Audio By Carbonatix
Phoenix is brimming with creativity. And every other year, we put the spotlight on 100 of the city’s creative forces. Leading up to the release of this year’s Best of Phoenix issue, we’re profiling 100 more. Welcome to the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives. Up today: 18. Jon Arvizu.
Artist and designer Jon Arvizu always has a few irons in the fire.
The Scottsdale-based creative independently operates Trapdoor Studio, where he creates mid-century-style and advertising-inspired silkscreen works, posters, and letterpress pieces — among other things — of iconic imagery including Phoenix’s architectural gems, tiki gods, and pop culture ephemera.
And speaking of fire, Arvizu recently wrapped up mod-style poster illustrations for Brandon Williams’ Modfire, the Phoenix-based company that specializes in sleek, artisan-made fireplaces.
See also: Phoenix Artist Christina You-Sun Park: 100 Creatives
Arvizu recently created a new logo design for Brandon Gore’s Concrete Design School, and soon he’ll collaborate with a local agency on pop art-style posters for Red Robin. “Should be a fun set when completed,” the 2013 Big Brain Award finalist says.
He recently launched a new online store at trapdoorstudio.com, where his handmade and silkscreen prints are available. Melrose District favorite Modern Manor also carries Arvizu pieces.
And soon there’ll be more to choose from. Arvizu says he’ll show fine art at an October exhibition at Willo North Gallery alongside friends Jeremy Yocum and Scott Wolf.
I came to Phoenix with a little baggage and no idea what to expect in late 2001. Took me a few years to get my footing, but I love it here.
I make art because I am compelled to make things, to refine my craft, and broaden my skill sets.
I’m most productive when I’ve had enough sleep and everyone gets out the door to school (on time). Time to sit and focus without distractions.
The studio is my inspiration wall, plus I typically make notes or photograph everything that strikes me as interesting. I’ve got a running list of ideas on my phone.
I’ve learned most from trial and error.
Good work should always achieve its intended purpose and show the artists hand.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more time to grow. The cultural scene has flourished in the past few years, I’m excited to see that progress continue.
See the 2014 edition of 100 Creatives:
100. Bill Dambrova
99. Niki Blaker
98. Jeff Slim
97. Beth May
96. Doug Bell
95. Daniel Langhans
94. Nanibaa Beck
93. Nicole Royse
92. Ib Andersen
91. Casandra Hernandez
90. Chris Reed
89. Shelby Maticic
88. Olivia Timmons
87. Courtney Price
86. Travis Mills
85. Catrina Kahler
84. Angel Castro
83. Cole Reed
82. Lisa Albinger
81. Larry Madrigal
80. Julieta Felix
79. Lauren Strohacker
78. Levi Christiansen
77. Thomas Porter
76. Carrie Leigh Hobson
75. Cody Carpenter
74. Jon Jenkins
73. Aurelie Flores
72. Michelle Ponce
71. Devin Fleenor
70. Noelle Martinez
69. Bucky Miller
68. Liliana Gomez
67. Jake Friedman
66. Clarita Lulić
65. Randy Murray
64. Mo Neuharth
63. Jeremy Hamman
62. La Muñeca
61. Kevin Goldman
60. Emily Costello
59. Kerstin Dale
58. Vara Ayanna
57. Nathaniel Lewis
56. Ruben Gonzales
55. Lisa Poje
54. Bobby Zokaites
53. Frances Smith Cohen
52. Julie Rada
51. David Miller
50. Xanthia Walker
49. Kyllan Maney
48. Cary Truelick
47. Constance McBride
46. James D. Porter
45. Allyson Boggess
44. Abigail Lynch
43. Ashley Cooper
42. Jaclyn Roessel
41. Brandon Boetto
40. Melissa Dunmore
39. Gavin Sisson
38. Rossitza Todorova
37. Monica Robles
36. Josh Kirby
35. Jesse Perry
34. Yai Cecream
33. Nathan Blackwell
32. Carley Conder
31. Ben Willis
30. Nicole Michieli
29. Brian Cresson
28. Tyson Krank
27. Mikey Estes
26. Anwar Newton
25. Sarah “Saza” Dimmick
24. Tato Caraveo
23. Jorge Torres
22. Laura Spalding Best
21. Shawnte Orion
20. Mike Olbinski
19. Christina You-Sun Park
