The San Juan County Fair board has chosen a poster for 2018. Grace and Kristine Brown of San Juan Island created a winning design based on the theme of “Rockin’ the Salish Sea.”

Grace has been interested in art since before she can even remember, though she’s have never had any formal training. She has kept art apart of her life as much as she can, taking every opportunity to practice. This has allowed her to grow despite her lack of education in that area. Grace’s art is mostly black and white and uses fineliner pens to create small detailed designs within larger pictures or shapes. She was so inspired by the fair’s theme because she immediately thought “WHALE!” which fits so wonderfully into her style of art and into life in the San Juans.

When Kristine heard that her daughter-in-law Grace decided to submit her art for the fair she asked if she could help with the background and typeface selections. After years of helping other island artists with their posters, Kristine was excited to spend the time collaborating with someone dear to her. In between building her tiny home and going inside to get warm, Grace directed Kristine’s digital efforts and she loves how it fits this year’s theme.

How often can an orca be the star of a county fair poster?