PLAYING by Sharon Butler (Click on picture to enlarge )

BECCA WITH CRAYONS

The unusual thing about this photograph is that Becca Olson, AARP member and neo-codger, is brandishing a fistful of crayons instead of the Prismacolor pencils that have long been her favorite medium. She put the pencils aside for an afternoon recently to do this wax crayon portrait of the Head Codger. In a long career here and abroad, Becca has demonstrated her mastery of many types of art, which makes a visit to her Art Wheel web site very worthwhile indeed.

Click here to see Becca's Art Wheel

PARTY by Alex Jones (Click on picture to enlarge )

Click here to see Alex's web site

CHORUS LINE by Robert Goldman (Click to enlarge)

EDITOR'S NOTE: Goldman's technique, which he uses so effectively, is one any of you budding artists can try––drawing or painting with just a couple of colors on a pastel-colored paper. Many different artistic mediums can be used, including, of course, CRAYONS!

You may contact Bob at rmgoldman@cox.net

SHARON RAPTORING

Sharon calls this wax crayon representation of distant mountains through a Mexican doorway "Playing" because of the fun she had doing it. "I usually draw with charcoal and pastels," she said, "but found a wonderful playfulness in getting out my crayons." She said they are kind of sneaky in that they "give you more than you expect."

HEAD CODGER by BECCA OLSON (click to enlarge)

ALEX

"Party," a hand-colored screenprint, is one of a series of whimsical paintings of the Sonoran Desert by Tucson artist Alex Jones who recently had two of his works installed as part of the 7th Avenue Public Arts Project in Phoenix. Alex is creatively multi-faceted. He started out creating the color schemes and artwork for miniature golf course obstacles. He taught English in China for several years, during which he also studied and practiced the traditional techniques of Chinese paintings. In Los Angeles, he worked as an artist and illustrator for a distinguished list of clients. Names like Warner Brothers, Vanguard Records and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival dot his resume. Now he has his own graphic arts company, Roadside Distractions.

BOB

Born in 1948 in Illinois, Robert Goldman moved with his family to Los Angeles when he was a small boy, and has been immersed in art at least since the second grade when his teacher discovered that his school papers were filled with sketches rather than class work. He moved to San Diego as a young man where his talents as a painter took solid form, becoming known for his bold use of color and light. His work is based both on plein air and studio studies. He also trained at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, where he learned the basic principles of life drawing. He moved to Tucson in 1993, but remains active in the San Diego art scene. His work is exhibited often. His most recent recognition is as the first place award winner in the 2006 Tucson Plein Air Painters Association show.