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: 83. Cole Reed.
Much like her Roosevelt Row boutique, creative Cole Reed blends artistry and reuse.
See also: Phoenix Choreographer Angel Castro: 100 Creatives
The co-owner of GreenHaus on Roosevelt works in furniture design, taking chairs and couches in need of some love and molding them into her own creations. They end up in the arts district shop alongside vintage knickknacks and local artwork, including one of Phoenix's oldest murals by Ted DeGrazia on an interior wall (which isn't currently viewable) and an exterior avian mural by Lauren Lee.
I came to Phoenix with youth, passion, ignorance and an intense will.
I make art because it is the essence of my natural self.
I'm most productive when I see the glimmer of green, the curve of my wife's back, the roundness of a wheel and the blue of the sky.
My inspiration wall is full of . . . I think of the clippings that I cut out of magazines, it is fonts, colors, examples of texture and we can't forget the random pieces of wood all throughout my environment.
I've learned most from the grief of losing my parents, the success of my career, the culture of my community, and the testaments of love and patience from my family and friends.
Good work should always be loved by the one who creates it.
The Phoenix creative scene could use more financial contributions from our city and state legislatures and more advertising presence. The talent and momentum are already here.
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