Artists

Artist Statement:

As an artist, I contribute to the project of human dignity through the exploration of self-liberation. My goal is to capture the essence of ecstatic joy, in visual form. I have known feelings of profound extreme despair, grief, loss, heartbreak, shame and apathy but I had forgotten their opposites. Painting is my way to articulate wonder, joy, radical acceptance and other intense high sensation emotions that are avoided and subjugated. In this way, the act of painting is the practice of freedom. An exploration into the embodiment of ecstatic joy.

I use the language of the desert of Southern Arizona and my visual vocabulary is also heavily influenced by my Chicano roots and the cultural practice of magical realism.

Each painting carries the energetic vibration of freedom and the hope that it may remind the viewer of their own wonder, courage and inner divinity. It is imperative to the project of human dignity that we all individually remember the freedom we already have inside of us.

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

Family is everything. I come from a large family and I have been blessed to also choose those I call family. I am so grateful for the friends and family I have in my life. I am inspired by them each and every day. My friends are family and my life wouldn’t work without the love and support of my friends and loved ones.

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

I have house plants, not home enough for pets but I dream of a dog I can take camping

When did you know that you would be an artist?

When I was 7 I built a three story doll house with furniture out of construction paper. That was the moment I knew I was different, I saw things differently and that I would be an artist. I didn’t know what kind of artist but I knew I was meant to work with color and shape and texture and imagination.

What is your favorite media to work with?

I love acrylic paint because of the physicality it offers and the speed at which I can paint. I use my whole body to paint, and often work on multiple canvases at once. I love the brightness of the colors and the layering effects that acrylic paint offers. I work with modeling paste to build up the base of the paintings, before I start layering color and shape. Texture adds so much nuance and story and mirrors the imperfect quality of life itself. I love the unpredictability that starting with texture offers- life is what you make it and with painting I get to enjoy the thrill of improvisation, experimentation and curiosity.

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

When I’m not painting, I’m climbing rocks. I love sport climbing and bouldering. I’m currently learning trad climbing and training for the AMGA guide certification course.

Today, Pen is known for large-scale murals that blend Tucson history, vibrant characters, and playful energy. Her creative process begins with deep connection, spending time in a space, feeling its rhythm, and sketching concepts directly onto photos before translating them to the wall using projectors, grids, or even virtual reality tools like Oculus.

Her fingerprints are all over the city:

• A Sun Tran Rider Guide cover capturing the heartbeat of Tucson
• Vinyl-wrapped utility boxes featuring whimsical creatures in downtown and beyond
• A powerful tribute mural for Tucson’s 250+ Celebration, honoring the women who helped shape the city’s cultural legacy

In every project, Pen brings humor, humility, and a deep love for her adopted home. Whether it’s a desert monster riding in a sidecar or a mural-within-a-mural nod to fellow artist Joe Pagac, her work surprises, delights, and pays homage to Tucson’s rich artistic fabric.

Follow Pen’s colorful world on Instagram @thedesertpen

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

Where did you grow up?

Christine grew up and lived in Poland until 1981 when political system was changing.
Forced to leave Poland she came to United States with her husband and daughter and met many challenges with learning the language, working at entry level jobs until she started her career working with organizations helping disable individuals to achieve better life.

Tell us about your family

Christine had to leave her family behind to start a new life in USA. Currently she enjoys very loving relationship with her beautiful daughter, her husband and two wonderful grandsons who live in Virginia.

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

Christine no longer has pets.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

From young age Christine always had creative spirit. She designed clothes and started creating art. She worked in theater that inspired her to pursue variety of mediums.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Christine loves creating collages, found objects art and mixed media paintings. She enjoys bright texture and 3 D images.

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

She spends most of her time on creating art and design.

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

Where did you grow up?

A small town in northern NJ, about 40 minutes outside of NYC, where my father was an Assistant Art Director at Forbes magazine and my mom stayed at home to raise us in a quiet neighborhood full of plenty of kids and parks and bikes and little league, and trips to museums and art fairs in NY, exploring historical sites, summer camping trips to the Jersey Shore. Not perfect by far, but lots of good experiences and educational. I loved growing up next to NYC.

Tell us about your family

My husband, Robb Sikes, and I have been together for 20 years, married since 2020. We both work from our home office and studio; he’s a Business/Life Coach, Broker/Realtor and Mortgage Lender.

In addition to the fine art side of my business, I have been a graphic designer for over 40 years and maintain a wide client base, specializing in Logo/Identity/Branding and Marketing Design. And our two dogs.

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

We have two adorable rescues from Pathways to Paws here in Tucson. Carbon is a completely black (except for two white tufts of fur) MinPin Chihuahua mix and Echo is a a tan and white, amazingly beautiful mix of Whippet and Basenji with super long legs and super big ears.

We love these girls who think they are sisters and provide hours of fun and chasing and cuddles and love. We consider ourselves fortunate they chose to live with us!

When did you know that you would be an artist?

My dad also did freelance photo retouching at his desk in our unfinished attic, and I would watch in fascination as he took out bumps and scratches from cars, and smoothed wrinkles in faces. It was some kind of magic to me at age 6 and I was hooked.

I received heaps of encouragement and praise from art teachers throughout my elementary and high school years, received awards and advanced standing in my undergraduate education. While I did not attend the School of Visual Arts in NYC, I was 1 of the 100 students out of 1500 accepted in ‘83. This path kept opening to me, so it has always made sense to walk in it.

I grew up with my dad’s paintings in our home, even after my parents divorced when I was nine. His art that remained in our home was my connection to him. I think his being an artist gave me “permission” to be an artist, though it would never have occurred to me that I would not be allowed to pursue something in the visual arts.

As an adult I reconnected with him here in Tucson, and it was my honor to have both father and son represented at a now-closed gallery in the foothills. A few months before he passed we sat in my studio and I thanked him for passing on his talent to me. His response still lives with me: “I love what you’ve done with it.”

What is your favorite media to work with?

I enjoy working fast and energetically with lots of color, and I need it to dry quickly. Lots and lots of thick layers of clashing acrylic paint make me swoon. And fortunately, the Arizona desert is so dry, a few minutes out in the direct sunlight enables drying times that would set world records.

Lately I’ve been playing with watercolors and using acrylic as watercolor, as well as doing objective work.

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

If I’m not painting, I’m designing logos and brochures and large photographic murals for institutions and business interiors. Otherwise, playing with the dogs, watching old sitcom reruns or sci fi movies.

I have remodeled two homes and landscapes and outdoor living areas. I enjoy reading widely, space fiction and all kinds of other genres.

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

Where did you grow up?

Tucson

Tell us about your family

My family is wonderful. Mother Jean, Father David and two sisters Krista and Jamie

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

Clark is my polydactyl, part Maine coon cat! He’s a cuddly lover for sure! He especially loves to sleep in my lap while I paint.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I’ve been creating different variations of art for most of my life. The application of paint to canvas for me was a large moment as I began to see the universe unfurl in front of me in ways I hadn’t experienced. But when did I know? I don’t believe I can answer that in current time. There is little of this world I can say that I “know”. Probably around the beginning of 2022 I realized I may have something tractable that people may, in their own perception, enjoy.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Acrylic and oil on canvas

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

Spend time with my beautiful fiancee Athena, read, meditate, study theory

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

Where did you grow up?

I moved to Tucson at the age of 11, and although I’m not technically a native, it has been my home for the longest part of my life. Prior to Tucson, I lived in Alabama and North Carolina. Moving to the desert was a significant adjustment, but it has been an incredible journey. I’ve found amazing, life-long friends here and haven’t looked back since

Tell us about your family

Well, my journey with my husband Tony, began back at NAU in Flagstaff, where we crossed paths as students. Tony’s knack for mechanical engineering always impressed me; he has this uncanny ability to troubleshoot and repair just about anything, which I find incredibly admirable.

Over the past 15 years of marriage, we’ve cultivated a wonderful bond, and our household is further enriched by our curious and nature-loving 9-year-old son. He’s absolutely enthralled by the world of insects, animals, and the great outdoors. Reflecting on my own affinity for nature, I realize it’s a legacy passed down from my father, an arborist who instilled in me a deep appreciation for the natural world during childhood walks, pointing out the diverse species of trees. And then there’s my mother – she pursued creative writing in college but ultimately chose a path in respiratory therapy, working tirelessly as a single parent. Despite her dedication to healthcare, she encouraged me to follow my passions, steering me away from the medical field. Their influences have shaped our family dynamic and my own career pursuits

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

Yes, I have three very spoiled, small dogs. It’s wonderful, except when someone knocks on the door or rings the doorbell. My son has a bearded dragon and raises beetles, as he dreams of becoming an entomologist. While I’m not particularly fond of bugs, I’m doing my best to embrace his passion.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

From a very young age, I always loved being creative and working with my hands. Art and music were always my favorite subjects. In high school, I played the clarinet in the band and considered a career in music, but the visual arts increasingly drew my attention. I spent my spare time sketching, always immersed in my sketchbook.

One memorable moment was when my friends surprised me by turning my sketchbook into a coloring book. We sold it to people on 4th Avenue to raise funds for a trip to Mexico. This experience marked a turning point, both for my art and my perception of its potential. It was then that I truly felt my passion for visual arts solidify and take a new direction.

What is your favorite media to work with?

I have a deep love for painting, alternating between watercolor and acrylics. Watercolor allows me to be more fluid and less perfectionistic, encouraging a more relaxed and intuitive approach. It also helps me to be more conscious of how light is portrayed. Acrylics, on the other hand, offer a different kind of control and vibrancy, balancing my artistic exploration.

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

When I’m not creating, I love spending time with my son and husband. We enjoy golfing, hiking, swimming, playing guitar and exploring the beautiful landscapes of the Southwest. I also work full-time in an arts administrative position, where I relish the opportunity to promote other artists.

After the Neighborhood Diners painting was complete, Mike started a second Tucson themed painting.  This time the theme being Local Mexican Restaurants. As with the Neighborhood Diner piece, Mike posted updates on various Tucson Facebook pages. Also, as with the Diners painting, individuals gave valuable feedback that was incorporated into the painting.

Over the past four years, most of Mike’s art has focused on this participatory process of creating Tucson themed art.   To date, nine have been completed.  And for each, the stories people have told on Facebook, and the recommendations they made, have given the artwork a texture and feeling it would not have had if there were not the participation. And for individuals who might believe that they didn’t have any artistic talent, they got to actively participate the artistic process.

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

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in southern California; during the mid to late 60s …. Hence I had a front row seat to the cultural, social and artistic shifts that would be sweeping across the country. 

Tell us about your family

My wife (Esther, who has put up with me for over 50 years) and I raised two children, Scott and Melissa.  Both are University of Arizona graduates, and both live in the Phoenix area.  We are also blessed with two grandchildren, Logan and Dylan.  

When did you know that you would be an artist?

Interesting question.  I think “I identified as an artist” at a very young, grade school age.  

What is your favorite media to work with?

My primary medium is currently digital painting.  I love it for a variety of reason, but mostly because it allows me to carry my studio (basically my laptop) with me wherever I go.

(I am often hesitant to use the term Digital Painting to describe my art, for fear that someone might think that all I do is hit a button and viola …. A painting.  In fact, each of my digital street scene paintings take upwards of 200 hours to complete).

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

In some ways, I don’t think I’m ever entirely not doing art.  If not actively designing and painting; I’m likely thinking about future possibilities.   

I also greatly enjoy my wife and I spending time with our kids and grandkids. Going on cruises with my wife and friends is also high up on the list of things I enjoy doing.

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

Where did you grow up?

My earlier childhood was spent in Southern California, but my family moved to Tucson, AZ when I was barely a teenager, so Tucson feels more like home.

Tell us about your family

I moved to AZ with my mom and sisters when I was younger, and the rest of my family lives in CA. My mom, sisters, and their partners all currently live in Tucson. I’m enjoying the single life with my pets at home.

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

Yes, two cats— Mushu and Neo— who are my loves, and 10 snakes— mostly Carpet pythons (a species from Australia).

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I’ve always enjoyed art from a young age and my mom said I would be an artist someday. I remember creating detailed drawings for book reports in second grade, and I continued drawing until I reached college. College put a damper on my creative spirit due to lack of time, and I didn’t revisit art until I graduated. I started exploring painting around that time, and though it was very irregular over the following years, I picked it up again and have been creating art somewhat consistently for the past decade. Only in the past few years did I decide to pursue art as more than a hobby, and create on a regular basis with intention to share it with others.

What is your favorite media to work with?

I love working with acrylic paint, and I recently picked up markers a few years ago as an experimental side project. Though it was a steep learning curve initially, I improved my skills over the following years, and not only do I love using markers now, but all of my stickers and invertebrate art have been created using this medium! I also sketch and occasionally mess with watercolors.

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

When I’m not creating art I’m at my job working with reptiles and invertebrates, hiking, at the gym, reading, learning piano, baking, spending time with my kitties, and during the summer I enjoy Blacklighting (for moths) and looking for reptiles.