Orange County

“Orange County” — Vintage California Illustration by Stan Watts

Orange County is a vibrant, sun-soaked celebration of California culture, created during the early stages of Stan Watts’ career. Bold, colorful, and full of West Coast personality, this artwork captures the energy and warmth of Southern California with a nostalgic, vintage-poster aesthetic. The rich oranges, sweeping palm trees, and radiant sunset tones make this piece instantly recognizable as a tribute to the Golden State.

This early example of Watts’ work was created for PaperMoon Graphics and reflects a period in his career before heavy stylization, starched lighting, and photo-realism became his signature. It points back to the earliest days of his artistic journey — even before illustration — when he worked as a cartoonist. The concept behind this piece was to recreate the feel of classic fruit-crate labels, evoking bold typography, bright palettes, and the iconic visual identity of Southern California agriculture and coastal living.

Bold and colorful, this illustration gives a clever nod to the region’s culture, history, and sun-drenched personality. It represents Stan’s mid- to late-1970s style — unmistakably Californian in its honesty, energy, and optimism — featuring the vivid tones of a famous West Coast sunset.

Printed as a premium fine-art print, Orange County brings a true slice of California nostalgia into any space — ideal for collectors of retro illustration, vintage tourism art, and fans of early Stan Watts originals.

• Early-career artwork created for PaperMoon Graphics
• Inspired by classic fruit-crate labels and vintage California posters
• Vibrant colors, bold composition, and retro West Coast aesthetic
• High-resolution fine-art print on premium archival paper
• Perfect for California lovers, retro-art collectors, and fans of 70s illustration
• Exclusive to the Stan Watts Collection

A bright, high-energy California classic — bold, nostalgic, and unmistakably Stan Watts.