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 Nick Karkula
Artist's Statement: I am blessed to be passionate about my work. The hours I spend collecting wood, surveying my finds, and creating each piece pass quickly. If these hours translate into bringing beauty into someone's life, then I am satisfied.
Seeing something beautiful come out of something that once was alive with beauty, is the gretest satisfaction I receive as a sculptor. Each piece I bring to my clients is a revelation of the mystery and beauty of nature.
As a boy growing up in Yuma, Arizona, I saw the subtle changes in the desert sand made by everthing from a snake crossing to the violent changes created by a wind storm. Nature never failed to ignite my artistic imagination. Nothing compares to a sunset screened through a Mesquite tree.
 My love for Mesquite and Catclaw wood, have come full circle as they are the medium I use to create my turnings and sculptures. My early inspiration for form and design came from Frank Lloyd Wright. I studied his life and works in the School of Architecture at Arizona State University.
Later I joined the U.S. Air Force and spent a year in Vietnam. Even among the devastation of war I found redeeming beauty in the city of Saigon. The mix of Asian and French colonial structures ingrained themselves in my mind. I took and studied photos of these buildings, many of which do not stand today. These inspiring structures nurtured my love of contours, angles and delicate balance.
 I used this background and love of architecture to become a design contractor. In this industry, my strong point was high-end remodeling. Working with my son, each project became the act of birthing a baby as we breathed new life into the walls of each home. During these years, a friendship with a master-craftsman from the East Coast named Paul Johnson, began to nurture my artistic mind.
 Paul was influential in my decision to make and design furniture full-time. My daughter, Alise, came into this business as my apprentice. We used our family store-front to feature her original artwork on small furniture pieces that I created. We were soon collaborating on large, unique, free-standing furniture. Working with Alise sharpened my concept of color manipulation, contrast and balance. This helped me evolve as a wood-turner and sculptor.
Currently, at age 62 I find that all my experiences have overlapped to make me the artist I am today. Each morning offers me an interlude as I walk through the Sonoran desert to gather fallen Mesquite and Catclaw wood. Back in my workshop I examine the worm-holes, voids and fractures to determine how to get inside, find the hidden mystery, and unlock the beatuy. My greatest inspiration these days is the Creator of the Universe. I thank Him for my gifts, talent and above all His world of wonder.
I am happy to make appointments with clients to see my shop, tour the gallery and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Oracle. To make an appointment, contact us at nick@karkulagalleries.com.
Alise (Karkula) Bennett - Website gallery
Artist's Statement: "I believe you CAN live your dreams and pursue your passions. Each one of us is equipped with beauty inside that can emerge at any moment. Live the best life you can in whatever role you play in the world."
 Alise Bennett is a self-taught artist whose use of color flows over her canvas like an easy conversation. She has an uncanny ability to put color and proportion together that bring a sense of intrigue and connection to her non-objective artwork.
A native Arizonan, Alise credits her parents for giving her the freedom of self expression. Her many childhood hours spent in the desert and backpacking in the forested high country of Arizona, heightened her sense of color, shape, testure and beauty. "Nature is an irresistable teacher", says the artist.
Alise worked as an apprentice to her father. He taught her furniture construction and design. She developed as a strong colorist, formulating many stains and glazes to be applied to the creations. Her father designed small pieces of furniture to feature her artwork. Her work was sold alongside his in the family boutique. Their work together eventually progressed to very large, high-end pieces. This experience gave her a great feel for perspective, contrast and color combination.
After her marriage, Alise traveled extensively with her husband. They visited Asia, Europe the Middle-East, Central America and the Caribbean. The world became the ultimate teacher. From the vibrant color of the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez to the more subdued deserts of Egypt, Alise drinks in the endless possibilities of color expression. Alise says, "The depiction of my work is also the definition of my life: endless possibilities."
To make an appointment to view her paintings, e-mail us at nick@karkulagalleries.com.
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P.O. Box 1172