Carl B Johnson – CBJ Art dot com
Nothing quiet on the Western Front
This is sort of a catch-all category of art and music events, places, my life, and anything that doesn’t fall into my own creative art.
This past weekend, tired of being housebound in 100+° heat, I suggested to Liz that we take a day trip to Superior. Superior is 2,888 feet elevation. Apache Junction is 1,722 – and that 1,000 feet make a difference.
The cloud cover added to the cooling effect of the elevation, and it was pleasant all day as we walked the streets of Superior, and stopped into the Silver King Smokehouse and Saloon. Best pulled pork this side of the valley! Continue reading “Superior”
Last weekend we attended the Mining Festival and burro races in Superior, AZ.
Superior is a town that has had its ups and downs. Many times a ghost town, Superior is rising again.
The day’s events included a parade, live music, a beer garden, food tents and more.
We arrived early to get some photos before the crowds arrived. We visited our favorite gallery, ate some fresh handmade donuts, listened to the music and had lunch at the Silver King. Continue reading “Feeling Superior”
Apache Leap swerves as the backdrop to this old Arizona mining town. Founded in the late 1870’s, Superior was originally named Queen, due it’s proximity to Queen Valley and the Queen Creek.
Later it became Hastings, and in 1902 it became Superior, after the Lake Superior and Arizona Copper Company.
The Magma mine (also the Silver Queen), and later the Silver King mine depleted all of the silver. The mines changed hands, just in time for copper to become king.
The copper industry supported the town for years. Superior has had its ups and downs following the trends of the copper industry. Continue reading “Feeling Superior”
In the middle of the Sonoran Desert just outside of Florence, AZ is an unlikely oasis. Founded in 1996, St. Anthony’s Monastery is home to 42 monks.
The grounds boast several chapels of various styles, and the monastery is open to the public for self-guided tours daily. Continue reading “St Anthony’s Monastery”
Friday Night Shift
Oil on Canvas, 24″x30″
Everyone needs a safe haven, a place where everybody knows your name. “Friday Night Shift” is the latest in my American Bar Series of paintings.
Captain’s in Apache Junction is my home away from home. Captain’s, where you may one day see someone ride his horse through the bar. Captain’s, where you might see the owner dancing on the bar. Captain’s, where Mary one day took a sledge hammer to her credit card machine, and since then has been cash only. Captain’s, with the coldest beer on draught in Apache Junction. Continue reading “Friday Night Shift”
Alone
Oil on Canvas, 36″x36″
$800.00
Behind a building at the Goldfield Ghost Town in Apache Junction sits a decrepit 1950’s vintage International Harvester pickup truck.
I was wandering off the beaten track at this well known tourist attraction when I stumbled onto this gem. In its former life, this IH served as a fire truck. The original painting will be on display at my show in December at One-oh-One in Mesa.
I have always been drawn to the underdog. Growing up in a town that saw extreme change, like most people I resent change. Change is inevitable.
At some point I understood the necessity to embrace change. Eventually you must cease to kick against the goads. If you fail to get my meaning, read the Book of Acts in the New Testament.
I have been in the East Valley in Arizona for less than a decade. In less than a decade I have seen landmarks disappear. Progress always wins. The weak fall by the wayside and are trodden under. Continue reading “Things Change”
For Christmas, Liz bought us a family gift. It was a tour of a local distillery in Tempe, AZ. Arizona Distillery is a small batch distilling company. They distill whiskey, gin and vodka.
We were shown the distilling process from beginning to end. It begins much like brewing beer… with whiskey it is called mash, with beer it is called wort (pronounced wert).
Unlike beer, the grain, whether wheat or corn or rye is crushed into a powder. The grain is mixed with water and cooked for up to eight hours at around 160°F , which brings out the sugars. The mash is then cooled, and then pumped to another container where yeast is added and it ferments until the proper alcohol content is reached. Continue reading “Getting my drink on”
Yesterday was the Florence, AZ historical open house tour. Florence is the county seat of Pinal County, and one of the oldest towns in Pinal.
There are more than 25 buildings listed on the National Historic Register. Many are private residences, but we did get to tour a dozen that are now businesses or unoccupied. Continue reading “It’s always 9 o’clock in Florence, AZ”
I spent Thanksgiving holiday in San Diego. Liz and I stayed in Little Italy, close to the harbor. The weather was wet and dreary, and I8 was actually closed due to snow a half hour after we passed through.
California is a pretty state, it is unfortunate that it is California. Politicians in LA and San Francisco have screwed the state royally.
Walking through Little Italy we passed a dozen homeless people sleeping on the sidewalk on cardboard. It seems that typhoid fever, tuberculosis and typhus are the new in thing in Los Angeles. Continue reading “San Diego Maritime Museum”