Only one local coffee shop could get away with being besieged by ants, monkeys, strange dogs, elephants and neon green paint that looks like blood dripping down the doorway.
That one is Epic Cafe, 745 N. Fourth Ave., corner of East University Boulevard.
Even if I weren’t June’s featured artist (full disclosure), I dig the place for its groovy vibe and even groovier artwork on display.
Shop owner Two Feathers (yes, his real name) features a local artist each month inside the shop and continues to be amazed by the artwork that pops up on the exterior walls.
“It just shows up there,” he said, wanting to usher me outside to take a gander at the bloody neon paint and the depiction of a kid reading a book to an elephant. Two Feathers leaves the creations he likes.
Epic is definitely a hot spot for its couches, community, cakes and kookiness.
Oh yes, it also serves some dang good coffee.
What’s your favorite Tucson coffee shop and why?
Do you favor flavor over ambiance or vice versa?
(Dunkin Donuts has THE best French vanilla coffee, but I don’t really dig hanging out there.)
Epic ants/Photo Ryn Gargulinski
Epic owner Two Feathers/Photo Ryn Gargulinski
Epic exterior door/Photo Ryn Gargulinski
Bloody neon/Photo Ryn Gargulinski
Epic elephant/Photo Ryn Gargulinski
My monkey that's now at Epic/Photo Ryn Gargulinski
My dog that's now at Epic/Photo Ryn Gargulinski
My jerk that's now at Epic/Photo Ryn Gargulinski
Rynski, howdy. Do you have a gallery? P.S-To whoever tagged Jacks’ face: Kinda fits into the last photo catagory…
Maybe if they cleaned that pit up the ants would go elsewhere. Everytime I have been in there it is full of stinky lib/hippies reeking of patchoulie oil.
Romeo – does this mean you don’t like it there? hahahah…
I think the fresh baked goods sometimes overpowers any patchoulie.
RADC – My backryard is my gallery.
Check it out:
http://www.ryngargulinski.com/pixyardart.htm
P.S. Sending out your Get Gargulinski-ed! bumper sticker today.
P.P.S. If anyone else wants one, please e-mail your address so I can mail it to you. E-mail rynski@tucsoncitizen.com
Some Old Puebloians may remember Randy Garsee the channel 13 KOLD-TV anchor who was whacked by the station way back in 2006. Garsee moved on and was “replaced” by that beloved marketing gimmick known as Animal Defender Heather Rowe. Before he left, Garsee started the Tucson Murals Project, an online presentation of public (not hidden in the back yard for the dogs to get their barf on) art. Garsee is still involved in his project along with Jerry Peek.
Randy Garsee’s Tucson Murals Project at:
http://tucsonmurals.blogspot.com/
Pretty cool Red Star! These would be a great tourism draw. Adds a little flavor to the Dull Pueblo.
Yes, very cool murals. I would love to do larger scale work in public places. Got a wall, Red Star?
Also, for the record, by dogs never puke on my backyard art. Why in the world would they waste vomit on easy-to-clean artwork when the house is full of perfectly good shag rugs? haha.
Sorry about the delay, The numbers are in and it’s 307 linear feet of wall around the liveable back yard. And it’s not public. And it’s a brick wall. Most important, Mrs Red Star’s tiered- herb garden pretty much covers it. And you would inadvertantly frighten the children.
Perhaps The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration over at:
http://www.tucsonmonastery.com/
will take you in, sans the animals…
In any case, there is some art there.