Take An Old Time Stroll With Me (2). . .

Part II
By S’Zanne M’Chel

When I left you last week, I had just ventured into the first leg of the giant asterisk (*) in the center of Civic Park. Once under the shade of the trees, the breeze was more noticeable, and I was glad for the sweater I’d thrown into my satchel as an afterthought while heading out the door. Even the artists and vendors were vying with one another for a “spot in the sun”.

The first booth that caught my eye offered an array of silk scarves. I immediately spotted a plaid in varying shades of plum. I have a thing for plaid, which needs no explanation to my close friends who are smiling broadly as they read this. It is a “must have”. There are fancy ponchos in the same location. Made from an assortment of sheer, decorative fabrics. Instructions show they can be worn in the traditional manner, with the points centered front and back; turned 90 degrees, creating “sleeves” of the points; or a little off center, pinned with a brooch to whatever garment you have on beneath it. While holding up a deep chocolate brown one that would look great with my new bathing suit as a “cover-up”, an acquaintance puts her two cents worth in, stating that I’m someone who definitely needed something a little more colorful than brown. Although, many of them would be great compliments to other items in my closet, I am able to resist. After all, none of them prove to be plaid.

I began bouncing back and forth from one side of the aisle to the other like a pinball. It was difficult to focus, and I wasn’t making much progress. I found myself in the center of the park with no recollection of how I’d gotten there. That’s when I looked up and became captivated by the work of Michael Edward Voss. Graphite on Black. I was riveted to that spot. If I had thought the black glass bowl was a find, this was a treasure trove. A great wonder. A gold mine. I stood there for the longest time before I realized my eyes were ablaze and my mouth was gapping open. How could I possibly tell this gifted artist I had found the perfect pieces for my bathroom?

His work must be seen first hand to truly appreciate it. He had chosen to display it on taupe and black clothe covered “walls” within his booth, so that people could get a feel for how they would look in their own homes. His pieces were arranged showing at least three of the same picture, but ranging in size from 6×8 to 19×23 with some of the smaller versions matted to give it a completely different visual scope.

I am not sure what vision the artist had when he began each piece, but I saw before me replicas of the Universe, the Sun, our Great Plains, deserts, mountain ranges, and even wind blowing through a city full of buildings and not so barren wastelands. Hungry for more, I later searched his site and found a piece that resembles an eclipse, that will be a future purchase to go with a photograph of the moon that I picked up a few years back. Another one resembles cells dividing (to me anyways) and I cannot help but think of the beginnings of life in a womb.

The artist sat before me, with disheveled, wavy locks that had seen many a swipe of his hand through it, working on a piece as we spoke. Or at least he tried to carry on a conversation with me, but I was continually drawn to his work in the booth and would stop mid-sentence when I would notice some new element within a piece. He painstakingly peeled and adhered sticky notes to the work in progress, to protect the portions of the paper he wanted left black and let me wander mentally and physically amongst his other work.

In the end I purchased three prints in smaller sizes, as opposed to his original works he had available. I did this so I could, a) buy more and, b) frame them under glass to protect them in the moist environment I planned to hang them. Michael has graciously agreed to let this novice reporter interview him for a later edition of Expose Kenosha. In turn, I suggested a few galleries in the area that he might consider submitting his work to. Maybe it was the layout of the park’s center, or maybe it was the emotion charged distraction his art had created within me, but I found that I was frequently drawn back to his booth, looking again and again, and seeing things with new eyes each and every time.

I could have left the art fair at this point and been overjoyed with all my finds. But, it was only household chores and yard work that awaited me at home, so I decided to continue looking at the offerings. I’m glad I did. There before me were two young men with the Continental Summer Band selling candy bars as a fundraiser. One played the flute, like one of my own sons had started with, and it gave me a warm fuzzy to drop a few dollars into their bucket. Of course, the chocolate bars were quite wonderful as well!

At this point, it became glaringly obvious I had no system in play for covering the remaining booths and just let myself wander back and forth across the park. Visiting with friends, taking in the sites, and just enjoying the day. I found myself revisiting a few of the booths on the outside edges again too. Barbara Farrell’s (Art – 2nd Place) soft watercolors had me wishing I had a more feminine décor that I could add them to. Murphy’s Tiles had me contemplating some new coasters and trivets. Ken and Pat Klitzman’s Art’s of the North Ridge sand art really caught my eye and almost had me adding yet another item, or two, to my already growing collection in this theme leaves and trees. The vibrant and bold pressed flower windows of Barbara Schnaubel (Crafts – 2nd Place) had me searching in vain for leaves! Karen Karczinski (Crafts – 1st Place) had dragons in her metal garden art selection, and I was sorely tempted to purchase one for my other son. But he’s very particular about the style of dragon he collects and displays.
Soon it was time for the artists to pack up and go home; and for me to retrieve my birdbath. I decided to end this fabulous and treasure-filled day at Mo’s Lounge. While I enjoyed my Cheeseburger Soup and Iced Tea, and organized my notes, the Jazz Trio of Tim Ipsen, Dan Pratt, and Dustin Laurenzi came in to play. This gifted group of friends has been playing together in one form or another for about 4 or 5 years. During a break, I introduced myself and found we have a common friend in Dave Geisler, the owner of 716 Fine Arts. Small world again.

They are only in the area (read: Kenosha) for a “limited engagement”, as they are home from college for the summer. You’ll be able to hear them back at Mo’s again on Sunday, June 15th, from 6-8pm. Again on Friday, June 20th at Wine Knots, around 8pm. Catch them while you can!

It was a fabulous day filled with art and music and made me glad I had ignored my chore list and spent the day at the Good Old Summertime Art Fair. I would like to leave you with just a few thoughts on a day well spent…

1) Be outdoors on gorgeous summer days! Let the chores go. They’ll be there when you get back, and maybe you won’t mind so much having to do them upon your return.

2) When you can, put your efforts into supporting the arts. I cannot describe the satisfaction that comes from knowing that I can contribute in small ways to the promoting of such creative and talented individuals.

3) Ignore the voices in your head whispering, “You can make it yourself”. You won’t. Just go ahead and buy it and tell the voices to “Hush now!”

4) Buy it when you see it! Don’t think about it. You’ll regret it later if you don’t. Art Fairs are meant to be experienced as an impulse buying adventure. By all means, go with a plan to find that perfect little piece of Black Bathroom Art. But be sure to remain open for all the other treasures you are bound to find.

5) Enjoy yourself and smile at everyone you pass! Engage in conversation with perfect strangers. It makes for the most delightful day.