Beauty at the Sunapee Fair
I’ve been going to the Sunapee League of NH Craftsman Fair nearly every year for decades, and look forward to it with delight each time.
A juried fair with about 350 exhibitors in a series of large tents, the setting is a ski area in New Hampshire in the summer. There’s something about it that is just beautiful on a lovely August day or even a not-so-lovely one; I’ve even gone in light rain. I often meet a friend there who lives nearby, but this year she couldn’t make it and neither could anyone else I tried to rustle up, so like the Little Red Hen I did it myself.
The drive is long but extremely pleasant, especially as one gets within about thirty miles of the park and the mountains start coming into view. I always pass a couple of lakes, too. Sunday it was supposed to be overcast but the sun was out almost the whole time, not too hot and not too cool. And the Fair itself did not disappoint, not for an instant. But it never has.
It’s a riot of beauty and color, created by the dedication of a group of people who focus on the old-fashioned task of making objects by hand with skill and precision and a devotion to beauty. The vast majority of them succeed; I can only think of one or two exhibitors whose work is a tad bit schlocky.
Sometimes I don’t buy anything. They’re not giving this stuff away, after all. But this year I splurged a bit and purchased a couple of items.
Most of the exhibitors don’t seem especially focused on their websites, because when I looked them up I noticed that many are in a state of some disrepair, with only a couple of forlorn photos. But I thought I’d show you some of the better and most interesting ones.
Here’s a very strange necklace that is something like one I purchased, only mine doesn’t have that metal “x” on the wood. All of this woman’s stuff (her name is Kathleen Dustin) is extremely expensive, but this one was considerably less so. It gives me a very Zen-like feel, and I could use a bit more serenity these days:
Take a look at the entire website. Everything there is very unusual but beautifully done and definitely an eye-catching conversation piece. Here’s one of her polymer (clay) purses:
Here’s another artist from the Fair, Ira Frost. I will say at the outset that his work isn’t especially to my taste (and it’s mega-expensive) but I find it fascinating and I am lost in admiration for his astounding carving skill. These pieces are all painted woodcarvings, and they look even better in person:
You can find an almost endless supply of photos of his work here.
Here’s another artist I like, Matt Brown. These are woodblocks that are made by the traditional hanga method. They are much more beautiful in person than in the photos. I own this one; bought it many years ago; it’s more dramatic than this, because the dark is actually much darker:
As I said, a lot of the artists don’t have fully functional webpages with good photos. And often the photos don’t do the work justice. The Fair has everything, and I never have enough time to see it all, no matter how much time I allow. If you’re ever in New England in August, hie yourself there.
From the technical standpoint, Ira Frost is a WOW! The top, a kestrel, merits his 15K price. Just don’t ever bump it!
Frog:
The prices are through the roof, but the work is just amazing. He is a master craftsman par excellence.
A close friend is an incredible artist, see her work at amazinggracemosaics.com
Lovely.
Fairs of all sizes are wonderful, even the failed ones, if they are earnest.
I like the Matt Brown woodblock prints, and he sells them at bargain rates. At first I thought they might be from an out-of-date price list. My walls are full, or I’d have seriously considered buying a print — maybe the trestle one, or the ice fishing one.
P.S. Nice change of pace from the politics.
Cornflour:
As I said, they’re even nicer in the flesh, as it were.
And I don’t even get a commission 🙂 .
OMG – I love the Matt Brown prints. They remind me of the Yoshida prints that I bought in Japan in the late 1970s,
My walls are already covered with art, or I’d seriously consider them. That and the price, of course.
A selection of Yoshida prints here –
https://www.google.com/search?q=toshi+yoshida+woodblock+prints&biw=1280&bih=852&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0CJgBEPwFKAFqFQoTCNCA6eaboscCFYjQgAodqOgIqw&dpr=1#imgrc=_
Sgt. Mom – that was my reaction as well – Until I read what Neo wrote that is what I thought they were – Japanese wood block prints. And, actually, it sort of makes sense since he is using the traditional Japanese method of printing them.
And, wow! Those Ira Frost carvings of the birds are fantastic. I followed the links to some of his pieces – ouch! While they are fantastic, and a lot of work goes into them, they are way out of my price range. I guess I will have to stick with my cheap art from East Asia that I purchased 30 years ago. Some wooden carvings and painted scrolls. I never get tired of the paintings since I have more than I can hang; every so often – usually whenever the mood hits me – I’ll take down the ones hanging, roll them up, and get others out. Kind of like “redecorating” on a budget.
Neo, you’ve now added another thing to my “bucket list” or, at least another stop on my next trip to Acadia National Park. Thank you!
Decades ago, SF writer Poul Anderson had an space age James Bond character who was operating in the twilight of the Terran Empire. Dominic Flandry. At one point, he’s reduced to a sword fight with a villain. The guy, beaten by Flandry and forced to surrender, gasps his surprise. He’d figured to fake Flandry into swords and, having studied the art, win.
Flandry remarked that in days of decadence, anachronism becomes important to people as hobbies. Includes fencing.
I think I’ll go to youtube and listen to some sacred harp singing.