 |
| |
 |
The
title of Art Norby’s 2005 oil painting “Quiet
Time II” surprises some people
due to the noticeably unquiet cataclysm of the fiery
clouds depicted, but
Norby brings viewers down to earth saying that the name
refers to “the quiet
settling into the land as the sun disappears.”
(Click picture to see larger image) |
| |
 |
Art
Norby, artist and owner of Norby Fine Art Gallery, with
the 2006 Fiesta Days Rodeo poster for which he contributed
his painting "Saddle Bronc."
(Click picture to see larger image) |
|
Fiesta
Days art feels good at Norby - Poster punches up rodeo promotion
by
Chris Moore
CAVE CREEK - Arthur Norby has been creating art for more than
30 years, and he's doing it for a fine reason-it makes him
feel good.
"I don't really need to make a social statement with
my art," Norby says. "I make art that makes me feel
good and that I hope makes others feel good."
Art and his wife, Kathy Norby, run the Norby Fine Art Gallery
in The Shoppes at the Creek. The gallery, which shows a large
collection of Art Norby's sculpture and paintings as well
as works by many other artists, shares that aesthetic. "The
gallery has a positive contemporary feeling to it," he
says.
But Art Norby uses his artistry and his gallery for more than
just feeling good. Although he doesn't feel a particular social
impetus when creating his art, he does consider it important
that artists use their talent in giving back to the community.
"It is our desire to see the arts succeed and for art
and artists to be credited with a value they deserve,"
Art Norby states. "To accomplish this, artists need to
participate in the community."
"We share that philosophy," Kathy Norby agrees.
"We both really believe that when you have a business
in the community you need to be a part of the community and
embrace that responsibility."
According to the Norbys, participating in civic activities
puts the proof in the pudding. "My art allows me to play
an important role," Art Norby says. And he doesn't just
mean through organizations like the Desert Foothills Community
Association, the Chamber of Commerce (of which Kathy is on
the board), and groups like the Kiwanis and the Rotary-he's
talking about...the rodeo.
With Fiesta Days upon the Foothills this weekend, the Norbys,
both members of the DFCA-the organization that hosts the Fiesta
Days Rodeo-are doing their part in an even bigger way than
they did last year. "Rodeo is part of our cowboy heritage,"
Kathy Norby says. "It's a celebration. It's something
we want to keep alive."
"We
can help increase the visibility of the rodeo through the
poster," Art Norby adds. And it's working. If you haven't
seen Art Norby's bucking bronco on the 2006 Fiesta Days poster
by now, you probably haven't been north of Loop 101 in a while.
"We are so pleased by the way the community has responded
to the poster," Kathy Norby says, "and the support
for the rodeo."
Not only did Norby create the artwork for the Fiesta Days
Rodeo poster this year, he did it last year, and the Norbys
are also marketing the poster with proceeds designated to
support the rodeo. In 2005, the red white and blue painted
image of a bull rider was the poster's theme, this year features
a bronc rider in action. Fulfilling an idea proposed to him
two years ago by former DFCA president and staunch rodeo supporter
Wayne Wilson, who died tragically last year, Art Norby will
create posters for the eight events of the Fiesta Days Rodeo,
portraying a different event each year. For the 2007 poster,
he plans to feature barrel racing, which is one of the rodeo's
few events in which women participate.
To bring it all together, the Norby Gallery will use the "First
Friday" art event on April 7 for an artist's reception
to focus on Art Norby's rodeo and western paintings. He'll
be signing Fiesta Day's posters, which will sell for $25.
Collector's plates which the Norbys had made with the image
from last year's poster will be on sale for $45, and T shirts
with the 2006 poster will be available as well. A percentage
of the proceeds, naturally, will go to the Fiesta Days Rodeo.
The gallery
features Art Norby's rodeo art for Fiesta Days, but his oeuvre
has a breadth that spans not only the media of sculpture and
painting, but within those forms a range of subject matter
and technique. "I want the idea to be mine" he says.
"I'm not trying to look like anyone else."
His oil paintings, for example "Anthem," "Quiet
Time II" and "Chiricahau Afternoon" pile up
fiery majestic clouds over dark landscapes to create stunning,
memorable images. In addition, he has begun painting similar
cloudscapes on mannequins, such as his "Lounging Lady,"
to remarkable effect. His whimsical sculptures of rotund dancing
figures go, according to the artist, "beyond Rubens"
and create a monumental presence that is "supposed to
make you smile." |
|
| |
To
make people smile and to make a difference-that's the two sided
touchstone of this Cave Creek artist's vision. "I have the
privilege of being able to create images other people can use,"
Art Norby says.
And that makes him feel good.
Art Norby's artist's reception is Friday, April 7, from 6 to 9 p.m.
at the Norby Gallery in The Shoppes at the Creek, 6268 East Cave
Creek Rd., Cave Creek. Grady Soine will perform, and refreshments
will be served. For more information, contact the Norby Gallery
at (480) 595 3281 or (800) 216 6699 and on the Web at www.norbygallery.com.
Reach the reporter at cmoore@thedesertadvocate.com. |
| |
| Back
To Arts & Entertainment |
|
