Most of the time I don’t actually DO anything. Â I go places and look at stuff, and I listen to people, and I talk, both verbally and in writing. Â Since I met y’all I also take pictures so that you can shadow me as I don’t do anything.
When the History Ladies (that’s my friends and I)  got to Palm Desert, Debbie thought I might enjoy walking through the La Quinta art festival. This is a timely post because if you like the looks of this, and hurry, there is another event on Dec. 1st.  I took so many pictures at this event that there is no way I can show them all.  So I’ll probably divide this post into many posts, or I will include a gallery.  Which would YOU prefer?
I’ll start with an overview of the different booths that caught our eye. Â There were so many booths that I only took the ones where either the vendors or the art objects attracted me.
Delores was the first, and by far the most gregarious person we met, located in the first booth as we walked up. Â She told us all about the regulations of participating with the La Quinta Arts Foundation. Â Everything exhibited has to be hand-made. Â There was nothing made in China, but I did meet a vendor who was born in France.
Delores insisted that since I was going to blog about the event anyway that her friend  Bill walk us up and introduce us to the coordinators of the event.  They gave us their blessing and introduced us to the La Quinta Arts Foundation website, for which you have a link at the beginning of the post.
Unassuming, friendly, and informative Jeff Davison told us how he took tree stumps, ground turquoise and filled in the gaps in the wood grain, and held it together with a resin. Â My favorite item had no particular purpose, unlike the many bowls, but the differences in texture and color drew it to me.
Next we stopped in to see Jason. Â I immediately began taking pictures because Jason was busy with numerous customers. Â He stopped me and gave me an etiquette lesson on photography before he said hello. Â In spite of my photographic over-exuberance he forgave us when we both purchased a piece of his work.
A husband and wife team produced the next exhibit that I liked. Â She wasn’t there, and her husband did not want to be photographed, but he told me how they work. Â She is the sculptor. Â She produces the work in clay, makes a mold ifrom that, and then they cast the bronze statue. Â He takes over and paints the statue.
My friend Debbie liked the next booth that had clean burning slate candles. Â You never have to replace the wick, and the oil burns perfectly clean.
V would have loved these painted umbrellas by Garrison. Â I loved the vivid colors against the clear blue sky. Â They also had placemats and pillows painted on canvas and treated to be waterproof.
Dominique Blanchard, a French artist living in California for more years than many of you are old (even though he is still young), still retained his accent. Â His colors of copper and turquoise attracted me to his booth. Â Although not necessarily my favorite piece, his use of figure/ground in this piece made it interesting. Â What seemed unique to me was the bumpy texture and the resin coating. Â Someone else liked it as well. Â It was sold when I got there.
As the sun was just starting to go down, these two exhibits above became the most exquisite under the umbrellas. Â The glass blowers were a little hesitant to let me photograph their work because other glass blowers go online and steal ideas off websites. Â So if you are a glass blower reading my non-glassblowing site, please DO NOT create one of these works of art.
Elliott Newton explained how his high temperature glaze creates crystals as it bakes. Â The crystals made the already beautiful pieces come to life as the sunlight reflected off them.
Finally I saw this elegantly dressed woman standing in a booth, and asked if the booth was hers. Â She was visiting from the booth across the walkway which was hand-made clothing. Â I probably couldn’t have afforded to wear any of the pieces she displayed, but I thought she looked interesting.
Of course what are art festivals without guests. Â These pair of poodles posed and performed for the camera, sitting and lying down on demand.
Clearly this visitor was not enthralled with having to come to the exhibit. Â He needs a camera. Â Cameras even make car shows interesting!!!
I’m guessing that his lucky wife is shopping behind him, and he’s turning his back to ensure that he can’t see what she’s buying him for his birthday. Â OK, I admit it, I don’t REALLY think THAT. Â He’s probably just hungry.
So did you enjoy the Arts Under the Umbrellas Festival? Â In another post, I can give you more pictures of each display – or not, if you’re tired of looking at art for now. Â I could do a gallery, or I could even create individual pages for separate artists. Â It’s all easy if my internet works.
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
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