Artists

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

Born in Honolulu, I was lucky enough to grow up in Laguna Beach, CA. After Laguna schools, I attended University of California’s Santa Barbara and Berkeley campuses. I later had a career in telecom where I worked in locations around the U.S. I had no inkling of any creative talent.

Tell us about your family

I am an eldest child with 2 brothers. Growing up three blocks from the beach, it has always been my second home. As a teen I looked forward to “big surf”: I wanted to be out there with the boys v. on the shore with gal pals. Most family vacations were spent camping along the Colorado River, water skiing and spending hours in the river—a true Aquarius. I met my husband, Tom, while living in the Chicago ‘burbs; after retirement we moved to the Tucson area. Widowed several years ago, I am “alone again, naturally”, charting new paths.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

Art was a later in life pursuit for me. Living in Laguna Beach, a famed art community, I
was exposed to art in my youth. In college I loved my art/architecture history classes.
But the corporate world called. My employer offered the Myers-Briggs Personality test
which indicated I should have a career in an art/design field—I just laughed.
When I retired, I took an art class and have been taking them since. I recently came
across the those test results and now acknowledge it was spot on.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Well, I still dream of being a painter, but I love being out in nature and storms fascinate me as well as astrophotography. And I am always scouting and researching new dark sky areas to travel to.

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

My husband and I enjoy 4 wheeling, camping, fishing , we also rode and trained Quarter Horses in Reining shows and trailed trained them for hunting and camping. And I love to garden and grow my own vegetables.

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

Texas

Tell us about your family

Married with 4 grown kids

Do you have pets, if yes, tell us about them?

Yes a little Dog Dasie

When did you know that you would be an artist?

At age 5

What is your favorite media to work with?

Steel

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

I build art full time / if not working I like to hang out with my family

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

Lincoln, California in Northern California.

Tell us about your family

I married my high school sweetheart and have two grown children that reside in the Tucson area and my Mom and Dad also live nearby. My Dad had a love for astronomy and always had a telescope trained on the night sky, which I found to be fascinating as well. I remember being very little and watching in wonder the way the light and clouds moved across our little valley. My husband also has a keen interest in art and we love visiting museums and art galleries.

Do you have pets, if yes, tell us about them?

We have three fur babies, two dogs and one cat. Penny is our 3 year old Red Heeler who we refer to as “spicy nice” (think Ghost Pepper!) and a 10 month old Boykin Spaniel mix who is just a big-hearted sit on your lap 60 pounder who will do any for food! Buster our 15 year old cat is content to sit and watch the endless mayhem going on around him!

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I was about six years old when I would ask my mom to buy me watercolor paints and books and work on them for hours outside in our large backyard, but I was always frustrated with my “masterpieces” , they just didn’t look like anything that I envisioned in my head. But, when I was nine my parents came home with a Brownie Hawkeye camera from a yard sale and then I discovered a real path for me to be creative. I took photography throughout high school, had my own makeshift darkroom at home and was always taking pictures and developing my own film. Later I attended Sierra College in Northern California and took every course that was offered in photography graduating in 2001.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Well, I still dream of being a painter, but I love being out in nature and storms fascinate me as well as astrophotography. And I am always scouting and researching new dark sky areas to travel to.

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

My husband and I enjoy 4 wheeling, camping, fishing , we also rode and trained Quarter Horses in Reining shows and trailed trained them for hunting and camping. And I love to garden and grow my own vegetables.

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

Lived in Florida till 6yrs old, lived in Oklahoma to 15yrs of age then to Tucson AZ till now.

Tell us about your family

Married for 32yrs. I have one son in his twenties.

Do you have pets, if yes, tell us about them?

3 Shorkies.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

Grade school, I always had an eye for creativity and art.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Repurposed and reuse, work with metal mostly.

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

Spend time with my family, and I enjoy my 1963 Galaxie 500 convertable.

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Hinckley, Minnesota – a small, rural town in the east central part of the state. Cold winters and lush green summers, all filled with plenty of outdoor adventures and roaming around town with friends.

Tell us about your family

I moved to Tucson 18 years ago and while most of my family is still in the midwest or spread out across the country, I’ve built a strong sense of community here. Close friends in Tucson have become like family, and I think of Tucson as home. I live downtown with my partner, Dustin, and our cat.

Do you have pets, if yes, tell us about them?

Dude the cat is my loyal sidekick and pride and joy. He is a big boy and while he is technically in his older years he has not lost his youthful energy or charm. He recently had the opportunity to be in a photoshoot and design project but he’s not letting the fame go to his head.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I always admired artists but only recently have embraced the title myself. When I first moved to Tucson I had planned to pursue a masters degree in Classics to build on an undergrad that included ancient languages. But, after a summer intensive Latin class, I realized that while I loved dead languages, and always dreamed of being an Indiana Jones type, I did not want to pursue a career in academia.

That shift led me to discover graphic design and attend art school. After nearly fifteen years working primarily in digital design, I began exploring collage as a creative and therapeutic outlet, which eventually grew into my current art practice.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Collage and acrylic. I love starting with found imagery and building a story or new context around key pieces. The addition of acrylic or different photo transfer methods gives me more room to explore and create.

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

When I am not making collage art, I am often designing websites, brands or other creative projects. My partner and I are big movie fans and you can frequently find us at the theater, especially for any new spooky or horror releases. I also love cooking and find a lot of satisfaction in creating something delicious out of whatever ingredients I have on hand.

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

Tucson, AZ

Tell us about your family

I moved back to Tucson in November 2025 to be closer to my family, who have always been an important part of my life. Creativity runs in the family—one of my brothers produces music, and the other plays in a local band called Desert Music Project. Being surrounded by their creativity and support has been really grounding and inspiring. Living near them again has given me a deeper sense of connection, both personally and in my work.

Do you have pets, if yes, tell us about them?

I have a dog named Nala who brings me so much joy! She has been with me through some of life’s hardest moment. We love going on walks and playing at the dog park.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I have known I was an artist since I was a kid. I have always used different forms of art as an outlet whether it was painting with my Grandma or doing scrapbooking with my Bubbe or learning photography in high school. In 4th grade we went on a field trip to a tiny town where we were all assigned jobs based on our interests. I worked at the Art Shop for the day and loved it!

What is your favorite media to work with?

Resin

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

I love golfing and playing pickle ball with my family and spending time with my friends. I love being outdoors and connected to nature in any way!

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

Coming from a military family, Jennifer grew up moving around every few years before settling in Tucson in 1987. She’s been here ever since and can’t think of any where else she’d rather be.

Tell us about your family

Jennifer is married with two grown children, a grand child and another on the way.

Do you have pets, if yes, tell us about them?

Jennifer’s family always had cats when she was growing up. She and her husband now have 2 dogs, a cat, 2 snakes, a tarantula, a leopard gecko, and a tank full of fish.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

Ever since she was young, Jennifer has always had some type of arts and crafts in her life, but it was never the main focus. After years sitting in an office in front of a computer, she finally made it a priority and left the 9-to-5 to do something more creative and fun. She hasn’t looked back.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Jennifer enjoys exploring new ways to create but finds herself always incorporating some aspect of Tucson and the desert into whatever she does. From cactus to mountains or desert critters, there’s almost too much beauty to choose from.

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

When she isn’t working, Jennifer enjoys reading, walks with the dogs, and a good craft brewery with her husband.

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. I have lived in Florida, California and now Arizona.

Tell us about your family

I live with my wife, we have been together 45 years.

Do you have pets, if yes, tell us about them?

We have had beautiful poodles in the past, but no current pets.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I have always been creative, I have always enjoyed making things. I became an engineer so I could design and make things, and I became an artist to do the same thing.

What is your favorite media to work with?

My favorite media is found objects, enhanced with neon.

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

I like to cook – another creative outlet.

The Tucson Gallery Asked Each Artist The Same Questions To Get To Know Them Better

Where did you grow up?

Tucson, AZ

Tell us about your family

I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and come from a small, close-knit family of four — plus our beloved pets. Art and music have always been at the heart of our heritage and family traditions, shaping who I am today.

Do you have pets, if yes, tell us about them?

Tina, my 13-year-old chihuahua, loves her early morning walks and proudly serves as my lead art-class assistant — and beloved companion — during our Sunday morning senior citizen art sessions.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I knew I was going to dedicate my life to art at the age of 13, when I played “art gallery” and proudly showed and sold my drawings to family members during their visits. That moment made me realize art wasn’t just something I loved — it was who I was meant to become.

What is your favorite media to work with?

My two favorite mediums are acrylic, ink, and oil — each allowing me to express emotion and movement in a unique way.

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do?

When I’m not creating art, I dedicate my time to working at Pima Community College as a Financial Aid Advisor, an adjunct professor teaching French Through Art, and as an instructor for senior citizen art classes. In many ways, even when I’m not painting, my life still revolves entirely around art.

Erik’s artistic journey began unexpectedly in a high school art class at Sonoran Science Academy, where a few weeks of jewelry-making instruction ignited a lifelong passion. From molten pewter and silver fabrication to mastering vintage die-striking techniques, he fell in love with the balance of precision and creativity that metalwork demands.

That spark evolved into a calling. After years working in a local jewelry supply shop, Erik took the leap in 2022 to make his craft a full-time pursuit. Today, his Tucson studio (often with help from his wife, Abby) is filled with the sounds of sanding wheels and the gleam of turquoise stones, as he creates one-of-a-kind pieces that honor the history and spirit of the Southwest.

A defining element of Erik’s work is his use of century-old impression dies, tools originally carved by jewelers in Europe and the early American workshops of New York and Rhode Island. By restoring and reusing these historic designs (sourced through local legend Potter USA), Erik bridges past and present, preserving artistry that might otherwise have been lost.

From traditional bolo ties, Arizona’s official state neckwear, to bold custom silverworks, EnB Jewelry embodies craftsmanship that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new.

You can find Erik’s work year-round at The Tucson Gallery and at local artisan markets like the Tucson Museum of Art Fall Artisans Market and the Made in Tucson Market. His next series, Tucson Gallery-inspired silver landscapes, promises to blur the line between jewelry and sculpture, turning wearable art into collectible keepsakes.