Meet Rand Carlson of Random Arts

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rand Carlson.

Rand, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started out as an immigrant. I was escaping the Narcissistic Plague that had overcome California in 1971 and moved to Tucson to attend the U of A. I began cartooning for local papers and did a little painting. I left Architecture school and got a job illustrating proposed interiors for Ramada Inns across the country while I was in Phoenix. After a stint as a freelance artist and ski bum in the Aspen area, I returned to Tucson to finish school and graduated from UA with a degree in Philosophy in 1979.

Then began a 10-year career as an editorial art director for Scripps-Howard newspapers, the Phoenix New Times, and Arizona Trend magazine. I started Random Arts in 1987, a combination of illustration, fine art, and design consulting. I returned to Tucson and began to paint plein air while on my backcountry treks.

In early 2003, I began working in tin collage. What started out as a lark, exploded and became my noted difference in the art market in Arizona. I was in galleries and shops in Phoenix, Oregon, California, North Carolina, and Georgia, as well as other places in the Southwest. I have continued to be a cartoonist, entering my 32nd year with the Tucson Weekly.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a cornucopia of accidental events. I never could have guessed that this would’ve been my ‘path.’ There were times I wondered how the next bill would be paid, but I made some gambles that paid off later. I can say with a clear conscience that I always took the direction of my heart, not my checkbook.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Random Arts – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I think my various art loves and interests set me apart. My cartoon wordplay and landscape painting experience add to my tin collage narrative. I think they feed off each other. I am proud ( and grateful ) to be doing something I love.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I always need to make time for more outdoor painting-be it urban or ‘out there.’ I’d like to create a large tin work social narrative show in 2019.

Travel is on my horizon and… am I allowed to say this? I would love to meet that special someone I could share these and many other things with.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.randomshots.com
• Email: randomarts@cox.net, randomarts49@gmail.com
• Facebook: Rand Carlson

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.