The Malibu Arts Festival had it all. Sure, there was the usual fare–glass unicorns, Laura Ashley pillows, mallard whirly gigs, bamboo fountains and pet rocks, but some eye-popping surprises appeared as well. Julie Lance, for example, fashions her creations from real insects. Her dramatic artwork features moths and monarchs captured in mid-flight and mounted on Plexiglas.
“We get these from butterfly farms all over the world. They come from Indonesia, Africa, South America,” she explains. “These farms actually help preserve the rain forests by providing a renewable, alternative source of revenue in developing countries. In using butterflies, I try to capture their beauty, color and harmony.”
There was art of every conceivable kind of material–old saws, dried gourds, water cans and car parts as well as canvas, glass and trees. Neil Sears gets his kicks from hickory sticks, which come from the backwoods of Tennessee. With a Paul Bunyon smile, he shows off his collection of rockers, porch swings, bar stools and birdhouses. He describes the style as California Rusticana, but admits it’s nothing new.
“This chair is just like the one in Andrew Jackson’s log cabin,” he notes. “It’s perfect if you’re going for a lodge, western or country look.”
The artists draw their inspiration from everywhere. For Matino Dorce, it comes from his native Haiti. Dorce has been selling his vibrant scenes of native dancers, village farmers and tropical landscapes for the past 10 years.
“People love it because it’s colorful and exciting,” he said. “It just makes you feel good.”
But the biggest draw was local artist and actress Jane Seymour, whose booth was bopping. “I’m really excited,” she told The Malibu Times. “This is my first local showing and the response has been great.” In addition to being a featured artist, Seymour served as the festival’s celebrity host and says she is happy to do her part. “I want to support this and I love being a part of the local community.”
Seymour is more than just a dabbler. She has had several major exhibitions and is represented by the country’s leading art dealers. Her works range in price from $690 for a simple self-portrait, to $39,000 for a full-scale floral oil.
“It’s amazing how versatile she is,” remarked Malibu Chamber of Commerce President Jeannette Scovill. “I love her impressionist paintings and her treatment of light. She also has wonderful watercolors and pastels, and I’d be glad to have any one of them in my house.”
The Malibu Arts Festival is also marking a milestone–its 30th year–and for many locals, it’s an annual tradition. “It’s great to see the same artists year after year,” says Malibu resident Lisa Shafer. “And there are some fantastic new artists as well.” Shafer, for one, is partial to one booth, which specializes in handcrafted paper and books. “Last year, I bought three photo albums from them as gifts,” but admits in a hushed tone, “I haven’t given away a single one.”