Yesterday morning I got an early start to beat the heat and the crowds at the 46th annual Old Island Days Art Festival. This was my first time and I wanted to take it all in without feeling rushed. The weather was gorgeous.
The people were gracious.
And the offerings were sensational.
Lois Songer, festival organizer was exhausted when I caught up with her. She looked none the worse for wear and tear though and her eyes lit up when she discussed the artists in the show. This year 86 artists from all over the USA and one from Canada made it through jury selection. Collectors will be happy to note that 12 new artists are showing along with favorites from years past. Two cruise ships added to the excitement and, when asked, participants seemed happy with sales and interest.
I was immediately drawn to the bold work of Michel Delgado, a visionary brut artist from Senegal who now resides in Key West. Michel has been painting his entire life. He generously allowed me to photograph his free and expressive works. Click on the first photo to go to his website.
Is this not the very image of a man who has found his calling in life?!
Here’s a close-up of his meticulous work, which usually includes some sort of wildlife. Ron salvages wood and tin from houses being town down to make his pieces. In fact his chickens are often over 100 years old. Click on the rooster to go to his website.
Michelle Nicole Lowe has also been painting her entire life. She is an award winning artist who specializes in lush and vibrant watercolors.
Michelle’s dreamy and dimensional work is inspired by the tropical images that surround her where she lives in the Florida keys.
LHM! (lord have mercy) who is not stopped dead in their tracks by the energy and shine of the sculptures of Lewis Tardy from Kalamazoo Michigan. Click on image to go to his website.
Am I crazy or do this guy’s eyes follow you as you walk by the booth?
Ono here he is again!
Check out this hi tech time traveler. Can you tell that Lewis once worked with motorcycles?
Although I am a cat person, I would kill for a blue dog. I admit it. Especially one as personable as this lovely boy by Michelle Mardis. Click on his sensitive nose to go to her website.
Do you think that Michelle might be an animal lover?
This was the only kitty on display. Wow! I guess they all sold out.
The gemstone inlay/carving work of A. Cesar Nogueira caused me to slow down and really pay attention. The pieces are small and calling them exquisite is an understatement.
Click on bird to go to website.
Cesar has developed his own tools to get this quality of detail on his work. He uses lapidary diamond blades and dental tools to get this kind of detail.
Drawn to odd textures and subject matter, Benjamin Frey is another fine artist whose work begs to be touched. Unusual black and white circus images seem obscured – somehow trapped in the past. Click on elephant to go to website.
The unpainted wood background makes dynamic use of the movement of the grain.
Very unusual textural background – mixed materials, newspaper . . .paint. . .
A circus lost in time.
Sue Handman is a Key West favorite. New fabric collages include a cottage style shabby chic message banner. This one says Happy Birthday. Click on B to go to her website.
One of Sue’s gorgeous t-shirts.
This cheerful display made me happy to be exactly where I was – in the tropical paradise of Ellen Phaff.
Click on any totem or medicine man to go to Ellen’s website.
These pieces are designed for either indoor or outdoor use. Ellen has had one outside for the past 8 years and it shows minimal wear.
When I met Rich Krajovic, he was deeply engaged in a long conversation with two people who collected his pieces. He graciously allowed me to photograph whatever I wanted while catching up on news, etc.
Rich has been working in metals for over 35 years. He doesn’t have a website yet but can be reached at richkrajovic@att.net
He told me that “Everyone said I was crazy to get into this. I had a degree in business – can you imagine. . . . But now I’m a hero. Sheesh . . .”
Rich melds copper and bronze together and uses an acid base to create patina. He then adds compatible pigments to get the moody blue color characteristic of much of his work.
This is great for a wall – vertical.
Finally, I end this post with pieces by Don Grannon, who, as far as I can see, paints light and movement. Click on image to go to his website.
He “endeavors to generate an image of that (captured) moment and bring my fleeting emotional experience to you, the viewer.”
Thank you to all the artists who allowed me to capture images of their artwork. You make this place so special and we really appreciate you!