Sunday, January 25, 2009

Ice Sculptures ~ Ligonier, PA Icefest Photos 2009!



We took a ride up to the mountain again over the weekend, to see some amazing ice scuptures. It was a balmy 15 degrees last evening when we arrived at the Icefest, located in the diamond of Ligonier. I almost dropped my camera taking a couple shots, because my fingertips were frozen. It was approaching dusk , so I had to use my night flash the photos didn't turn out too bad! The bird above was just finished when we first arrived.


My husband bending down by the eagle in the shot! The ice sculptures are done by professional ice carvers from a company called Dimartino Ice in Jeannette. They have been doing the Ice Fest here in Ligonier for 18 years. Aren't they excellent?



The dragon was so much more detailed but due to the darkening sky the reflections didn't show.



I felt like a queen sitting in the bear chair, fitting for my love of animals! Cool how they made the chair so folks could be seated! My face seemed blurred, but at least the bear chair turned out!


This guy just makes you smile!



The bear was poised looking to the sky!


Could you imagine cutting the corners so perfectly on the ship!


They always do a huge piece in the gazebo, and this year it was Elvis Presley! He was my last photo, so the lighting was not perfect. The detail here was awesome!

Thanks to all the wonderful artists for displaying their fantastic art! My photos were only a small sampling of all the gorgeous sculptures displayed in the Icefest! With all the cold weather we've had here, the sculptures could remain for a good while.

14 comments:

ochikeron said...

Amazing jo! So many artists can sculpt ice!!! Are they free artists? or Professionals? Is the bird going to change transparent after a while?
Your photos are really good! They show what you saw!!! I enjoyed your tour there! Thanks for posting :)

You know what?! Hokkaido has something similar every winter. The snow fest! You just reminded me of Hokkaido! I have never been there. I wish I could go there someday...
http://www.snowfes.com/english/index.html

Peggi Habets Studio said...

Jo,
I found your blog via another Jo and have enjoyed reading through your work. Wonderful writing and posts.

Dan said...

Looks mighty chilly. At least they gave you a mat to sit on.

Jo Janoski said...

Wow! You were braver than us, going out in that cold. I can see it was worth the trip. My favorite is the bear chair, although they all look fabulous. Brrrr.

Jo A. T.B. said...

Hi Ochisan!

Thanks glad you liked my photos! I think the artists are professionals! The bird will be turned transparent, I like it the way it is with the white! I think they blow torch it to make it transparent!

I think I told you my mom born in Hokkaido, but she never told me about the snow fest! Maybe the snow fest started after she left there!

I looked up your link, and the snow fest is huge covering a big part of the city! I bet it's a very beautiful site to see!

Jo A. T.B. said...

Hello Peggy,

Thanks for coming by and your nice comments. I'm glad you enjoy my work, it is my passion!

Jo A. T.B. said...

Hi Dan,

Yes the mat was there for a purpose, I'm sure there would be a lot of we butts, and the body warmth could melt the seat! :)

Jo A. T.B. said...

Hi Jo,

Yes the bear chair was definitely a masterpiece! We couldn't wait to get back to the car to warm up. :)

Kate Evans said...

wow! and chchchcch (my teeth chattering)

Jo A. T.B. said...

Hi Kate,

It's so cold here! My skin gets so dry from hot showers and the heat from heaters. Good to see ya! :)

Nazarina A said...

These remind me of the snow sculptures ( competition ) in Breckenridge. These are beautiful and you did a marvelous job with your pictures. I bet you guys had fun!

Jo A. T.B. said...

Thank you Nazarina sorry I missed your past comment! Yes it was a pretty cool time!

Anonymous said...

Hello my name is Jared. I am actually the lead carver for a company called DiMartino Ice in Jeannette PA we are professionaly ice carvers and have been doing the Ice Fest for 18 years. it was our first one of the kind. i fell upon your picture of the dragon on a google searching for pictures of a dragon. i figured i would answer a few of the questions i saw. and the eagle will not turn clear the block is actually white from air bubbles that were formed when we were making the block. thanks for coming out and checking out the carvings.

Jo A. T.B. said...

Hi Jared,

Sorry for my late response, thank you for answering the questions! Thank you also for the beautiful work you do!

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