Artists In Residence
Introducing Miraval's Artists-in-Residence Program
Summer & Fall 2010 - Artists-In-Residence will do live demonstrations daily as well as offer presentations. You may have enjoyed the art and sculpture throughout Miraval's campus, now you have the opportunity to meet the individuals behind the works.
Nicholas Wilson, Painter/Sculptor - June 13-19
Nick Wilson has the rarest qualities of being in complete harmony with his subject matter. The intensity and depth of his study and concern for wildlife is inescapable for him and is as well for those who appreciate his artistic efforts. He has evolved a style of work that allows him to convey the most subtle and delicate of the Southwest's boundless natural wildlife. His total commitment is-as coyote to desert-one."
--Paul A. Rossi, Artist & former Director,
Gilcrease Institute of American History & Art
Daniel Sroka, Photographer - July 5-10
Daniel Sroka creates abstract, dream-like images out of the simple elements of nature, such as leaves, sticks, flowers, and seeds. He finds most of his subjects as he walks through the parks and gardens near his home, collecting the sticks and leaves that have fallen to the ground. In his hands, these overlooked natural objects reveal their complexity and subtlety:
"I work like a sculptor who lets the flaws and veins of a stone guide his chisel. As I explore each object, I let its unique characteristics guide my hand and eye, allowing me to discover patterns and forms hidden within the material."
The resulting photographs are 'sculptures' of light, texture, and dimension that celebrate the physical and spiritual grace that can be found within the simplest elements of nature.
Star Liana York, Sculptor - July 10-16
Star Liana York tells the story of her own discoveries through her art. While her career as a professional sculptor began over twenty years ago, much of the recognition she has achieved comes from a body of work created after moving to the Southwest in 1985. It reflects her introduction to the native peoples of the area such as Navajo, Apache, Hopi, and Pueblo, as well as the wildlife and unique rock art. In the narrative tradition of American Art of the West, her work succeeds in capturing authentic aspects of the past and interpreting historic figures with convincing realism.
Star York's interest in people, animals and the environment is global, although the source of inspiration for a significant part of her work continues to come from Native American cultures. Another portion of her inspiration comes from raising and training quarter horses which is manifested in her series of sculptures depicting horses. Their portrayal in her hands is spirited, articulate, and lyrical; evidence of the empathy she feels toward her subjects.
Each sculpture is a part of a narrative. Beneath the storytelling surface are figures animated by individuality and personality, derived in part from Star's remarkable talent for expressing the thought of her subject. This sensitivity in representation combined with her attention to detail contributes to an underlying message of oneness with the natural world which is in much of her work.
Andrzej Skorut, Painter - July 11-17
Although my paintings initially appear to be simple landscapes, further study shows them to be as abstract as they are representational. It is this combination that inspires me. I believe in the importance of the immediate visual impact of a painting-a recognizable image, a combination of colors, or the overall composition. Yet I also believe that deeper, truer meanings should lie beneath the surface, giving the viewer the opportunity to embark on a personal voyage of discovery. It is my aim to make this journey as stimulating as possible by my own techniques of employing complex processes to apply the paint. This leads to many different levels of interpretation, allowing a simple landscape to take on a new identity within a complex framework of abstractions.
David Simons, Painter - July 18–24 & September 20-25
David Simons was born in Ontario, Canada in 1951. In 1984 he moved to Haifa, Israel to work as a construction supervisor on major projects at the Baha‘i World Centre. It was in Israel that he began painting, at the age of 33.
David is a self-taught artist. Having started as a watercolorist, he now prefers painting in oil. He is primarily a landscape artist but also enjoys still life and portrait painting.
"I consider myself a tonalist, rather than a colorist. I like to explore the subtle ways that light affects the
landscape. I also enjoy color, but the value relationships in a landscape are what interest me most. Another quality that I like to emphasize in my work is the abstract nature of the landscapes that surround us."
Esther Benedict, Sculptor - July 25–31
During the early years, Esther had a desire to try her hand at modeling figures in clay and then having them cast in bronze. This has been a love of hers since 1994, and she has continued to sculpt in clay ever since. All pieces cast had been table-top size works until recent years. In 2004 Fountain Technologies from Chicago commissioned Esther to sculpt three life-size figures of Mississippi River boat era children for a fountain in Moline, IL. Esther fell in love with the life-size clay work and now is striving to turn her commission work toward more life-size cast bronze sculptures. Esther’s hand-created metal sculptural works will continue to thrive while the transition to move to cast bronze sculpture continues. Esther says, “There will always be a place for all my styles, yet I feel compelled to bring to reality the visions that have clearly been given to me into bronze. Sculpture is exciting, it's many sided, it’s touchable, and it has light play off of it which gives a viewer multiple angles to get the meaning and message it brings. It is hardy and can withstand the elements, and over the centuries it still stands. How exciting and thrilling to be able to create a piece that will outlive the sculptor, and still gives to each viewer a piece of the message or feeling that was inspired by God.”
Phil Lichtenhan, Painter/Sculptor - August 5–9 & September 2-7
Phil’s early teachers remember him as the student who approached an art project from a different perspective, exploring the technique in a unique way. In high school Phil took as many art classes as he could fit into his schedule. Perhaps his most important influence was Gerry Wolfe, a teacher at Rincon High in Tucson, who opened Phil’s eyes to the wonder of modern art.
Phil attended Northern Arizona University in 1970, taking seventy hours of art on his way to an extended degree in art education. He then taught art at a local high school from 1974 to 1978. Phil returned to school at the U of A studying printmaking. He explored intaglio viscosity relief collagraphs; a highly technical process that Phil pushed to very expressive levels, producing jewel like color from loosely made organic looking plates. Phil received his MFA in printmaking from the U of A in 1981.
For the past ten years Phil has been painting the landscape on site and in the studio from sketches and photographs he has taken on his frequent hikes. For the past fifteen years Phil has been studying the figure with local drawing groups. He produces literal interpretations of the figure as well as fascinating expressive abstractions. Recently Phil has been producing Nests from found discards.
Jim Budish, Sculptor - August 9–15
I sculpt in clay on maquette size works and cast in bronze via the lost wax method. On life size and monumental works I prefer to sculpt in low density foam with a hot-knife, applying clay to the surface before casting in bronze via the lost wax method.
I began my artistic career sculpting representational, figurative works, studying with and in the tradition of many of the highly regarded sculptors working in and around Loveland and Denver, Colorado. I realized in time however, that it was neither my desire nor ambition to sculpt "photographs" in bronze. Rather, I felt that I wanted to create my own new and unique direction in representing the human form and the forms of the multitude of special creatures surrounding us, exploring the unique attitude, emotion and personality of each, while attempting to capture the "Joie de Vivre" that I believe is "lurking" somewhere inside all of us.
Nicholas Wilson, Painter - August 23–28
"Nick Wilson has the rarest qualities of being in complete harmony with his subject matter. The intensity and depth of his study and concern for wildlife is inescapable for him and is as well for those who appreciate his artistic efforts. He has evolved a style of work that allows him to convey the most subtle and delicate of the Southwest's boundless natural wildlife. His total commitment is-as coyote to desert-one."
--Paul A. Rossi, Artist & former Director,
Gilcrease Institute of American History & Art
Gary Lee Price, Sculptor - September 12–18
Gary Lee Price has been sculpting professionally for over 25 years and has supported a successful fine art business during those years. His latest corporate endeavor is the creation of Little Bitz of Inspiration. This is an exciting company that will increase awareness of Gary's work and passion for creating a better world. Some of his all-time favorite works will be produced in collectible pewter form.
Gary muses, "I hope I can assist the world in visualizing a place where fences and boundaries, both real and imagined, are non-existent; a place where bias and prejudice are long forgotten; and finally, a place where acts of kindness, mutual respect, and love are everyday happenings."
Rebecca Thompson, Painter/Sculptor - September 25–October 2
Raised in the Washington D.C. area, Tucson Sculptor Rebecca Thompson draws on the rich history of each site to develop her themes. Whether she is creating monumental structures or intimate pieces her work feels natural and peaceful.
She is at ease with the casting process of metals as well as wood carving and stone structures as well as architecturally designed monuments and garden areas.
Mike Elsass, Painter - October 13–27
I paint abstract on rusted sheets of steel an my art is spiritual and meditative. By painting, sponging, sanding, the steel evolves until the final coating. Many pieces have over 40 coats of paint and glazing. The steel represents strength, life's elements, aging, imperfection and beauty.
My spirit lies on the road. From my first series in Quebec, Canada to the Gulf Coast winter and the Louisiana swamps, I draw my energy from nature and life. The Arizona desert and the Kentucky countryside blend my art. My beautiful Ohio country barn loft and studios on Easy Ave. and my new Front St. location in Dayton give me tim to reflect and paint in solitude.