Robert Brandan Martinez’s Medical Cannabis Tax Stamp

Artist: Robert Brandan Martinez Medium: digital photography 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…

Round Three Pool Party: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Apache Station apartments geared up for its Round Three Pool Party on Saturday in Tempe. DJ Smooth and DJ2 Drop spun beats and more than a few students took full advantage of their new-found summer vacation. We stopped in for a few fashionable notes. The Good’s above, The Bad and The Ugly are…

A New (Ai Weiwei) Perspective

One new idea for every day in 2011. We’re talking big, small, local, international, in action and on the drawing board. Here’s today’s — what’s yours? Aram Bartholl recently jumped on the support band wagon for Chinese artist and political activist Ai Weiwei with his cynical pair of paper shades. Ai was…

Go the F**k to Sleep

Nothing beats a dad-approved bedtime story full of great illustrations and a few F-bombs. That is, unless it’s a bedtime story full of great illustrations and a few F-bombs, read aloud by Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson agreed to record a reading of Adam Mansbach’s Go the F**k to Sleep because…

Switch Art

One new idea for every day in 2011. We’re talking big, small, local, international, in action and on the drawing board. Here’s today’s — what’s yours? Valentin Ruhry has a thing for bright lights. The Austrian-based artist created a canvas with 5,000 rocker switches (often seen in surge protectors) and…

Randy Zucker’s Dancing Saguaro

Artist: Randy Zucker Medium: Digital image I’ve lived in the Southwest for over thirty years and still learn to love it more each day! These images are my take on the desert beauty I see all around me.The countdown to Best of Phoenix continues! Last year, we profiled 100 Creatives who made a mark on the…

Back to the Drawing Board

One new idea for every day in 2011. We’re talking big, small, local, international, in action and on the drawing board. Here’s today’s — what’s yours?Tony Riff from itdrewitself on Vimeo. itdrewitself, a London-based arts-based video blog, is known for its studio visits with creatives including pop artist Ron English…

Meredith Publishing Shuts Down ReadyMade Magazine

Meredith Publishing Co. announced this morning that it is shutting down ReadyMade, the drool-worthy, bi-monthly design magazine once-dubbed the “Martha Stewart for 20-somethings.” ReadyMade, founded in 2001, was known for its witty content, genius design makeover suggestions, and ruthless dedication to everything DIY. No word on refunds for subscribers or…

Calle 16 Mural Project Headed to Sky Harbor

Sky Harbor’s about to get painted by a few of our local artists. Silvana Salcido Esparza, owner of Barrio Cafe and founder of the Calle 16 Mural Project in downtown Phoenix announced last night that the City of Phoenix approved a contract that will give her and other local restaurants…

Claire Warden’s Untitled No. 3

Artist: Claire Warden Medium: large format photography I had never experienced a place like the Arizona landscape. When I moved to Phoenix, there was such wide open space — it was a place for me to explore. Over time, I simultaneously developed an awareness to Arizona’s subtle and incredibly diverse…

Necomimi: Brain-Controlled Cat Ears Have Arrived

In this week’s example of something that will only get you laid at a furry party, we bring you a wiggly cat ear headband that’s controlled by your emotions. We’ll admit it’s been quite the year for cats in pop culture — we’ve seen cat hair jewelry, cat tattoos, even…

A Rare Book Feast

One new idea for every day in 2011. We’re talking big, small, local, international, in action and on the drawing board. Here’s today’s — what’s yours? Nate Burgos is a huge book fan, especially of the rare variety. The self-described “designer for the fortune 5,000,000” launched a short movie series…

Larry Willis’ Apparition on East McDowell

Artist: Larry Willis Medium: Acrylic on canvas As a Phoenix native for many years I would pass this adobe on East McDowell Road. Back when I fancied myself a landscape painter, I put together this amalgam of the house with the Papago Park hills also on east McDowell. Sadly, the…

Momentus: Visually Defining History

One new idea for every day in 2011. We’re talking big, small, local, international, in action and on the drawing board. Here’s today’s — what’s yours? Evan Stremke’s Momentus project kicked off this week and featured three visual representations of 30 significant moments in United States history, as created by…

Steve Weiss’ Portrait of Louis Lee

Artist: Steve Weiss Medium: Film Mr. Louis Lee worked for 47 years creating a wonderful garden space of rocks, knick knacks, and native plants for his home in Phoenix. This video is dedicated to his inspiring talent and in memorium.  …

The Real Life of Social Media

One new idea for every day in 2011. We’re talking big, small, local, international, in action and on the drawing board. Here’s today’s — what’s yours? Leave it to the British to translate Facebook and Twitter into everyday life. The producers of “Two Boys”, an opera about the dangers of…

El Mac’s Latest Mural in Vietnam

Before his latest show with the Nitty Gritty crew, which you can catch until Thursday at 5&6 Gallery in Scottsdale, local painter and muralist Miles MacGregor (aka El Mac) was doing some serious globe trotting. The Propeller Group just released a time-lapse video of his latest piece (based on a…

Will Mejia’s Orpheum Theatre

Artist: Will Mejia Medium: Holga // B&W 120 Taken pre-lightrail in 2008, the Orpheum Theater & Orpheum Lofts (aka 1931 Phoenix Title and Trust Building) are two downtown Phoenix landmarks. These photos capture a historic look and feel that reminds me of photos taken in the 30’s…