Tag Archives: Tucson Artists

Featured Artist: Jenna Tomasello

Jenna Tomasello is a local Tucson artist who specializes in mural and faux finish painting, and has a product line of desert inspired, artisan made bandanas.

You may recognize her Star Wars Cantina mural for Tallboy’s Restaurant on 4th ave, the sunset mural on what is now the Pima Area Labor Federation offices on e. Pima, and a community paint by number mural in the Subspace Artist Studios.

You can find her online at www.jennatomasello.com and follow on instagram at @jennatomasello.

What is your story as an artist? How did you come to be a professional muralist?

The first ever mural I painted was one where I was assisting a friend on their project, and I realized “I could do this”. That moment was the inspiration that got me to look at my art as a career. I started seeking out painting jobs in order to learn how to approach my work as a trade and a business. I painted sets for theaters, did conventional house painting, murals, and worked alongside many skilled craftspeople whom I continue to learn from and refine my skills with.

I started designing my bandanas in 2018 with the inspiration of having my artwork be more functional and accessible. My bandana patterns are inspired by desert plants, animals, stars, and seasons. I paint all of my designs by hand and I truly enjoy making them. I sell them through my website (which I will be relaunching in mid-May) and in three local Tucson stores, Pop-Cycle, The Ninth House Shop, and Shop at Mesa in the MSA Annex.

We heard that the bandana project helps support local businesses. Can you tell us about that?

Yes, it is important to me that my bandana manufacturing is done locally. The bandanas are sewn by a women’s sewing co-op, DouglaPrieta Works, in Agua Prieta, Sonora. The patterns are screen printed in South Tucson by the union print shop, The Gloo Factory.

What’s next for you as an artist?

Ive been working on developing my the business end of what I do, as there is so much that goes into running a business. I am looking to do more commercial art and murals and to grow my bandana and product line.

Anything else you want to share?

I hung out at BICAS a lot when I first moved to Tucson 10 years ago, it was sort of my second home for a while. I volunteered in exchange for shop hours to build a bike. Now I have a bike with a baby seat on it and my baby and I go on bike rides every day. So, a lot of my inspiration is from my desert home here, I love living in Tucson. I love the desert and the landscape and all the plants and animals, looking to the stars, star myths and different stories… connecting ourselves to the landscape and history and stories of place and finding magic moments in that.

Published May 2021

BICAS Featured Artist AMG

Interview with BICAS Artist Asha Greyeyes

December 2020

BICAS Staff Artist AMG

Available on Etsy

I am from Northern Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation. I have been making things since I was a little kid and my sisters got me into jewelry making in high school. When I first started making jewelry, it was to sell to tourists who visited our area. I really enjoyed making things that were slightly different from the stuff we made to sell and when I think that really contributed to my liking of using bike parts to make jewelry. I personally really like making earrings, they are dangly and eye catching. I’d say I look at stuff that intrigues me then I just start trying to add to it. It starts off with one eye catching piece and I just try to accent or compliment something that’s already so beautiful or interesting.

Available on Etsy

I began at BICAS as a customer. My love for making things with my hand translated well into working with my hands on a bike. I now work at BICAS and still love working on bikes because once you understand how it works, your hands can just do it themselves. Plus the feeling of accomplishment is immediate, which I like.

Yoo’ disxosih by AMG.

I donate to the art auction because I like to make jewelry and I wanna help the place I work. I think being able to use my creativity is a real plus side when helping a cause. I really like the auction pieces that mimic nature. The bike part animals and cactus always get me. I think it works into that love I have for paying tribute or complimenting things that are already so beautiful.

I have no other place I sell or promote my work. They are only available at the BICAS Art Auction but if I ever do decide that, it will probably be how other indigenious artists do today. Instagram, USPS delivery and a payment app.

Dzidze’ doo nizhoni yoo’ by AMG

Look for AMG’s art work and handmade jewelry on the BICAS Etsy page and in the Staff Mini-Auction up on EBAY

August 2020 Featured Artist: Tucson DIY Artist, Writer, Photographer Martha Retallick

“Martha, what is the most exciting part to you about making recycled art with parts from BICAS?”

For me, the most exciting part about making recycled art is the treasure hunt. I never know what’s going into the finished piece because I’m still looking for the parts.

“What are your favorite parts to use in salvage projects?”

My favorite bike parts to use are disc brake rotors, chainrings, and freewheel cogs.

“What do you hope to make next?”

My next project will be incorporating a chainring into a house number sculpture for my gate. I have other ideas too but haven’t designed or built anything yet.

“How are you nurturing your everyday creativity during the pandemic?”

I’m upping my culinary and home brewing games. In the past few weeks, I’ve been learning how to make mesquite biscuits, pizza, and apple soft drink. I’ve also added beer to my fermentation repertoire.

Awesome photos above are from Martha’s incredible salvage creation made from BICAS parts and other found objects! Check out Martha’s newly-launched website at http://www.westernskycommunications.com, then visit the BICAS Etsy Shop to purchase some salvage parts of your own. Parts are available for shipping or at-store pickup during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BICAS Salvage Mask by Tucson Artist Racheal Rios

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic this May 2020, our allstar friend and colleague Racheal Rios created and shared a playful, unique mask on her Instagram each day. Some were made of all-natural materials, some edible, and some made of salvaged items, all on her page at @rachealrios. Check out this mask made of all BICAS art parts that she created this past week! We love Racheal’s work and how it supports our mission of creative upcycling. Make your own BICAS salvage crafts by visiting the ‘SALVAGE’ section of our online shop at etsy.com/shop/bicasart, going live June 1, for usable bike craft parts, craft kits and more. Stay safe, everybody.