Message in a Mural

Today, I made a trip to the Roosevelt Row district of downtown Phoenix, the subject of an earlier post focusing on urban art. It's a great up-and-coming area where art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and coffeehouses are cropping up, along with a very cool used bookstore named Lawn Gnome and a beautiful urban garden. One of the defining features of this neighborhood are the creative wall murals that decorate the area. I took several photos today, but I am feeling lazy and a new episode of Mad Men will be starting soon. And so, let's just start with this colorful mural with the message, "Art saves lives." Indeed, art has the great power to heal and to restore. Few things inspire me more than a compelling poem, other than great music and a trip to the art museum. Art heals, art restores, art saves...sometimes the most profound truths are those that are stated simply. Enjoy!

A Study in Architecture

ASU Art Museum, Tempe, AZ

I have always loved the modernism expressed in the architecture of the ASU Art Museum, its excellent sense of geometry. They have a great art collection, as well as an excellent museum gift shop, and nearby is the university's extensive, and very cool, ceramic collection. Today, I had an incredible opportunity to take this photograph. At that moment, the museum looked futuristic, almost space age, in its apparent desolation. I love the angularity of the staircases and the arch on top. It's just a fun structure that inspires the imagination.

Bisbee, AZ

Bisbee, AZ

Here are my photos taken Sunday in Bisbee. This is a beautiful, historic 19th century mining town that is now home to many art galleries, boutiques, and antique stores. Thankfully, so much of its original architecture has been preserved, so that we can enjoy the town's historic character even today.

Bisbee, AZ

I love the finishing touch on the facade of this building. It is studded all along with bottle caps. Very fun.

Bisbee, AZ

Bisbee, AZ

Bisbee, AZ

Rambling streets and the beauty of rolling desert hills.

Bisbee, AZ

Bisbee, AZ

Bisbee, AZ

Bisbee, AZ

One day, when I am spending more than just a Sunday in Bisbee, I would like to stay here.

Bisbee, AZ

Bisbee, AZ

Chocolate, anyone?

Bisbee, AZ

This is the West. We brand things here. So, it only makes sense to brand the big red mountain with a giant "B" for Bisbee.

Check it out: Bisbee, AZ

Prescott, AZ

"Everybody's Hometown," Prescott, AZ

I think the sign above sums up Prescott's aspirations the best. A small, historic town situated in the high desert of Arizona, Prescott presents itself as the small hometown you always dreamed of knowing. The old, main part of town spans only a few blocks, with the County Courthouse and its surrounding park marking its center, but within those few blocks Prescott offers a considerable variety of art galleries, boutiques, antique stores, and restaurants.

"Whiskey Row," Prescott, AZ

This stretch of street, known as "Whiskey Row," possesses some historic notoriety. I've been told that both Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday once spent some time here. Today, there are a number of excellent art galleries located along this strip of street.

Trees bordering Courthouse Square, Prescott, AZ

Old trees, Prescott, AZ

These trees of significant age come together to create a verdant canopy over the Courthouse Square. It's a great place to sit and enjoy the shade while watching people walk down "Whiskey Row" and in and out of the many art galleries and shops.

"Whiskey Row," Prescott, AZ 

Art deco buildings, Prescott, AZ

Being from the Midwest, I confess that at first I had mixed feelings about Prescott. On one hand, there are many great art galleries and stores with a Southwestern theme. On the other hand, there are some stores here that remind me of stores I would find in Geneva, St. Charles, and downtown Naperville in Illinois. Sometimes I would come to Prescott and leave a little confused, feeling that my Midwest memories and sensibilities had been teased just a little bit. However, as Prescott grew on me, I found that it possessed just the right balance of Southwestern accent and Midwestern comfort.

Yavapai County Courthouse, Prescott, AZ 

Courthouse and Arizona state flag, Prescott, AZ 

Prescott and desert distance, AZ

Hotel St. Michael has a great pub and bistro located on the ground floor. It serves one of my all-time favorite black bean burgers.

Gazebo and Courthouse, Prescott, AZ 

Prescott, AZ

I like the rambling quality suggested in the slight incline of the city streets.

Courthouse close-up, Prescott, AZ 

On the way home: vast stretches of desert, AZ

This photo was taken at the rest area near Black Canyon on the way home to Phoenix. Just beautiful!

Tlaquepaque Plaza, Sedona, AZ

Entrance, Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ

Today, I visited Sedona for the first time since I moved back to Arizona. It was a long, enjoyable day, in which I spent time with family. The day was a little hazy, interspersed with periods of sun, and I did take photos along one of the trails I hiked. In fact, I took so many photos on the trail that I decided to start with the easier assignment before me, posting photos of Tlaquepaque, a Spanish-style plaza of art galleries and restaurants in Sedona.  Tlaquepaque is a charming shopping center with an architectural style that really speaks to the spirit of the Great American Southwest. There is a wide variety of art galleries represented here, from those featuring traditional Southwestern art to those selling professional scenic photography, and from galleries with a new age focus to those that are completely contemporary. And it's not just visual artwork, but statuary, jewelry, pottery, and home decor, as well. It's a great place to visit when making a trip to Sedona. There are also a few very good restaurants at Tlaquepaque, like Rene's. Definitely check it out. At any rate, here are some photos of parts of Tlaquepaque, including some beautiful sculptures that have been placed on the grounds for visitor enjoyment. And so, enjoy!

Interior end of entrance, Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ

All throughout the grounds of Tlaquepaque lie a host of different flowers, infusing the scene with festive color beneath the desert sun. Inside the front entrance, for example, among many of the statues, is a beautiful rose garden. There are also many potted plants. Here is a close-up of a potted begonia located in the interior, near the entrance.

Bald eagle statue, Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ

Here, above and below, are some specimens of the many statues on display at Tlaquepaque.

Horse statue, Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ

A section of the rose garden, with statuary, Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ

Here is part of the rose garden, just to give a little bit of botanical context to these statues.

"The Kiss," Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ 

Statue, Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ

Is this an elk or a caribou? Yes, I am still just a city person from Chicago, with more to learn about wildlife!

Buddha among the roses, Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ

Eastern statue, Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ

Courtyard at Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ 

Courtyard view, Tlaquepaque, Sedona, AZ