Holiday Open Studio & Book Signing

Saturday, December 10, 9am–5pm
2141 E. Cedar St, #1, Tempe, Az 85281

Meet special guest Andrea Chilcote, author of Erik’s Hope: The Leash that Led Me to Freedom, from 11 am– 2 pm. Andrea will introduce her book at 11:30 am. Proceeds from book sales benefit the DOVES® program for victims of elder abuse.

Artist Lynda Fullerton offers her latest handcrafted jewelry incorporating gemstones, beads, pearls and crystals with forged metal and wire.

In the studio, new creations~sculptures, calendars, steel tiles, cards, garden totems, unique functional and gift items. Hybrid metal/painting series from the Chandler solo show in the front rooms.

Plus, tasty sips and bites. Free and open to the public, wheelchair accessible.

Dec10 Open Studio invitation and map

Undivided Attention

Installation views of new sculptures and paintings at Chandler Center for the Arts. Twelve of the pieces are new “hybrids” which combine an acrylic painting with a welded, patinaed metal panel. The exhibition opens with a reception this Friday, October 7th, from 7-9 pm, and continues through November 19th. Hours are Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm, and Saturday noon-4 pm.

Ironwork Today 3

Ironwork Today 3, to be released November 2011

Schiffer Publishing will release Ironwork Today 3, Inside & Out this fall. I just received word that my work will be included in this edition by Jeffrey B. Snyder. A wide range of iron artwork, created by 82 of today’s artist-blacksmiths, will be highlighted. Over 450 color photos, 256 pp.

My work was also published in the first Ironwork Today, and Ironwork Today: Dynamic Details, both by Dona Z. Meilach.

Artist Statement for Women’s Room

The “Scarification Series” sculptures and paintings grew out of my interest in African art and ritual scarification, where the skin is pierced to create patterns of raised scars on the body to signify rites of passage. Each work embodies a powerful physical presence and spirit which evolves over time from the process of manual labor and working the material intuitively.

I am challenged by the ambiguity of metal—turning flat, hard, industrial material into organic forms that seem to shift and move as they reflect light. Layers of colored patinas bring the aesthetics of painting to sculpture. The layers of shifting dark and light shapes, texture and color evoke a sense of mystery, inviting the viewer to explore the work.

The process of developing a piece of art is analogous to the process of ritual scarification, and the process of life itself—in spite of our original plans, all require sacrifice, pain and loss in order to create something more beautiful, with a more intensely developed character. For me, part of the appeal of the process is the extreme amount of deconstruction—cutting up and taking apart—that is necessary before the work can be re-ordered as a unified organic presence. The tension between the sense of exuberance and growth, and death and decay creates a sense of mystery that invites the viewer to explore these works in depth.

www.JoanWaters.com

©Joan Waters  All rights reserved

Scarification Series: Amber, Rose, Indigo

Women’s Room~ Bragg’s Pie Factory

In September, Bragg’s Pie Factory will present
Women’s Room: Art by Phoenix’s Premier Female Artists.

(From the press release) The exhibition, curated by Robrt Pela, features 14 well-known, much-admired visual artists, many of them debuting new work. The artists are Annie Lopez, Shari Bombeck, Janet De Berge Lange, Linda Ingraham, Jenny Ignakowski, Mollie Kellogg, Arlene Meyer, Irma Sanchez, Patricia Sahertian, Diane Sanborn, Cindy Schnackel, Kathy Taylor, Joan Waters, and Katherine Zsolt. Exciting new paintings, sculpture, photography, mixed-media pieces, and installations.

Please join us First Friday, Sept. 2 and Third Friday, Sept. 16,
from 6 – 11 pm. (and by appointment)

Open Studio July 22 & 23

“Dogs Days of Summer” Open Studio
Friday, July 22 from 11am–6pm and Saturday, July 23 from 8am–4pm

2141 E. Cedar St., #1, Tempe, AZ 85281

Preview new works–large and small, with special pricing, refreshments, and air conditioning (for dogs!)

Cool Open Studio

Thanks to everyone who made Saturday’s Open Studio a success. It was a hot day in Phoenix, so I had the a/c set low (and even had a couple of complaints that it was too chilly.) I appreciated the good energy, feedback and influx of new ideas that everyone brought to the studio. It was great to see people making new friends and sharing comments, too. Barney had his fill (almost) of attention and offers from many to go home with them. I’m possibly going to do another one in May and June, but will keep you posted. Much appreciated!

Open Studio Sat. April 16

Charity Artwork Auctions

Defining best practices to ensure greater profitability and success for both charity and artist

I’ll be writing about charitable events where artwork is donated by artists, and sold in live and silent auctions. What elements make these events successful or disappointing? How can the artist and the charity maximize the benefits? How can artists contribute, without feeling they are being taken advantage of? I invite artists to contribute their ideas of what makes a successful auction, and what are the Best Practices we can educate and encourage charities to follow, if they want to host a successful auction.

Go Dog Go

 

Kayla oversees installation of "Spot", Mesa, Arizona

 

 

Visionaries

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Jan. 24th ~ Feb 16th

Photography Exhibition Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve

The McDowell Sonoran Conservancy presents “Best Works of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve” at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts through Feb. 16. Photographer Marianne Skov Jensen, whose work is shown above, has pledged profits from the sale of her images to the Conservancy (contact Marianne directly for price information: marianne@ezpixels.com).

This link takes you to Marianne’s blog (where she posts a photo every day!) and to a link of a video preview of the exhibition:

http://ezpixels.com/blog/2011/01/24/photography-exhibit/

Journey Home

Journey Home, © Dennis Oppenheim 2009

Dennis Oppenheim 1938-2011

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/jackalope/2011/01/dennis_oppenheim_1938-2011.php

Will miss seeing his next new project…

Under the Leafy Canopy

"Under the Leafy Canopy"

Artistic bus station designs by Joan Waters at Arizona Ave. and Chandler Blvd., in downtown Chandler, Arizona.
TranSystems is the architect, DL Withers is general contractor.

Valley Metro hosts a public reception Wednesday, January 19 at
2 pm to celebrate the new LINK bus rapid transit service connecting Chandler to the Light Rail, the new bus shelters on Arizona Avenue designed by TranSystems, and the two art shelters. The other shelters also feature work by area artists in lighted “Art Boxes.”

WinterBird Song

gouache, pen & ink, pastel on paper © Joan Waters 2010

Sun is the drug

With the weather in the rest of the country being so horrible lately, I’ve tried not to brag about the local situation.

Well, okay…I admit I bought a six-pack (of pansies) with the Christmas tree.  We’re spoiled.

Ocean Shift

From the new calendar, month of abril /April.
Pen & ink, gouache and pastels on paper, 11 x 14 inches.

Directory Cover Art / 2

"Tidepool Mambo", 27 x 29 x 5, welded steel with patinas, enamel

My second submission for the Hidden in the Hills Directory cover. I used “Tidepool Mambo”, rotated 90 degrees from its normal hanging position. This sculpture incorporates layers of steel with rust, patinas and some spray enamels, introducing some new, vibrant colors. Much as the studio tour invites visitors to explore the art and the area, the layers of steel create a sense of mystery which also invite the viewer in. (This was not selected for this year’s cover.)

Hidden in the Hills Cover Art

"Desert Light Shift", 23 x 20 x 3 in., welded steel with patinas

Each year the Sonoran Arts League has a call for art for the Directory cover.  It’s been a few years since I’ve submitted. This year, I created a sculpture with this in mind—inspired by the mystery and light of the desert near Cave Creek. “Desert Light Shift” is layers of steel, hand cut and shaped, with patinas and heat coloring. (The work was not selected for the cover.)

Under the canopy

Artist bus shelter canopy, under construction

A first glimpse of the steel leaf canopies at the two bus shelters I designed.  Located at the SW and NE corners of Chandler Blvd. and Arizona Avenue, these shelters are part of the new bus rapid transit LINK system connecting riders to the light rail. To come: leaf-stamped concrete, translucent roof material lit by fiber optics, leaf and branch fiberglass shade screens and tall sculptures with dynamic fiber optic lighting. TranSystems is the architect; DL Withers general contractor.

Herberger Theater “Play!”

Poster commissioned for the Grand Re-opening Celebration on October 1, 2010

"Play!" pen & ink, gouache, pastels, copyright Joan Waters 2010

20/20 @Central Gallery

"Lake Series: Current", 12 x 17.5 in.

New Sculpture and Painting
inspired by 20 years in the trees and 20 years in the desert

Install date for my show at the @Central Gallery, Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix.

“Art Works”

The new slogan for the National Endowment for the Arts under its new chairman, Rocco Landesman, who was confirmed Friday.  According to yesterday’s New York Times article, “Someone who works in the arts is every bit as gainfully employed as someone who works in an auto plant or a steel mill, ” Mr. Landesman said. “We’re going to make the point till people are tired of hearing it.”

Read the entire article~

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/08/arts/08rocco.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

Summer Spot

Spot relocates poolside for summer. ©Joan Waters 2009

Rose leaves

All original art on this blog ©Joan Waters, unless noted otherwise.

Rose Johnson… Rose!

I was saddened to hear just recently of Rose Johnson’s recent passing, June 1.  I did not know Rose personally, but admired the strength of her vision, and commitment to her art.  She was part of Phoenix, and Bisbee, before it had an “art scene”. It’s very sad to hear what happened…a senseless incident on the beginning of her new adventure. I admire the strength of her work and commitment…may we all be inspired to do so much better. In honor and respect, my sincere sympathy and gratitude. Thank you, Rose.

A memorial at the Icehouse this coming Saturday, June 20 begins at 10 pm.

Here are some links to more information.

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/search.php?tag=memorial%20ceremony%20for%20Rose%20Johnson&blog_id=21

http://charlenemitchell.blogspot.com/2009/06/rose-johnson-bisbee-artist-rest-in.html

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25579687-2703,00.html

http://www.theicehouseaz.com/AboutIcehouse/calendar.html

Cold-worked steel

 

"Transfiguration", welded steel with patinas

 

 

Okay…

So, I’ve selected my clip art design, and am ready to blog…wow.  This is exciting.

In contrast to blogs about words, this blog will explore the world from a visual perspective.