The Artist and the Diary

A lot of visual artists keep a record of their thoughts and ideas along with sketches. In many art classes you are instructed to keep a note book and jot down any ideas you feel are significant. Sometimes the information in the diaries is of a personal nature. Often the information contains some creative thoughts for developing new art work.

We are fortunate that several great artists in the past have maintained diaries and many of them are accessible to us for viewing. Frieda Kahlo’s diary contains her personal feelings and expressions. Bill Brandt’s writings provide us with some background on the development and direction of his photography over the years. Edward Weston wrote diaries and called them the Day books. His written account of his thoughts on creative expression have guided many artists for years.

Perhaps for the same reason Weston and others felt the need to record their feelings on paper, many artists today are writing blogs. If the diary notes are personal I would guess that these writings will not appear on the internet. I would like to think that the artists that truly have something to share about their vision in art will continue to write about it via the internet or with pen and paper.


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An Artful Event

I love summer outdoors art fairs. Yesterday, I attended one of the largest art fairs held in the country. This was the 45th annual Penrod Art Fair. The weather for this yearly event was perfect. In previous years we have endured some extremely warm and wet weather on the one day it is held. Although the weather was overcast, it did not rain and temperature remained in the upper 70’s. This annual summer art fair brings together in one place some of the best performing and visual artists in the region. All this takes place at one of the most visually attractive places in the city, the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Penrod Art Fair is one of the nation’s largest single day art fairs. There were hundreds of artists participating this year. Painters, jewelry makers, individuals skilled in woodworking, pottery, sculpture, photography and more represented the visual artists. There was a variety of entertainment that ranged from jazz and blues musicians, performers representing various schools of dance, choirs and the culinary arts school participants. Of course, a variety of good food and drinks was available to round out this great event.

This art fair is made possible by the Penrod Society. The Penrod Society is a non-profit volunteer organization that supports cultural and arts educational activities in the local area. They raise awareness of the arts and provide funds for many arts-related programs.

One of the most enjoyable and delightful ways to view art is at an art fair. Judging from the large crowd that was present at the fair, I am sure a lot of other people share this feeling. If you are in the area next year and like to attend art fairs, you will not want to miss this event.


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