This Artist of the Month is holding a new giveaway

At the Old Hyde Park Arts Center Tampa, FL

Until the 11/30 I have a few pieces hanging over at the Old Hyde Park Art Center in Tampa. It is a cute building from the late 1800s that has been home to the Tampa Realistic Artists (now theTampa Regional Artists) since the 1960s. They offer workshops, exhibits, monthly competitions and lots of other activities for local artists.

Not the best photo above - sorry about that. It was taken with an older phone. I'll pop by with a camera next week once the Art In A Garden show is up.

If you are in the Tampa area & have some garden-themed art, why not stop in this weekend and drop off a few pieces? There is a small entry fee & it's a juried show.You could win!  Find out more on the TRA Facebook page or by calling (813) 251-3780. Alternatively you can download their latest newsletter here: tamparealisticartists.com, under the "About TRA" section (please note, though that other parts of the website are a bit outdated).

Red's Escape

On other fronts - I am testing new printers and have decided to hold another giveaway .... And there will be 2 winners - woo hoo!

You have until 1 a.m. (EST) on 12/1 to enter this random drawing. Simply leave a comment on my blog before then and your name goes into the hat.

Each lucky winner will receive a print their favorite item. To make things more interesting, they can have a print of any pieces found:

1) in my shop ArtSnark.etsy.com (in the sold section is okay too), 

2) in my DeviantArt gallery or 

3) on this blog. There are several that I've posted here which haven't made it to the etsy shop yet

Night Music

As always, thanks for playing! Your interest (& comments) are what keep the giveaways flowing. Good Luck!

I guess it's gonna rain today

I'm testing a new printing co. & hope to have some fresh digital art in my artsnark etsy shop very soon,  including this one which needs a new name. Any suggestions?

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By the way, you have until 1 am (EST) on Nov3 to leave a comment & enter Black Baroque's fantastic random drawing. Tomorrow I'll pick 2 winners from those who have kindly commented on this blog since Oct. 20th. The lucky duo will each take home their fave print from BlackBaroque.etsy.com. Click Here for  a visit with the artist behind this fun shop, Alexandra Wolf.

New ACEOs

Stay ACEO

Been crazy busy today - but stole a few minutes to list some new mini-art prints in the ArtSnark etsy shop.

The Blues ACEO

They are all professionally prints of my original mixed media paintings & drawings. All are enhanced with markers and inks, then finished with a UV resistant protective coat.

The Kiss ACEO

For more info, just click the captions. Like all of my ACEOs they are only $4 and ship free worldwide.

--------What is an ACEO?--------

ACEO stands for Art Card Edition and Original. They are always 3.5" x 2.5". It's a great way to collect art from your favorite artists without breaking the bank.

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By the way, there are still a few more days to enter the random drawing for a pair of white lace owl earrings from The House Of Decadent Delusion. Simply leave a comment before  9/22 to enter. Click here to see earrings & catch an interview with the designer.

Last chance to enter ACEO giveaway - Ends 7/28

Night Sky Diver ACEO

Hey there. How is your week going?

I still need to post the Greek mythology Art trading card that came in from my Creative Souls swap partner. Pop back in a few days & I'll share it then. But right now I have oodles of fun stuff to chatter about.

Dream Girl ACEO

My wonderful husband surprised us with a mini-vacation - 3 days of fun in the sun .... rounded out with a trip to the Lego Store for our resident brick fiend. A grand time was had by all! But... I fell behind on a few things, including listing dozens of ACEOs in my ArtSnark etsy shop.

October Country ACEO

So, I am cramming today - filling my virtual shelves with mini-prints for tomorrow's ACEO giveaway. 22 listed so far with more to come. Click here to visit the ACEO section of my shop. You can also click the links under each image for more info on that piece.

Fever Dreams ACEO

Have you entered the random drawing yet? One lucky winner takes home their favorite ACEO from my shop. To enter the drawing, simply leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST). Please leave your email if your contact info isn't in your profile. 

They're Here ACEO

Looks like I'm posting 3 times tomorrow - (1) to announce the winner of this giveaway, (2) to share the new Thursday Giveaway prize & (3) I am participating in Seth Apter's Buried Treasure Collaboration.

The Altered Page

I have to agree with Seth's comment ..."So Many Blogs, So Little Time...". To make your blog hopping a little easier (or at least more fruitful), he has asked participants to re-post their favorite blogposts on 7/28 and send him linkies. So tomorrow go to thealteredpage.blogspot.com for links  to oodles of prime reading material!

Well, I've got to run. More listing to do. Hope you have a fantastic day!

Wordless Wednesday - Shhh....

Shhhh... available at ArtSnark.Etsy.com

inspired by Wordless Wednesday

25% off all art in my shops through Cyber Monday

Blue Dryad, sale price $30

I'm having a Black Friday -  Cyber Monday sale. 

The Messenger polaroid transfer tile, sale price $7.50

Everything in both of my art shops is 25% off through midnight on Monday 11/29. Some items also have free shipping.

Blue Eyes, polaroid transfer + mat, sale price $11.25

On ArtSnark.ArtFire.com the discount has already been calculated & pieces have sale prices on them.

The Mysterious Case Of Dr. Varulv, sale price $18.75

Etsy doesn't have an easy sale system set up yet, so when shopping ArtSnark.Etsy.com use the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY2010 to get 25% off your order.

Ship Of Fools, sale price $18.75

Click on a caption to visit the listings shown here. Also, if there's anything you've seen on this blog that isn't in the shops, just drop me a note. There are several pieces I still need to list one of these days.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend! 

By the way, have you entered my random drawing for a print from BlackBaroque on Etsy? If not, leave a comment before next 1 a.m. (EST) next Thursday (12/2) & you are entered. For details & for an interview with the artist, click here.

ArtSnark on Artfire finally opened + Tampa Portrait show

http://www.artsnark.artfire.com/

How have you been? Life has been keeping me away from the computer lately (nice change to be honest). I did manage to put a few items in the ArtSnark Artfire shop. Don't have much time to promote (or create) art lately but decided to move the eggs into a few new baskets. ArtSnark.Etsy.com is still open.

I hope to reopen ColorTheSky.Etsy.com this week. There are a bunch of Christmas/winter themed stickers, stamps & other supplies I keep meaning to destash.

Have to get moving - dropping off some Steampunk portraits for a local group show this afternoon, including the whimsical Wenchie & a few others from my ongoing Rogues Gallery series.

"Trust Me" portrait of Wenchie

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. If you haven't yet entered the new random drawing for a Black Baroque art print, leave a comment & you're in. Click here for details + an interview with the sponsor, artist Alexandra Wolf. 

Enter to win a framed print "Secrets"

Welcome to part 2 of today's post - the new Thursday Giveaway.

Part 1 detailed a Call To Artists. Mixed media artist, Seth Apter is seeking folks who would like to submit their thoughts & artwork to his new book, The Artist's Pulse, which will be published by Northern Light Books in 2012. Click here to read Part 1 or here to go directly to the Call for Entries.

Now on with the show! 

I'm holding a random drawing for a framed print of Secrets. I posted the original here almost a year ago. I am testing some new papers & having a few copies printed up. I will choose the best one and frame in the same style (the distressed frame with metal key) as the original.

The final piece will look very similar this one but wont be exact. It measures approximately 8" x 10".

To Enter: Simply leave a comment on my blog before 1a.m. (EST) on 11/18. Make sure you leave your email if it isn't in your profile. Yep, it is that easy. On 11/18 I'll pick a random winner. This drawing is open worldwide and ships free to the lucky winner.

Thanks for entering this random drawing. It has been a while & I  always have fun doing one of these. Keep checking back as I will be hosting a couple of giveaways each month.

"Secrets" Revealed. Ships free worldwide

Secrets

"There is more to be feared from a closed mind than closed doors" -Frank Tyger

Finally got around to framing this piece from last Wednesday. The drawing in mounted under a hidden acid free mat that keeps it from touching the glass. Rustic frame & metal key are sprayed with a clear finishing coat. Whole thing measures just under 8" x 10" and is ready to hang. Available now in my ArtSnark etsy shop with free shipping worldwide. Click on image for more details.

While we're talking about Secrets, who the heck was Frank Tyger? I went off on a googling tangent today to find out more about the man behind so many quotes. Found a dead Wiki page & this on yahoo. He may have been a reporter in NJ, he may just be a cover for misc unattributed quotations..... the man remains a mystery. I challenge you to find out what you can about the elusive Frank Tyger. If you come up with anything, please share. I do love a good mystery!

2 Lucky Winners Today! Who will it be???

Hey, Hey - It is time for Thursday's Giveaway

This week 2 winners will each get $10 gift certificates to spend in my Etsy shops

&

So, with some help from random.org - the winners are:

The Decorated House

&

Kimba

Congrats, guys! I'll be in touch later today to tell you how to collect your prizes.

Thanks to everyone who left a comment & entered this giveaway! Pop back in later today to see the new Thursday Giveaway prize, which has been generously donated by another artist from Etsy.

Musical Monday's Muse - Heartbreak PLUS Mixed Media Monday

Dang, That is a lot of Ms today!

Good Monday too you! Not trying to bring anybody down but Musical Monday's theme this week is Heartbreaker. Click the button to hear some more woeful tunes or add 1 of your own.

Got a workmate who is just too darn chipper for a Monday? Send them the link too ;-)

Worn Out

I notice that Maternal Spark is sporting a new look this week - very snazzy. Click through to find Monday's Muse, where the question is always "What's inspiring you this week?"

Originally I had a long fussy post about my Etsy Inventory Angst - toomuchstufftoadd&itisallsodifferentsowheretoputit - Blech!

But then I saw that Mixed Media Monday challenge today is Round , which is so much more fun than my whinging! So here's mine.

3rd Eye Mixed Media Pendant

If you hold pendant up to your eye this is the view

Clicking on the either photo will take you to the pendant's Etsy listing . There you'll find photos from other angles & more info about the piece.

To see more cool circles or to add your own just visit the comments section of today's Mixed Media Monday post.

Also, if you'd like to enter this Thursday's Giveaway, just leave a comment. 1 random winner gets a package of craft supplies. Click HERE for list & photo of prize.

New Wall Sticker Giveaway for 2 Winners PLUS "Naughty" challenge piece

You know you have your secrets....

This week's Mix it up with Melange prompt is Naughty. Now how fun is that!

I'm entering this secrets journal. It was inspired by an antique french postcard. Originally the woman was made into a watercolor & rubber stamped art trading card. I scanned the card & altered it in my ancient copy of photoshop elements. After printing on petal inclusive paper, I embellished with pencils, watercolor, & metallic paint. I then burned the edges - guess she was a little too hot ( sorry couldn't resist).

Final piece was treated with a UV-resistant finish & then adhered to a blank book. This journal is available in the ArtSnark etsy shop with Free Shipping, by the way.

To see other Naughty pieces or add your own sometime this week, click here & go to Melange blog comments.

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New Random Drawing will have 2 Lucky Winners!

Yes, Tomorrow is still Thursday Giveaways - tomorrow I'll I post 2 winners of the custom greeting card giveaway and announce the prize for a new drawing. Today though I want to share another contest that is just too cool to wait:

The generous folks over at OnlinePosterPrinting.com are offering 24" square custom printed wall stickers to 2 random winners. These stick to a variety of surfaces & can be repositioned (like the Fat Head stickers you may have see advertised on TV).


OnlinePosterPrinting prints your custom photo, pattern or artwork onto special adhesive fabric that will stick to any flat surface. It is printed with the same details that you would get in a regular poster print so is perfect for whatever image you choose.

I'll be ordering one for myself. I'm thinking about enlarging one of my smaller art pieces, maybe Wallflower or The Sinister Gentleman (the originals are hanging over at Arts On 9th but you can see them HERE.) Or maybe a cropped Hot House Flower:

I'll have to think about it....

To Enter: Leave a comment sharing what you would do with a giant wall sticker of your own design. I know you've got some great ideas - can't wait to hear them!

2 winners will be randomly selected on Sunday September 13th. The following week, OnlinePosterPrinting will award winners via email. They'll send coupon codes & directions for claiming the prize.

This contest is open to US residents only & shipping fees apply.

So, c'mon - what will you do with a big Custom Printed Wall Sticker if you win?

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A reminder that there is still time to enter 2 other random drawings on my blog. There will be two winners per random drawing. Feel free to enter both drawings. Click to see details & enter:

The giveaway for 250 CUSTOM GREETING CARDS ends tomorrow at noon (EST).

The giveaway for 500 CUSTOM BUSINESS CARDS ends 9/10.

IF - Magnify + new ATC

Got My Eye On You

I'm submitting this necklace (something a little different) for this week's Illustration Friday challenge. The prompt today is a fun one - Magnify. A print of my charcoal drawing rests in a silverplate pendant & is covered it with a magnifying cabochon and faux tears. (available at ArtSnark.etsy.com) To see more interpretations on the Magnify theme or add your own, just click the prompt.

Lots of challenges/swaps with deadlines of the 31st so I'll be trying to knock a few out this weekend. This art trading card is for a Lazy Days Of Summer swap over at OutsiderArtists.

poppet holiday atc

I based it on a "Circus Doll" stock photo by Mizzd-stock on Deviant Art. If you haven't seen her stock images, they are outstanding. I highly recommend them.

We were given trading partners & I was paired with mixed media/collage artist Jann Clark. Poppet Holiday is a bit of a tribute to all of the wonderful big haired ladies she creates. You can check out what Jann's up to lately over at her blog, ForeverJann. Can't wait to see what she sends me - I'll be sure to share it here.

Well, I have to get back to work. But first a reminder that I've got 2 different giveaways going on right now. Each random drawing will have 2 winners:

The 1st pair of winners (picked next Thursday) each get 250 custom greeting cards - Click HERE for details.

The 2nd set of winners will be picked on Sept. 10th & they get 500 custom business cards each- details HERE

Thanks for stopping in. Hope to see you tomorrow for Studio Tour Saturday. I'm planning to feature a new artist's studio/workspace every weekend. If you'd like to schedule your creative space for a stop on the "virtual tour", there are open slots in October onward. Just let me know either in comments or use the email in my profile.

"Here Be Dragons" for Melange quote challenge

When I was a child I loved maps, the older & more exotic the better.


My favorite parts were the edges,


sometimes covered with fantastic drawings of creatures from Beyond.


There you would find the magic words ....

HC SVNT DRACONES : Here Be Dragons


I spent last weekend rereading Moby Dick (1 of my favorites)


and started making a map for the Melange challenge

Then decided I'd rather make an adventurer's box. Travel sized (2.5" sq x 2" H) for a small compass perhaps. Eventually I dumped the compass in favor of some trinkets an explorer might carry.


A tiny bottle of earth from home. Another filled with treasures for his love. A seeing "stone ", actually abalone. A figure he's been whittling. I'm not sure if I should leave the pin or not.....

It still needs some finishing touches. The abalone needs some roughing up. I need to replace the red sculpey with "wax" once I find the mislaid cork. I'm also missing a brass pin on the box front . Once finished, I'll add it to my ArtSnark etsy shop.

Find links to other fun quotable artworks in the Melange Team comment section HERE. While you are visiting, check out their new prompt, FLIGHT. Play along if you like, all mixed media pieces are welcome!

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Just a reminder, tomorrow is a new Thursday Giveaway. This week's prize is a $10 gift card to Michael's Craft stores. Just leave a comment here before noon (EST) tomorrow 8/20 to enter the random drawing. Click HERE for details & link to store locator.

Also, tomorrow afternoon I have a new artist interview & prize, so check back when you get a chance, okay? In the meantime, hope you have a creative day!

5 pieces at Arts On 9th

Hey there. How was your weekend? Keep forgetting to mention I've a few pieces hanging over at Arts on 9th in Tampa. It's a very cool space located in the Ybor City part of town. If you're in the area, please pop in & look around. I would love to hear what you think.

Pieces over there are

Poe's Muse Box

In Fieri

A Sinister Gentleman

Wallflower

&

Red's Walk

Sorry about the weak photo of Red's piece. It is too washed out. I took some new ones after framing but seem to have lost them in the computer somewhere...

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a great night. Catch you tomorrow for Musical Monday!

P.S. Don't forget about Thursday's Giveaway. This week's prize is a $10 giftcard to Michaels craft stores. Just leave a comment before noon (EST) 8/20 to enter the random drawing. For contest details & store locator link click HERE