I was amazed at how anyone reacts to something so abstract as clouds and light. A pending storm, the break of dawn, the haze of a hot summer day are all visioned by those who gaze up at them. The carousel sits amidst the towering pines overlooking the mountains and Flathead Lake. The rider is able to see the panoramic view reflected in the center mirrors which include a Victorian garden or the colorful sails of the racers on the lake below. Once I completed the panels, I knew it was time to start the series of carousel paintings that I had originally planned on doing 10 years ago.
Carousels are part of their surroundings, be it in the heart of downtown or in a historical park.
I hope to do as many of these settings that I can, be they the original homes or their newly designed environments. Bette Largent manages the carousel gift shop at Riverfront Park in Spokane, WA and is the antique carousel's restoration specialist. We can't be everywhere, and count on our readers to let us know what's happening in the carousel world. Copyright 1996-99, Carousel Internet Productions. All rights reserved.