Meet famed Arizona artist, cowboy, gambler and notorious womanizer, Alonzo “Lon” Megargee. After leaving Philidelphia at the turn of the century, Megargee landed in the then pristine desert wilds of Paradise Valley, where he hand-built his own studio and guest house before passing away as a mostly-respectable Western artist in 1960. Today, Valley residents can still get a piece of his Gatsby-esque life and rich contribution to Arizona history by visiting the Hermosa Inn (built on the grounds of his ranch house) and taking advantage of the award-winning Artist-In-Resident Series at critically acclaimed restaurant, Lon’s.  

Megargee orginally built “Casa Hermosa” as a one room painting studio and eventually transformed in into  a guest ranch to supplement his art income and aid his growing alimony payments to several ex-wives. To carry on Lon’s spirit and artistry, current owners, Fred and Jennifer Unger opened “Lon’s at the Hermosa Inn”, and began giving guests the opportunity to hang out with well-known artists through a night of dining and conversation.

Artist-In-Residence returns February 20 with artist Linda Bail (artwork pictured at left). Bail, whose artwork is pictured at left, will demonstrate her “plein air” painting and answer questions over brunch.  There is no charge for these events, just that of dinner (or Brunch in Bail’s case) and opportunity to meet influential artists. The Unger’s believe it’s what Lon would have done himself.

Lord knows, we could all use a little bit more of Lon’s spirit on our lives. Dream on.

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