Every spring, the Skagit Valley bursts into a rainbow of tulip colors, drawing visitors from near and far to experience the magic of the Tulip Festival. For the 2026 Tulip Festival, local artist Kylie Fair Anderson was chosen to capture that magic in the Festival’s official poster, a vibrant scene of purple tulips beneath a breathtaking rainbow.
Kylie’s inspiration came from her lifelong love of tulips and the unique beauty she sees in every row. “No tulip is exactly like the other,” she says. “Some stems are tall and straight, others bend gracefully. Some petals are narrow, some wide. And between the rows, the shadows, stray petals, raindrops, and reflective puddles tell their own story of the Skagit Valley.” For Kylie, it’s these little details, the story between the rows, that bring her paintings to life and celebrate the valley she’s called home since childhood.
Growing up in the Skagit Valley, Kylie has always looked forward to springtime and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. “I feel blessed to have made so many wonderful memories here,” she says. That admiration for her community shines through in her art, which portrays not only the tulips, but the charm and beauty of the Skagit Valley itself.
For this piece, Kylie worked with oil paints, starting with a pencil sketch and underpainting before layering in the colors of the sky and tulips. She experimented with petal placement, leaf shapes, and even multiple versions of each tulip until the scene felt just right. A particular challenge was painting the rainbow and its reflection, a first for Kylie, but after several attempts, the transparent, shimmering effect was exactly as she envisioned.
Kylie hopes that viewers of her poster will feel the same joy she felt while painting it. “I hope it makes people smile,” she says. “I hope it reminds them of fond memories from the Festival and shows the heart of our community.” Her signature bright energy and love of bold lighting, scenic landscapes, and shimmering water effects all come to life in this piece, perfectly capturing the spirit of her artistic style.
Whether you’re a lifelong Skagit Valley Tulip Festival attendee or experiencing the Skagit Valley tulips for the first time, Kylie’s painting invites you to pause, take in the colors, and feel the joy of springtime in this extraordinary corner of Washington State. Bring that joy home by shopping the 2026 Tulip Festival poster and exclusive festival merchandise featuring her stunning artwork, a perfect way to celebrate the magic of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival all year long.
