Locals and out-of-town attendees flocked to Comfort’s 12th annual Art Festival Saturday, organized by Comfort Merchants Association for artists from around the area to display and sell their works.
Shoppers found everything from abstract to realism on display. Almost every shop in Comfort leant their front area spaces for artists to set up.
San Antonio artist Cindy Morawski, who has attended the festival from its beginning, said she loves that the event is held in the Hill Country.
“There’s so many friendly people here,” she said. “It’s one of my favorite art shows.” Morawski’s artwork was a mixture of landscapes to florals and animal portraits.
New artists were thankful for the opportunity to sell among veteran artists. Peggy Vesper of Utopia, Texas, admitted she drew in high school, but didn’t get serious about painting until she retired.
Now, with just six years of serious artistry under her belt, her custom colorful artworks of the scenic Texas Hill Country display an expert hand.
Acrylic abstract artist Curt Regester agreed that retirement was what allowed him the time to hone his artistic skills. After retiring from 26 years in the U.S Air Force, Regester taught himself how to create abstract portraits.
His techniques are especially unique; apart from using a customary art brush, he also uses balloons, wet paper towels and even the paint pour method with both acrylic and metallic paints.
“I’ve only started doing this for four months now,” Regester said, “but I’ve already started shipping out of state.”
First-time participant Andrea Rummel found her love for art during her time teaching kindergarten.
“When I teach children and they come up to me saying they are artists, it means the world to me,” she said. “Teaching is my passion, so in addition to the artwork I sell from my studio, I offer classes for artists of all range of skill.”
Rummel’s award winning woolfelt artwork became a popular fall purchase for many customers.
“All of my wool pumpkins sold out,” she said, “so I’m trying to make a few more before day’s end.”
Among her displays was one of three sheep drinking from a pond, titled “Reflections at the Water’s Edge,” originally constructed from a real life photograph she took. The portrait took more than 250 hours to create, but the work paid off — it won first place at the Hill Country Arts Foundation Juried Exhibition this past year.
One benefit for Art Fest participants is that all proceeds they gain further supports their business.
“I am a huge believer in supporting small businesses,” Rummel said, adding that she just moved into the area. “That’s why I signed up for this event. I even shop for my wool locally, at Sheepwalk Ranch.”
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