Artists

Tell us about your family?

I was born into a family of 2^nd generation  Armenians, which means all my grandparents survived the Armenian Genocide  of 1915. We are a family of waves riders literally and metaphorically. We not  only navigated some atrocious circumstances in life but we thoroughly enjoy life too, especially moments in the great outdoors riding ocean waves, & shredding  (skiing) snow-capped mountains. All my grandparents & parents and most  uncles & aunts passed on decades ago. Today my true (extended) family has  expanded globally and so I now consider myself belong to a family of Rainbow  Light Peace Keepers.  

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

For over 20 years I had the  pleasure of sharing my home with three kitties who all passed on in the past  three years. Betty Diamond, my oldest, came to me from a kitty litter. Mukti (the  Sanskrit word for liberation) and Karuna (the Sanskrit word for compassion), feral  kitten siblings, were running for their lives in West University Neighborhood until I  rescued them but we all know who rescued who. Betty Diamond on the other  hand was a Guru in disguise and our connection was uncanny. All three brought  immense joy into my life and saw me thru the twists and turns & the highs and  lows of life. I adored each of them, and look forward to the next kitty I am  blessed with.  

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I never knew I would be an  artist, I just knew I was a creator from an early age. I was drawing, painting,  linoleum block printing, building with papier-mâché, cardboard, wood, and clay  early in life. Unfortunately, pursuing art beyond High School was not supported  by my dad, although my childhood art teachers recognized my gift and passion,  and did there best to encourage me to apply to art schools. My formal education  & degrees are in Mathematics & Computer Science, and although my training in  ceramics is not considered formal, I have been taught, touched & guided to my  heART by many visible & invisible hands. 

What is your favorite media to work with?

Hands down low fire earthenware  clay is my favorite medium to work with. I absolutely love having my hands in the  clay. Clay not only feels good it is a most friendly and forgiving medium to work  with before the first firing. Low fire clay bodies allow me to achieve the vibrant  colors in my glazes. I also love co-creating with the kiln gods and goddesses  who have a hand in every piece. Letting go is a practice but always so exciting  when it’s time to open my kilns after a glaze firing.  

What do you do when you’re not doing your art?

If I’m not fixing something  around the house or doing office work, I’m enjoying the great outdoors, hiking,  biking, skiing, surfing, diving, or kayaking… either solo or with friends in Tucson,  or out of town guests. This past year I was teaching skiing on Mt Lemmon  because we had three months of snow. I love getting to the Lower Salt River and  Patagonia lake to kayak and swim in the summers. Hiking & biking to waterholes  with waterfalls in Sabino Canyon never gets old, and neither does the ocean and  riding the waves in Encinitas, CA. Diving in Mexico was no comparison to taking  my open water dive certification in the Long Island Sound when I was a teenager.  Art openings, dancing, time in the yard, and time in the kitchen cooking good meals are some other things I do when I’m not creating in the studio.  

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

Where did you grow up?  

I grew up in the deep South in a subtropical climate where the neighbors all knew each other, and the  river was always running.  

Tell us about your family.  

My family is very supportive of my art. My mom was a teacher, and my dad was in the music business.  When I was younger, even though we lived in the same household, my dad would mail letters to me  written in rebus form, using illustrated pictures in the place of words.  

Do you have pets? If yes, tell us about them.  

We have a dog who loves to sing. He can do lots of tricks like dancing, rolling over, and doing yoga  (downward dog), but his best talent is singing. When I move my arms around like I’m conducting an  orchestra, that really gets him going.  

When did you know that you would be an artist?  

I realized my destiny in 10^th grade when my high school English teacher made me stay after school to  wash all the desks, because I supposed she was envious of my ability to draw masterpieces on desks  with a No. 2 pencil.  

What is your favorite media to work with?  

My favorite medium is acrylics, because I like painting in layers. Shrek would say that my paintings are  like onions.  

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do? Or what do you do when you’re not  doing your art?  

I enjoy tandem bicycling with my husband, church activities with my family, and cooking from scratch.  And when the river runs in Tucson, I take pictures – because they last longer. 

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

We have two cute and kinda crazy rescue dogs.  Sandi is 14 years old and was rescued in Vegas.  She and I have walked many miles together over the years!  Supposedly she is pug, beagle and chihuahua.  Romeo is an adorable little 3 year old guy.  We rescued him from PACC who had saved his life and he sticks true to the name they gave him. He is probably chihuahua and minpin. Romeo is a lover and gives amazing hugs.  

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I had a lot of energy as a kid.  I played every sport I could, loved the monkey bars and swing sets, but needed down time and that is when I would sit quietly in my parents basement with art projects.  I had amazing art teachers in high school who lead me to believe I was capable to pursue the arts. I was so dedicated and passionate.  That is when I decided to study the arts at the University of Arizona, and then I had my first solo show at age 27 that was super successful.  

What is your favorite media to work with?

I adore mixed media.  I put a great deal of thought into my creations and which papers make the best sense or add the most intriguing element of excitement or surprise. 

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do (Tom’s way of asking)? Or, what do you do when you’re not doing your art?

I enjoy hiking and biking.  My husband and I are always looking for new recipes because we love to cook.  I can’t go too long without a trip because I enjoy travel and exploring new places.  I am the president of the Southern Arizona Arts Guild because I am passionate about supporting the arts in Southern Arizona.  Recently, I began meditating and joined a book club.  

Tell us about your family

My older brother and sister and I got along well. Our parents gave us free range in the kitchen, so we experimented a lot and came up with some pretty whacky creations. We loved hosting french toast eating contests when our parents were away.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I have been drawing as long as I can remember. Our dad was a dentist, and he would bring home supplies for creating molds that used to make chalk. Our driveway was covered with scenery I envisioned. I was always hustling homemade crafts to friends at school in order to make money so I could buy ice cream sandwiches.

What is your favorite media to work with?

While I have experimented with so many types of media, my favorite is still pens and pencils on sketchbook paper. I love the low maintenance aspect and can carry my supplies in my purse so I can create anywhere.

What do you do when you’re not doing your art?

I always start my day doing something outdoors, riding my bike, running, walking or hiking. It helps me feel settled so I can come back home and create. I enjoy experiencing other artists’ creativity, especially street artists, filmmakers and musicians. At home, my husband, son and I love to cook (and eat!) so our kitchen is often a mess with clouds of flour and some form of chocolate.

Tom has always been a creator of sorts making things out of scrap wood, metal, and discarded materials found in second-hand stores and junkyards. He enjoys repurposing things that innovative industrialists have already designed and finding ways to put them together in an artistic way. Photography is a recent passion.

In his early 20s, Tom displayed his first artistic lighting works in downtown Tucson storefronts and then in a gallery in Dallas, Texas where he was featured on the front cover of Dallas Morning News Magazine. He also designed and sold southwest furniture for a local Tucson retailer and made custom pieces for friends. His design career was put on hold to finish graduate school at the University of Arizona and then begin his urban planning career and raise a family with his wife Nicole.

Over the years, Tom has developed a particular interest in 1900s American industrial design, hence the photos of the old cars and buildings in historic Lowell, Arizona. “I’m not a trained photographer but I do have a good eye for classic design and context for photos. My goal was to capture the iconic shapes and colors on Lowell’s main street with the Arizona sky in the background. There is a story to be discovered in the lines, chrome, and dents of old cars. I want to know who designed them and who made them in the factories. And what roads did those cars travel to get to where they are today?”

What’s next for Tom? With retirement on the horizon, he has plans to revive his art interests with more photography and lighting works of art. Stay tuned.

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

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Tucson where my parents first came here in 1969 to teach at the UofA. We lived close to the campus in the Sam Hughes neighborhood. A few years later, we moved to an old 1930s guest ranch called Las Lomas in the Tucson Mountains where the desert was my playground. In later years, we moved central where I attended Salpointe High School and went off to college in Arizona and western Europe for a few semesters. I grew up around a lot of educators and creative people. Travel was a big part of my upbringing, thanks to my parents.

Tell us about your family

I am married to my best friend Nicole and we have two adult children and a grandchild on the way. Nicole and I first met in 1987 at the Ramada Downtown where she was the front desk clerk and I was the bellman. We lived together in Armory Park for a few years and eventually moved around and figured out our professional careers while raising kids. And 32 years later, here we are. We enjoy renovating and living in older Tucson-style houses. 

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

We have four dogs. Wilma is the old lady Chocolate Lab. Izzie and Lucy are high-energy acrobat Standard Poodles. Beau is a young small French poodle. And we have three grand-dogs that often come to visit for family get-togethers.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

When I was 22, I first displayed my artwork in a downtown retail store which happens to be in the same building as The Tucson Gallery. At that time, I had ambitions to be a career artist but needed to make more money as I was tired of living paycheck to paycheck. Within a few years, Nicole and I moved to Dallas where I worked retail and had my lighting works in a gritty gallery and sold everything. I was featured on the front cover of Dallas Morning News Magazine. That gave me confidence in my talents, but I decided to put my art career on hold for the next 30 years to be urban planner and raise a family. I have always been an artist of some sort. No regrets on anything.

What is your favorite media to work with?

Mainly wood, and 1900s industrial metal components and kitchen utensils. This is my inspiration for more artistic lighting sculpture projects. I don’t consider myself a very good photographer yet, but I am preparing myself with more digital art training. I like street scenes, buildings, and transportation.

What do you do when you’re not doing your art?

My full-time job at the City of Tucson managing parks improvement projects. Work on old houses. Daytrips to southern Arizona for inspiration. Spend time with our kids and dogs. Travel to Europe and take lots of photos, especially Italy. Writing down my art ideas in preparation for DOING my art.

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

Where did you grow up?

Original from Guadalajara, MX, Moved to the US at the age of five. Grew up in Potsdam, NY and moved to Tucson in 1980 where I attended Amphi Jr. High and High school. Alum of the University of Arizona, Eller College of Business 

Tell us about your family

I’ve been married 24 years to Katie and have two daughter’s, Sophie 19, and Marissa, 18

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

I have a cockapoo, named Gracie, Two cats, French Fry and Abby and a four year old desert tortoise, Franklin

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I still don’t know that I am 🙂 I enjoy taking photos of our beautiful desert and surroundings. 

What is your favorite media to work with?

Camera and Prints 

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do (Tom’s way of asking)? Or, what do you do when you’re not doing your art?

Spending time with my daughters and I also love to cook and grill. 

Tell us about your family.

My parents and grandparents were from NY.  I have a sister and brother  We had lots of family around us to spend time with. I loved growing up in New York.  I married in 1984 to Paul, we have two children, Nikki and Charlie.

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

I’ve always loved animals and my first pet when I was young was a turtle. I got my first dog in my teens and have had a dog or two ever since. Now I have one dog, his name is Mordi, he is 16 years old and spoiled as he should be.

When did you know that you would be an artist?

When I was in high school I loved to draw. I also took a photography class where I learned to develop my own film. I loved watching the images appear right in front of me. After raising my kids I got into the digital world and bought my first camera.  I was photographing weddings for a while so I could upgrade my equipment.  I started going out into the desert and fell in love with all wildlife.  I will communicate with anything that is living. I started my love of birds about 13 years ago with hummingbirds.  Then I started seeing raptors and the rest is history. I spend many hours a week driving to different places to see what I can find. It’s my saving grace.  When my mom was declining, photography and nature was the only thing that brought me peace and calm.

What is your favorite media to work with?

I love photography and I love creating art with my images.  I try to get the picture I want right out of the camera.  I rarely adjust my photos but every so often I will crop or adjust color.

What do you do when you’re not doing your art?

When I’m not taking photos, I work in a mental health office as office manager. I’ve been there for the past 22 years. It’s nice to know I’m part of a business where we can help people.

I moved to Tucson in the late 70’s and fell in love with the desert. I call myself a desert rat.  I love communicating with wildlife. Most of the time I’m alone with my camera but I also enjoy being with my photo friends. 

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

Where did you grow up?

I grew up hard and I grew up fast in the vast desert of Tucson, AZ! I went to  Palo Verde High School and graduated cum laude from the U of A.

Tell us about your family

I’m an only child and my parents got divorced when I was 8. I stayed with  my dad, who is awesome, and supported my art career without waver. My  mom and I are close as well and my workshop sits on her property called  Tintown, one of Tucson’s greatest secrets. 

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

We have a golden doodle named Yoda, a beagle/pitbull named Ginny, and a  king snake named Medusa.  

When did you know that you would be an artist?

I was on track to be a baseball player, but got burnout big time. I received a  degree in English and Creative Writing and started teaching 8th grade  language arts…hated it. Started doing metal work for fun and it started to  sell. I knew I was fully in as an artist at around 25…7000 sculptures later  here I am.  

What is your favorite media to work with?

I love working with steel, the challenge of taking a rigid medium and making  it look fluid just lights me up. 

What do you do when you’re not doing the voodoo that you do (Tom’s way of asking)? Or, what do you do when you’re not doing your art?

When I’m not doing art I’m spending time with my wife Megan, or watching  my daughter, Sedona, ride horses. I also tend to love anything Star Wars.