Monday, October 5, 2015

Noche 2015 Artist Interview: Denise Yaghmourian

Denise Yaghmorian is a true creative spirit. She sculpts with any material that can be found in the observable universe. She also makes full room art installations, unique performance art pieces, and theatrical improv shows. She is also a ton of fun. Don't miss out on her or her art at this year's Noche event. And, with further ado, here are Denise's responses to the 2015 Noche artist questions:

Q: What kinds of art do you plan on bringing to this year's Noche event? 

A: I plan on doing a mixed media piece with lots of things I've collected and possibly an alter. Skulls, neon colors, and flowers in there somewhere.

Q: If you were to pick a person or two or three to memorialize this year for Day of the Dead, who would it be?

A: Definitely my amazing Dad and also my most fun uncle who recently passed away.

Q: What do you try to accomplish with your art?

A: I am inspired by artwork that makes me feel something, that pushes ideas about art and that motivates me to want to create. I would hope that my work could also do that. I currently have work at First Studio in downtown Phoenix. Kris Kollasch and I are there in a showing called "Collaborative Force" for the month of October.

Q: Where else and when can we see more of your art in the future?

A: To see what I've got going on and where you can see my work you can visit my websites www.deniseyaghmourian.com and www.deniseyaghmourianart.com

Q: When you die what do you hope people put on your Dia de los Muertos altar?

A: I want people to put their dancing shoes on my altar and boogie down! Dance baby! Dance!. also deep fried ice cream, That sounds really good right now.

Thanks, Denise! A Dia de los Muertos with people doing a dance number from "Footloose" on one of the altars might be just what the Doctor ordered.

The Noche Evening of the Arts celebrating the Day of the Dead is Friday, October 16 7-9pm at The Old Adobe Mission. That's at 3821 N. Brown St. in Old Town Scottsdale.

There will also be carved pumpkin art by my brother Brian, outdoor projections by Pat Klein, and live music by Adam & Edel. Also, let me reiterate, Denise is a top notch artist, so don't miss out!


Friday, October 2, 2015

Noche 2015 Artist Interview: Dain Quentin Gore

Dain Quentin Gore is a creative, artistic force to be reckoned with. He is the most dazzling, surrealist, dreamist, whatever you call it painter in the world. His style and subject matter boggles the mind. He is also a puppeteer, an art professor, a sketch artist, a creator of decorative moveable cut-outs, and a film collaborator. He's also super funny and a great friend. Dain's spiritual mindscape is perfect for Noche and this is his second time participating! It's great to have him back. I've also heard that he convinced Martha Gore and Laura Perry into bringing in some original works as well. Too cool, Dain's a good guy to have by your side. Enjoy his words as he responds to the 5 Noche questions.


Q: What kinds of art do you plan on bringing to this year's Noche event? 

A: Original paintings, perhaps a few handmade characters, and lots of crafts that my mother made just for this show! Also, buttons and eyeballs!

Q: If you were to pick a person or two or three to memorialize this year for Day of the Dead, who would it be? 

A: My Uncle passed away last year: he's the first person I ever memorialized in a Dia de los Muertos style altar, which coincided with the annual altarpiece show at Burton Barr Library last year. Since that was so recent, I'm not sure who I would pick this year.

Q: What do you try to accomplish with your art? 

A: To get out my own weird thoughts and visions. To create new worlds, or at least characters and creatures that might inhabit one. To celebrate humanity and its imperfection. And, hopefully, to do all this with a sense of humor!

Q: Where else and when can we see more of your art in the future? 

A: I will be contributing a special piece at The House of Eternal Return in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the end of the year!

Q: When you die what do you hope people put on your Dia de los Muertos altar?


A: Tea Eggs!

Dain's work was a hit last year. So, make sure to stop on by to the Noche event this year. If you're lucky, you'll see one of his eyes bouncing around. 

The Noche Evening of the Arts celebrating the Day of the Dead is Friday, October 16 7-9pm at The Old Adobe Mission. That's at 3821 N. Brown St. in Old Town Scottsdale.

There will also be carved pumpkin art by my brother Brian, outdoor projections by Pat Klein, and live music by Adam & Edel. Don't miss it!


PS: The group that Dain is showing his art with in NM is called Meow Wolf, feel free to congratulate or mock him about this when you swing on over to Noche.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Noche 2015 Artist Interview: Heather Smith-Gearns

Heather Smith-Gearns is a fantastic painter and sketch artist working in abstract, minimalistic, and expressionistic tones. Her imagination blooms like an orange blossom and it is always a delight to see her and her paintings at any event. Do you have a poetry reading at a coffee shop happening? She's perfect for it. Are you opening a high end art gallery in New York? She's perfect for it. Are you having a Kurt Vonnegut themed party at an anarchist library? She's perfect for it. Is your daughter's sweet sixteen birthday happening at a laser tag place? That's pushing it, but she is perfect for it. Also, she is perfect for Noche. Check out her responses to the 5 questions.

Q: What kind of art do you plan on bringing to this year's Noche event?
                
A: I'm planning on bringing Paintings. Acrylic on Canvas. I've been working more and more in abstract expressionism (bordering on color field), and am pretty excited to share some of the new work. I'm not sure yet how many, but I'm sure enough to place in a  somewhat visually pleasing manner. (This may or may not be successful, as art is subjective, especially mine) I'm also working on  some small personal altars, and had planned on making some paper flowers.

Q: If you were to pick a person or two or three to memorialize this year for the Day of the Dead, who would it be?
               
A: I think I would pick: 1. my Dad,  2. my Grandmothers - both sides(who I never met) 

Q: What do you try to accomplish with your art?
                 
A: What I try to accomplish with my art is survival. Plain and simple. 

Q: Where else and when can we see more of your art?
                    
A: You can see my art in December of this year at Improv Mania in Chandler, AZ. I am very excited about this, and have been working diligently to have a cohesive show ready for your viewing pleasure.

Q: When you die, what do you hope people put on your Dia de los Meurtos altar?
                 
A: Tom Ka Kai (Thai chicken/coconut soup) AND Baskin Robbins- Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream. Don't judge me. 

That was the exact perfect answer, you are amazing.... oh wait, you told me not to judge you. I take it back.

Anyhoo, come see Heather and her sensational work at Noche!

This year's Noche event is happening on Friday, October 16 7-9pm at The Old Adobe Mission. That's at 3821 N. Brown St. in Old Town Scottsdale.

There will also be carved pumpkin art by my maniac brother Brian, outdoor projections will be provided by Pat Klein. Adam & Edel will also be there to provide the live music. Don't miss this amazing night of the arts.