Bellevue Arts Fair 2013

Every year, I walk past a booth at the Bellevue Arts Fair, admiring the umbrellas that have newspaper comics printed on them.  They are displayed to entice people into signing for a subscription to the newspaper.  I used to subscribe to that paper for quite awhile, years ago, until the store I was working at closed down.  Back then, I would have not been able to get an umbrella, since I was already subscribed to that particular paper.  This year, I decided I wanted the umbrella enough to subscribe to the paper again.  I like that paper, and I really like the comics they print as well.  So it will be nice to have at my door again, and now I can have one of those fun umbrellas as well! 

There was an overabundance of talent at the festival this year.  So many fun and creative designs!. Here are a list of some of my favorites for 2013:

Patrick D. Clark Watercolor Artist - One particular piece that caught my eye had what looked like hand painted Calvin & Hobbes newspaper print in the background, along with the Peanuts comic strip, with a 3D quality a hand-painted M&Ms wrapper on top.  I believe it was called "Calvin & Candy."  See it on his website, by clicking "Nostalgia" and then "Cartoons & Candy," followed by "Calvin & Candy."

Another painting, that was exceptionally good, was a watercolor of some items you might find in a cafe, the 3D quality was superb on that one.  It looks much like "Diner Coffee Cup" from his website, but it may have been called something different, because the one on the website in only in 2D.  It is under "Still Lives" and "Table & Teakettle," followed by "Diner Coffee Cup."

Leslee Burtt  Very interesting basket design I like the "Reindeer antler with sea-grass, reed and dyed cedar bark."  Very abstract and unusual.  Visually interesting.  The one mentioned is the first image you see after clicking on her name.

Jenny Fillius  Bright colored artwork, using recycled tin products.  I understand, that if the found item is vintage and still working, the artist will not use it, as to preserve the item's value.  Her designs are really fun and retro-like.  One piece I really enjoyed had a guy falling down, and something written about falling in love can hurt.  I don't remember the name of that particular piece, but you can see some of her other pieces by clicking on her name and then click on "tin work."

Thomas Hughes Mechanical Theaters  These pieces are almost magical to me!  Very interesting design, with little cabinets to store a few items in.  A cord or two is pulled to get into the cabinet.  Go to this site, and you will see what I am talking about.

Ray Shaw  The fish sculptures were impressive enough before I even knew they could be changed!  The fish are made out of wood, with a cloth covering, and have a little magnetic stick, that makes the artwork not only three-dimensional, but changeable to the viewers needs as well!

Joline El-Hai   Bella Luz Studio.  My aunt bought a nightlight years ago that I always loved.  I tried years after to find the booth at festivals since, and just found them again this year!  However, with my new subscription to the Times, I felt like I could not afford a beautiful nightlight as well.  The "Black Cat" nightlight is on my wish list, though.  In case you were wondering.

Noelle Dass Very whimsical, colorful pieces that made me smile at first sight.  I really like "Must...Get...Ball..."

Richard Hall  Fine Art.  These too, are whimsical, but a little more grown up.  Some are very humorous, especially after looking at the name.  I figured out the name of one, after just looking at it for awhile.  It is a painting of four, small one-serving size cereal boxes, with a knife going through them.  The artist named it "Cereal Killer!"  Another one, I probably would have never guessed, had someone not read it out loud. It is a painting of a fan, with seven individual (Hershey's) Kisses, wrapped in either silver or red foil, flying away from it.  A small pile of (Hershey's) Kisses lay to the left of the painting.  The artist titled it as "Blowing Kisses."  Very cute.  The painting is beautiful, too.

Gabrielle Abbott  This Saturday's "Chalk It Up!" chalk painting was one of Frida Kahlo.  I think this is the first time I was late enough to see one actually finished.  As you can see, it turned out very beautiful, indeed.  Maybe the best chalk illustration I have seen at the Bellevue Arts Festival so far.

  

Looking up, wrapped and woven between lamp-posts in front of the mall, and down the walk-way, appeared to be a lovely, delicate blue web of yarn.  It made me think of if Spider-man ever found his feminine side, or if his wife wanted to give the place feminine touch.  The artwork is called "Fiber River" and was done by Mandy Greer.

There was one more item I did buy before leaving the fair.  I had decided before going that I was going to at least buy a print of Justin Hillgrove's "What's Up Doc?"  It is a parody of David Tennant as "The Doctor" (from "Doctor Who"), sitting on top of the TARDIS, contemplating...something.  It is truly awesome!  The original was there, too, at a very reasonable price, and I would have loved to have purchased that one instead, but I decided to stay more practical.  The artist was kind enough to sign the print for me once I decided to purchase it.

It was certainly a productive day, I purchased mostly what I wanted, the friend who came with me, found some things she wanted.  The weather was perfect, perhaps because we went later in the day -- not too hot, not too cool.  I had a delicious gyro from a street vendor, and then we drove home.