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
