IF - craving + Artarazzi # 25 meets Art On The Darkside

Craving

For Illustration Friday. To see how others have been inspired by today's IF prompt, click HERE.

I know I've said it more than once, but there are so many fun art challenges "out there." I really need more hours in a day (& the energy to use them). If you have the time, check out a few & play along. Or just enjoy what others have submitted. The variety is always so exciting!

The Mix it up with Melange Challenge changes on Wednesdays. This week is FLY.

Art Freebies Soartful Saturday changes soon - for now the prompt is this lovely lady here:

Artarazzi's Challenge #25 is to use this in your digital creation:

And Art On The Darkside gets you thinking about Tattoos this week.

I decided to combine the last 2 challenges for a noir novel / pulp fiction feel

Red Handed

Started with the tattoo prompt & a scan of an old charcoal study. I was thinking about how a tattoo on the leg would look like a bruise which led to a tattoo of a hand print. So I inked & scanned my hand. This reminded me of the Artarazzi challenge pic, so I tossed that in as well. Finished it off with a few tweaks.

The dime novel look came about because the words caught red handed kept pushing to the surface. I've also started reading The Hardy Boys books to little dude before bed so I'm sure that's got something to do with it.

Thanks for popping by! Go check out some links, make some art & show us what you're up to. Or just go see what cool stuff everyone is creating this week. Before you go: Please leave a comment to be entered in the new Thursday Giveaway. 1 random winner will get inspired by their prize, A copy of Alisa Burke's book Canvas Remix. For book & contest details CLICK HERE

Thursday Giveaways Part 2 - Passing my luck on to you!

Thanks again for all the fabulous comments! I think I have as much fun (if not more) hosting these giveaways as you do entering them! Earlier today I revealed the 2 random winners of the noontime giveaway. CLICK HERE to see who won.


A few days ago I was the lucky winner of a book giveaway over at Trial and Error. Artist & blogger, Jennifer WIlliams, has been doing a little destashing in her monthly giveaways. When I found out I'd won a copy of Alisa Burke's Canvas Remix - techniques for creating mixed media accessories, I decided to share.

I nicked this image right off the Trial & Error blog - Thanks again, Jen!

You can find out more about the author (& artist) Alisa Burke HERE. I had fun looking around her blog. She has a lot going on. Cool projects, workshops & other creative stuff. I really enjoyed this tutorial on making sticky canvas backed earrings.

Just leave a comment here at ArtSnark's between now & noon (EST) next Thursday June 11th to be entered in the random drawing for this very cool book! Only 1 lucky winner will be picked next Thursday.

And please be sure your contact info is correct. You don't have to leave an email, as long as I can track you down easily through blogger. I still have 2 unclaimed prizes from past drawings. I think I have to institute a new rule. (Bleck- I hate rules) If I can't contact you or if I leave a message & you don't respond within 10 days of your name being drawn, I go back and choose an alternate winner. I hate to do this, but I've got to keep things moving.

When you have a minute today, pop on over to Trial & Error and see what Jen has been up to. While you are there, sign up for HER monthly giveaway! She is giving away a different art how - to book, but I'm not going to tell you which one. You have to click through to find out & enter! Here's a direct link to Jen's June Giveaway.


Also be sure to visit her etsy shop, Blueskysunburn Creations and check out her colorful artwork. She has a fabulous blend of boldness & whimsy in her paintings & mixed media pieces. I really love the mix of figurative & abstract art. Here's a selection from her shop (again nicked off her blog). Click the pic to see some more....c'mon, you know you want to ;D

Phew, this gal is prolific! To see more of her fun & colorful art, visit her flicker site HERE.

Wait! Before you leave today, make sure to comment here to be entered in next Thursday's drawing for the Alisa Burke's book, Canvas Remix. And thanks again for stopping by!

Thursday Giveaways part 1 - We Have 2 Winners!!

Woo Hoo!

It is that time of the week again. Never paid much attention to Thursdays before. Now I love 'em! I love the idea of putting a smile on some one's face each week. And this week we have 2 smiles!

Winner #1 is Whyte

Whyte gets a $20 Gift Certificate to get some goodies at any of my 3 etsy shops
ArtSnark.etsy.com
ColorTheSky.etsy.com
SteamDreams.etsy.com

Winner #2 is Vmichelle
Vmichelle gets to choose 1 free ACEO from my ArtSnark shop

A hearty Congrats to you both! I will be in touch today with instructions for collecting your prizes.

To everyone else: Thank you for playing! Pop back later today & I'll have the next giveaway posted. Running a bit behind today (seems to be an ongoing theme around here...)

I'll give you a hint - I was lucky enough to win something this past week & am going to pass it on.

See you later today! Thanks again for visiting

RTT is great...but can you dance to it?

We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance. ~Japanese Proverb

I sooo love Random Tuesday. It's the bebop of blogging. Welcome to the jam session! Grab a button & play along

After 60 years clarinetist Stanley Drucker is retiring from the NY Philharmonic. He will have played in over 10,200 concerts. I caught this story in the shower this morning. He talked about backstage poker games in the 40s & other cool stuff. Learn a bit about Stanley at NPR.

Check out this vivacious gal from ArtFreebies

But she should be wearing this!!


Or anything else from BoringSidney

Take a minute & check out this fab etsy shop (great photos too)

The Lituus is back! WooHoo! Ok, so you can't see the mild sarcasm. Actually this is very cool.

I nicked the photo from Physorg.com. There's also an article & slide show on the recreation of this extinct musical instrument .

Last Wednesday's Melange challenge prompt was Dance. To play along, just CLICK HERE & link to your dance themed art.While you are there, visit the other lively pieces .

I was fussing with a collage for the challenge, but The Muse & I both wanted to lead. After stepping on each others toes, she elbowed me in the ribs & we went our separate ways. In the meantime here's an ACEO I made a while back.

She looks kind of unpleasant so I've decided she's really a Gorgon. Her sisters are here too.

These pieces are in layers & the top layer is a gold frosted paper.

They're all a little "off" - that metallic paper is a bear to photograph. It is kinda cool in hand though. Hold it one way you see the image. Tilt it a bit & all you see is the frosty gold & text.

Popped over to godchecker.com (great site by the way) & tossed Medusa into the search. I'd forgotten that she was once a lovely lady before a jealous Athena got a hold of her. Apparently her sisters, Stheno & Euryale, are super nasty AND immortal. Don't want to be running into them down some dark alley.

Somebody else who scares me a little, but in a good way, Is Keely The Un Mom. She's sort of the conductor (or is it high priestess?) of the Random Tuesday Thoughts orchestra. And the only person I (really don't) know who is taking on ninjas, chocolate cake, and dead mice all at once today.

Before you go, leave a comment! How much do I love hearing from you? Sooo much that your impulsive thought gets you 1 Entry into this Thursday's random Giveaway drawing. Actually, 2 since I'm drawing for an extra prize this week. For details & prize info CLICK HERE

monday's muse- summer light

The sun illuminates only the eye of the man,

but shines into the eye and heart of a child

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tiny mixed media pieces inspired by my 5 yr old's photos

What inspires you today?

Melange Art Challenge: Inspiration

It was many and many a year ago,

In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of ANNABEL LEE;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me

I was a child

and

she was a child,

in this kingdom

by the sea;


But we loved with a love that was more than love-


I and my Annabel Lee

The Melange Team's May 20th challenge was "Inspiration". It took me a while to catch up but here I am. I've been thinking for a while about making a series of Authors' Boxes. Here is the 1st, inspired by Edgar Allen Poe (who many believe was inspired by his late wife Virginia). If you want to read the rest of Annabel Lee, click here

I haven't played with wood in a while & had a grand time making this.


Decided to give it a slightly weathered look.


It is also filled with faded secrets in all the nooks and crannies

The notes tucked inside are copies of the writings of Virginia & Poe.

The smaller is a valentine written by Virginia. You can see the original here. The larger is a copy of Poe's Annabel Lee (the rest of the poem is printed on the back). See the original manuscript here.

The current Melange Challenge is Dance. I've several ideas but very little time so I may just post some older pieces soon. To view other interpretations, click Inspiration or Dance . Then click on the links in the comments to enjoy the wonderful variety . If you have the time, play along & enter your own creation!

So many challenges, so little time! I love how the ideas flow from the random prompts, Some pounce immediately, while others slither up behind me. Usually there are two or three but I rarely find the time to finish one - sigh... Some other great prompts this week are Adapt (IllustrationFriday), puppeteer (artonthedarkside) and Altered Ancestors (inspiremethursday). If only there enough time to play with them all.... Take a minute, look around & get inspired!

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Please note: All who leave a comment before noon (EST) Thursday June 4 will be entered into 2 random drawings: 1 is for a $20 gift certificate to my etsy shops & the other is for an ACEO. Click HERE for details

Thursday Giveaways - 1 winner & 2 NEW Giveaways!

Random.org has chosen......of 63 Unique visitors, The winner of the one of a kind Charming Snark Key is......

#37 : Thoughtcrimes!!
Woo Hoo! Congrats!

Thoughtcrimes, please contact me here or through my email (on my profile page). Your contact button on your web page is not working

Thank you to everyone who entered & special thanks to Miss Violet for her generous donation!! To see what other goodies she has created, just click on the banner below to visit her etsy shop SlyViolet

Now On With The Show!

In a bit of a rush this week so here we go: The rules are mostly the same. Just leave a comment on this blog between now & noon (EST) next Thursday June 4th to be entered in the new random drawing.

Normally there is only 1 winner. But not this week! I just noticed I've picked up my 100th follower. I am just so tickled pink that I'm offering 2 prizes!

The 1st random winner will get a $20 gift certificate for use in my etsy shops.

You can mix & match items from the shops too if you wish. Plus Free Shipping to a single address. Links to shops are here:

www.ArtSnark.etsy.com

ArtSnark has a mix of original art, jewelry & decorative objects.
Prices range from $7-$300

www.SteamDreams.etsy.com
Originally created as a venue for my gadgets & gizmos.
Just now, it has unique items for assembling your own creations.
Prices range from $4-$15

The 2nd random winner gets 1 ACEO of their choice from my ArtSnark shop!

ACEO stands for Art Cards Editions & Originals. Also known as ATCs (art trading cards). These little guys are miniature pieces of artsy goodness. They can be in any medium. The only requirement is that they measure 2.5" x 3.5".

If it turns out that random winners 1 & 2 desire the same item, I'm going to give winner #1 first pick. However, please please please make sure your contact info is correct. Either leave it in the comment OR just make sure your contact info on your blogger profile is accurate & working. I have had 2 winners so far that I've been unable to reach & am still hoping to hear from.

Good Luck & Thanks For Playing!