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?

(Th)ree and (F)ree Rivers Arts Fest

Summer in Pittsburgh unofficially begins with kickoff of the annual Three Rivers Arts Festival.

For 10 days each June, hundreds of art and jewelry vendors, stages with free music of names big and small, and activities for kids are all offered in the heart of downtown, at Point State Park. Mark and I go every year without fail. (And FYI, the band pictured above is called Machete Kisumontao. A friend of Mark's is in it.)

I think the people watching there itself is worthwhile. The Pittsburgh spirit, particularly in the main grassy area where center stage is located, is constantly pulsing with life and spontaneity.

Several years ago I took a summer photography class and we spent a whole evening taking photos at Arts Fest. I remember getting so many adorable photos of families, little girls and boys hula hooping, and other fun shenanigans. I've come prepared with my camera ever since.

One instance I wish I could have captured with my camera this weekend: A little boy trying to catch raindrops with his tongue. It was a very cute, short-lived moment.

However, this cute little doggie begging for food makes up for it:

Of course, there's some great art to be seen, too.

While I didn't buy any glass mosaic work at the Jenn's Jems booth, pictured above, I learned the store also offer classes. A four-hour class costs $40 and includes everything but a frame, which seems pretty reasonable to me. It might be something I'll take advantage of in the future.

The only piece I did buy was this Mr. Rogers digital print, which I love because 1.) Mr. Rogers is an awesome Pittsburgh-area native, and 2.) It looks very pop art inspired, like a lot of Andy Warhol's work, who happens to be another world-famous Pittsburgh native.

And most importantly, 3.) Mark and I have been seeing this piece for the last two or three years at the festival, and we finally broke down and bought it this time.

At $35, the price was OK, but it's fairly big, I think 13 by 19 inches. That was our hang up last year, but whatever. I'm sure we'll find a place for it.

The artist, Red Robot Creative, also does similar portraits of other American icons.

One other booth I really enjoyed was Abandoned Pittsburgh, because I love looking at photos of rust belt decay. However, most of the things I see online are from Cleveland and Detroit, not so much Pittsburgh these days, so it was nice to just enjoy looking at more local stuff.

For local readers, the festival continues until June 15th.

What kind of art catches your eye?