At PechaKucha Phoenix this past week, we all received a copy of the book Phoenix: 21st Century City. As I was flipping through it, I recognized several of the featured artists from my time at ASU. It reminded me of all the amazing artwork I was exposed to and the ridiculous talent I brushed elbows with. One that has really stuck in my mind is painter extraordinaire, Derek Wilkinson.

Derek was a bit of an idol of mine, making jaws drop every day with his beautifully detailed portraits. We would often credit his amazing talent to “better-than-regular-vision.” I remember visiting his studio while he was painting his award-winning self portrait for the Nathan Cummings exhibition. He showed me the broken shard of mirror he was using for reference and I couldn’t have been more impressed. And to top it all off, he’s hilarious and incredibly humble.

View more at Derek-Wilkinson.com

Earlier this week, a friend of mine pointed out some beautiful, exposed-bulb light fixtures at the restaurant at which we were dining. This style has the raw feeling of antique lighting and the minimalist appeal of modern design. Flipping through a few of my favorite home catalogs, I noticed even more lighting that showcased exposed bulbs. I really like the look, especially when several are grouped together. Here are a few I found that could add charm to any home.

Jug Light from tbD - $170

Mega Bulb Pendant Lamp by Sofie Refer - $280

Utility Pendant Lamp from CB2 - $39.95

Globe Pendant from West Elm - $99

Jar Light from tbD - $185

For many, and me especially, American Idol is more of a guilty pleasure than a means to find new music. Although I love the show and become invested in the contestants, it’s pretty rare that I will purchase the album of the winner or runners-up. The show realized this and now the judges are really stressing that the winner know what kind of “artist” he or she wants to be. We all know it’s fun to vote for the goofy underdog, but no one wants to follow him after the show ends. (Sorry, Taylor Hicks)

With that said, my criteria for picking the winner has changed. My favorite was kicked out super early (Alex Lambert), so I’ve been waiting to get hooked by someone else. With 6 contestants left, my pick for the winner is Lee Dewyze. I’m excited to see what happens!