The PHiXPhoenix Photographer Danny Upshaw Debuts New Exhibit at Walter Gallery
Aimee SmithApril 20, 2023
Aimee Smith, Author at PHOENIX magazine
Photo by Aimee Smith Usually, when someone tells us to “smile” it causes us to roll our eyes, at best. But while viewing this mural by “Just” Giovannie, located on the back wall of the Cambria Downtown Phoenix, we can’t help but break out in a grin. By the time we read the “Smile” prompt in the conversation bubble, we already are. Photo by Aimee Smith This smiling face is the gatekeeper to an alley...
The PHiXZONA Fest Adds Color to Downtown Phoenix
Aimee SmithOctober 13, 2022
A new mural marketing the highly anticipated new music festival, ZONA Fest, has gone up at 901 N. Central Avenue in Downtown Phoenix. It was painted by Quinn Murphy and Jake Early, the duo known for the “It’s Another Beautiful Day in Downtown Phoenix” mural. Murphy’s Hamster Laboratories is a custom design studio that specializes in gig flyers and created the Zona Fest lineup poster. For more information about ZONA Fest, check out our blog...
Photo by Aimee Smith This colorful wall located on the side of Majerle’s Sports Grill was painted by Jake Early and Quinn Murphy. It can be seen while traveling south on Second Street, just past the convention center parking garage. A bright sun is the main focal point, but upon closer inspection, mountains and the Downtown Phoenix skyline appear. The title of the mural, “It’s Another Beautiful Day in Downtown Phoenix”, is a tribute to,...
The PHiXRoosevelt Row Gets Egged
Aimee SmithMarch 16, 2022
The artist known as The Lady Egg recently left a smattering of paintings on Roosevelt Row in Downtown Phoenix. This pop of yellow adorns the 10-O-One Building, just down from Bunky Boutique. Another Lady Egg creation stands guard at the exit to the parking garage around the corner. This 3-D bespectacled fellow is captured in free fall, about to tumble into the dumpsters behind Pedal Haus. A distinguished egghead reads the paper behind the bike racks...
The PHiXValley Mural Spotlight: Tempe Trio
Aimee SmithSeptember 15, 2021
You will want to take a multitude of photos of these three expansive Tempe murals. Fill your camera roll trying to find the perfect angle to capture these beauties in their entirety or with closeups of all their charming details. Photos by Aimee Smith “Don’t Wake the Dreamer” by Lauren Lee (@mslaurenlee) is located at 505 S. Hardy. The dreamer reposes along the wall, a hand clutching a flower at one end, a...
The PHiXAlley Art: Oak Street Murals
Aimee SmithJuly 13, 2021
Want to peruse dozens of murals in one short block? Check out Oak Street Alley. This stretch of Oak Street, between 14th and 15th Streets in Phoenix, contains several murals by notable artists. Soak in Aztec Smurf’s impressive aquatic creation. Bow down to Isaac Caruso’s ode to the Hindu god Ganesh. Enjoy Andy Brown’s eclectic offering. Walk alongside Thomas “Breeze” Marcus’ distinctive style. Gaze at Osiris Rain’s peaceful portrait. ...
The flowers are blooming along the Grand Canal, perfectly complementing the murals painted earlier this year during Phoenix Mural Fest. Take a stroll to enjoy the spring-like symbiosis while it lasts. @iamundefinedart Palo verde sprouts sanguinely from Tiesha Harrison’s portrait. @liliana__moraart The wildflowers in front of Liliana Mora’s mural match her painted white background and yellow accents. @arianaa_belen White oleander provides a frame for Ariana Enriquez’s colorful flora and fauna mural. ...
The PHiXThree New Murals in Downtown Phoenix
Aimee SmithApril 22, 2021
This week we are spotlighting three new murals in Downtown Phoenix. Photo by Aimee Smith By El Mac and Thomas “Breeze” Marcus This multi-story mural is located in the alley south of Monroe Street and First Avenue. El Mac is responsible for the portrait while Thomas “Breeze” Marcus tackled the surrounding detailing. The mural is a nod to the Indigenous history of Phoenix. The girl depicted is a real teenager from the Salt...
Photo by Aimee Smith Wake up! Fever Dream Coffee is now open. Downtown’s newest caffeine provider is perched on the porch of Pemberton PHX. The aesthetic is an Instagrammer’s dream, from the cosmic sign to the colorful pastries. The muffins topped with edible flowers are almost too pretty to eat, at least not until you’ve had a photo shoot with them. In addition to standard coffee drinks, Fever Dream’s Magic Coffee menu includes spicy...
The PHiXPemberton PHX Continues to Expand
Aimee SmithApril 15, 2021
Photo by Aimee Smith The problem with writing about Pemberton PHX is… where to start? It seems to be expanding daily. And this week, that is not much of an exaggeration. Wednesday was the official opening of Fever Dream Coffee. Photo by Aimee Smith Saturday will be the grand opening of House of Hee. It will be one of the few indoor offerings at Pemberton PHX and will be located on the second...
Desert DigestFood & DrinkFirst Dish: Stoop Kid
Aimee SmithMarch 25, 2021
Photo by Aimee Smith Stoop Kid is a new concept housed in The Churchill in Downtown Phoenix. It offers bagels in the morning and burgers in the afternoon and evening. The menu is short, but you’ll still have a hard time choosing between options like the Money Shot (spicy bacon jam shmear, marinated tomatoes, Tillamook cheddar, soft scramble and a hash cake on an asiago bagel), Egg Thee Scallion (scallion and Parmesan shmear, soft...
March is Women’s History Month. To kick it off, Heather Freitas has created a new mural at the Roosevelt/Central Avenue light rail station. The mural features, from left to right: Josefina Carrascoso Franco, President of the Mexican Blue Cross, Frida Kahlo, artist, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court justice, a self-portrait of the artist, Heather Freitas, and Rosa Parks, civil rights activist. The mural is part of Valley Metro’s Artsline program. Go by today to check...
The PHiXBlack History Month Mural Project Spotlight: Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles
Aimee SmithFebruary 25, 2021
The Central Avenue location of Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles is home to two new Black History Matters murals. The murals are part of the Black History Month Mural Project spearheaded by Gizette Knight. One mural depicts baseball legends Willard Brown, Jackie Robinson and Willie Wells. Willard Brown by @creation80 Jackie Robinson by @artthoutiffany Willie Wells by @evolvingthroughart The other hits closer to home, depicting chefs Lucille B. Smith, Leah Chase, and Mrs. White. Mrs. White...
A new mural has gone up on the side of Barrio Café as part of the Black History Month Mural Project. Organized by Gizette Knight and Reality Dreams, the project includes 28 murals, each depicting three figures from black history, throughout Phoenix during the month of February. Shirley Chisholm by @johnny_the_murales Nina Simone by @artthoutiffany Angela Davis by @creation80 After taking in the mural, take in (or out) the award-winning food at Barrio Café. Barrio Café 2814...