimensional. It’s magic.” Kessler, born in Park Ridge, New Jersey, moved at age 2 to Arizona, where he later attended Arizona State University before pursuing his graduate degree. Kessler and his family moved back to the Grand Canyon state in the 1980s. It was shortly afterward that he created a body of work using “metalized paint and fine-art glitter to create these abstractions.” Kessler considered incorporating steel, a durable and malleable metal, onto his canvases, though the experiment didn’t go as planned.

"Shimmered Patterns," 60"x84"x2"

“I got some steel and brought it back to my studio,” Kessler recalls. “The first thing I found out is that steel is very heavy. It’s not that soft of a metal. I thought I could articulate these marks on the metal.” By chance, Kessler was working on some lithographs at the time, and had a piece of aluminum on hand. Unlike steel, aluminum “is a super, super soft metal,” he says. “You can actually take a Scott towel, put it on a piece of aluminum, and it will create a mark to refract light. “Instead of putting little pieces of aluminum on my canvas, I thought, ‘Aluminum is going to take the place of my canvas now.’” Using only small wired brushes, Kessler began to articulate "Silvered Overspill," 72"x96"x1"

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various imageries onto the aluminum, creating a work through refracted light and “a slightly holographic depth-offeel,” he says. For a short time, the artist dabbled in abstract desert scenery, generating images that reflected all desert or half desert, half water. Later, he turned to water as the primary source for his work, calling it “a universal image”—and one that collectors around the world can recognize and appreciate. Many of Kessler’s works are on display locally in an exhibit titled Translucence, featured at Desert Botanical Garden’s Ottosen Gallery through May 7. Elaine McGinn, director of planning and exhibits, says part of the garden’s mission is to “ensure it is a compelling attraction, that brings life to the many wonders of the desert. “Visitors come to the garden expecting to be immersed in nature’s beauty, and David T. Kessler’s artwork captures a similar sentiment,” McGinn says. “Not only do his vividly real pieces demonstrate ingenious technique, but they also express simple yet stunning moments in nature—something guests experience when visiting the garden.” Frings, who has collected Kessler’s work for more than 40 years, knew the artist as a photorealistic painter in the 1970s, when Kessler showed his paintings at a gallery in Alexandria, Virginia. Kessler’s work “was extraordinary then, just as it is now,” Frings says. “His paintings always transcended the photorealist tradition and they have only grown more magical over the years,” the collector adds. “He just keeps getting better and better, and he started off at such a high level that that is no mean feat.” 480-481-8188 dbg.org

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Writer Shannon Severson Photography Loralei Lazurek

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The Hodson family has a proud tradition in gems and jewelry. Five generations, to be exact —and that fifth generation is getting a very early start in 13-year-old Elliott Hodson. Elliott’s great-grandfather gave up the life of a Chicago accountant to pursue his passion for rockhounding in the Southwest. He began by purchasing a Nevada opal mine that remains in the family. Consecutive generations carried on the tradition in the Phoenix area with the opening of Hodson’s of Scottsdale in Old Town Scottsdale, which enjoyed success in multiple locations over the ensuing years. Scott and Sally Hodson first met through their work in the stores and recently launched their own repair and design studio, Jewelry MD, in North Scottsdale. Now the parents of two boys, they recollect that their son Elliot showed early signs of a passion for rocks. “He used to come home from his Montessori preschool with pretty rocks from the backyard,” says Sally. “The school had goats and chickens, but he just wanted to dig for rocks. We wire wrapped all his rocks together and made him a huge keychain that he treasured. He and his brother have always loved looking for and collecting rocks.” Elliott grew up watching his parents employ a range of techniques and approaches. Both parents have won multiple design awards over the years. Scott is an expert jeweler and metalsmith, using both Old World and modern techniques. Sally, whose background is in fashion, is adept at computer-aided design. Both enjoy creating original pieces, as well as restoring or re-working jewelry. Elliott was just 11 years old when Scott decided to hand him a bit of the wax used for carving the first designs in the casting method. “I always watched what my Dad did,” says Elliott. “ I don’t think I was paying direct attention, but I was watching. One day, he sat me down at my desk, gave me wax and a file and told me to try making something.” What kid doesn’t jump at the chance to carve and use a blow torch? Elliott decided his first piece would be a ring. Scott and Sally were floored when he carved a perfectly Apri l 2017

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symmetrical, eight-sided ring resembled a construction nut.

that

“We wanted to see if it was something he enjoyed,” says Scott. “The trick is to not overwhelm him, because that happened to me when I was younger. The talent he has for hand-carving at such a young age is amazing. If he keeps going with it, he will become a master carver.” Elliott didn’t shy away from the next step: placing the wax design into a plaster-like material called investment, then baking it an extremely high temperature for 12 hours until the wax melted away, then filling with casting grains of silver and taking a blow torch to it in the crucible, ensuring the metal came to the perfect temperature. Centrifugal force is used to force the molten-hot, liquid metal into the spaces left by the melted wax in the investment (at any point in these processes, the smallest flaw will immediately render the cast useless). After about five minutes, the silver has sufficiently settled and tongs are used to “quench” the still-fiery hot piece into cold water to set the design. Cleaning off any investment that remains is the last step before additional embellishments are made using files or brushes. After that first ring, Elliott was off and running. His next creation was a matching sand dollar-inspired pendant and earrings set. Sally proudly displayed it in the shop and sent out an email to family, friends, and her many faithful customers to celebrate his accomplishment. What she didn’t expect was an immediate response from a customer who wanted to purchase it, and who then commissioned a matching set for her best friend to celebrate a milestone birthday. “At first, I said the set wasn’t for sale,” Sally says. “I saw it as just a fun thing, something to keep around the store. Then I thought, ‘Why not?’ The customer loved it so much and it looked beautiful

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on her. When she ordered a set for her friend, it just took off from there. The response has been fantastic.” Elliott’s days are busy with Primavera online school, volunteering at the library, playing tennis, and traveling with his family. He always finds time to dedicate to his art, enjoying the creative process and utilizing the advantages of a young mind, free of convention and full of ideas. Though he isn’t old enough to actually enter the jewelry shows his parents attend, he continues to make competition pieces and has expanded to learn new techniques with silver and antique bronze. He molds silver clay and uses hammers to pound sheets of silver into circular domes (called dapping), or solders silver wire into rings. He drills holes, experiments with a turning lathe, makes his own jump rings, weaves cords into stretchy chains for some of his more casual pieces, or chooses the silver chains he thinks best fit his pendants. Always eager to try something new, he’s also taken on the challenge of stone-setting, which requires thousands of tries to perfect. “It’s not an easy thing to master,” says Scott. “Just holding the jewelry firmly and seeing the tiny prongs are a challenge. There’s no room for error.”

Elliott even has his own signature finish that the shop calls E-tex, which is a roughed-up texture resulting from the way he prepares the wax before casting. No two pieces are alike, making them truly handcrafted. He finds inspiration in the world around him. One of his pendants mimics the armrests he had removed from his jeweler’s bench and was messing around with. He liked the way they looked when lined up in an asymmetrical manner, and a new design was born. Hubcaps, a Rubik’s Cube, nuts and bolts … his eye sees the design and his imagination guides his hands. “I see designs and shapes around me and then interpret them from memory,” says Elliott. “Hand fabrication is my favorite, though I like all the methods. It involves lots of hammering and fire, which is fun. I like using screwdrivers or steel wool, or whatever I can find to try a new texture or finish.” Elliott framed that first dollar bill from the original set he sold. He’s gone on to sell more than 40 pieces, all of them solely via word-of-mouth from the many loyal customers that feel more like close friends when they visit the shop. It’s clear that he has a bright future as the next generation of talent in the family business, but with his own unique approach that is quickly gaining a dedicated following. jewerymd.net

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Writer Kenneth LaFave Photographer Loralei Lazurek

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As a well-known chef and restaurateur, Mark Tarbell makes it his business to know the best food cities on earth, among them Paris, Venice, New York and San Francisco. This year, he has added a new one to the list: Phoenix. “I could not have anticipated how much fun it was going to be going into all these Valley restaurants,” Tarbell says. “I always thought we’d grown up as a restaurant town in the last five years or so, but I didn’t realize just how much.” Tarbell refers to his latest gig as the new host of “Check, Please! Arizona” on Arizona Public Broadcasting Service. He can be seen on episodes of the show’s seventh season every Thursday at 7 p.m. Each episode of “Check, Please! Arizona” features three restaurants reviewed by ordinary citizens. The reviews take the form of a roundtable discussion with the host. Design and ambiance are elements of the discussion, but the focus is the food, whether it’s a well-made hamburger, a perfectly grilled salmon or an excursion into ethnic cuisine. Tarbell replaced Robert McGrath as host at the head of this season. McGrath, the founder of Roaring Fork restaurant, launched the show and guided it through its first six seasons, four of which won Emmy Awards for local programming. It’s a whole different kind of cooking from whipping up some chicken fennel sausage to go with your house-made ribbon pasta — a Chef Tarbell specialty.

“I facilitate the energy and conversation of people, many of whom have never been on television before,” Tarbell says, explaining the host’s job. "The show has forced me to get out. Usually I'm in the restaurant, but now I'm trying three restaurants for every episode.” Tarbell’s restaurant on East Camelback Road is an icon of Phoenix dining and part of the first wave of fine dining, locally-owned Phoenix-area restaurants in the 1990s. The restaurant’s motto, “Caviar with a side of spaghetti,” reflects its owner’s belief in cuisine that combines sophisticated cooking with the satisfaction of comfort food. It’s a place where you can order an elegant seared lemon sole served over potatoes Lyonnaise, then go for the splurgy homemade chocolate molten cake for dessert. Since Tarbell’s started up more than 20 years ago, it has been known for fresh local produce and innovative menu items. Along with Vincent on Camelback and Christopher’s Restaurant and Crush Lounge, it spearheaded the birth of Phoenix as a foodie city. The only winning challenger on season five of “Iron Chef America,” Tarbell has received numerous awards. He was nominated for Best Chef Southwest by the James Beard Foundation, and Tarbell’s won a Best Restaurant title from Food and Wine magazine. Do the chef’s inventions come from the stove or the head? “Most of what I do, I do in my head — I have a vivid imagination,” Tarbell says. “I

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just think of the flavors together. Anything can trigger it, even a picture or a photograph. I once did a cookbook project sitting on the couch, writing up recipes out of my head. Then I asked Anne Ballman [business manager at Tarbell’s] to cook them in her kitchen to see if they worked.” They did. “That’s just experience,” he modestly claims. “It’s not rocket science.” Perhaps not, but it’s rocket fuel, of a sort. Tarbell’s and the others sparked a surge of restaurant activity in Phoenix, especially in the last half decade or so. The range and quality

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of Valley restaurants surprised the new host of “Check, Please! Arizona.” “I didn’t realize how much is out there,” he says. “There are certainly some well-known chefs, but what really took me by surprise is all these mom-and-pop projects with their microbreweries and great food.” Small, out-of-the-way places can offer the greatest culinary surprises worldwide, Tarbell believes. As an example, he recalls a visit to Venice, Italy. “Of course, Venice is very touristy,” he says. “But I made a connection with someone who led me to a little fish joint

where all the gondoliers ate. It was a tiny, 8-by-10 shack, and the food was absolutely stunning. It’s the little underground places in back alleys that contain the biggest surprises.” He has had similar surprises hosting “Check, Please! Arizona,” but prefers you watch the show to find out what those local places are. When Mark Tarbell goes to a restaurant, how much of the experience is the food, and how much is the environment, service, etc.? “It’s pretty much equal,” he says. “But if there’s a number one, it’s being treated well. That’s why we train our servers in hospitality. So perhaps it’s the people, number one, and then the food.” The next question gets a smile from Tarbell: What do you do in your personal time? "I love that question, because it assumes I have time to spare,” he replies. “I don't have a lot. But I really love being outdoors, hiking the preserves. I've always been an avid hiker because there's so much richness in the desert. I hike the Phoenix preserves, South Mountain Park and the Superstitions.” He is overly modest about his hiking abilities — a photograph on the website for Tarbell’s shows him standing on top of a mountain that just happens to be the Matterhorn in the Alps. If or when more time opens in the future, Tarbell says he will return to an early enthusiasm: trail biking. But for now, it’s food, food, food — cooking it, eating it and talking about it. "I've loved working on ‘Check, Please! Arizona,’” he says. “Reading a script from a teleprompter is more challenging than I thought because you have to behave as if they are your own words. But everyone connected with the show, the whole crew, has been a complete joy and made it easy for me." Like all broadcast work, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Tarbell taped as many as three episodes a day. “The first day on the job was 10 hours long,” he remembers. By the end of the current season, “Check, Please! Arizona” will have covered 250 Arizona restaurants. Will there be a season eight with Tarbell returning as host? He’s signaled his interest, he says. “Maybe they’ll say yes.” azpbs.org/checkplease tarbells.com

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Writer Beth Duckett Photographer Loralei Lazurek

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Thirty years ago, Cave Creek horse trainer Manuel Trigo was a software engineer living in Switzerland and working 16 hour days, with little time left for much else. Young and motivated, Trigo decided to move 6,000 miles away to sunny Costa Rica and teach scuba diving, one of his life’s passions. But like many ambitious people trying to escape a hectic life, his free time was short-lived. A skilled virtuoso with many interests, Trigo soon found himself immersed in a new recreational activity: horses. By riding and studying them religiously (at one point reading the same equestrian book a dozen times), Trigo trained and later taught himself the basics of classical riding or “dressage,” a French term meaning training. The sophisticated equestrian art form dates back hundreds of years to kings and aristocrats, celebrating the horse’s natural athleticism and movements. Based on riding in harmony with the horse, the classical school trains horses to perform specific actions, such as school jumps, with grace, balance and dignity. Riders and horses work together and perform in unison, much like an intricate dance. Trigo began training horses for friends and hosted seminars, attracting horse enthusiasts from across the country. Applying educational techniques drawn from his years as a scuba diving instructor, Trigo trained more than 600 equine students in a span of only three years. “I was working like crazy,” he says. “In a few years, I was working as much as I did in Switzerland. I was going from place to place, riding horses, giving lessons. At one point, I decided I wanted to do something cool.” Soon after, Trigo and his wife launched a restaurant offering a gourmet dining experience overlooking an equestrian arena, where Trigo would ride horses as a form of entertainment. “Very quickly, I caught myself trying to show off,” he says with a laugh. The business later morphed into a dinner show named El Caballo Rey, or “the king horse,” an homage to the Pura Raza Española. This breed of horse is described as the “Horse of Kings,” as they were, quite literally, bred for kings.

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Known for their nobility, intelligence and beauty, the Pure Spanish horse breed is a natural fit for the regal world of classical dressage, Trigo’s mastery. His dinner shows attracted Costa Rica’s heavy tourist population, including visitors from Colorado, who invited Trigo to host horse-training clinics in the Rocky Mountain state. He moved to Colorado and based on a suggestion from a friend, visited Arizona, preferring the state’s sunny skies to Denver’s harsher winters. In 2016, Trigo opened El Caballo Rey Equestrian Art Academy in Cave Creek. He has revived the relatively rare and age-old art form of classical dressage at a secluded site surrounded by open desert south of the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, in a town known for its equestrianfriendly lifestyle. “It’s a passion, it’s a lost art, so you want to share that with people,” he says of classical dressage. “It’s something that is so very hard, but you get some payback and satisfaction at all kinds of levels.” Trigo, 52, practices the French idea of lightness, an equestrian philosophy rooted in natural movements and harmony. “Tempo and rhythm, as well as balance, play crucial roles, as only a horse whose legs are fully balanced on the ground can achieve lightness,” he says. At the academy, Trigo trains alongside a group of instructors individually specialized in Pilates, music and historical fencing. Together, they offer private and group lessons to equine enthusiasts who want to improve their techniques, bond with horses, prepare for exhibitions or just have fun. The combination of disciplines pushes El Caballo Rey’s training to new levels. Students practice Pilates on and off the horse to improve balance and body communication skills. Fencing, Trigo says, “teaches you to move the gravity center on your legs,” similar to riding a surfboard, while music from a drum instructor encourages rhythm and flow for horse and rider. This type of training “is just not easy to find anywhere in the world,” says Marsha Ferrick, a student who sold her belongings last year to relocate to Cave Creek and train more heavily under Trigo. “It’s about the art of mastery. Whether it’s the art of mastering riding or the art of mastering other areas within your life, whether it’s your profession or your relationships, it’s about being dedicated to something you’re passionate about and continuing to work on that and improve on a regular basis.” The academy’s internships cater to many people, from teenagers wanting to learn more about breeds and barn duties to college students who dedicate several days a week to groom, train with and ride horses for free.

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Students can also undergo eight-hour intensive training sessions over five days. Wendy Dinnerstein, a senior student at El Caballo Rey, has trained under Trigo for more than five years, spending her winters here in Arizona. “I love the equestrian life; studying with Manuel and learning about lightness and self-care, which is taking my horsemanship to another level,” Dinnerstein says. “I feel grateful for the opportunity to do that. I bring all my life experience in natural horsemanship. It just seems to make the flow complete.” On a broader level, Trigo’s students benefit in ways beyond learning the techniques of classical riding, which include airs above the ground, when a horse’s hooves leave the ground in highly trained movements. “If you are good with horses, you will probably be very good with people,” Dinnerstein notes. “It teaches you how to relate in a caring, loving and understanding way. When you have a relationship, and you can put that balance and lightness on top of that, it does become a dancing art form."

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For Trigo, a multilingual prodigy who has the potential to excel at many disciplines, horses present a never-ending challenge. He continues to train and teach across the United States, as well as internationally. “Nothing can challenge you better than horses,” Trigo says. “When you train a horse to a higher level, you think you’re going to do the next one the same way. It’s not like that. They have their own personality. Every horse is a challenge.” To learn more about future open training days at El Caballo Rey, contact Wendy Dinnerstein at one4horses@gmail.com. For information or to visit El Caballo Rey - Equestrian Art Academy, contact the school. 720-320-7252 elcaballorey.com

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Writer Lara Piu

Mother’s Grace, the Paradise Valley-based organization that has been helping mothers in crisis since 2009, will hold its eighth annual Mother’s Day brunch Thursday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at El Chorro Lodge in Paradise Valley. This will mark the first time the organization’s brunch will be held at the restaurant. “Although we outgrew our former space, we wanted to retain the beautiful backdrop of the mountains for the mothers that we are celebrating,” founder Michelle Moore-Fanger says. “El Chorro’s provides that backdrop but retains that intimate feeling that helps us build camaraderie among the mothers that attend.” The champagne brunch will be followed by shopping with vendors like Seraphym Designs, Bungalow, Jewel Ya and Scottsdale Quarter’s Galicia Jewelry. “We keep it to a few vendors so that the shopping is

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enhancing, rather than overwhelming,” she adds. “We have meaningful, fun vendors that people would want to buy a Mother’s Day gift from.” There will also be a raffle, a silent auction, and an inspirational speaker. Proceeds raised by the event will benefit the Mother’s Grace Foundation. Michelle conceived the organization in 2009 when the mother, humanitarian and corporate executive experienced two lifechanging health diagnoses right around the same time. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and her son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. That’s when a lightbulb came on. “There’s nobody better to help than someone who knows what it’s like,” Michelle explains. “You have to feel it. You have to have that passion. Once I experienced it, I really wanted to prop others up.”

It’s when the grace comes in, she says. “Bad things happen all the time, but if we open up to the experience, grace comes next, and then good things can happen.” Mother’s Grace was also inspired by Michelle’s mom, a pediatric nurse who passed away when she was fiveyears-old. “In the back of my mind, I always wanted to do something like the work she did,” Michelle adds. Now in its 18th year, the organization reaches up to 1,000 mothers annually year through its programs that are fueled by donors like Steak 44 and Dominick’s Steakhouse, and approximately 75 volunteers. The organization provides financial aid and other support like help with monthly bills, medications, meals, housekeeping, mentorship, childcare, and other services to mothers during times of adversity. Each year, it also helps four nonprofit organizations get off the ground and prosper. At its Mother’s Day brunch, however, mothers are the sole focus. “We do most of the fundraising before the event,” Michelle says. “We want women to come to be inspired and moved. Mother’s Day is a great time to be inspired.” For information on how to attend, contact info@ mothers-grace.org. mothers-grace.org

Experience Mother’s Grace Mother’s Day Brunch May 4 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. El Chorro Lodge 5550 E. Lincoln Dr. Paradise Valley info@mothers-grace.org

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Writer Beth Duckett Photography courtesy Jody and Susan Folwell

Experience

Peering Through Taos Light 4168 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale April 6 6 - 9 p.m., Free 480-481-0187 kinggalleries.com

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“Where there is clay, there is hope,” says artist Susan Folwell. Indeed, the award-winning potter from Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico, knows a thing or two about working with clay. She comes from a long line of successful artists whose influence on the world of Native American pottery remains unparalleled. Her mother, Jody Folwell, revolutionized Native pottery in the 1970s with her avantgarde techniques, firings and designs, which continue to this day. Her grandmother is Rose Naranjo, the late Santa Clara potter and matriarch of a continuing dynasty of accomplished artists. Rose raised 10 children, eight of them born to her, and taught all of them how to work with clay. You could say, then, that clay run s in Susan’s blood. Her earliest memory of dabbling in the art form was as a curious 6-year-old, when Susan asked her mother for some of the earthen material so she could create her own masterpiece. “I made a squiggly little worm,” Susan recalls with a chuckle. “My mother pinched the nose on the worm. She said it gave it character.” She later sold the piece for $2. “Character” is one word to describe Susan’s exquisite pots, jars, vases, bowls and canteens, which harbor designs inspired by pop culture, personal and world events, oftentimes with added depth or humor. What she shares with her mother Jody is a regard for storytelling, innovation and the use of both traditional and non-traditional surface techniques. There is more to their ceramics than meets the eye, as their etchings reflect a plethora of designs and imagery that can captivate, inspire or prompt one to wonder: Is there a deeper meaning behind this? Jody and Susan are “about the story and the message, and not reliant on simply the form and a perfectly polished exterior,” says Charles King of Scottsdale-based King Galleries on Marshall Way, which specializes in classic and contemporary Native art. “The fun of their work is often hidden in the detail, and the nuance, of how they present their subject matter.” Susan Folwell,"Vanishing"

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“I do send messages in my work, sometimes even just to myself,” says Susan, who grew up in Santa Clara Pueblo, the largest of New Mexico’s 19 pueblos, and currently lives in Taos, New Mexico. “I hide little things inside pots. It’s kind of neat to be able to look back on my own work and sometimes recognize that.” To this day, Susan sees and remembers details about the many pieces she has created over the decades. Often, she can tell where she was living at the time of its creation and how that experience molded her career. Like the time she lived in a small Hispanic village with only 300 or 400 people.

Susan Folwell,"The Artist"

“The view from my bedroom was a Spanish ramada that was still being used,” Susan recalls. “A lot of Hispanic culture and Catholicism rubbed off on me. There is a lot of that imagery in some of my older work.” The word “satire” has been used to describe some of Jody’s work, which often reflects social commentary and innovative designs. The classic style of her pottery includes a fully polished surface and, at times, an asymmetrical mouth or rim. Susan is known to imbue humorous or fun elements into her designs, such as in the “Wind Wagon” jar she made specifically for an exhibit in the Netherlands more than a decade ago.

Susan Folwell,"Rock Art"

The 10-by-12-inch jar boasts spirited etchings of red cars, gold horses and stars over a mountainous-looking backdrop. Susan broke the piece and laced it back with metal and glue, creating a look like a roadmap or staples. According to the King Galleries’ website, its theme is the evolution of Native American transport from horses to cars. “I find humor really helps,” Susan says. “Sometimes it’s a really disturbing subject matter. It helps people to relate. It’s not so alarming.” Another time, Susan found inspiration in a surprising place for her “Cry Baby” series. Susan was approaching deadline for the Santa Fe Indian Market and happened to view the iconic 1963 painting “Drowning Girl” by Roy Lichtenstein. “I related to it so much,” she says. “I was staying up late, tired, overworked, running up to a serious deadline. The woman drowning in the water, it tickled me and I was really there. I borrowed upon that image … adding humor to a stressful situation.”

Susan Folwell,"Hennings"

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In more recent works, Jody and Susan re-interpret classic paintings done by Taos artists through the eyes of their Native American subjects, King says. Their pieces range from funny to elegant and thoughtful. You can view the Taos works during a showing, “Peering Through Taos Light,” at King Galleries April 6.

July 1, 1915, six painters—Joseph Henry Sharp, Bert Phillips, Ernest Blumenschein, E. Irving Couse, Oscar Berninghaus, and Herbert Dunton — came together to form the Taos Society of Artists. All the original founders had visited Taos and were enchanted with the high desert, colorful skies, pine-dotted mountains and adobestyle architecture of the valley in northcentral New Mexico. Six more members joined before the group disbanded in 1927, but their legacy continued on as Taos became an international artists’ enclave. Taos Art Museum at Fechin House estimates that there are currently more artists per capita living in Taos than any other city in the world. Susan has a special connection to the late Taos artists. Her husband, Davison Koenig, is executive director and curator of the Couse-Sharpe Historic Site, which includes the home and studio of Couse and two studios of neighboring artist Sharp. Over the summer, the two helped organize an art show with the Couse Foundation. “To be able to view their works quite often now that I’ve moved to Taos has really given me an interesting perspective,” she says. Susan created a jar, titled “Vanishing,” that uses imagery from Couse’s work. The piece shows a Native American man crouching and hunting. In the actual painting, you can see deer in the background, but Susan left it blank in her work. Instead, her backdrop is a sky blue color. Underneath the image is a skyline of New York City that is a reflection of “blending in with American culture, losing rituals, slowly losing the true Native American identity,” she remarks.

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For Jody and Susan Folwell, their identities as Santa Clara artists, potters and family members remain constant as they explore and expand their oeuvre into new realms. Their works speak loudly for the future of Pueblo pottery, and art in general. 520-275-9952 folwellkoenig.com

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Writer Margie BouttĂŠ

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Until 1991, Croatia was a part of Yugoslavia, and while it was never as isolated as other Eastern Bloc nations, it generally remained off the beaten path for tourists. Today, however, traveling to Croatia isn’t just for adventurous backpackers — in fact, this under-the-radar gem has recently become one of Europe’s hottest new destinations. Situated on the stunning Adriatic Sea, this diverse country has all the Old World charm that other temperate, European hotspots have to offer, but the real appeal is the country’s remarkable beaches: long coastlines, hidden coves, and islands surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. From seaside resorts to pristine parks and sleepy, atmospheric villages, there are countless places to visit in Croatia. Because of the diversity and beauty it has to offer, it is definitely a must-see vacation spot for anyone. There are so many events that it is almost impossible to miss experiencing one while you are visiting Croatia. Choose from exciting cultural events, music and film festivals, sports events and food festivals. Last year Croatia won the Readers’ Choice award for Travel + Leisure’s Destination of the Year. This Mediterranean favorite is a jewel in the crown of the Adriatic. Arguably the biggest draw of Croatia is the success of HBO’s Game of Thrones series. Tourism has boomed in recent years as fans of the show have sought out its stunning landscapes and well-preserved historical architecture. July and August is peak season for the Adriatic, when visitors make their way to the coast

for glamorous, see-and-be-seen boating and sunbathing while offering extravagant night life. Croatia has a Mediterranean climate, which means mild winters and gorgeous spring and summer seasons. It averages 2,600 hours of sunshine per year, which makes Croatia one of the sunniest regions in the Mediterranean. Consider June Croatia’s sweet spot, when the days are warm and long but hotels have yet to reach capacity. Zagreb, the capital city, is a delightful blend of East and West. In medieval times, it consisted of two separate towns: Kaptol, the religious center, and Gradec, the commercial hub. Today, both towns together form the Upper Town, or Gornji Grad, the historic Old Town of Zagreb. The Lower Town, or Donji Grad, is more chic and contemporary. Zagreb is a business center, university center, city of culture, art and entertainment. You will find a magnificent cathedral, many churches, offbeat museums and art galleries, with modern shops, stylish cafes and restaurants. The town is the epitome of understated luxury — a laid back capital with an easy vibe, friendly people, and extremely enjoyable to tour and explore. A new airport terminal has expanded passenger capacity by more than double in 2016, which speaks to the rising appeal. The Dalmatian Coast might just be the most stunning coastline in all of Europe, drawing tourists to its turquoise blue waters, calm countryside, stone villages with striking orange roofs, and the homegrown hospitality of its locals.

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The most striking characteristics are the more than 1,200 islands and islets that make the Adriatic side of Croatia’s coastline a dream destination, best seen by sailboat or yacht charter and explored at one’s own pace. You can also explore the coastal islands and archipelagos by ferry service or sea plane. For a 7-day luxury yachting experience along the Dalmatian Coast, consider Crystal Cruises’ new 62-guest Crystal Esprit yacht or Ponant’s 264-guest Le Lyrial. The ancient city of Split is Croatia’s second largest city after Zagreb, and is strategically located to explore islands such as Hvar, Korcula, Brac and Vis. In its historic old town with a pretty palm-lined harbor is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Diocletian’s Palace Complex, built by the Roman emperor Diocletian, who thought the Bay of Split was one

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of the most beautiful spots in the world. Among the ancient columns, temples, immense walls and underground cellars that once made up the Roman emperor’s retirement home, you’ll find that even today people live, work, socialize and carry out their daily lives within these palace walls. Split is a cultural and charming city that is full of warmth and life. A few miles to the north is Trogir, another UNESCO jewel. Its Romanesque churches and Renaissance and Baroque buildings make it a treasure trove for art lovers. Narrow streets and small village squares, along with numerous cultural and music open air events, give this town a special Mediterranean atmosphere. Croatia has a rare European landscape which boasts as many as eight national parks in such a small area!

Two hours from Zagreb lies one of Croatia’s — and the world’s — most beautiful spots and natural phenomenon: Plitvice Lakes National Park. This forested park has been under UNESCO World Heritage Site protection since 1979 and is dotted with 16 turquoise-blue lakes interlinked by numerous stunning cascading waterfalls, limestone canyons, and caves carved over thousands of years. Stroll the park’s paths, which are actually wooden walkways suspended right over the lakes, past waterfalls and occasionally right over the top of them. Depending on hiking stamina, visitors can tackle all the major waterfalls, or simply trek down to the aptly named Big Waterfall, whose path holds more than enough adventure and dazzling views to make the trip worthwhile. You can also opt to take a boat ride across the crystalline Upper Lakes and hop a tram to the Lower Lakes to hike the Big Waterfall. Whether visiting for a few hours or taking a day-long bicycle tour, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not disappoint. The smaller Krka National Park, two hours south by car, is just as magical with its pure karstic river, seven waterfalls and canyons. Aside from national parks, Croatia has 11 nature parks and two arboretums. Altogether, Croatia is home to as many as 4,300 plants and as many animal species. In the north region of Istria, considered to be the foodie center of Croatia, strong Italian influences are evident in architecture and food. Like Tuscany, this earthy province is a national pantry known for its grassy olive oils, remarkable wines, fragrant truffles and rustic taverns. It’s hard to imagine that there’s a splashy beach beyond these hills. The small seaside Istrian city Rovinj sits at the heart of the region. Visit any of the 14 pristine islands that make up the Rovinj Archipelago, or station yourself at a harborside cafe with a glass of wine and watch the sun light up the sky over this postcard-perfect European gem. Once you see Rovinj, it will be clear why they call it the most romantic town in Croatia. A 40-minute drive south of Rovinj is the three thousand year old city of Pula, known for its Roman monuments. Here you’ll find the Roman

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amphitheater known as the Pula Arena, which is the only one in the world that retains four side towers and all three architectural orders. Built between 27 and 68 AD, it’s among the largest surviving arenas in the world. The elegant and fortified city of Dubrovnik, whose medieval 13th-century walls and balmy climate have long lured sun worshipers, is Croatia’s number one tourist attraction. Its charm lies in its ancient architecture, street life, and gorgeous location – it’s not called the “Pearl of the Adriatic” for nothing! One can spend days meandering through the intricate network of streets that run down the limestone cliffs of the old city, uncovering cafes, art galleries, boutiques, monasteries, churches and a host of hidden treasures. Take a private boat to the Elaphiti archipelago with eight islands, only three of which are inhabited. The islands are dotted with pine forests, authentic villages and idyllic bays. Another must-do is to walk the walls of the UNESCO-protected old town and revel in the unspoiled views. There is no shortage of spectacular beaches, but sandy beaches are limited. Croatia is all about picturesque pebbled beaches, lapped by crystal clear water. There are a variety of water sports offered, include jet skiing, wind surfing, kayaking and snorkeling. You will find many family-friendly beaches along

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the coast, while in contrast you will find many lively party beaches on Pag Island that are very often compared to the beaches in Ibiza, Spain. As well you will find nudist beaches in Istria or surf beaches on the artsy island of Brac, famous for its glorious white stone, which was used in the construction of Diocletian’s Palace, and more recently, the White House in Washington DC. In addition, there are hundreds of isolated beaches on dozens of islands in the Dalmatians. The island of Hvar, the sunniest island in Croatia, has long been a destination for jet-set Europeans and wealthy yacht owners, and is known as the St. Tropez of Croatia. Expansive fields of lavender, abundant olive groves and lush vineyards meet the eye when you step off the boat on the island. Walk through the historic Stari Grad (Old Town) of Hvar and step into another world of Venetian loggias, Old World clock towers and cobblestoned streets. The hub of Hvar’s activity and night life scene is at the old harbor. The island of Korcula, also called “small Dubrovnik,” is the rumored birthplace of Marco Polo and a huge draw for history buffs. It is one of the Adriatic’s greenest islands, with vineyards, olive groves, and pine forests in abundance, and small beaches and quiet coves along the southern coast.

A short ferry ride away from the town of Split, the island of Vis is one of the last unspoiled places in the Adriatic. Filled with vineyards, picturesque fishing villages, and cozy restaurants, it offers all of the charm of the Mediterranean without the overwhelming crowds. Snorkeling is the perfect way to explore all its beauties. Not to be missed is a speedboat tour of the Green and Blue caves. Due to Croatia’s central location, it is very easy to connect other countries with Croatia to make a trip even more amazing. Croatia combines well with travel to Italy, Slovenia, Montenegro or Greece. If you have been thinking about visiting Croatia, do so while it is still a good value compared to nearby European countries. You will be enamored!

Margie Boutté, owner/luxury travel consultant of Elite Travel of Scottsdale and Grayhawk resident, has been designing unforgettable travel experiences for clients nationally for over 20 years. Her motto is, “If you can imagine the dream, I can create the reality.” Margie, an affiliate of Montecito Village Travel - A Virtuoso Member, holds numerous specialist certifications with hotels/resorts, cruise lines, destinations, Virtuoso & Virtuoso Cruise Host accreditation, and keeps current through continuing education and travels. She has traveled to 153 cities in 33 countries around the world. 480-451-0612 elitetravelofscottsdale.com

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Enjoy

Sand Sculpture Exhibit Now through Summer 2017 Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion, Carefree Desert Gardens 101 Easy Street, Carefree Free Admission 480-488-3686 carefree.org

Writer Grace Hill Photographer Herbert Hitchon

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Throughout the year, the Town of Carefree diligently plans events that provide the public with unforgettable experiences. These oneof-a-kind events, tucked away in the beautiful Sonoran Desert Foothills, leave guests filled with delight and the desire to return for the next fun-filled affair. This spring and summer, the town is proud to feature Carefree’s favorite sculptor, Ray Villafane. For those unfamiliar with Villafane, last fall, the world-renowned pumpkin carver and sand sculptor transformed Carefree Desert Gardens into an autumn wonderland with quirky and imaginative pumpkin carvings. These pumpkins, which were unlike any other, earned him the title “The Michelangelo of Pumpkin Carving,” dubbed by Martha Stewart. “We receive countless calls asking when Ray will be coming back for the season,” says Gina Kaegi, the director of marketing for the Town of Carefree. “He is a draw to the town and garners media attention like no other.” In addition to his pumpkins, Villafane had people flocking to Carefree back in May 2016 to see his sand sculpting masterpiece. With the added sculpting skills of Sue Beatrice, their creation came to life and featured the beloved “Chessie Trunkston,” a life-size elephant playing chess with an adorable field mouse, “Hershel Higginbottom.” This wow-filled event allowed the public to watch them turn 24 tons of silt into a magnificent display of sand-sculpting excellence. In March, Villafane and fellow sand sculptor, Nikolay Torkhov from Russia, worked together to build yet another incredible work of art at Carefree Gardens. The event also featured a special appearance by professional stone balancer, Tim Anderson. Together, they completed a 30-ton masterpiece that’s both playful and artistically fantastic. Their work will be on display throughout the summer in the Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion at Carefree Desert Gardens. It’s free to see, and will no doubt delight, amaze and inspire those who see it to take sandcastle-building to new heights! “Carefree’s mission is to create indelible memories for residents and new guests through unique experiences among a beautiful backdrop like the Carefree Desert Gardens,” says Kaegi. With so much talent and such exciting events, it’s a mission they continually achieve. villafanestudios.com carefree.org Apri l 2017

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Banana Bundt Cake Ingredients: ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 2 cups granulated sugar 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1½ cup ripe bananas, mashed (about 4 bananas) 2 teaspoons lemon juice ¾ cup buttermilk cream cheese frosting (see recipe below) Directions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and flour bundt pan. Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time on medium speed until well incorporated.

Pour batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cake to cool slightly before inverting onto a cooling rack. Once completely cooled, transfer cake to a serving platter and top with the cream cheese frosting. Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients: 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 2 ounces unsalted butter, softened ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted pinch of salt 2-3 tablespoons whole milk Directions: Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract until well combined.

Add the vanilla extract, lemon juice, and mashed bananas.

Turn mixer to low speed and gradually add powdered sugar and a pinch of salt.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and ground cinnamon.

Add whole milk, one tablespoon at a time, until frosting reaches desired consistency.

Writer and photographer Monica Longenbaker

Turn the mixer to low speed and alternate, adding dry ingredients with buttermilk until just combined.

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A few ripe bananas are the key to creating this beloved Banana Bundt Cake. Once ripened, the banana’s starches convert to sugar, deepening their sweetness and flavor. Draped with a decadent cream cheese frosting, this family classic never seems to go out of style.

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