Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Artfest Midwest Coming This Weekend

This is arts week, officially or otherwise, in Des Moines. The week is filled arts-related events at various venues, even an ice cream social at Mainframe Studios. The week is always topped by the 3 day Des Moines Arts Festival beginning Friday in Gateway park, downtown. But there are always two art shows in the city, a particular luxury for central Iowans. The downtown show attracts artists and vendors from across the country. The (unofficial) "other art show," Artfest Midwest , is also a national show with vendors from several states, but makes central Iowa arts and crafts its centerpiece. Each of our shows has its merits and minuses of course, but the good news is there is a lot of art to see, admire, and purchase.

This year I'll again be exhibiting new work at Artfest Midwest, which I find attractive because it is indoors and comfortable--no rain, no wind, no heat and no bugs. The focus is on the art and the artists, which is always a plus.


"Outside the Brewpub (study)," oil on panel, 8x10
A large part of my recent work in oil has been cityscapes, particularly streets and buildings in and around here. In particular I'm interested in the city and all of its features, from vintage buildings to how light bounces around between them to the way people can be caught in their daily routines. Des Moines is a particularly fruitful place to study those things. As an example, here is a small color study "Outside the Brewpub," featuring the facade of a popular local microbrewery. This study and the larger work will both be part of the exhibition, this Saturday and Sunday at the Varied Industries Building, Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Come on out and schmooze--it's great to see old and new friends and collectors.

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