The Millet House contribution to Art Detour 35 includes an exhibit curated by artist Vanessa Ortiz Zapata. All events and works included in the exhibit will be showcased online as well as in the physical gallery. Our events are family friendly. Plus, snacks!

We will be adding one artwork from the exhibit daily. Follow our Instagram the.millet.house for the latest info!

Wish to acquire a piece from this stunning show? A link to purchase each work is provided below the art. You can use PayPal or any credit card shown. Art work can be picked up, delivered or mailed free within the continental United States. Books require extra payment for shipping but can be picked up or delivered locally, free of charge.

“Stormy Range/Angels Fly”

Bill Agard

16 x 20 inch

Mixed Media/Photography

Biography: Mixed Media Digital Imager Bill Agard

Before Photography:
I was an electronic technician (among other things) I used the camera to illustrate how
to repair or show what to look for while repairing a specific item in the tech bulletins I
would produce for others technicians – after all, a picture’s worth a thousand words.
I was also using a camera to capture things of beauty, things of interest and things of art
or my perceived vision of art. I began entering juried shows and received acceptance as
an artist and my passion for photography grew, I had my own color darkroom (still have
the darkroom equipment and I don’t know why). One of my favorite forms of
photography was producing tintype images back then.

In 1980 I took a leave of absence from Panasonic to go to college for photography and I
never went back. I had studied or follow others in the field and I have learned mostly
from self-discovery, fact is I’m still learning, after almost 4 decades of being a
commercial photographer I think I’m getting the hang of this media, but time will tell.
Working full-time as a commercial photographer I began to shoot only for the client and
put aside photographing for my own pleasure or fun. I have had my images reproduced
hundreds of thousands time, but not for pure enjoyment. I enjoyed what I was doing but
it was after all work.

I’m BACK, a few years ago I started to do more for myself, I moved from Florida back to
the west coast and to a place that simply inspires me! I wanted to become a member of
the Artists of the Superstitions a year before moving here to be among other creative
individuals in the area and to be inspired by their passion for their craft, selfish I know.
While I still do work for my clients my priorities have changed and I have added myself
back into the mix. Today I’m a Mixed Media Digital Imager and I produce my images on
just about anything I can, from your underwear to the side of a building.

Short version of this is: I R 2 a photo-grapher

“Evening at the Dons Camp”

Jeff Hayes

20 x 30 inch

Photo – Canvas

“The Shaman”

Suzanne Lowry

21 inches high

Clay and Copper

 

“Torn Between Two Lives”

Gail A. McFarland

21 x 17 inch

Acrylic

Gail writes,”Torn Between Two Lives” was influenced by an Apache coming of age ceremony I had the distinct privilege of attending. As I watched the ceremony, I was impressed strongly that our indigenous people hold onto their native culture.”

“So How’s Your Day Been?”

Diane J Haugen

16 x 13 inch

Mixed media

“Ocotillo Blooms”

Cheri Reckers

8 x 16 x 1.5 inch

Silk Painting

“Ocotillo Blooms and Moon”

Cheri Reckers

8 x 16 x 1.5 inch

Silk Painting

“Ken and Daisy”

Jane Hayes

24 x 36 inch

Acrylic

Out past Apache Junction you may catch a glimpse of the real-life Ken and Daisy.

“Petroglyph Canyon”

Suzanne Lowry

9 inches high

Clay and Copper

Blueberry Bear visited The Millet House on Saturday, March 25, 10 am -2 pm! Blueberry Bear is a therapy dog whose name just happens to be Bear. Local Author Eileen Pieczonka visited as well and read from her Blueberry Bear books! The books are available at The Millet House for $17.99 each or here. Notably, the books are written in such a way as to encourage literacy, vocabulary and enjoyment of the written word. Shipping not included, but local pickup or delivery is free.

“Apache Junction Sunset”

Lori Berry

16 x 20 inch

Fused Glass Frit Painting

Framed

“West Mitten at Monument Valley”

Jeff Hayes

16 x 24 inch

Photo – Canvas

“Saguaro Blooming Courtship”

Joanne West

20 x 40 inch

Photography on Canvas

$225

“Go Get ‘Em”

Barbarann Mainzer

16 x 20 inch

Acrylic

Framed

Barbarann writes of her inspiration, “Usually painting animals, I ventured into a western rancher series of paintings with doubt. My first attempt was boots and spurs (from behind) resting on a rail.  A coil of rope filled the space. I was intrigued with the rope. Next painting was a Mexican saddle, again with rope. Then came a rancher feeling the weight and sturdiness of the rope. Finally, this horse charging at me while his rider is intent on using the rope to catch the runaway, was a painting I just had to try to capture.”

“Back Country Vista”

Kathy Henderson

12 x 16 inch

Oil and Cold Wax

Kathy writes of her inspiration, “Living beneath the magnificent Superstition Mountains is an inspiration in itself. A quick trip up the Peralta Road means stopping anywhere for a great view/painting. My cold wax medium suits rugged buttes perfectly and up the road are endless numbers of rugged buttes! I like to capture them plein air but I do have to take photos to capture the best light I get during a couple of hours of painting. The Mountains change constantly although late morning and late afternoon are the best times. Our new Regional park opens up even more vistas, so you know where I will be often over the next few months!

“Desert Vibe”

Alison Williams

24 x 20 inch

Felted Wall Hanging of Wool and Felt

“Scolecite Crystal Pendant”

Sam Art

Hand cut and polished Scolecite Crystal from the ISLE OF SKYE, Scotland

Deep blue Labradorite

Solid Sterling Silver Wire Work

Stainless Omega Collar

“Pendant and Collar Featuring Hand Cut and Polished Bumblebee Jasper from Indonesia”

Sam Art

Black Onyx

Hand Formed Artisan Clay With Silver and Stainless Accents

Wrapped in Solid Sterling Silver

Stainless Omega Collar

SOLD

“Prickly Pear With Blue Flower”

Gail A. McFarland

25 x 30 inch

Acrylic

Gail writes, “In my painting ‘Prickly Pear With Blue Flowers’, I chose to invert the colors of the prickly pear flower and the sky have the viewer focus on the warmth of the days when prickly pear cacti bloom.”

“Cactus Blossom, Yellow”

Kathy Mitchell

16 x 20 inch

Watercolor

Framed

Kathy writes of her process, “I love the transparency of watercolor and the textures of cactus. I try to combine the texture and softness of watercolor to create an interesting technique with the rough paper and different brush strokes. I am a colorist and enjoy the colors of nature in my landscape paintings.”

“Wild Stallion and Mare”

Lisa Manifold

20 x 25 inch framed

Photograph

Lisa writes, “The piece juried in to the Desert Art Show at the Millet House is of two wild horses in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The one on the left is the stallion and the other a mare. I sat and watched this band for a few hours. After a period of grazing followed by a nap the mare nudged the stallion awake to let him know it was time for him to move the band onto a new grazing area. Always reminds me of the Mother in the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” when she says the ‘The Man is the head but, the Woman is the neck’. And so goes the yin and yang of the sexes… even in the wild.”

“Owl Life”

Vanessa Ortiz

18 x 24 inch

Oil on Canvas

“Owl Life” was Vanessa’s first desert painting. While hiking, a hawk appeared to fly straight at Vanessa, but then swooped down to snatch up a snake before either reached her. To Vanessa, this was a sign that the desert would protect her if she chose to paint it.