Artfair 2009 - An Amazing Day!

Familiar by Justine Hillgrove www.impsandmonsters.com

I have started making it one of my yearly traditions to go to the Bellevue Art Museum's "ArtsFair" during the month of July. This year, I was not planning on buying anything, except maybe a Nutella crepe, that I tried last year from one of the food vendors. I wound up buying 3 books (2 from Barnes & Noble near by), and 2 art prints, a Nutella crepe, a peach-mango smoothie, and a BBQ chicken sandwich. The art was great, the music was enjoyable, the food was excellent.

It seems like the exhibition grows bigger and bigger every year! I was really impressed by the artwork this year. I think it was a better show than the last one, and there were some pretty cool things at the last one, too. Some of the same exhibitors were there from last year. Some of the new ones, brought fresh ideas and inspiration.

Metal art sculpture seems to be the most popular of the styles this year. One of my favorite ones had some metal sculptured dresses on hangers and some cool metal-sculpted guitars in a style that reminded me of Cubism:

Kari Von Wening - Jan Bush "Dusty Chaps"

Here are a couple of other fun/interesting artist's work I saw this year:

http://www.jrodart.com/ the original art of Jarrod Eastman

Toys by Larry Stephenson www.lstephenson.com

The artwork is displayed underneath the parking garage, out on the sidewalks and streets around the Bellevue Square Mall. The Bellevue Art Museum is free to the public for the days of the event. Even inside, they had a interesting display of origami designs.

I was intrigued by the work Bruce Metcalf inside the museum. They allowed the artist to draw huge chalk and maybe charcoal? figures on the wall to help with display of his little metal creations, which were quirky and fun:

"Two Doves In a Private Garden" by Bruce Metcalf

The one artist’s work, I could not resist this year, was done by Justin Hillgrove. He has some really funny, interesting tributes and characters. I really liked his “Alice In Wonderland” series. I could only afford one print and a postcard print of a cat with bat wings (as shown on top).

Down the Rabbit Hole by Justin Hillgrove http://www.impsandmonsters.com/

It was definitely one of the hottest days we have had in the Seattle area so far this year (or seemed to be). Wow. The smoothie I drank really helped keep the heat down. I also checked around the mall, the Museum, and Barnes & Noble (of course) to cool down and shop. I spent more than I really should have, but all and all, it was an excellent day!

The Bite of Seattle 2009!

This is what they served at "The Alley" at The Bite on Friday:


Ah... The Bite of Seattle, one of my favorite July activities, rain or shine. This weekend it was shine. Nice, warm weather. Friday morning was good. I wish I could have stayed there longer that day, but I had to work. So I also went today!
The main reason I go, and have for so many years, is because of the small section of The Bite, called "The Alley." You get reasonable size small portions of food from a variety of restaurants, for a reasonable price (This year it was $10 for 7 items). It is a whole plate of food, which is plenty for a meal.
I usually go online ahead of time to browse the menu. I felt Friday looked best. Today the menu was about the same, but they changed two items. Tomorrow, only one item will remain the same, and the rest will change, it would be nice to try them too, but I have had my fill.
These are the items I was given samples of:
Wood Grilled Painted Hills Beef Rib Roast Steak from Dehila Lounge: (Served with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Chimichurri Relish.) This was probably my favorite dish of the seven. Tom Douglas usually features Dehila Lounge at The Bite, and I have always enjoyed what they have served. It was presented beautifully, and tasted excellent.
Thai Seafood Salad from Seastar: (Calamari, Shrimp and Octopus with sweet white onion, Kaffir lime, mint, cilantro and peanuts in a spicy Thai sweet-n-sour dressing.) This was the most exotic of all the samples given. Very chewy. Had some heat to it, maybe more than some people could handle, because I noticed it was toned down a bit today.
Camarones Ahogados from Cellars Restaurant & Lounge : (Prawns in a cilantro-lime and serrano pepper sauce over crostino topped with salsa criolla.) This had some nice flavors too it. You have to pull off the tails, which always kind of annoy me a little, but it does make it look better presented that way, which is why I am sure they do that.
Sicilian Sailors Bruschetta from Seattle’s Little Italy: (Peasant Bread topped with tuna, olives, capers, celery, tomato, extra virgin olive oil, oregano and basil.) A nice way to present tuna salad.
Lamb Dolmas from Andaluca: (Lamb, basmati rice, dill, pine nuts, lemon olive oil sabayon.) I think this had grape leaves wrapped around it, though it is not in the description. I have had two previous items wrapped in grape leaves, and I did not like them at all, so I was leery of this item. However, I think it really depends what is put in them, because the taste complimented their wrappings. I think grape leaves might also be an acquired taste.
Mini Chicken Pot Pies from Daily Grill: These were presented well, and tasted real yummy. Might have tied for first against the rib roast steak.
Butterscotch Sundae from PEARL: (Madagascar vanilla ice cream and housemade pecan brittle) Very tasty treat that had to be eaten close to first because of the heat, but nice, rich flavors, and the pecan brittle was the best! Yumm!
Outside "The Alley" there are many other vendors to choose from. There is something for everyone. There is the bizzarre, like "Fried Macaroni & Cheese." There is the sweet stuff, like funnel cakes with whipped cream & fruit, Shishkaberries, and "Red Velvet Cupcakes" which I found today, and just had to try! (the Red Velvet cake, that is - a little crumbly, but excellent taste). There are samples of beverages, like Ocean Spray's "Cranberry Pomegranate," very refreshing. The list goes on and on. If you are not up to any of these items, there is a Subway, a Starbucks, and some other vendors in the Seattle Center.
It is still going on tomorrow if you are looking for something to do. So go out there! And take a bite!