War Games

Description

War Games
18” x 22” • Watercolor on Paper • Signed Pamela Turnbow (2003)

War Games is a personal and thought-provoking still life painted in 2003, during a time when news of war filled the airwaves. The composition features large river rocks interspersed with green toy army men — a visual dialogue between the innocence of childhood play and the looming presence of real-world conflict.

Created from life in the artist’s studio, this 18” x 22” watercolor served as a way to process the quiet tension of that moment in time. One of Pamela Turnbow’s children dreamed of becoming a Marine, and though she supported their aspirations, she carried the very real fear that the war would still be raging when they were old enough to make that choice.

Rendered in a muted, contemplative palette with careful attention to symbolism and mood, War Games speaks to the emotional terrain of parenting, memory, and the deeply human cost of conflict — both imagined and real.

A compelling piece for collectors who appreciate narrative art, contemporary still life, and paintings that invite thoughtful conversation.