Some places hold very special places in our hearts. The Little Gallery at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is that place for me. It is the gallery that held my first solo exhibition on my 27th birthday. It is the handmade original studio of Tucson artistic legend Ted DeGrazia and his vibe certainly remains. This space near the base of the Catalina Mountains is quiet and peace filled. A place where one can wander, sit still, ponder, explore, and learn. Nothing is rushed.
When we returned to Tucson, The Little Gallery was on my mind. I was fortunate to return in 2019 and exhibit my artwork inspired by four years living in Europe, and new work inspired by the southwest.
An artist can only show at The Little Gallery every five years. A lot has occurred and changed in our world over the past five years. Artists have a lot to share, and my creative messages remain: colorful, curious, upbeat and playful.
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, my next exhibition ARIZONA ANTE and Playful Perspectives opens at The Little Gallery. ARIZONA ANTE is a continuation of the Arizona playing card series and new face cards will debut. Playful Perspectives, a vibrant new series, will be unveiled and explode with color. For the opportunity and the Little Gallery, I remain forever grateful.
This series is a creative evolution. Who ever thought wandering European Flea Markets during our time living overseas would lead me to create a series of 56 mixed media playing cards celebrating the things we love about Arizona?
While exploring the flea markets in 2014, I saw so many different card styles and suits. I was so curious about how Americans ended up with Spades, Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds. You’ve seen them and played with them hundreds of times. But have you ever contemplated the history or meaning behind the suits on a deck of cards? I did a little research. I didn’t expect to be intrigued with my findings. But they have inspired 62 paintings…so far.
The oldest suit designs seem to be Muslim. These suits were coins, cups, swords and polo sticks. As cards evolved, different cultures created their own suits and royalty face cards. Germany used leaves, hearts, hawk bells and acorns. In present day Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy, suits of swords, cups, coins, and batons are still used. Today’s design, the hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds, are a French design from the 15th century. These designs were flat, stenciled silhouettes, which were easily mass produced, and thus made their way to America. Each suit represents a social class. Spades are nobility. Hearts are clergy. Diamonds are merchants. Clubs are peasants.
Myth states that the four suits represent the four seasons, and that the 52 cards represent the 52 weeks of the year. I discovered that each individual suit has many themes:
Hearts represent spring, home, emotions, love, childhood, vulnerability, art, poetry, music, water and Karma. Clubs represent summer, education, mind, intellect, musing, young, irresponsibility, literature, air and drama. Diamonds represent fall, career, security, values, judgement, adults, responsibility, entertainment, fire, and material goods. Spades represent winter, environment, wisdom, health, acceptance, old age, transformation, scripture, earth, workaholics, old souls and warriors.
This Arizona Ante began in 2018 after we returned to Tucson from many years away. I was so happy to be back. There is something special about the Grand Canyon State. People are friendly, the weather is wonderful, the skies are almost always blue. The landscapes of Arizona – with exciting animal inhabitants and vegetation – are intriguing. Arizona is a playground for hikers, bikers, golfers, fishers, cowboys, foodies and artists. All of these, and more, are represented in this playing card series. The jokers celebrate Arizona’s three outstanding state universities. Arizona is a place to live, learn, love and celebrate.
I hope you will join me on February 3, 2024 at the historic Steinfeld Warehouse Gallery for this celebration. Many thanks to the following sponsors of the Arizona Ante!
Supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.
