 Portraits by commission Only Studio: 540-948-6800 Oil Painting |
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Portraits by commission Only Studio: 540-948-6800 Oil Painting |
2010 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival Oil, 52" x 44" Wellington, FL For Immediate Release: Sharon Lynn Campbell Media Contact: Kendra Cecieta at 561-531-3842 or via email at Kendra@splashmarketingllc.com. A Labor of Love and Horses Pays Off For 2010 Winter Equestrian Festival Featured Cover Artist Sharon Lynn Campbell Wellington, FL- After three and a half weeks devoted to painting in her studio and sleeping just a few hours a night, artist Sharon Lynn Campbell said it was all worth it after being selected as the 2010 Winter Equestrian Festivals (WEF) featured cover artist . Each year thousands of the World's top horses and riders flock to beautiful Palm Beach County Florida to spend the winter competing in the sun. "The Winter Equestrian Festival is the largest and longest running horse show circuit in the world and being selected as the cover artist is a big honor and privilege and I was thrilled that the committee wanted my artwork to represent the 2010 WEF Circuit. It is really a dream come true, said Campbell. Campbell, who resides in Rochelle, Virginia heard about the "Call to Artists Contest" put out in the Spring of 2009 just three days before it was due. Campbell, who has grown her business primarily through referrals and often times has many repeat clients knew that adding a very complex painting to her already full schedule would be very difficult. However, she decided the opportunity was too good to pass on despite this fact. She said she stayed up for three weeks to complete her entry and then spent another four weeks on the same schedule just to catch up finishing portraits for her existing client base. Many of Campbell's clients include current top equestrian competitors in the hunter, dressage and jumper disciplines. She often is commissioned to paint portraits of many of the rider's dogs as well. Her average oil portrait takes her several months to complete. Just recently she finished a commissioned full body painting of Rumba, who won the $100,000 Hunter Derby for his previous owner. Rumba's new owner is movie director Steven Spielberg. "I knew it would be a stretch to make the due date for the contest," said Campbell. "I just focused on bringing the vivid images of my memories from the Winter Equestrian Festival to life," she added. The original charcoal sketch that she sent in as her entry took her eight hours. Out of 27 entries, Campbell was overjoyed when she was chosen, with a unanimous vote from the judges since they loved her style of painting, but was a bit overwhelmed that she had but 3 short weeks to complete the final one. The work that Campbell does is strictly in an oil medium. By using oil on canvas/linen she can paint layer upon layer which allows her to create a life-like portrait that has made her into the top hunter jumper artist in the country. "I wanted to capture all the elements that make The Winter Equestrian Festival so unique. From the beautiful show grounds, the nice Florida weather, the beautiful horses and riders from all the world, as well as capture the community of people that are involved in creating such an amazing the spectacle of events. I also wanted to make sure that I included some of the well-recognized Winter Equestrian Festival landmarks such as the Bridge, the Tiki Bar, and the presenting sponsor FTI Consulting's jump in the Grand Prix ring." This vision was exactly what helped Campbell to be selected as the 2010 WEF cover artist. "Although there were many beautiful and wonderfully creative pieces submitted for the contest, we chose Sharon's work because we believed it best captured so many of the facets of the Winter Equestrian Festival. She included not only the exciting competitive features, but also the lifestyle and hospitality features as well including the now world famous Tiki Hut", said Katherine Bellissimo, a principal in Equestrian Sport Productions. In addition to the cover program, Campbell's portrait will also be made into the official WEF poster, a commemorative t-shirt and greeting cards that will be available for purchase in the merchandise boutique. The original painting will be on display in the International Club during the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival and then later have a permanent home in the adjacent White Horse Tavern. Campbell will also be available to sign the official posters and t- shirts at her booth from February 10th- March 7th. Campbell received $500.00 in prize money, two complimentary weeks as a vendor in addition to the two weeks she attends each year, a featured article in the WEF program, complimentary participation in the " Open Your Heart to Art" event, and one week of display in the International Club's Foyer. Sharon Campbell is currently available for consultations. You can come meet her and see some of her work on display during the 2010 Winter Equestrian Festival from February 10th through March 7th in boutique village. You can also see more of her work by visiting her website at www.sharoncampbell.com or contact her with inquiries directly by calling 434-825-6800 or in her Studio at 540-948-6800. |