Oswego Fair

After reading Doris' post this morning, we took a ride out to the Oswego Art Fair. Would you believe it's the first one I've attended?! I've walked through galleries before and always left feeling intimidated and down on myself. I never talked to the artists because I felt they were in a different league than I.

We were early enough that the booths weren't very busy. I visited a few and eventually found myself in a booth showing pastel work by Lynn Krause. I've always been amazed by what pastels can do. I didn't realize she was standing nearby until she asked if I was an artist. I told her I was just dabbling with different things. She said well then, and proceeded to pull out pastels and have me sample them to get the feel. She recommended a few things (including practice practice (sound familiar?)) and I realized then why it was so important for me to have attended the Fair today. Artists aren't in a different league. I was placing myself apart because of my fear of failure. I thanked her for her kindness and continued on. After that I spoke to those whose work touched me. I didn't have a clue where to find Doris' work and just as I was passing it up I made a u-turn and walked right up to "In the Land of Nod"-beautiful and serene. Sorry I didn't get a chance to meet her, I was too early.

I was amazed by what one artist did with colored pencils and I really like the colors and fantasy work by Marcellin. Lou Zale's Photomontage was really cool and the photos that change as you walk past were amazing. But I was floored by the gemstone carving by A. Cesar Nogueira and the silk embroidery artwork created by the oh-so-talented woman from China. I was too dumbfounded to even get her name after talking to her. She learned the art from her grandmother and it looks painstakingly beautiful.

There were alot of very talented photographers as well but nobody made an impression as much as Dylan Punke of Dep-Art Gallery. I can't say what it is that pulled me to his photographs. I was also drawn to him; something about his aura. I suppose it's that his photographs come so close to what I see in my mind's eye. They have feeling. Anyway I grilled the poor kid like he was a criminal on Law and Order. I had to buy one of his photos and get this....it's called Fear.

Remember how I said I've learned things don't happen to me out of coincidence? We were getting ready this morning to go for a ride on the motorcycles when I decided to check the blogs. I saw Doris' post and for some reason decided to head to Oswego instead. Now when do you know me to give up a motorcycle ride. I guess I was meant to meet Lynne and Dylan today and their messages of not letting fear hold me back. Funny how they don't have a clue of the impact they had on me.

As always thanks to you all. If it weren't for your words of encouragement I wouldn't be as far on my journey....

(By the way, I posted Dylan and Lynne's links on the sidebar)