More than Fair....

In previous years we've just forgot.  With so many things to do in the Gulf Shores area, we're tugged from many directions and getting it all in is usually impossible. But not this visit.  One thing we did not want to miss was the city of Fairhope (Alabama) Art Fair .  It was a must-do activity early on.  The three day affair is well known throughout the South and is one of the areas big events of the year.

We were going to go Saturday afternoon but since it was a little warm and very humid we thought early Sunday would be our best bet.  Since early to rise is not our strong suit, extra effort was made and we hit the road east for the one hour trip. Arriving about 9:00am we were a little early but could quickly see long rows of white tents along every street in downtown Fairhope.  Since the fair did not open for another hour we thought we'd stop in for a coffee somewhere.  Bad idea. Everyplace we went was full-up with a line waiting.  So much for a little hot starting fluid this morning, I thought.

Anyway we wandered around watching the artists getting their displays ready and chatting amongst themselves.  Lots of friends meeting old friends on the art circuit I'd say.

One of many clogged streets

One of the first displays that caught my eye was the photographic fine art of Paul Christopher James (www.european-images.com). A Michigan native who makes the long trip south to exhibit his technical excellence and artistry each winter.  His European travels have taken him to places most of us will only dream of seeing and his keen sense of composition and style are the hallmark of his work.  A very approachable man who was kind enough to share some of his techniques with me and I am greatly appreciative.  You can see his work in person at this year's Ann Arbor Art Festival in July or check out his website for more images and show dates.

I met another artist who gift was working with exotic woods.  Exquisite jewelry boxes of rare wood combinations.  Their buttery smooth finishes and shapes where ... well ... almost sensuous.  We chatted for some time learning of this lifelong craft and his single-minded purpose of creating art with wood.  However I made two mistakes after our talk.  One ... I forgot his name and two ... didn't take a picture of his work. Shame on me so I'll have to do a little digging and learn his identity and share it with you later.

As most of you already know ... art is in the eyes of the beholder.  What defines art is the artist and what the observer sees in the work.  So this art fair ... like most, has something for everyone.  One man's art is another man's junk ...  to put it indelicately.  So here are a few examples of 'art' that I discovered.  We saw and wanted far more than we could afford or even carry for that matter.

Something to go with that Easter bonnet?

A real cutie name Maddy with some new butterfly art

Food court bonanza ...artistry in food???

We had some much needed exercise, met some very interesting artists, saw some extraordinary art, and witnessed people enjoying a distraction from the troubles of the time.

Still livin' the dream and enjoying others dreams in Fairhope.

Phil