Variety of art on display at Geneva show

GENEVA – St. Charles artist Jennifer Edgley believes people need to take the time to appreciate the beauty around them.

"Everybody is so busy, nobody takes the time to look up or around at nature," the 29-year-old Edgley said.

Edgley's love for nature, specifically clouds, was reflected in her oil paintings on display Saturday at the 10th annual Geneva Arts Fair. Edgley was among 145 artists that were part the juried show.

These days, clouds are her only subject.

"I used to paint portraits, but wanted to try something completely different," Edgley said.

She juggles painting with raising a 2-year-old son, Travis.

"He doesn't know when he goes to sleep that I paint," Edgley said.

She has always found clouds to be fascinating.

"I've always been drawn to clouds," Edgley said.

And if someone looks at one of her cloud paintings and thinks they see an outline of a face or animal, that's strictly in their imagination.

"I don't intentionally put anything in them," Edgley said. "People see things in them all the time."

Edward Cook's miniature acrylic paintings are so detailed that many people mistake them for photos.

"I belong to the school of realism," said the 78-year-old Batavia resident. "I am very detail oriented."

His acclaimed work earned him induction last year into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame.

Painting on a small canvas presents an another challenge.

"There is no room for error," Cook said. "And sometimes you are trying to capture the grandeur of something like the Mississippi River in a smaller format. Every subject offers challenges to try to capture a mood."

And he doesn't pretend to have all the answers.

"It's an ongoing process," Cook said. "I'm still learning."

David Gibson and his wife Maggie, of Glen Ellyn, didn't let a little rain bother them.

"We're looking for something to help decorate our house," he said.

Mike Miller, of St. Charles, said he wasn't looking for anything special.

"We're just enjoying it," he said. "We haven't been here for a couple of years."

Miller also was enjoying the overcast skies.

"It could be 100 degrees," he said. "It's pretty pleasant."

Geneva Art Fair winners

2-Dimensional

Edward Cook (acrylic miniatures) - Batavia

Michael Bond (printing) – River Falls, Wis.

Christina Hankins (pastel) – Maple Grove, Minn.

Steve Nowatzki (printmaking) – Minneapolis, Minn.

3-Dimensional

Mary & Spencer Watson (jewelry) – Prospect Heights

Roberta Elliott (metal sculpture) – Cobden

Rosie & Dave Clause (mixed media) – Naperville

Dennis Thompson (ceramics) –  Branson, Mo.