Along with Wood-turnings and Wood-projects by Beetle and Miss Pam, Six other Artisans have graciously donated crafted items for the Charity Auction
As you learn more about the Artisans and their crafts, please feel free to leave a comment
Beetle Bailey: "Welcome to my Journey!"
I'm retired from the USAF and flew F-4s (the reason I go by "Beetle"). I've been married to the most wonderful woman in the world for 24 years, Miss Pam, and between us we have 3 great kids, Heather, Ryan, and Erin. We've been in our dream home for almost 8 years which is located in the foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains in Southern Arizona. I'd like to share a little of my wood turning journey. I longed to start wood turning but it was a close friend from my Air Force days that set my passion in gear almost 5 years ago. Ric Erkes has been wood turning for almost 30 years. I enjoy his work and appreciate him taking me "under his wing". I can't thank Ric enough for his time, talent, and inspiration. As I learned the craft of wood turning, I began gifting pieces to many of my HS friends and was touched by their kind words of support. The inspiration for the Mesquite Beetle Charity Auction actually came from one of those friends. And now almost 3 years later and several challenges with health issues, we're finally ready for the Charity Auction Roll-out!...Wow what a journey indeed. So thank you everyone for your patience and support, particularly the Tempe High School Buffalo class of 72'...Go Buffs! I hope you enjoy your visit and have an opportunity to participate in the Mesquite Beetle Veterans' Charity Auction, I know I'm honored and humbled to be a small part of this noble program for our great veterans. Please visit my website at: http://www.mesquitebeetle.com/ |
Ric Erkes: "Acknowledge limitations but expand creative possibilities...Yes there's gravity but learn to Fly!"
I have been lucky enough to pursue three passions in my life. I recently retired from over 40 years of flying, been married for over 30, and have worked with wood for most of my life. I bought my first lathe to repair a broken chair leg. That was over 20 years ago and since then I have been hooked on the satisfaction of taking a raw piece of discarded wood and molding it into a form that captivates your interest. I have studied with numerous masters in the field and have demonstrated at various venues and woodturning clubs. I belong to the American Association of Woodturners. I turn a variety of styles and shapes, some functional, but mostly on the artistic side. This keeps the passion alive and exciting for me. The inherent challenge of woodturning is to combine the colors and patterns and even imperfections in the wood, all with the skill of the artist. A wood lathe works three dimensionally in the round. Like flying and marriage, woodturning is a skill that improves with years of practice, and a realization that you can always take it to another level. Please visit my website at: https://itsricsturn.com/ Also check out Ric's work on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/its_rics_turn/ |
Sharon Toal: "Life is great...That's why I paint"
I'm a retired banker and watercolor painter. I started painting after I retired in 2016. After seeing all kinds of paintings and drawings throughout the years, I have always said that I won’t buy that because I can paint that! Painting has become a wonderful outlet for me to enjoy nature better. To look at the world with color in your eyes is such a marvelous experience. My goal is to help others see the color and detail in the world we live in. I chose to paint the San Xavier Mission Church for donation to the auction because it is such a well-known landmark in the Tucson Area. The white building contrasts so greatly with the blue, blue sky. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed painting it. I am privileged to be a part of this worthy cause. Please visit my website at: https://www.artsysharon.com/ |
Kari Skinner: "I see color before I see words, numbers are meaningless!"
I'm a resident of the Sonoran Desert, living southeast of Sahuarita with my husband, chickens, cats and Welsh Corgi, Quin. My surroundings inspire my watercolor paintings of desert flowers, sunsets, birds and other wildlife, as well as architecture of the Southwest. I also enjoy interpreting religious holidays and symbols for pieces used in church adornment. I work mainly with watercolors and have exhibited in galleries in Phoenix and Tubac. I have participated in a number of outdoor art fairs and sold work over the Internet. I've studied with Paul Kuo and taken life drawing classes at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona. I continue to take classes and workshops and am a member of the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild where I do weekly outdoor painting sessions known as "En Plein Air". Beetle asked if I could paint a sunset on a rustic slab of mesquite...I normally work in watercolor and this proved to be quite a challenge. For this unique piece, I prepped the board with a special medium that allowed me to paint with watercolor on the mesquite slab and then sealed to protect the painting. I was pleased with the result and honored to donate this piece to such a worthy cause. Please visit my FaceBook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/ArtWorkbyKari/ |
Mike Vinci:
I’ve always been intrigued by the vibrations of a musical instrument and how they are generated. Holding a vibrating flute with its tactile sensation stimulates the mind and soul. After retiring and looking for something to do, my interest was captivated by the idea of making my own musical instruments such as the didgeridoo. Given that I live in the desert, what could I source from it for creation of these instruments? I landed upon the idea of using blue agave that grow prolifically at my elevation of 4200 feet. I’ve spent my time refining the construction of the didge using the long stock of the agave plant. Briefly speaking, the advantages of using the blue agave for a didge are weight and the quality of sound from wave generation and propagation. But the greatest pleasure for me is the challenge of experimenting with fabrication techniques and processes. Thankfully I have a number of friends that play didgeridoos which aids me immensely because I don’t. This might seem counter intuitive but my rationalization is there are thousands of didge players out there and only a handful that make them. Please visit my website at: "Under Construction"/Coming Soon |
Joe Pinter:
Years ago I met a neighbor from Germany who carved cuckoo clocks. While he carved he taught me about the tools and carving in general. He would give me scraps of wood to whittle as we chatted. After he passed I wanted to learn more about carving so I joined the Tucson Wood Carvers Guild and attended classes and workshops. During this time a neighbor ask if I could apply my new talents to a Kentucky rifle muzzle loader he was working on. With research and practice I was able to carve his rifle in a style that we both were very pleased with. After retiring I took a class on Intarsia. This is a style of wood working where different types of wood are fitted together while also carving them to produce a three dimensional animal such as the Raccoon I've donated for the Charity Auction. I have also carved dragons, cowboy caricatures, and many other animals. I continue to carve, learning new techniques and styles. I have also learned to turn bowls using a lathe. |
Pamela Bailey: "I love my Bandit!"
I began sewing at the age of 7 and found my passion. From doll clothes, clothes for the family, sewing projects for the house, and finally quilting, I have loved every minute of it. With my wonderful husband Beetle’s support, I have been making quilts, especially for Veterans. I love creating each quilt with the person in mind and with every stitch I am praying for them. The quilt I have made for the auction has been created with ALL Veterans in mind and prayers of thanks and appreciation for their service and sacrifice which have allowed me to have the life I have. Most especially I am thankful for my husband’s and my son Ryan’s service. They are my heroes as are all Veterans. It is my privilege to offer this quilt for the auction for Esperanza En Escalante. Their services are truly a great hope for so many of our well deserving Veterans. |