DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun, Tucson

Char took me to the "DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun" in the Tucson foothills.  DeGrazia is a famed, local artist who gained national attention in the 70's when his art contributions to family and charities were refused due to the high inheritance tax at the time.  This so angered him that he took almost 100 of his most prized works to a remote area and burned them in protest. He never recovered from the pain of this demonstration of anger and destruction and could not work again.

DeGrazia's gallery is awash in local Native American culture, Christian passion and love of the earth.  In every corner are unusual and inspirational touches that reveal the artist's sensitivity and commitment to his world.  He is a man I would've enjoyed meeting.

Recreation of the artist's work area 

At church this past Sunday, Char showed me a wall mural DeGrazia created for their church in memory of her daughter, Bonnie, who died tragically at the age of six.  She told me the story of having known him and that mutual friends asked the artist if he would consider donating his time to paint a memorial.  He agreed, with the stipulation that Char and her other three young children be present in the sanctuary while he worked.  She spoke of them kicking their feet out of boredom on the pews as they dangled.  She showed me exactly where they sat to watch for an entire day.

Having known this story, it was an especially poignant visit to the beautifully primitive DeGrazia chapel, located next to the gallery.  Here at the altar, visitors placed flowers, photos, and other memorabilia of lost loved ones.  We sat for a few moments to say a prayer for Bonnie.

For more information on DeGrazia's work or the gallery see this link:
http://degrazia.org/Splash.aspx

One of the most gorgeous works of desert art I've ever seen.  Below is his own explanation.

"My best painting is the next one.  I haven't painted it yet.  I'm in competition only with myself, and that's tough because I believe that each thing I do must be better in some way than the last."

-- Ted DeGrazia