Tucson. April, 2013

The sun is strong in the Southwest. And so are the shadows, turning parts of the city here into a variety of studies in black and white. An example: the calligraphic shadows cast by a pierced metal fence at the entrance to the Tucson Zoo. An asphalt Navajo rug.

Tucson. April, 2013

My friend Simon is a public artist with remarkable work that stops passersby all over Tucson. And each time I come for a visit, I love when he takes me to see new installations that hadn’t been in place the last time I was in town. Like this larger-than-life sculpture outside the Tucson Zoo, honoring the newly arrived African elephants inside. Rusted steel planes welded together by his artistic partner Ben with tusks of chrome. Simon suggests, “Think Duchamp’s ‘Nude Descending a Staircase’.” So beautiful.

Tucson. April, 2013

Leaving the opening of my friends Simon and David’s gallery show, we passed this beautifully odd light embedded in the sidewalk. Simon told me that it’s solar powered, which makes sense in sunny Tucson. Yet another example of beauty found where you don’t expect it in this visually surprising town.

Tucson. April, 2013

My friend David is an artist with discipline. For years now, he’s awakened earlier than most, let the dogs out, made coffee and then closed himself in his studio to work on his art. Sometimes he takes a small clay board and draws designs based on the circle. Here you can see several framed panels, each of which is made up of multiples of David’s drawings. Seeing so many of them grouped like this, covering an entire wall at his recent gallery exhibit was a real visual knockout.

Tucson. April, 2013

My friends Simon and David moments before the opening of their dual gallery exhibition, ‘Action, Reaction.’ Simon is in front of one of his sculptures; David in front of one of his paintings. I’m happy I arrived early with the artists so I could see their works before the gallery flooded with people. I’m delighted for my friends, showing their work together in their art-minded town. Before the evening was over, they’d each sold a piece, with assurances of more sales to come. And after two hours...we all went out for Mexican food.

Tucson. April, 2013

The desert sun is so strong, people here are grateful for any shade they can find. Such as this dappled path beneath a canopy of orange trees on the University of Arizona campus.

Tucson. April, 2013

My favorite place in Tucson for breakfast or lunch or (as happened this visit) both, is the Little Cafe Poca Cosa. The food is excellent. Ditto the attitude. And at each meal, I ordered the Plato Poca Cosa, which is the chef’s choice of three of the day’s offerings. At breakfast, this included a huevo ranchero, a chile relleno and some beef barbacoa. Lunch brought some beef colorado, some chicken mole and pork in some rich sauce. Rice, beans, chips, salsa and a salad with fruit and greens and whatever else they have that day. Marcela and Sandra welcome and chat and hug...and generously allow this gringo to practice his Spanish, even if he has to yell to be heard.