Festival of Arts, Artist Wendy Wirth

It was a year ago that my dear artist friend Wendy Wirth encouraged me to enter Festival of Arts.  I just realized I had yet to post a picture of Wendy (a third year particpant) at her booth this year.  It's been a great joy to share this fantastic experieince with her.    www.wendywirth.com

 Amanda and Wendy

Festival Days

It's 18 days into the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts with many activities happening every day.  Here is a look at some fellow artist friends along with great music events.

 

Tony Salvo in front of his fun paintings at the Festival of Arts.

 Tony painting one of his fabulous dessert paintings. www.salvofineart.com

Josh Corbin is across from my space, he paints wonderful scenic golf vistas! www.corbinarts.com

Marie Tippits, also a first-time juried artist like myself has her space one row over from me.  I am very happy to have met a new lovely artist friend.  She is an award winning pastel artist.  www.marietippets.com 

Groov'in to the music of Poncho Sanchez.

Amanda and Marie enjoying the sights and sounds.

Weekend music events are a big hit.

Amanda with artist Larry Bates.

Beatles music is played every Sunday.  Love it!!

Here is a painting I worked on for a demonstration at the Festival.

Finding Inspiration

"Walnuts and Porcelain," oil on linen, 10" x 14" - (Update, Sold)

Finding new inspiration along with the desire to paint something different or unusual can be found in many ways.  About 5 years ago I saw a painting that captured my attention.  It was a painting of walnuts on a long rustic table, absolutely fabulous.  The artist created a painting with drama and interest with only walnuts arranged on a table at eye level.  I have thought about creating a still life composition with walnuts ever since.   Here is my recently completed, "Walnuts and Porcelain."  The colors along with the movement of the composition give the painting a quiet elegance.

Jean-Simeon Chardin, one of my favorite artists, often placed walnuts in his compositions.  I found this example from photographs I took at the Louvre last year.

Festival of Arts Laguna Beach

This past weekend was the opening of the Festival of Arts, Laguna Beach (open daily 10:00am - 11:30pm, through August 31).  It's now time to recover from 6 months of prepartion.  Time to celebrate, meet new artist friends (there are 140 of us), volunteer to give painting demonstrations, and greet the visitors who stop by my space.  They all come to enjoy the art, music, wide-range of activities on the Festival grounds, and go to the nightly performance Pageant of the Masters.  I plan to enjoy and will no doubt have the most amazing experience as an exhibiting artist.  Come visit!  www.foapom.org

The night before the opening, hanging paintings.

Space #42 is finished!

It's a bit quiet on the grounds the night before the preview party.

Saturday, June 30th, Opening Night Preview Party, artist Greg LaRock.

Amanda Fish - the happy artist! The guests are arriving, the party has begun.