Fun Zone (LA County Fair) – National Watercolor Society 2008 painting – Karen Winters

Fun Zone – 20″ x 22″ – watercolor on paper

Well, I didn’t think it could happen two years in a row, and with such different styles and subject matter, but, happily, it did. I just got my notification in the mail that this painting has been accepted to the 2008 National Watercolor Society All Member show, opening April 19 at the VIVA Gallery in Sherman Oaks, Calif. It is an amalgamation of different scenes at the LA County Fair in Pomona, including the Tilt a Whirl, Ferris Wheel and several other rides. This is another one of those projects that I was busily painting over the past few months and that I said I’d share when the time was right. So if I missed some days with daily paintings, now you know why.

It was a whole lot of fun to paint (I hope that comes through!) and takes me back to the days when I was an advertising group head and copywriter for the agency that had the fair account. I still enjoy going there to watch the people, animals, shows and more. I didn’t get there last year because it coincided with our Descanso show, but maybe this year!

For any of you who are newer readers of this blog, here was my painting in the 2007 NWS all member show.

Comments

  1. Cathy (Kate) Johnson
    March 15, 2008

    WOW, it is just gorgeous, Miss Karen, what a tour de force! Congratulations!

  2. Donn
    March 15, 2008

    Congratulations, Karen. That is some striking painting. No wonder it was accepted. The best to you for having it accepted.

  3. PainterWoman
    March 16, 2008

    I think it is wonderful to see you going out on such long (and varied) limbs! Best wishes.

  4. Shirley
    March 16, 2008

    Congratulations Karen. What a bright, colorful, beautiful composition!

  5. Ann
    March 16, 2008

    Another winner! Congratulations!!

  6. Bill Polm
    March 16, 2008

    Wild and great, Karen.
    It is a “tour de force” as Kate said. A lot of difficult aspects well done, not to mention the vivid color that harmonizes. And it’s not just some pretty scene–it has meaning for you, and therefore the joy comes through.

  7. Lydia
    March 16, 2008

    Karen ,
    that is ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!
    congratulations.
    Lydia

  8. nina j
    March 16, 2008

    Congratulations, Karen! You deserve it! It´s a beautiful painting, it´s fun to see you do something so different from the other work you do, I like it a lot.

  9. Stacey-Ann
    March 16, 2008

    I love the vibrant colours and all the activity. Congratulations on being accepted into the show.

  10. Roxanne Steed
    March 16, 2008

    Love these w/colors! – reminds me of when I lived in San Diego – (sigh)…- glad to see you in Daily Painters, too!!!
    Cheers, Roxanne

  11. Bec
    March 16, 2008

    Congrats Karen! It’s a fun, beautiful painting.

  12. Jana Bouc
    March 16, 2008

    I love this painting Karen! It’s so vibrant and just buzzing with energy. Congratulations on most deservedly being accepted into the show (next stop signature membership!).
    Jana

  13. Becky
    March 17, 2008

    Wow! Beautiful. The colors,the reflective ground, the light, all wonderful. Congratulations.

  14. Sherry
    March 17, 2008

    Your painting is lovely, bright and joyous. Congratulations!

  15. Annie
    March 17, 2008

    Congrats, Karen, for being picked! You’ve caught that first exciting impression that always hit us as kids when we first walked into the Fair.

  16. sandy
    March 18, 2008

    Wow, does this ever Sing- and I loved last years winner as well – CONGRATULATIONS!!! AND WELL DESERVED!

  17. Tami
    March 18, 2008

    WHOO HOO! This is so bright and FUN!!! Congratulations again Karen!!!! I can see why this was picked!!!!

  18. Pamela
    March 18, 2008

    I’m not the least bit surprised. It’s wonderful.

  19. E-J
    March 19, 2008

    Wow, that was a year ago already?

    Your fairground painting is such a fun scene … very evocative, for me, of joyous nights spent in the purely hedonistic pursuit of aimless, gaudy, childish entertainment, but translated into the language of a sophisticated watercolourist. :)

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