Tubac Center of the Arts

My husband and I attended a lecture at the Tubac Center of the Arts last evening. Kaye and Francis YourStarShining (both self-taught artists) of YourStarShining Studio presented their work. Kaye began the talk to our group and explained all the steps in making a bronze sculpture, using the lost-wax process. In addition to being a sculptor, Kaye is a painter. Francis, born and raised in the Sioux Nation of South Dakota, brings a fresh and natural look to his stone sculpture. He told us how he first started sculpture work and how he tries to capture the essence and spirit of real-life animals in motion. Francis made jewelry in silver with inlays of semi-precious stones and shells before becoming a stone sculptor. Kaye and Francis maintain a winter studio near Tucson, and in the summers, they return to Francis' grandfather's home at Buffalo Lake, South Dakota. They say they find inspiration in the land and the nature for their creations at both their summer and winter residences.

My husband and I learned a great deal from this lecture. It was fun and interesting. We modeled in clay while the artists spoke. You can reach the YourStarShinings at 520-908-2341. Their website is www.yourstarshining.com.

You might be surprised at the active and vital art scene in Southern Arizona. The Tubac Center of the Arts has informal lectures by local artists nearly every week and frequent formal shows. To find out what is happening in the arts in Tubac, please check out the website: www.tubacartcenter.org