Customers Find Art, Conversation Pieces at Outdoor Art Show

Kathryn Warner is not afraid to say she buys artwork because she wants a conversation piece for her living room in West Bloomfield.

"You walk into my living room and the first thing you see are print blocks from Japan,” she said. “Art should be talked about and enjoyed."

Her living room in features artwork from her travels — Africa, Japan and across the United States. She said Saturday that she's happy to now have a hand-woven basket, made in her home state of Michigan, by Samuel Yao of Ann Arbor and purchased at the Orchard Lake Fine Art & Craft Show, in West Bloomfield.

Many lovers of art came to the show Saturday to see hand made art from over 150 artists, , some regional and . The event, , runs from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at West Bloomfield Plaza, 6668 Orchard Lake Rd.

Many praised the quality of art found at the show and rank the gathering as one of their favorites.

Dayna Neef, 22, of Clarkston, said she has been to many art shows with her mother, but this one is by far her favorite. She picked out a metallic cat lawn decoration — tragically she said, her indoor cats will never appreciate it — and said the quality of the art vendors is what separates Orchard Lake from others in the state.

"If you took all the cooler vendors from the Ann Arbor art fair and put them in a smaller space, it would be this one," she said.

Larry and Laurie Willie said they came here for "top notch" art. They say they have a particular fondness for found art, or art made from everyday items. Today, they picked up a bronze toned metallic flower garden ornament, a found-art bird bath made from metal — so heavy they needed loading it into their car — among other items.

"I like finding things that are unique," said Larry Willie, 50, of Macomb Township. "Things that are unique to your home that you can't find at a Macy's."

Because of their love for non-traditional art, they call themselves "whimsical" art buyers. Despite buying four items Saturday, they say they'll be back.

Laurie Willie said their fondness for art is best described as an addiction. Larry agreed.

"That's the problem,” he said. “The more we go, the more addicted we get."