Last Sunday I received great news; I was accepted as an exhibitor at the Art-A-Fair, a Laguna Beach summer festival that will run from June 28 to September 1. In its 47th year, Art-A-Fair welcomes artists from around the world to represent a variety of mediums and techniques in two and three dimensional forms. I'm thrilled to have been invited and look forward to see my collectors, friends and supporters and, of course, to establish many new connections.

Yesterday I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that "Above and Below" is displayed in an online gallery of THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER along with 15 other artworks, in an article on the Art-A-Fair jurying process.

Art-A-Fair
June 28 to September 1
777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA
949-494-4514

Another important event that will take place this coming summer is the Colored Pencil Society of America 21st Annual Convention in Brea, California. I'm so excited that this year the CPSA convention will take place practically in my own backyard! Their exhibition, a collection of the best colored pencil artwork in the world, is not to be missed.

2013 CPSA International Exhibition
July 31 to September 13
City of Brea Art Gallery
1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA

Today I attended the "Colored Pencil - Making Our Mark" exhibition at the Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego. It is located in the beautiful Visitor Center Art Gallery at One Father Junipero Serra Trail and will run until November 9th (hours are Sunday - Saturday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM.)

This is an exhibition of the following artists from the Colored Pencil Society of America San Diego Chapter: Bobbie Bradford, Deb Gargula, Carolyn Kenny, Kathy Lally, Katherine Miller, Karen Rhiner, Ester Roi, Susan Salazar, and Lori Sutherland.

The most valuable aspect of spending 62 days as an exhibitor at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts was the direct contact with people. There are over 200,000 visitors every summer and I'm sure I spoke with at least several thousand. Finding out what they liked, why they liked it and how my art spoke to them, has reinvigorated my commitment and reshaped my future plans.

Knowing how to talk about myself and my work was of absolute importance. It's always a good idea to greet all the visitors while approaching only the ones lingering over the artwork. In place of putting them on the spot and asking if they had any questions, I would say something specific about the piece they were looking at, such as: "This was inspired by the Snake River in Wyoming," "This is my latest artwork" or "This poppy is floating below the surface in a bowl full of water." I would also talk about my inspiration, that nature is my muse and water my canvas, that I use water as a filter to study natural objects.

My technique really spiked the visitors' interest and curiosity. It's best to choose non-technical terms when explaining the art process. Using words that people can relate to makes for a comfortable conversation. For example, I would say something like this: "Do you remember melting crayons as a child? Well, in a nutshell, that is my process" and then I would fill in the gaps.

I've learned not to get too personal, not to talk about religion or politics, and to gently stir the conversation toward my work. Showing my best professional self in a positive and upbeat manner and expressing my enthusiasm have always led to productive interactions and sometimes to a sale.

Most people buy art because they feel an emotional connection to the artwork and the artist. My biggest discovery was finding out that my art, indeed, spoke to the viewers. Now I feel that I have a place within the art world and that my art speaks not only to me but to many others as well.

The Laguna Beach Festival of Arts is over. Although I'm incredibly grateful to have taken part in such a renowned art festival, I'm also glad to be back in the swing of things and experience "normal" again, like studio time, my friends, family dinners, and all the stuff that makes life so great.

The most invaluable aspect of being at the festival was the direct contact with the thousands of people who passed by my exhibit space every day for two months. Finding out what they liked, why they liked it, and how my art spoke to them, has reinvigorated my commitment and reshaped my future plans.

Here's what's happening and what's ahead:

• I'm showing at the Dana Point Ocean Institute with four Laguna Beach Festival artists.
• Coming up in October is another group exhibition at the Mission Trails Regional Park Gallery in San Diego.
• Esterroi.com and Icarusart.net are in the process of being restructured. Both will come with their own blog that will focus on separate areas: mine on my art and life as an artist, the other on the Icarus board and its technique.

Below is an image of a small commission that I just finished.

This is the eighth week of the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts. I can't believe there are less than three weeks left - time is going by incredibly fast. I wonder how I will feel when all of a sudden I won't have to drive to Laguna Beach every day.

The continuous contact with people who want to hear about my art can be very addictive and so is the always looming possibility of selling a piece. On the other hand I'm missing the time alone in my studio where I immerse myself in the creative process.

Before I know it I will be there again, in my studio, with a stronger and clearer purpose - making art that connects. The feedback I receive from the people visiting the festival is absolutely invaluable and will shape the art that I will produce in the coming year: new series, new perspectives, new challenges. I can't wait!

I'm well into the third week of the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts. This is such an amazing experience and I feel so fortunate to be part of it!

I've finally had the time to organize the pictures of the "preview night" and of the friends, old and new, who came to visit. I hope you enjoy them!

The opening night of the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts surpassed all my expectations. It was an amazing experience with music, fun, food and 4,000 art loving people eager to meet the artists and, even better, buy their art.

I said goodbye to three of my paintings: "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow", "Social Network" and "River Pebbles, No. 6". I have to admit that I felt a tinge of sadness seeing my art go so soon, especially my latest and largest piece, but at the same time I was thrilled that my babies found a good home. On the other hand my collector does not need "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" until the end of summer when he will bring it to his desert home. So I'll be able to keep it in my exhibit as a showpiece for as long as I need to.

The festival will go on a full time schedule on July 5th when it will be open daily from 10:00 am until 11:30 pm. I'm really looking forward to a great summer!

Happy 4th of July!

Today is the opening party for the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts and my exhibit space is ready to go. Four thousand people will be attending this evening event, a preview of the artists juried into the 2012 festival, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary. As you can see from the sign, my art has been categorized under "painting - icarus". I'm very honored that my technique has been recognized and I'm looking forward to explain the process to the visitors who will be intrigued by it.

Preparing for this festival has required all my time and energy. I will take a two month hiatus from demos, step-by-steps and videos but I will resume in earnest in September. I appreciate your patience and understating.

In July and August my posts will focus on the festival experience. I hope you will continue to read and comment as I really value your feedback. If you are in Southern California this summer, please stop by. Better yet, call me ahead at 949-683-6615 to make sure I'm there and I will get you inside for free.

Yesterday I attended the Festival of Arts Preview 2012 Exhibition. It is designed to give the public a sampling of some of the new artists whose artwork will be on display on a larger scale this summer at the festival.

If you're in Laguna Beach, California, make sure to stop by the Wells Fargo Bank downtown to view the exhibition that will be on display until June 10.

For hours and directions please refer to the invitation in this post.