12 Spring 2022 Camelback Studio Tour Decade-long event keeps artists and visitors coming back By Mallory Gleich E ach year, a gathering of artists takes place in south Scottsdale and west Phoenix. These artists open up their studios to guests, who come from far and wide to get a first-hand look at how Arizona’s creative minds establish their works. This week-long event has become known as the Camelback Studio Tour. Started in 2009 by four Arizona artists looking to showcase their art, the CST is a self-guided tour through working studios in Scottsdale and Phoenix neighborhoods. “Back then, they held it in the Sherwood Heights neighborhood, where most of the studios are still located,” Organizer Lynn Gustafson said. “Over the years, three of us moved on to new adventures, so I am now the sole organizer. The founders established The South Scottsdale Art Alliance, which sponsors the event.” Each studio has a host artist who opens their space so the public can see “where the creativity begins.” Artists from around the Valley can also sell their works. The tour takes place during the first weekend in November. “It is the artists that make this event so popular. We have a lot of great local people who participate every year and work in several different mediums. Folks have an opportunity to see how something is made and the space it is made in. Visitors can see every studio in a weekend, and some even come back the next day,” Gustafson said. Below are three artists who not only take part in the tour but may also be familiar to those who have visited the Shemer Art Center in recent years. camelbackstudiotour.com shemerartcenter.org Kevin Caron Caron was born in Connecticut and lived in Florida before heading to the desert in 1973. He’s lived in Phoenix since. “I was 13 – my mother said ‘get in the car!’ and away we went. I took to the desert right away, though, spending many hours riding through the beautiful expanses of the West Valley,” Caron said. Caron is a sculptor who works with metal – primarily steel and aluminum – and 3D-printed filament. He’s participated in the Camelback Studio Tour three times. “I’ve been working in metal since 2002 and became a full-time artist in 2006. My largest sculpture is a public commission in Chandler, titled The Seed, which is 14 feet tall. It is installed at the Tumbleweed Recreation Center,” he said. Around 2012, Caron began working with 3D printing technology. He prints in various materials, including bronze and rubber. “My tallest 3D-printed sculpture thus far, a commission for PricewaterhouseCoopers in Columbus, Ohio, is 5-1/2 feet tall,” he said. “But I’m always learning, following my curiosity with materials and techniques. To me, part of being an artist is discovery through creation.” Caron has also had indoor and outdoor exhibits presented at the Shemer Art Center. His 3D-printed jewelry is available in the gift shop. “I believe in community, and the Camelback Studio Tour and Shemer epitomize that. I also like that both are centrally located, making them easy for Valley residents to visit,” Caron said. “Both of these organizations are very supportive of local artists, too.” His advice for those looking to go professional? “If you are thinking of becoming a full-time professional artist, don’t quit your day job. I worked part-time as an artist for four or five years before going full-time. Every artist I’ve known who ‘focused only on being an artist’ has gone back to a regular job,” Caron said. “Starting part-time lets people get an idea of what it would be like to work full-time before they take the leap.” kevincaron.com Topknot by Kevin Caron Violet by Fiona Purdy Ocotillo Yellow Peak by Cheri Reckers

13 Fiona Purdy Purdy moved to Scottsdale from New Zealand in 1995. She has been part of the Camelback Tour for the past three years. Purdy paints pet portraits using two different mediums: acrylic on canvas and fine art paper and with pen and ink. She’s been painting those for almost 30 years. “I started painting them on large river rocks but changed to canvas in 1997. It’s much easier to source and paint on. I started the pen and ink and acrylic on paper in 2017 to help pet lovers on a limited budget,” she said. Purdy said that she’s always drawn animals and that as she got older, she was passionate about painting them, too. “My art teachers were always exasperated that I managed to incorporate an animal or bird in any assignment I was given,” she said. “When I painted dogs and cats on river rocks, someone asked me if I could paint their pet, and I found that I had the talent to paint their likeness and also capture a pet’s personality.” Purdy explained that being an artist means continually developing skills and mediums. “I am extremely comfortable and competent in handling my chosen medium, but the way I use it is always evolving. Every portrait teaches me something new and allows me to get better,” she said. In February, Purdy participated in the Shemer Furry Friends Art Festival for the second time. Her favorite part about being on tour and at the festival is talking to the people who visit. A bonus is hearing about and seeing photos of people’s pets. “Both events are low key and relaxed. The Shemer Furry Friends event is perfect for me as a pet portrait artist because visitors are both pet and art lovers – my favorite type of people,” Purdy said. Purdy said that aspiring artists should paint what they love, in the medium they love and believe in their work. petportraitsbyfiona.com Cheri Reckers Reckers moved to Phoenix from New Mexico five years ago with her husband. Since they came from an inspiring desert/mountain region, they wanted to continue living in a similar area. “The Sonoran Desert was attractive because of its unique environment, dramatic vistas and of course the saguaro cacti that only grow here,” she said. Reckers’ primary medium is silk painting – and it has been for 30 years. She’s participated in the CST twice. “Occasionally, I work with watercolors, acrylics and oils, though I particularly like the vibrant color achieved with the dyes on silk,” she said. Reckers doesn’t believe there is such thing as “perfect” but that striving for “perfection” as an artist is ongoing. “Having a good foundation helps one achieve success because they can apply the principles to any medium of choice,” she explained. Her work can be seen at the Shemer several times a year, and Reckers also teaches silk painting workshops there. “Participating in the tour and exhibitions are good ways for the community to see my work and meet me,” Reckers said. “It’s nice to get feedback about my paintings and see what pieces the collectors make a connection with.” Her advice for aspiring artists is this: “Take some classes, hone your skills, then use self-motivation and determination to keep creating and getting your artwork out where people can see it,” she said. Visitors to Shemer, the Sedona Art Center and Wild Holly Gallery in Carefree can view Reckers’ current and past works. cherireckers.com Representing students of Arizona universities, community colleges and high schools, as well as other emerging Arizona artists since 1993. 480.946.5076 . artonegalleryinc.com . 4130 n marshall way . scottsdale 602.399.8540 debbiefrazelle.com dfrazelle@cox.net Past arcadia PtO VP Past HOPi Pta President arcadia resident fOr OVer 30 years Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Agents Debbie Frazelle | CLHMS | ABR I have 4 different buyers who grew up in Arcadia and have recently moved back home. They are looking for ranch style homes up to 1.4 million in Arcadia Lite, Arcadia, Biltmore or Camelback Corridor. Now is the time to sell! Please give me a call, text, or email. got houses?