When we last put the spotlight on 100 creative forces in Phoenix, it was no secret there were more than 100 individuals who were making waves in the local arts community. So as we count down to our annual Best of Phoenix issue, we're profiling 100 more. Welcome (back) to 100 Creatives.
Averian Chee is from a small valley in Northern Arizona called Nazlini. He says he grew up with very little knowledge of "city life" and that his interest in art grew after he had moved to Phoenix and began to miss home.
He took up painting as a hobby and says that while he doesn't have any formal art training, he believes it's "not necessary to convey emotion unto a canvas or any surface for that matter." Chee still lives in Phoenix and currently paints full-time.
I came to Phoenix with ... my mother and siblings as a young boy. The city was a big change to get used to at first with all its rush and noise, but I found my solitude in doodling ninja turtles and dinosaurs.
I create art ... to express my originality with honesty and to better understand why I see things the way I do.
I'm most productive when ... the stars are out and dreamers are plenty.
My inspiration wall is full of ... I enjoy sketching in cafes or local eateries where I can blend into a crowd and become anonymous, but while I'm in my studio/bedroom my wall of inspiration consists of lifetime relics and words of my past self, old photos, drawings from younger minds, and old birthday cards.
I've learned the most from ... My grandfather, who played a great role in my life as a young boy. He had all the answers and the most kindest eyes I would ever know. It is because of my grandfather, that I have endured so much and continue to press onward in my search to become my own greatest critic in life.
Good work should always ... have a strong foundation. With that intact, everything else becomes clear. If you know your 'self', then anything beyond that is no more than just another imaginative bond that can be overcome.
The Phoenix creative scene ... seems to lack a newer spawn of artists. The scene has been exclusive to a specific genre of art for too long. it must expand with fresh thought and reestablish its voice.
The Creatives, so far ... (And while you're here, check out 100 Tastemakers on Chow Bella.)
100:Lara Plecas 99. Isaac Caruso 98. Brandon Gore 97. Kelsey Dake 96. Hector Ruiz 95. Caroline Battle 94: Jennifer Campbell 93. Jeff Chabot 92. Tiffiney Yazzie 91. Daniel Germani 90. Irma Sanchez 89. Daniel m. Davis 88. Kirstin Van Cleef 87. Emmett Potter 86. Sarah Hurwitz 85. Christine Cassano 84. Fred Tieken 83. Lindsay Kinkade 82. Ruben Galicia 81. Robert Uribe 80. Heidi Abrahamson 79. Josephine Davis 78. Travis Ladue 77. Taz Loomans 76. Mikey Jackson 75. Alex Empty 74. Joe Ray 73. Carol Roque 72. Daniel Funkhouser 71. Carla Chavarria 70. Hugo Medina 69. Cavin Costello 68. Claire Carter 67. Lindsay Tingstrom 66. Catherine Ruane 65. Christopher Crosby 64. Aaron Johnson 63. Brenda Eden 62. Colton Brock 61. Ernesto Moncada 60. Benjamin Phillips 59. Brad Armstrong 58. Angela Hardison 57. Tyler Quinn 56. Andrew James Benson 55. Charles Anthony Darr 54: Tiffe Fermaint 53. Eric Cox 52. Victor Vasquez 51. John Randall Nelson 50. Lauren Lee 49. Kyle Jordre 48. Julie C. Kent 47. Sean Deckert 46. Niba DelCastillo 45. Joseph Benesh 44. Ashley Harder 43. Dan Vermillion 42. Daniel Shepherd 41. James B. Hunt 40. Lori Fenn 39. Seth Gideon Fainkujen 38. Wayne Rainey 37. Christian Filardo 36. Melissa Cody 35. Jason Rudolph Peña 34. Cindy Iverson 33. Ryan Gentry 32. Sebastien Millon 31. Andrea Beesley 30. Chris Pruitt 29. Robert Diehl 28. Rachel Malloy 27. Jonathan Simon 26. Ann Morton 25. Kim Moody 24. Kevin Flanagan 23. Such and Champ Styles 22. Julia Fournier 21. Rebecca Green 20. Jules Demetrius
