ARTS REVIEW
Shanika Whaley
Walking through Seaport Village on a bright sunny day, gives you the feeling that something festive is about to commence. People young and old, line the walkways, fill the shops and make there way to the park to enjoy art, music and a variety of delectables.
September 8 and 9 was the San Diego Art Walk on the Bay. Local artists from San Diego County, as well as Mexico, participated at the two-day event showing paintings, photographs and even jewelry to the local and visiting passer buyers.
Each artist had something different to bring to the table. Like Kate McCavit, for instance who is a self- taught Asian brush artist. Her style blends a lot of color and variety, which makes for a very pretty painting to put on the wall.
“I use acrylic,” McCavit explained. “I love color, mixed with a modern influence.”
Although McCavit is a self-taught Asian brush artist, she did not have to do the long distance traveling to get the experience.
“I trained in San Diego and I taught myself.” She adds, “People always ask me how it’s done, so I have a diagram which shows all the steps I go through.”
Besides viewing Asian influenced art, you can take a look at the ‘worlds smallest Etch and Press.’ The Arizona print group gave a demonstration of the smallest Etch and Press, which without a doubt, is very small.
“The Etch and Press was designed in 1946 by Morris T. Hobbs,” reflected Joan C. Thompson of the Arizona Print Group.
“After the Etch is prepared, pre-moistened paper is laid on top of the Etch, then rolled through the press, very slowly.”
Despite its small size, the Etch and Press did indeed roll out a nice looking picture.
To match the great art, food was prepared outside ‘Barbecue’ style.
Hunter’s Steak House was at Art Walk by the Bay to feed the hungry attendees. Chow down on a Tri-tip sandwich, or have the whole combo with beans and potato salad. To satisfy the thirst, grab a Vitamin Water or take a sample (which is a wise choice if you have not tried it).
Local San Diego musicians offered music. A little bit of Alternative mixed with some one-man guitar playing. It sounded ok; it matched well with the day’s full festivities.
On the second day of Art Walk by the Bay, Marco Miranda, an abstract painter from Mexico, admired the people gazing at his work and complimenting his fine talent. His use of color and imagination makes the paintings pop out.
For one of his paintings, Miranda explains how he tried to make it look a bit realistic.
“I tried to make it look like wall paper. I added these splotches to it,” Miranda admitted. Although he is from Mexico, he likes to show off his work anywhere he can. “I have a studio in Mexico, but I wanted to come here to the Art Walk.”
The artists at Art Walk by the Bay absorbed all the questions, comments and compliments that came their way. Having their work viewed at by so many people was an astonishment in itself.
“San Diego has the best local shows for artists,” reflected Kate McCavit. Without a doubt, I believe she is right.
