Serious Southwestern Art Collector

My "theatre" group met before the show last Sunday night at the home of a new member to the group and she happens to be quite a collector of southwestern and Native American art.  Behind the sofa is a wonderful painting by Dan Namingha, one of my favorite Native American artists.  I love that painting.

Across the room and over the fireplace was another Namingha painting and two beautiful Kachinas.

In another room was this wonderful painting along with some beautiful woven baskets.  The house was full of fabulous art.  After getting permission, I took lots of pictures and I'll share some more over the week.

A few words about "Hamilton".....fabulous, brilliant, inspiring!  I wasn't really sure I'd enjoy it because I'm not a fan of most rap music.  However, this was so exquisitely done that I loved every minute of it.  In fact, I'm about to purchase the music!

Play That Horn

Remember when I told you about visiting the bar in downtown Phoenix called Melinda's Alley?  That's the one with the red lights inside and the entrance is in an alley through the mural of Melinda.

Well there is a new mural in that same alley and it's by the same artist, Hugo Medina.  You might remember that I introduced you to Hugo when I visited an art exhibit that featured his work.

I love this new one with a musical theme.  It's kind of a tribute to the horn player.

Super What????

Super bowl did you say?  Here's a super bowl!  Oh you were referring to something else entirely.  Sorry, I don't have any photos for that kind of super bowl.  The fact is, I won't be watching the television this evening.  I'll be headed to Gammage Auditorium in Tempe to see "Hamilton".  That's much more my speed.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm looking behind some rustic doors.

Playing Among the Dangos

Yesterday I introduced you to the Dangos, sculptures on Display at the Desert Botanical Garden by the artist Jan Kaneko.  Today I have a different perspective.

You know how I love patterns so I played around with the positions of the sculptures and focused in to eliminate the background.

I quite like them!

Cute "Dumplings"

Back in October I posted some photos of a few of the Jun Kaneko sculptures that are currently scattered all around the Desert Botanical Garden. I only posted the Heads and the Raccoon Dogs (Tanuki).  I didn't show you this group of colorful shapes..  The name for these shapes is "Dango" which in Japanese means "dumpling".  I like the whimsical way they are painted, especially those with the stripes and dots.

Theme Day: Tired

Every year the Desert Botanical Garden has an event called Dog's Day in the Garden and this year's event was held mid-January.  I like to go when I can to see all the dogs enjoying a walk around the garden with their humans.  Most of the time, the dogs are pretty excited about the long walk and seeing all those other dogs but, this guy was just too tired to care.  It was nap time for him!

On the first of the month, City Daily Photo Bloggers post photos based on a theme and the February theme is "Tired".  To see other blogger posts, click here.

Out of Business

This broken window with the drink cup inside caught my eye.

I took two shots, one close and one further away and I'm not sure which I like best.

I spotted the broken window on the side of the Paris Laundry and Dry Cleaners which has gone out of business.

When I lived on the other side of town, I would pass this place and it's sort of mid-century modern exterior quite often.  Even though I didn't do business here, I was sort of sad to see it go.  

Rustic Doors

I was sort of surprised to find these doors on the back side of a local restaurant, because the parking area is at the back of the restaurant and I'd never noticed them before.  It makes me wonder if they recently repainted them and that's why they stood out this time.

They are on the back side of Ajo Al's Mexican Restaurant on 16th Street in Phoenix.  They have a rustic look but, there is something about them that almost looks like they exist in a painting rather than real life.  Do you know what I mean?

Modern Medusa

This mural is painted on the roll-up door for a place called Cobra Arcade Bar.  It's called La Medusa and it was painted by El Mac (Miles MacGregor) with help from L.A. artist David Choe.  It's located on the edge of downtown Phoenix.  I've never been to that bar.  In fact, I've never seen it open but, I'm sure it does open.  I just haven't been around there in the evening.

My Dream Car

A cherry red Tesla!  Oh how I wish it was mine.  I'm not much of an auto enthusiast but if I wanted to dream about a new car, this is what I'd dream about.  It's good for the environment and it's gorgeous too!

I spotted my dream car at the Kierland shopping center yesterday where there was an actual line outside the Tesla dealership of people waitting to get inside and see one of the new lower-priced models that were just released.  I saw the red one above parked on the street outside.  I didn't wait in the line.

Just down the street from the red Tesla was this baby blue Harley-Davidson.  That's a pretty nice looking vehicle too.  But, I'll stick with the cherry-red Tesla.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I'm looking at the art that can be found in a train station.

In the Heart of Tempe

If you have a need to visit Tempe Arizona and you want to stay where all the action is, The Tempe Mission Palms Hotel is just the right place.  Not only is it a beautiful place with southwestern style, but it's located across the street from Tempe City Hall, within walking distance to the vast Arizona State University campus, close to Mill Avenue, the main street for shopping, dining and clubbing and it has a light rail station right in its back yard making it easy to connect to a lot of locations in the valley.  If you are a college sports fan, it's only a few blocks walk the the ASU stadium or the sports arena.  It appears to have the perfect location for anything you might want to do in the city of Tempe.

Fish Out of Water

I just recently noticed these golden dolphins frolicking in the desert air at the Kierland Shopping Center in Scottsdale.

They are adorning the front of the recently opened Mastro's Ocean Club restaurant.  It's part of the Mastro's Restaurant chain, a rather high end chain of restaurants across the U.S.  I haven't been to one so I can't give a recommendation one way or the other.  Those dolphins look like "fish out of water" out there in the dry desert sunshine.

Front Gates

Driving around the rolling hills in Paradise Valley, I find quite a few houses that are adorned with front gates at their entrances.  This one is very attractive especially with that beautifully landscaped walk up to the gates.

This one is also a nice looking gate with the added attraction of those matching wreaths attached.

This one isn't quite as dramatic as the first two but it gets the job done.

I like the scroll work on this gate and I'd love to see what the fireplace under that big round chimney looks like.

Everything is Just Ducky!

This couple of ducks were sitting by the edge of the reflecting pool at the Scottsdale Civic Center park keeping their eyes on the activity in the water.

And, this pair was in the water and positioning themselves in a ray of sunlight.  It was kind of chilly on Sunday so I'm betting that sun felt good.  The sun certainly felt good to me.

Melinda's Alley

You might remember that back in June I posted a photo of a mural on the back of the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix called "Melinda's Alley".  The mural was named for a speakeasy type of bar that used to exist many years ago and has recently been reincarnated in the basement of the hotel.

It doesn't open until 9 PM and you have to enter through a door in the alley that is actually part of the mural.  There is a red light above the door and when it's lit, the bar is open.  When you enter, you sign in at a little desk and then descend the stairs into the basement.  That's where I saw yesterday's wonderful mural.  It's located just outside the door to the bar.

Once inside, you find a room awash in red light and full of vintage furnishings and people who have also found this secret place.  The bar only serves a very small selection of drinks that change on a regular basis.  You have to consult the chalk board to see what's being served that night.  It's quite an experience!  It felt almost decadent being there.  I loved it.

Salvador Dali Lives in Phoenix

I found this mural in a most unusual spot.  It's not outside as usual, it's inside at a place where not many people get to see it.  It's signed by an artist that goes by the name of "Perry" but, I couldn't find anything about the artist.  I love the mural!  Tomorrow, I'll tell you where I found it.  In the upper right corner you see a glimpse of the underside of some stairs.  Just a little teaser.

Picnic in the Olive Grove

Last Friday I joined two friends for a drive out to Queen Creek Arizona to have lunch at the Queen Creek Olive Mill.  I hadn't been there for four years when I ventured the 50 miles out there to shop for olive oil.  (Luckily for me, they have shops closer to me now but, if I want to enjoy the restaurant, I have to make the drive.)  It was a beautiful day, perfect for a picnic under the olive trees.

We were all amazed at how busy it was and we had to chuckle at one of the workers who told us we were smart to come on a Friday when it wasn't so busy.  We asked if it got busier than it was that day and she said "Oh yes, much busier".  They had that Canadian flag up because they were having "Canada Week" at the mill.  They even had a special Canadian menu for those who wanted to partake.

I'll confess, we did try the Canada inspired "Maple Piglet" gelato which was flavored with a combination of maple syrup and bacon. It was surprisingly delicious.

While we were eating our lunch under the olive trees, we reminisced about how we traveled out this way some 20 years ago to visit a friend who lived in Queen Creek at the time.  Back then, we had to drive some long distance through the desert and farm land to get there.  Now it's all solid city all the way!  It's amazing how much the east valley has grown and spread out.

I have a new post on Sharon's Sojourns today.  I found a great little hotel in the city of lights.

Automotive Flash!

How is this for a flashy car?  I found it sitting on the used car lot of the Scottsdale Mercedes dealership.

Now that's a Jeep with all the bells and whistles and a lot of pizzaz. 

A Little Bit of Whimsy

Last weekend I did a little shopping out in north Scottsdale at the Kierland Commons shopping center.  There is a Sundance store in the center and I went inside to browse around.  That's where I spotted these rather whimsical creatures making themselves at home on a table in the center of the store.

This fluffy flamingo was looking pretty cute sitting on that big wooden tray.

This little masked critter was on the other side of the table looking quite content to be there.

But, my favorite character was this guy.  He just looks so frazzled and sort of whacky.  I loved him.  It took all my will power not to take him home with me.

The Ladies!

When I was at the brewery last Saturday to hang art work (see yesterday's post), I stopped in to the ladies room before I left and was surprised to find an artistically designed facility dominated by this huge daisy-like chandelier.

Those hundreds of daisies in that globe cast shadows all over the walls.  It was certainly a surprise to see such a decorated ladies room.

I take my readers to all sorts of unexpected places.

Art Show at the Brewery

My Art Challenge Club had the opening for a new show last night at the Mesquite River Brewery in Scottsdale.

These photos were taken last Saturday when we were there hanging the pieces for the show.  In fact you can see an enlargement of my "fire in the wine glass" shot on the far right of this photo.

Here is Ted hanging a set of photos from Julie on a wall together.

I especially like this piece that Jim Lowman created just for this show.  Isn't that a great frame?

The Famous and the Flashy

I mentioned on Sunday's post that I'd show you a few people I caught on camera at Friday's Phoenix Suns game.  First up is Michael Phelps the most decorated Olympian of all time.  He holds a total of 28 medals, 23 of which are gold.

Next was Bubba Watson.  I'm betting you golfers out there will know who he is.  I'm not a golfer but, I do remember seeing the video of him whacking a ball out of the sand trap and straight into the hole.

I don't know who this guy is but his flashy and sparkly jacket was a real eye catcher.  He did attract a lot of attention but I'm not sure if he is someone famous or if that jacket was the draw.

These shots don't do that jacket justice.  It sparkled like an ice skaters tutu!