And the winner is... Summer nights and carnival lights at the county fair

I love the county fair. Being an old soul, I love to carry on traditions because the rituals make me feel connected to people who lived in other eras. From the baking competitions to animal shows, antique tractor demos to carnival rides, the county fair is something I look forward to every year.

Although I have attended many fairs, 2025 was my first year entering! I entered three paintings in adult fine arts as part of the Home Arts competitions, and I am thrilled that all three won a blue ribbon!

First, my painting of a mother and child from my Mothers Collection this spring won a blue ribbon (first place) in the category of Acrylic Figure painting. 

Next, my painting of peonies in vintage vases won a blue ribbon in Acrylic Floral painting, and a champion ribbon for the entire category of Acrylic painting! I wonder if the judges sensed that I painted peonies grown right here in my local garden?

Finally, Mother's Embrace, a painting of a young boy running into his mother's arms in the middle of a field of flowers, won THREE ribbons: a blue ribbon in the category of Abstract/Impressionistic, a Champion ribbon in the category of Miscellaneous Art, and Best in Show for ALL of adult fine art! 

This event was so meaningful to me because I grew up here, in Howard County, Maryland, which happens to be very supportive of the arts. The area where I grew up definitely contributed to my formation as an artist and I still benefit from living in an area that values the arts. 

Of course, I know that awards are subjective and individual to the judge. From looking at all of the entries, which included some really masterful pieces, I think the judges favored more painterly styles (as mine are), and artwork painted from life (not from other people's photos). 

And do you want to know something powerful? The paintings I entered were all paintings that failed to sell. They were just sitting around my studio. I realized that just because a work doesn't sell, that doesn't mean it's because the work isn't good. There could be a million reasons why a painting remains unsold, yet someone who sees it recognizes value in it. 

And do you know what else that means? Yup, all three paintings are still available, if you see one that speaks to you! 

In recent years, I've expanded my garden in support of my floral paintings (because why pay $100 for an arrangement from a florist when I could spend $1,000 and several years of backbreaking work to grow one myself?). With my expanded garden, I also entered a number of flowers in the fair for the first time this year. I won a few ribbons for my dahlias and hydrangeas, and learned a lot! Next year, I hope to have enough flowers blooming at the right moment to enter some arrangements in addition to individual flowers. 

The only question is...should I enter the Maryland STATE fair next year??