“06880” interns Jolie Gefen and Talia Varsano spent Sunday downtown, at the 51st annual Westport Fine Arts Festival.
They found plenty of interesting art — and artists. Here are 4 of their favorites, and the artists’ stories that give depth to the broad appeal of this popular show.
Jolie and Talia write:
At art festivals, Julia Gilmore is known for her red lipstick, pearls, fancy outfits — and her vibrant oil paintings.
Ever since she was a child, she has been passionate about painting.
“Everyone on the planet knows exactly what they want to be by the age of 7, but then we forget to listen to that,” she says.
“It was a long trip to get back to that, but it’s my passion.”
Gilmore describes her paintings as “hip and contemporary” — something she feels Westport has appreciated.
Julia Gilmore, with her favorite painting.
She says, “Even though I’m using some retro objects, my art is punchy. It has a little bit of edge, and Westport gets that.”
“It’s a very educated audience that has a spot-on understanding for the bit of tongue-in-cheek in my art.”
Gilmore “feels goosebumps” after enthusiastic customer reviews.
And, she says, she prioritizes “100% joy” as the message behind her art.
(Click here for Julia Gilmore’s website.)
More of Julia Gilmore’s art.
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Hailing from the coast of Maine, Anita Roelz arrived at the Westport Fine Arts Festival for her third year of displaying nature-inspired jewelry.
She uses 3 techniques — hammers, torches and grinding — to develop her textured jewelry.
“I’m a texture lover,” she notes.
Anita Roelz, with her jewelry.
Though she has a distance to travel, she says the relationships formed with customers here make it worthwhile.
She says, “Last year, I sold my first divorce ring.”
The customer returned this year. “She bought herself another treat. It was very empowering for her.”
(Click here for Anita Roelz’s website.)
Anita Roelz’s hand-crafted necklaces.
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After 5 decades as a sculptor, David Bryce embraces every step in his artistic process.
Bryce draws inspiration from Asian cultures and the Baroque period. His booth was one of the most eye-catching at the Festival.
David Bryce, with his sculptures.
After starting his career making furniture, Bryce recognizes that finding a passion is not a direct path.
However, he says, “If you follow your nose long enough, you get where you’re supposed to be.”
Each of Bryce’s pieces is intentionally mounted and named.
Pointing to a specific sculpture, Bryce says, “that one’s called ‘Grace’ because I think she’s at peace.”
“Grace,” by David Bryce.
While some shows are unsuccessful, he remains “pathologically optimistic” for the shows where he “kills it.”
“You can’t just give it up,” he says.
(Click here for David Bryce’s website.)
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After earning a writing degree in China, Kevin Liang immigrated to America 40 years ago.
Soon after, he began his career as a painter.
Liang commutes from New York to Westport for the Fine Arts Festival, year after year.
“This is a very established show,” he says.
Kevin Liang, with a large piece of art …
Intertwining his heritage with a passion for writing and art, Liang creates small oil prints on rice paper, each attached to an original poem.
Although his oil paintings mirror scenes of nature, Liang draws deeper inspiration.
“I don’t paint the location. I don’t paint the photo. I’m painting my emotions,” he says.
“I call it my poetic landscape.”
(Click here for Kevin Liang’s website.)
… and smaller prints of landscapes and Chinese calligraphy, with original poems. (All photos/Talia Varsano)
