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| PERFECT SETTING FOR THE LA QUINTA ARTS FESTIVAL |
While visiting
Indian Wells for the 2013 BNP Paribus Open tennis
tournament, we decided to make an additional stop at the La QuintaArts Festival. It is rated the #1 Fine Art Festival in the
nation—2013 Art Fair SourceBook, and it happens to be held during the first weekend of the tournament.
We couldn't pass up
an excellent art fair and a chance to spend more time with friends
and family on a perfect California day.
Our visit to
the festival was preceded by a Sunday brunch at the home of the
professional cook, Jan Runyan (she teaches home economics in the
local middle school). Jan is also the wonderful mother-in-law to my
daughter, Anna (Classy Career Girl). For our enjoyment, Jan put together a selection of
fresh fruit, lox, bagels, capers, bar cookies, egg souffle, fresh
homemade muesli, and yummy mimosas--served on the patio. After this feast, we headed out to view some very fine quality art.
The fair has been held in the nearby old town of La Quinta for 30 years. The outdoor setting is unlike any art fair I've ever been to. There are plenty of
shade trees, a duck pond, flowers, spacious displays of art, and
pleasant live music—surrounded by mountains. The displays represent
over 250 award-winning artists from all over the country. All
proceeds from the festival go to the La Quinta Arts Foundation, whose
mission is to “Promote and Cultivate the Arts.” All of the art
is available for purchase.
There is
something inspiring about seeing artists with their work, and
listening to them describe what their art means to them. The time they spend on each piece of art is not always appreciated.
Hats off to these professionals who are doing what they love most.
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| SALLY SADIE SUZ BY TOM BARNES |
I was particularly
attracted to displays with a vintage flair. Tom Barnes Fine Art is
one of those booths. The talented Tom paints long-necked ladies with
colorful hats and clothes. They were inspired by loving memories of
twin sisters that he visited in Savannah, Georgia each summer while
growing up. When the ladies went out for their weekly shopping
excursion, their clothes were colorfully coordinated in salmons,
pinks, baby blues, mint greens and lemon yellow. I couldn't help but
be reminded of my well-dressed aunts from the 1950's.
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| PHOTOGRAPHS BY CALI |
Another interesting
vintage inspired booth was Photographs by Cali. Cali's individual
images are hand-colored black and white photographs. The objects are
from everyday life. My favorite were The Blue Dress, Mais
Oui, Le Hat, and the Booklist. Cali Hobgood's art is very simple and clean looking.
She has won many awards including the Uptown Art Fair featured Poster
Artist in 2006 in Minneapolis, MN.
Another real find
were the collages by Kathy Ross. There were many smiling faces
hovering around her booth. Kathy is one of the three featured artists
at this year's festival. She has been a full time self employed
artist since 1978. Her sculptures are colleged with maps and book
pages. They range in size from about 8 inches to over six feet. One
of my favorites is the World Traveler Figure.
By the time we
left, I believe we had viewed every art exhibit in the place—thanks
to the leadership of my husband. Of course, we moved rather quickly,
but did take time to see what was most interesting to each of us.
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| WORLD TRAVELER KATHY ROSS |
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| ART PATRONS, ROBERTA, ANNA & JOHN READY TO HEAD HOME |
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