he’s not particularly fond of labels, as neither description communicates the whimsical illusions and balance his pieces create. His visions are heavily influenced from his experience working on cars and driving trucks, and he continues to repurpose mechanical parts to give his work an “post-industrial” feel. Also an avid science fiction reader, he is driven by imagination and his own curiosity. “I often want to dig in and see how something works, how I can build it, what makes it look and feel right and, ultimately, how to give it life,” Coran says. “Creating art is not an intellectual pursuit for me but one of communicating in ways that words cannot.” Coran’s creations are highly sought after all over the country, with one of this favorite pieces, Knot Me, recently being sold to a company Washington D.C. The sculpture captured the imaginations of many, including the City of Surprise, which recently commissioned a larger version. Other pieces can be seen around the state, including Pearson & Company in the Scottsdale Art District and galleries in Chandler, Avondale and Prescott. In addition to his own artistic endeavors, Coran is passionate about supporting other local artist and strengthening the Valley’s art community though his involvement in the Arizona Artists Guild, Phoenix Art Museum’s Contemporary Forum, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and 5 Arts Circle. As a way to give back, he also holds events for mid-career artists, groups from Mesa Community College’s Sculptural Welding classes and for 3-D printing. “Artists are the most vibrant part of any community. They generally know no bounds and are able to see the ‘same old things’ in brand-new ways.” As for the growth of the Valley’s art scene, Coran says it’s been fun to experience firsthand. “The local art scene is absolutely amazing. Downtown Phoenix was not even on the art radar 10-plus years ago, and now it may well be the center of the Valley’s art culture,” Coran says. “As it’s grown, the art being exhibited has gotten more SEPTEMBER 2016 |
sophisticated and professional. Almost every city in the Valley now has a public art program – people everywhere recognize the value and importance of art to our quality of life.” Another fan of Downtown Phoenix’s artistic growth is graphic designer-turned-artist, Sara Becker, who began painting 15 years ago. A self-described “expressive colorist” she creates her artistic vision by layering paints, sanding and reapplying the paint for deep texture and luminous colors. Inspired by the natural palette and textures of the Valley’s mountain preserves, her work is reminiscent of the Southwest’s sunsets juxtaposed with minimalist symbols and modern text. “I find inspiration in the act of artistic creation itself, in the serenity of yoga and in certain words and symbols that act as a portal to those places for me,” Becker says. “Sometimes the paint itself takes me where I want to go.” As a yoga enthusiast, the practice is commonplace both in Becker’s work and life, with pieces currently on display at Modern Yoga in Scottsdale. No longer limited to traditional galleries or art shows, more and more artists are connecting with like-minded businesses to showcase their work, or turning to more collaborative, shared spaces. “The arts always have the potential to reflect the local culture. It’s important that Phoenix sees itself through the eyes of many different artists. Amazingly, no two are ever the same.” An avid supporter of Scottsdale’s ArtWalk and Phoenix’s Frist Fridays — where she has upcoming shows at First Studio and Olney Gallery on Roosevelt – Becker sees the most growth in artists’ willingness to share their creativity and opening their studios to broader audiences. “I love that artists here are so supportive of each other and there is a diversity of visual expression. The art scene is always changing, as new artists, styles and imagery are put out there, and their influences ripple through our community.”
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