Photo courtesy Frank Ybarra “Desert Vista,” by Frank Ybarra, is spotlighted as part of Arizona Centennial celebrations.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

The Valley has a roster of artists with a strong Arizona-themed repertoire, but Frank Ybarra – whose paintings adorn many posters and billboards trumpeting the Centennial – is uniquely suited to paint a fresh face on the state’s 100th birthday.

Blending bright colors with a Neo-Cubist bent, Ybarra’s lighthearted paintings reflect his Hispanic roots. Many vividly depict moments from his childhood spent near Washington and 32nd Streets. In “Fresh Tortillas,” you can almost inhale the scent of his mother’s baking.  

Some of Ybarra’s work will be showcased in concert with the Arizona Centennial Commemoration – a statewide, multi-event celebration that runs through the end of 2012 – including “Imaginary Canyon,” “Mission San Xavier del Bac,” and “An Arizona Legend,” a portrait of Sandra Day O’Connor. Each reflects his knack for nailing the nuances of Arizona.

“I am a native, and my style captures a certain way of looking at Arizona,” says the north Phoenix resident.

Ybarra, 53, remembers drawing on brown paper bags as a toddler and always wanting to be an artist. He studied graphic design at Arizona State University and worked at Samaritan Health System before quitting his day job. In 2005, Ybarra battled Stage III colon cancer, but that didn’t curtail his creativity. He’s been featured at ASU Art Museum and at the Joan Cawley Gallery, 7135 E. Main St., Scottsdale. Visit him on April 21 at the gallery or online at ybarraart.com.