George Collins:
Artist and Photographer

George has been interested in art and photography for most of his life but he did not pursue a second career in art until he retired and moved to Arizona from Michigan in late 1997. He began working with many accomplished artists including Wanda Tucker, Risa Waldt, Manuel DeLeon, Laurie Brussel, and Cristine Lytwynczuk.

George is currently an active member of the SaddleBrooke Fine Arts Guild and has participated in several Fine Art shows including Running Bear Productions. As an artist, he has created large–scale contemporary works in vivid colors on a variety of subjects including commissioned works, Southwestern landscapes, and a variety of flower and cactus blooms. He became interested in painting the intricate detail and colorful beauty of these flowers after many hikes in the desert. He states that he is learning to “see and feel” the landscape in a completely different way and hopes to stimulate the imagination and create feelings of serenity and appreciation of nature through his paintings.

He recently won first place in the “2007 Art in Oro Valley” Expo. His works were displayed at the Caldwell Bank in Oro Valley and the Toscana Studio and Gallery in Oro Valley and at the Ventana Medical Systems Exposition in January 2009.Other work can be seen at his studio by appointment, (520) 818-1143.

Clare Collins
Artist

Clare was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and immigrated with her family to the U.S. at the age of two. They settled in Detroit, Michigan where she grew up and attended St. Anthony Elementary and High Schools. Clare subsequently entered Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan where she received a Secretarial Science Degree. Her early jobs included employment with the Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Edison and General Motors. After marrying her husband, George, and raising their two boys she continued her education in Psychology at Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. She also worked as an Assistant Director in the Rochester Community House. In 1997, they decided to retire to SaddleBrooke, Arizona.

Rekindling a life-long interest in art, she started a decorative furniture painting business with a friend in her community. Their business took off as they sold to locals, craft show attendees and did commission work. After five years, Clare decided to change art venues and try her hand at a new media. Since she loves “everything textured”, collage on canvas seemed like a good fit. Her pieces are inspired by unusual articles purchased abroad while traveling, organic “finds” while hiking in the desert and being creative with everyday items.