Happening NOW: Three Rivers Arts Fest!

If you have a pulse and live in Pittsburgh you're most likely aware of Three Rivers Arts Fest, which happens downtown every June. In my opinion, it's one of the best cheap/free things Pittsburgh has to offer each summer.

Over the weekend, Mark and I met up with my high school best friend Katie and her beau, Andrew, to peruse the hundreds of vendors. I've talked before here about how it's kind of an annual tradition.

Mark and I typically go at least twice over the 10-day span it's set up, depending on the free concerts. Friday night was Jenny Lewis, who I would've LOVED to see, but had to work. Neko Case is playing this Saturday, so Mark and I are planning to go back this weekend. It's going on through Sunday.

Here are a few personal art vendor favorites that caught my eye:

• Marisol Spoon
Painted lady profiles, often with kitty and nautical themes. I was trying to find a girl who had brown hair, bangs and an orange cat. That would've been an instant purchase. :) This vendor is at Arts Fest until tomorrow.

A photo posted by Marisol Spoon (@marisolspoon) on May 2, 2015 at 2:41pm PDT

• Black Ink Art
Some trippy mixed media work by two brothers working collaboratively. Often includes pop culture references, like Homer Simpson (Katie purchased a print of this one), Bill (Chill) Murray, Hunter S. Thompson, etc.

Mark and I purchased an astronaut print here. At $15, it's a hard price to beat for a decent-sized work of art. Canvas prints and original watercolors were also available for purchase.

A photo posted by Black Ink (@blackinkarts) on Mar 19, 2015 at 3:11pm PDT

• Ron Copeland
A Pittsburgh-based visual artist that often incorporates light and typography into his eye-popping work. Mark and I have him on our radar for a potential future purchase.

A photo posted by Ron Copeland (@norpoc) on Mar 20, 2015 at 4:39pm PDT

Other favorite goodies:

• AJW Creations
• Gregg Knott Photography
• Antique Pet Photos

What are some of your favorite summer traditions?