Carol Panaro-Smith and James Hajicek's Arc of Departure

Claire Lawton | July 11, 2011 | 12:00pm

Artists: Carol Panaro-Smith and James Hajicek

Medium: Photogenic Drawing

James (Hajicek) and I are probably the only Arizonians that pray for 115 plus degree weather. We only make photogenic drawings on the hottest days of the year. The combination of heat and cloudless skies produce some of the most spectacular colors.

Our process is simple-take fresh botanicals, coat paper with a solution of salt and silver, place the botanical in contact with the paper, place glass over it and expose the light sensitive paper in the direct sun for 4 to 24 hours. The plant makes an image of itself, no camera or film needed.

The countdown to Best of Phoenix continues! Last year, we profiled 100 Creatives who made a mark on the local arts scene. This year, we'll have 100 creative representations of Phoenix. No scope or requirement on medium or size -- we'll include photography, painting, sculpture, video, installation, literary, and more. What do you see when you Imagine PHX?

Imagine PHX, so far:

100:

Steven Revering's Westward Ho

99:

Jon Ashcroft's Suspended in Geography

98:

William LeGoullon's Table

97.

Jason Hill's Phoenix Financial Center

96. Kyle DeWitt's Tempe Center for the Arts
95: Allison Elliott's Walls of Downtown Phoenix
94. Fausto Fernandez's Grid City
93. Chikara Kakizawa's Ship Out of Water
92: Dayvid LeMmon's Process / Gentrification

91. Irma Sanchez's Phoenix Rising
90. Eduardo Rivera's De Colores

89.