Creativity, beauty and artistic imagination will be displayed in abundance at two upcoming events being run by the well-known arts organization, Thunderbird Artists. On January 14, 2005 , an unusual ten-week event will be kicked off at the Rawhide attraction in Scottsdale . The first annual Arizona Fine Art EXPO will give visitors the unique opportunity to view outstanding exhibits and meet the talented artists as they create their art in a working studio environment. Juried artists all, the designers, painters, sketch artists and sculptors will demonstrate their techniques and answer questions during the 73 continuous days that the EXPO will run.
Fine wines and delicious cuisine will be served to patrons as they roam the workshops and the beautiful sculpture garden. Soothing music will accompany visitors as they stroll about and absorb the wonderful sights. Designer fashion shows, special luncheons and contests are also planned to add to the fun. |
Jeanne Bonine is well known in the art world for her oversized watercolor paintings of tropical flowers. She uses multiple layers of watercolors to bring the flowers forward in realistic detail, against a background of delicate washes and soft edges. She has been called a "Romantic Realist/Romantic Impressionist" and has received many honors and recognition both in the U. S. and abroad.
She is also self-publishing a book entitled Inspirations of Timeless Beauty , which is due to arrive in October 2005. Her exquisite painting, Angel by My Side , graces the cover. In it, she tells the story of how she grew up, how she chose what she wanted to do in life, and the people who influenced her. Jeanne discovered her artistic talent when she was very young. She is basically self-taught, taking only one oil-painting course in high school. At "what-do-I-want-to-do-with-my-life" time, it was a choice between the Peace Corps or an artistic career, and art won out. Jeanne was encouraged when she exhibited her work in a few art shows and sold her first piece. Her big breakthrough came with the sale of a piece entitled "Once Upon A Dream."
They say, "Life happens while you're planning something else." And that was no different for Jeanne. Marriage and divorce happened and Jeanne found herself raising her children as a single mother. Adversity, rather than comfort, teaches us the important lessons of life, she feels. She is a thankful survivor of breast cancer. After her bout with cancer, she found the experience transformed her work. Although her dramatic paintings of exotic flowers still retained their softness, her paintings were now bigger and bolder. "Both softness and strength are working together," Ann says. "We need both of these in life. My inspiration is life itself. Some people have told me that when they view my paintings, they cry. Other people, who also have gone through serious illness, told me that the peacefulness they see in my art helps take the pain away. When I hear things like this, I know I'm doing something right."
Caroll Forseth 's magnificent oil paintings of rugged mountain landscapes reflect his childhood as the son of Norwegian homesteaders in Canada . His talent for painting became evident as he was growing up, but there was no money for art lessons. So, Caroll learned his craft the hard way, through sheer persistence and practice. He uses a brush and a palette knife to create his impressionistic depictions of Western landscapes. His Rocky Mountains scenes of majestic snow-capped mountains, tall, stately pine trees and the white foam rising from wildly rushing streams are breathtaking.
Caroll's career has spanned over twenty years and he has earned the esteem and respect of his fellow artists. He is a sociable man and says he enjoys people, traveling, music, and his family, particularly his grandchildren. It's obvious from the tranquility and joy evident in his beautiful paintings that here is a man who truly enjoys his life.
Lance Headlee 's bold use of color and style puts his paintings in a class all their own. This Anthem artist brings a new meaning to southwestern art, though this painter loves to paint anything and everything. "The beauty of painting for me is there are no limitations," he says. "You can always think inside the box, but thinking outside the box is where the adventure begins." Cowboys and Native Americans don't have to wear brown clothes. And horses can be brilliantly colored as well. Outside the box everything works, as is evident in the popularity of Lance's work.
These two festivals are surely something to look forward to. "If you have yet to attend a Thunderbird Artists' Festival," promises Judi Combs, "you have been missing out on a unique and wonderful experience, and we cordially invite you to see first-hand this truly remarkable and outstanding gathering of artists!"
INFO< Arizona Fine Art Expo at Rawhide, northeast corner of Scottsdale and Williams Roads, begins 1/14/05 and will run for 10 weeks. 12 th Annual Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival - 1/21 - 1/23/05 , 10am - 5pm , downtown Carefree at Easy, Ho and Hum Streets; www.ThunderbirdArtists.com |
