Carefree hosts Fine Arts Festival

MARC BUCKHOUT ~ MANAGING EDITOR~ 11/2/2011

Being labeled an abstract painter was too big of an umbrella for Deborah Valiquet-Myers, one she didn’t feel said much at all about what she does.
The former Prescott resident, who only pursued a career in painting after spending years as an accountant, has come up with a name for her art form.
“People always ask what I call this,” she said. “My work is best described as Lyrical Abstraction. Expression of the artist’s emotion is the primary intention. Although much of abstract art focuses on emotional content – lyrical abstraction is infused with and conveys a sense of a larger spiritual outlook.”
From Friday – Sunday Valiquet-Myers will have a chance to offer her spiritual outlook to a large number of art fans as she’s the featured artist for the 18th annual Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival in downtown Carefree.
“I’ve been showing my work in Carefree for the last four or five years,” she said. “It’s a beautiful setting, with very high quality work and a good clientele.”
Valiquet-Myers will be one of 165 juried artists at the event, which runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. The range of artists include painters specializing in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic and ink; sculptures, hand-blown glass, clay, metal, stone wood, bronze, jewelry and photography among others.
In addition to the artists there will be live music featuring Dan Dubusque, a solo guitarist who plays a variety of blues, soul, rock, funk, African, Eastern, Native American and South American music.
Valiquent-Myers said her style has evolved over the years.
“My paintings have flowing lines and the purpose of my work is to express an emotion,” she said. “People react strongly to my work. That’s a good thing. I think there’s a spirit to them.”
The painter said she doesn’t have preconceived notions about where her work might end up.
“It just comes out of me,” she said. “When I’m painting I’m usually reacting to some sort of feeling. It could be musical or poetic, or something as simple as a shape or a shadow. I paint very loosely with a lot of feeling.”
Beyond the painting Valiquent-Myers adds another dimension to her pieces.
“My canvases are heavily textured,” she said. “I use a big pallet knife and the texture determines where I might go. I use pastels, inks, fused glass, metal leafs. People always want to touch my work. They’re usually embarrassed after they do it, but I assure them that it’s totally cool.”
Along with the art and music, to amuse the eyes and the ears respectively, the event offers wine tasting to dazzle the taste buds. For $10 those interested receive an engraved souvenir wine glass and six tasting tickets. Additional tickets can be purchased for $1. Food also will be available for sale.
Admission to the event for non-Carefree residents is $3. Carefree residents gain admission to the event for free.
For information on the Carefree Fine Arts and Wine Festival go to http://www.thunderbirdartists.com/carefree-fine-art-wine-festival-november/. For information on Valiquent-Myers go to http://dvmfineart.com.