Carl B Johnson – CBJ Art dot com
Nothing quiet on the Western Front
These posts will be Arizona specific. Hikes, the mountains, the desert, the history…
The Pinal Cemetery is protected and under the control of the Tonto National Forest and protected by the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979.
It is easily accessible by dirt roads just off of SR60 west of the town of Superior. Continue reading “Mattie Earp’s grave and Superior under siege of wildfires”
Elisha Reavis is the epitome of the Superstition hermit. He is not the lost Dutchman, although his face might be one of the recognizable of the characters that settled this region.
This is part two in my series of a trek through the Superstition Wilderness outback. Continue reading “Reavis Road and the path to Superior”
This past Saturday, good friend Dave and I spent the day in the Superstition Wilderness interior. I will be dividing this trip into several posts, as there is so much to discuss.
Roger’s Trough was located adjacent to the Silver Chief Mine. The Roger’s trough trailhead is fairly easy to reach. Just head north from SR60 to an unimproved road 172 east of Florence Junction SR79. Any 2-wheel drive vehicle with decent clearance can make this leg of the journey, but a 4-wheel drive is preferred. Continue reading “A trip to Roger’s Trough and the “Treasure Trove””
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”
Take Five Artists Exhibition
I am one of six artist in Take Five Artists (math is not our strong point). During the month of December 2020 we will have an exhibit at One-oh-One Gallery in Mesa Arizona.
The Gallery is located at 101 Main Street, Mesa, AZ.
Road Trip yesterday. We met some folks in Mesa at Superstition Springs. I think they are Democrats that heard that Trump got the Covid…
Shortly after we spotted at least 50 vultures circling in the sky. I have not seen so many in one location ever, even here in the desert.
We then headed to Goodyear to met up with the rally, and drove the loop around the Valley. Final destination was the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek. Continue reading “Road Trip”
Desert Detritus Clock
$250.00
Who says art cannot be functional? My Desert Detritus clocks are crafted from debris collected from the Sonora Desert
The back is driftwood found on the shores of Canyon Lake. My guess is that it is a chunk of ironwood. Hand rubbed with a finish of linseed oil.
The jawbone is likely from a coyote. I cleaned the jawbone with a mild detergent, being careful to retain the toning created by the Arizona desert sun. A precision clock work ensures accurate time.
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 would never join a club that would have me as a member. ” Groucho Marx
The University Club would probably have me as a member. I gained entrance without joining. The Take Five artists are on display in the University Club. I have five paintings on display, and available for purchase.
All of my paintings are of bars, some local, some famous. Submitting these paintings for this exhibit – on display until January 2021 – placed me in a quandary. Continue reading “University Club”