Audio By Carbonatix
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
Ten years ago, Eric Cox says he moved from Athens, Georgia to Phoenix to pursue an arts career: “I thought to myself, ‘There’s no way there is a better place to be creative than a city that gets water from some other land.'”
Cox is a painter whose work has been featured at the The Garfield Galleria (where his studio is and where his largescale mural can be seen on from McDowell Road and Third Avenue) and Willo North Gallery.
He says his latest series relates to his struggle with the human condition: “In trying to define myself as an artist and contribute to society, I am curious and feel the need to search for the meaning of my process in my art as it mimics my life. Often I want to turn off the news and bury my head to the turmoil and fear that life shows me. Hopefully, these paintings wake me up and inspire the positive side of being human while be honest and open. In sum, I’ve created a series of paintings that are entirely selfish even though it is my attempt to relate to others. Perhaps most of this is an attempt to leave something behind … my legacy.”
I came to Phoenix with . . . high hopes and a bucket of cashews.
I make art because . . . it’s what I do. People always look at me funny when I go to the mall or try to do something that normal people enjoy.
I’m most productive when . . . I have my mega large, super chocolaty, crack-infused coffee drink with lots of ice and some sort of umbrella adorning the rim.
My inspiration wall is full of . . . cracked plaster, blood splatter, Bonnie Raitt with a curly mustache, and old crusty paint brushes mixed in with new crunchy paint brushes.
I’ve learned the most from . . . spending my days creating and experimenting.
Good work should always . . . evoke emotions and appeal to the senses. Mostly, it should sell for a fine price and contribute to the cycle of society and the progress of inspiration and creativity.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more . . . you said it, MORE! 🙂
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
