First Friday in Sedona - August 2009

JOSHUA SNOW

Your monthly Art Gallery Guide from Sedona’s favorite feline - Joshua Snow.

Hot August nights are upon us! But this has not stopped your favorite furry feline from enjoying the artistic endeavors of Sedona’s own creators. I’m here!

It was a busy evening on August 6th as I started my artistic tour at James Ratliff Gallery on Highway 179. First of all, I was greeted in a fashion worthy of my status. Then I was served an absolutely luscious shrimp, cut into bite sized pieces. This gallery definitely knows how to treat the paparazzi!

I reviewed the work of two artists. The first was Joseph Bellacera. His credentials were quite impressive, with several degrees in art. There were also numerous awards and grants. Wow! I was stunned.

The artwork, of course, was delightful. I loved the tempestuous skies with a hint of clouds or horizon.

I was delighted that some of the pieces that were at eye level (cat’s eye) for ease of viewing. Makes it a lot simpler for us little guys.

So I give Joseph Bellacera 4 paws. Good work!

The next artist on my list was Stephen Hedgepeth. A kindly man with a white beard (Santa!). No, unfortunately, he was not there. His landscapes were dreamy. Bold colors, with stands of trees lining the horizon. Very nice.

Stephen grew up in Utah and his paintings are reminiscent of the farms and fields of that area. (Hey, I’ve been told!). He has shown his works in Utah, Taos, Salt Lake City and Wyoming, to name a few. Another 4 paws exhibition.

After sniffing a few trousers and meeting James Ratliff himself, I did the obligatory photo op with my new friend, Suzanne Copeland. Thanks for the shrimp, Suzanne, but did you have to show that it’s all going to my belly!!!

Suzanne, I have a question. Where is the rest of those horses!

With my visit over, I headed off to see my friends at Mountain Trails Gallery at Tlaquepaque. (See, I can actually spell it.) There I rubbed ankles with my good friend and sculptor, Ken Rowe. You can be sure you will see me in a bronze soon. (I’ve really been working on him!)

With the sound of the creek splashing under the soon-to-be bridge and the cicadas chirping in the trees, we made our way out of Tlaquepaque and hurried over to Sedona Arts Center to visit with a few of our very dear friends. I meandered through the Barn where I saw my good friend Rosemary Corneto. I sampled a few bites of cheese and then, with my leash dragging behind me, sprinted up the stairs to give kitty kisses to Susan Kliewer, Jeff Dolan and others.

All in all, it was another busy First Friday. Full of palatable treats and artwork, too.

Another successful evening.

This is your good friend signing off until next First Friday on September 4th. You never know where you will find me or who I will offer my critiques to, but be sure to keep your eyes to the ground.

Don’t forget that September 7th is Labor Day.

JOSHUA SNOW

Tribute to Oak Creek Gallery

JOSHUA SNOW

Your monthly Art Gallery Guide from Sedona’s favorite feline - Joshua Snow.

Greetings Friends!

Even the sizzling summer sun did not limit my art viewing on July 31st. My first stop was the opening of the new gallery in Hillside Village.

I received an invitation from Gallery Director, Clay Meyers, to attend this very grand opening at Oak Creek Gallery located just below Shugrue’s Restaurant. Shugrue’s catered the event. It smelled wonderful, but I happen to be watching my figure and was a little intimidated by those spicy buffalo wings. (Do buffalos really have wings?)

Oak Creek Gallery is Sedona’s cosmopolitan gallery and showcases artists from around the world. In addition to large one-of-a-kind oil paintings, they have jewelry, ceramics and sculpture. They also include local artists, many of whom are already my favorite friends.

On this particular evening, I reviewed the art of Adalberto Santini, Ateminos and Jang Ho Suh “AB.”

Adalberto Santini was born in Italy, but now resides in the US. He paints luscious Italian landscapes that look a little like my own home in Sedona. Thanks, Adalberto.

Ateminos also paints with an European flavor. Wine, fruit and cheese. Forget the wine and fruit, I love cheese. Cheese please!

I did love the old world appearance of his paintings and I could almost smell that cheese. Hey! How come you didn’t have any cheese, Clay?

Jang Ho Suh was born in Korea. Where the hell is Korea? His landscapes are more abstract that Santini’s, but the colors and textures are definitely captivating. Especially for a feline who never gets to go out. Oh! That’s right! I get to go out every week. Sorry!

So while the crowd milled about talking about mundane events, I monitored the door to make sure all guests were aware of my presence. Of course, I wore my name tag just so they would know who I was.

I marveled at those sculptures in the window and wondered why I didn’t have them at my level. Oh, well. Some galleries are just not used to having a cat visit!

When my visit was over, we drove to Clarkdale for another gallery opening. I especially enjoyed the drive back. The stars were twinkling in the sky and only I could see the myriad of animals lurking through the brush along 89A. Oh what fun!

Tomorrow I’m off to First Saturday in Jerome.

Then on August 7th I will see you all on First Friday in Sedona. Until then, I hope a cat does not get your tongue.

Your furry friend -

Joshua Snow

July 2009 First Friday in Sedona

JOSHUA SNOW

Your monthly Art Gallery Guide from Sedona’s favorite feline - Joshua Snow.

The hot and sweltering days are here. Darn. That limits my outings. Us little guys cannot handle hot cars. So remember the rule: never leave a pet in the car on a hot day. A car can reach over 100 degrees in just a few minutes, so imagine how hot it can get when the temperature is over 100 degrees already.

But even considering the heat, I made it to see all my friends on July First Friday. This month, I met a new artist friend. Williamson Tapia. I really enjoyed meeting him. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he is such a cat lover. Does that surprise you?

Will starts out with an almost black background and builds up the colors of the red rocks and trees. This causes his paintings to have a vibrance I have not seen in many other paintings. Here are a few examples of his work.

Below he is using a tiny little brush to get in all the details of the mountains behind Sedona Arts Center - one of my favorite hang outs.

Will - Can you paint me on a black background. I think it would bring out the silver highlights in my fur and my adorable green eyes?

After visiting with Will, I took a walk up Main Street and visited a few friends. Then it was back to Sedona Arts Center for the Member’s Show.

After all that walking, I was a little pooped and took a nap in front of Joanie Wolter’s Big Ass Raven. I am not afraid of no stinking bird!

But that was not the only great piece, in the show. There were pieces by my good friends, Julie Ronning Talbot, Melanie Harth, Candace Copeland, Janet Collins, Lesley Dawson Briers, Liam Herbert (my uncle), and many, many more.

I enjoyed all the paintings, sculptures and other media. Even though I took a snooze, I was still able to see my friends and enjoy their work. As usual everyone did an excellent job, worthy of such a wonderful gallery.

So enjoy looking at just some of the tantilizing artwork, as did I.

Even my people had pieces in the show.

Well, all and all it was an excellent show, worthy of my discriminating critique. I hope to see you all next First Friday. I will be making an appearance over at Ratliff Gallery. (They invited me to come on over for shrimp. How can I ignore that?)

See you next month on August

Your friend -

Joshua Snow

June 2009 First Friday

JOSHUA SNOW

Your monthly Art Gallery Guide from Sedona’s favorite feline - Joshua Snow.

HAPPY SUMMER TO ALL!!

Yeah, summer is here. The birds are singing (yum) and the flowers are in bloom. I am looking forward to more days sitting in the sun in my private courtyard, safe from all those predators.

This month, I finally got to visit my good friend, Jan, at VC Gallery. I often go to enjoy the upstairs window where I can look down on all the people as they scurry around Pinion Point. But, this was my first First Friday at VC.

I was excited about meeting Suzanne Schirra and seeing her animal portraits. Unfortunately, Suzanne was not able to attend. I was hoping to really inspire her!

The question here is: How much catnip did he snort before posing?

Then there was the dog. And then another dog. Hey! What’s with you humans. Don’t you know that cats rule! I’m outta here!

My visit to VC Gallery was far from over. There were the curious paintings of Bill Braun. Just when I was thinking “I could do that!” I discovered these were not collages, but painting made to look like childhood collages. Truly amazing. Guess I can’t do that after all.

I also enjoyed the work of contemporary landscape artist, Christopher Nelson. Couldn’t get a real close look, but sure wanted to walk through those birch groves. Hey, I’m down here!

Another artist I enjoyed was James Cook. James works with oils. His landscapes make me long for the outdoors. Oh well. At least I get to go for walks and visit galleries. Maybe now my people will take me on another hike. Hint, hint.

There was also work by my good friend, Jan Sitts. As usual, she creates wonderful images with color.

There were some very nice bronze sculptures. I especially like the birds. Too bad their bronze.

That skinny cat was something else. Doesn’t anyone feed him?

Then, again. He doesn’t seem very friendly. Think I’ll take a nap.

Of course, there were the usual tourists who have never seen an art critic.

All in all, it was a very special art show. I never knew I was such a cataseur of contemporary artwork. I definitely give this show a 4 paws and a tail up.

Now it’s time to head home. See all my friends in July.

Your friend -

Joshua Snow

April 2009 First Friday

JOSHUA SNOW

Your monthly Art Gallery Guide from Sedona’s favorite feline - Joshua Snow.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE:

Already April has been another exciting month. On First Friday, April 3rd, I arrived early at Sedona Arts Center to greet the new Executive Director, Robert J. Myers. Seems he is a California transplant just like me. He welcomed me to SAC, so I guess he is going to work out just fine.

Since everyone was busy meeting the new director, I quietly slipped downstairs and met with Gretchen Lopez. Seems she is a real cat lover and we got along famously. She even agreed to have her photo taken with me.

Gretchen and I talked for awhile about the finer points of color and I assured her I would love to pose for her. Then we said our goodbyes and headed over to Kinion Gallery to see Uncle Liam (Liam Herbert). We arrived just in time to see him give Aunt Sylvia a lovely gold necklace. (Hey, what about me?) We then saw all the new jewelry he has created.

As usual, Liam was being his fun self and made us all laugh.

I just watched.

I did find a piece that was sooo interesting and I spent some time admiring it until they pulled me out of the door. We had a schedule to keep and people were waiting.

Then it was off to Mountain Trails Gallery in Tlaquepaque. There I had a very long discussion with Ken Rowe about animals. But, alas, he knew more about most animals than I, so I gladly agreed to be his model for his possibly first domestic beauty of the feline persuasion. As you can see, he checked me out pretty closely.

What can I say, this man knows how to give good rubs. He even showed me his new raven sculpture.

After saying goodbye to all my friends and a short visit with Susan Kliewer, it was time to head home for a snooze. As usual, I demanded that the windows be open so I could feel the evening breeze.

Don’t forget First Friday in May. I won’t be able to join you on that evening, but you can be sure I will visit the latest exhibits and give you my support. All and all April artists, Grethen, Ken, Liam and Susan get 4 paws and a tail.

So everyone keep creating and I’ll visit you soon.

You friend -

Joshua Snow