Karl Melton, a Business Partner in our Creative Communication & Events group, was awarded first and second prize ribbons for his paintings in the 2012 Creative Arts Competition.

Karl Melton's Sunbeam Mixer took the blue ribbon at the State Fair of Texas.

The State Fair of Texas Creative Arts Competition allows each artist to submit a maximum of two pieces, and they must be submitted into two separate categories. Winners are chosen based on a committee, and the winning pieces join the Creative Arts building’s displays during the Fair.

Karl’s “Sunbeam Mixer,” inspired by a gift his dad gave his mom the year Karl was born, took first place in the “Nostalgia” category. His “Man in the Park,” inspired by a picture Karl took on his cellphone while in Turkey with his family, won second place in the “Landscapes with People” category.

Karl first began oil painting in February 2010 after meeting the American oil painter Michael Hurd at the Hurd Gallery in Ruidoso, N.M. As Karl toured the gallery, he remembered his first attempts at oil painting in high school and was encouraged to try again. Once back in Dallas, Karl took lessons at the Bonny Studio in Richardson. As his skills developed, his wife, Suzanne, continued to encourage Karl to submit his work for competitions.

“She encouraged me to enter the paintings in the State Fair – something I would have never thought of,” he said.

Karl’s works include oil paintings, charcoal, colored pencil and digital works. When the State Fair of Texas opens Friday, Sept. 28, stop by the Creative Arts building to see Karl’s winning pieces “Sunbeam Mixer” and “Man in the Park.”