Lately In My Studio

Over the next couple of days (with the help of my amazing family and friends) I will be packing up my studio and heading out for my next show at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona. As always, right before a show I am painting day and night to get ready and only stopping to eat or sleep when absolutely necessary. But it's been worth it and I am really excited about this body of work and the expansion of my subject matter into the world of vintage boats.

Here are some shots from my studio with paintings at various stages of completion.

If you are in Arizona I hope you will stop by!

Celebration Of Fine Art

Scottsdale, AZ

Located in the SW corner of Hayden Rd 

and Loop 101 off of exit 35.

Look for the big white tents.

Jan 12th - Mar 24th 2013

Check out last year's move and booth set up here.

Teaching - A Post By Santiago

This past week I had the chance to stay after the show and teach Amy some of the basics of painting. Amy and her mom are the women responsible for the wonderful smells and delicious food that come from the cafe at The Celebration Of Fine Art. If you are at the show you should try my favorite the Starving Artist Chili.

Still life by Amy 

Anyway, although Amy has been around art and artists for so many years working at the show she had never painted before. She made for a great pupil and I was very impressed with her natural talent. I realized how much I enjoy teaching and it was a great feeling to have her listen and incorporate the things that I was saying. I can't take any credit though for how her first painting, a still life of an apple, turned out. That is raw talent! Definitely looking forward to doing more teaching in the future!

Celebration of Fine Art 2012

The 22nd annual Celebration of Fine Art show has been open in Scottsdale Arizona for a month now and it has gone by so fast. It is the most amazing experience to be in one place surrounded by so many talented artists! The whole idea of the show is that you can visit 100 artists studios in less than a day.  You can meet the artist, see them painting, and check out their work in progress.

Santiago has had the opportunity of meeting many wonderful people and hearing stories of their old VW's or a special memory of a vintage car/train. We are contemplating the idea of compiling these stories into a book with Santi's paintings. What do you think?

The sculpture area outside the tent.

The cafe at Celebration has delicious food - we love the chili and highly recommend it "starving artist"style.

It has already been a great show and an amazing experience! You can see work by all the artists on the Celebration Website or follow Celebration of Fine Art on facebook.

The red carpet leading to Santiago's booth.

A Post From Our Little Artist

Before my daddy left for Arizona for his art show I helped him a lot!  I love to be in the barn when daddy is working.  Whatever he is doing is what I want to be doing! We would paint together and I would help him gesso his panels.

I miss him lots but we get to talk every day on skype and I tell him all the funny things I am doing.  I love to kiss the phone and insist that he gives me kisses back.  I'm so proud of my daddy!

Moving To Arizona

Saying good-bye to daddy.

Last Saturday Santiago packed everything into his trailer and started the drive to Arizona.  Despite all the snow he arrived in Scottsdale safely.

Over the next 3 days Santiago along with a few faithful friends built his booth at The Celebration of Fine Art.

We have lights!

The show will open this Saturday, January 14th at 10:00 am and is located on the SW corner of Hayden Rd and Loop 101, off Exit 35 in the big white tents.  There are so many amazing artists all congregated in one place the energy is amazing! Hope to see you there!

An Update From The Artist

Preparations are in full force for The Celebration of Fine Art show that is coming up in Scottsdale.  I hope to have over 40 pieces completed by early January. At this phase that means a lot of panels to paint and gesso.

Most of my inspiration comes when I have uninterrupted time to focus and let the inspiration flow.  That means I paint through the night and often times go to bed when the rest of the family is getting up.  The schedule is difficult, but I am energized about this new line of work that I am putting together.

I'm excited to reveal everything I have been working and am looking forward to the warm weather in Scottsdale, AZ in a little over a month.

Upcoming Show - Celebation Of Fine Art

*stay tuned - the winner of the give-away will be announced next week!

We are very excited to announce that Santiago has been accepted into the Celebration Of Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona!  Its a show that runs for 11 weeks and Santiago will be packing up all his paintings and leaving behind the cold, Utah weather, for the warmth of Arizona.  Things have been a little busy around here as Santi is already in full preparation mode, but it will be an amazing opportunity. 

Celebration Of Fine Art

Scottsdale, AZ

Jan 14th - Mar 25th 2012

"I'm already excited about meeting new people and having a chance to share my work in a totally different environment. VW enthusiasts always have great stories to share and I am sure the people I meet in Scottsdale will not disappoint."

If you are in the Scottsdale area we hope to see you there!