One Down and Two to Go

Alone Star was in Austin at the Pecan Street Festival just a couple of weeks ago. It was a good experience for us going back to Austin, our home town, and as usual, such jaunts continue to be learning experiences as we hone down just what we want to to with our presentation during shows. Every show is different, so our displays have been different for each. One thing we know for sure is that we want to make setting up and breaking down much simpler than it has been in the past, for all the shows. And we think we are getting closer to that goal as we get ready for this weekend’s show down on the Strand in Galveston, Artoberfest 2009.

How was Pecan Street? This is a show that’s been a tradition in Austin for a few decades now. We saw a lot of good work there, some really nice art. I was very impressed with Alan Christopher Smith’s work of Battlefield Texas. Chris makes wonderful stippled images both in paper and canvas print media, and since he was right next to us I had opportunity to look and talk to him. Aside from artists like Chris, though, were other booths promoting say, the New York Times. Wow! Does something like that belong in an art fair? How about motorized scooters?

Artoberfest, at least what we saw 2 years ago when we participated (Ike blew away any chance of the show last year), remains a pure fine arts event. We will see what it’s like again this year, and I can speak for Lisa too when I say that we are looking forward to it! I am posting some pictures from Austin’s show; we may have questions about the changing character of the festival (at least from an arts standpoint), but we certainly loved the entertainment and being able to watch the Longhorns from outside a bar just across the street! Austin is definitely keeping weird!