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Joey Votto to be a highlight at Fairfield arts fair

Shawn Voelker, 38, of Edgewood, Ky. works on his portrait of Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto in his home studio, Monday, June 14. Voelker will finish up his portrait of Votto at the Fine Arts Fair in Fairfield.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Shawn Voelker, 38, of Edgewood, Ky. works on his portrait of Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto in his home studio, Monday, June 14. Voelker will finish up his portrait of Votto at the Fine Arts Fair in Fairfield.

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer Updated 8:33 AM Wednesday, June 16, 2010

FAIRFIELD — Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto will come to life at the Fairfield Community Arts Center this weekend — or something like that.

Northern Kentucky artist Shawn Voelker, 38, will finish his creation of Votto at the Fairfield Fine Arts Fair on Saturday, June 19, at the arts center. It will use a unique painting style he created using an acrylic paint and prismatic foil.

“The foil actually changes colors with a change in lighting or movement from the viewer,” Voelker said. “I have some really bright vibrant colors going on, and that mixed with the foil it just creates a huge, energetic action, fast-paced piece.”

About 90 percent of the three-foot by four-foot Votto painting will be done before the fair since Voelker said it will take more than 30 hours to create.

“Not only is it a three-dimensional piece, but it almost becomes a live and changing,” he said.

Voelker said fairs and festivals like Fairfield’s are something artists revel to take part in.

“Any artists has the responsibility to become the ambassador,” Voelker said. “It’s a win-win. The more people get involved, it’s a benefit for any artist.”

The sixth annual Fairfield Fine Arts Fair organized by the city and Art on Symmes runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.at the center and Village Green. The juried show has 60 entries this year, 10 more than last year, said city parks and events manager Ben Strickler. He said it’s increased every year.

“We’re gaining interest in the art world, which is great,” Strickler said. “If you’re not doing a good job, they’re going to know. To see that continually grow, it means we must be doing something right.”

The Votto piece will be on display at the Fairfield Community Arts Center for a month to six weeks before it will be auctioned. The benefactor of the proceeds has yet to be determined.

Also, Phil Nuxhall, the eldest son of the late Reds Hall of Fame pitcher and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall, will be at the event selling and signing his new book, “Beauty in the Grove.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com. Follow at twitter.com/mdpitman.

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