WATERVILLE -- Eighty-three artists set up their paintings and photographs for display Saturday morning as part of the city's Intown Arts Fest 2008. Automobiles slowed as they passed and hundreds of pedestrians strolled past to peer at offerings from all over the state.

One artist, Jo Goiran of Topsham, had arrived early to arrange her paintings, most of which featured bright colors and swirling, mystical-looking figures.

She calls her technique "touch-drawing," pouring water-based oils on a board and covering it with tissue paper. Then she draws by sliding her fingers across the top of the tissue paper.

When she removes the tissue paper, she tries to discern patterns or faces and then paints them.

"If I force it, it doesn't work," she said. It's like looking for faces in clouds."

Goiran sells her art from Topsham. She may be contacted via e-mail at jlgoiran@suscom-maine.net or by phone at 522-0990.

One of the Art Fest's organizers, Raffi Der Simonian, said in the morning the event looked promising.

"It's early to tell still, but I think overall we're pleased with participation," he said.

This was the 39th Annual Waterville Intown Arts Fest. It was organized by Waterville Downtown Maine Street, a group that works to develop the city's downtown area "into a thriving, energetic, commercial, social, cultural and entertainment destination," according to the organization's Web site.

Another artist, Mike Hidalgo of Waterville, was still setting up his booth, hanging paintings along the frame and arranging his etchings.

Hidalgo has been selling his creations for two years, although he has produced them for much longer, he said.

"I used to just keep them to myself," he said. "But now I'm going to UMA (University of Maine Augusta) and studying art."

The artist may be contacted via e-mail at cucahidalgo@hotmail.com or phone at 692-2542. Hidalgo uses a variety of media, including oil painting, photography, sculpture, graphite, pen and ink and etching.

"I know some people really limit themselves to certain media," he said. "But whatever media helps me create what I want to create at the moment -- that's what I use."