11/28/14
Enter to win $10 Michaels Gift Card - ends 12/11
9/22/11
We Have A Winner!
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| Snowy Owl Lace earrings from Decadent Delusion on Etsy.com |
4/22/11
We have 2 New Winners!!!
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| blank book, notecards & decor/growing book |
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| The Black Ibis, Book 1 by Bethalynn Bejema |
11/18/10
We have a winner of the framed "Secrets" print
6/17/10
Enter to win a Custom Printed Vinyl Banner!

DigitalRoom offers a smooth banner printing experience. The website is easy to use, turn around time is fast, the quality is top notch & if you need any help they have excellent customer service. (They've printed some greeting cards & business cards for me in the past that I am very happy with).
6/3/10
And The Winner of Ma & Pa DeathHead is.....
Ma & Pa Death Head double portrait mosaic by LuRuWhile visiting, she generously offered to sponsor a Thursday Giveaway. All who commented in the the last 2 weeks (with USA addresses) were entered into a random drawing for this fun Ma & Pa Dios de los Muertos mosaic. Today Random.org selected the winner.....

I will contact you today with info on how to claim your prize
And thank you to everyone who took the time to leave a comment! It is your interest that keeps these giveaways going. Please pop back later today to enter the new random drawing (for some great jewelry) which will be held on 6/17.
In the meantime, on Saturday 6/5 one lucky winner will receive a new copy of Cloth Paper Scissors Studios Magazine (summer 2010 issue). Just leave a comment before 1 a.m. (EST) on 6/5 to enter. Click Here for details.
1/7/10
Visit with Steve Loya & enter to win a copy of the Splotch Monster Compendium VOl 1
I also love the way he plays with the page, sometimes allowing his colors & shapes to roam free, other times mixing the abstract and realistic.
Steve has just opened an online shop, GoFlyingTurtle.etsy.com. As you enjoy this post, click on any of the images to visit the shop. He is still adding inventory, so some of these great pictures are not yet listed. If you see an image you are interested in, just drop him an etsy convo or leave a comment on 1 of his blogs and he'll get back to you. His main blog is GoFlyingTrtl.blogspot.com and his art only blog is SteveLoyaArt.blogspot.com.
By the way, Steve is also the latest Thursday Giveaway sponsor. He has generously donated a softcover copy of his book A Splotch Monster Compendium Volume 1, a splotch monster postcard and an ATC to one very lucky winner. See bottom of this post for details.
SL: After lots of drawing in college, I abandoned doing visual art for almost seven years. Looking back now, I can't believe it, but at least I started drawing again, getting back into art slowly but surely. Sadly enough, a lot of people let their love of drawing and art-making fall by the wayside, which is all too easy to do.
SL: I can thank the encouragement of some friends as well as the internet for making me want to get creating again.. Plus, being an art teacher, it seemed kind of hypocritical to not also be making some of my own work as well. I'm still highly influenced by wildlife and animals, as well as more fantastical subject matter.
SL: After several years of consistently participating on Illustration Friday, I found it kept me on track as far as creating at least one little work a week, even if it wasn't so good. This kept me on a schedule, and keeping a blog kept me in check. This year, I want to move in a newer and somewhat different direction, taking off the I.F. training wheels and working larger, incorporating my own subject matter into paintings, etc. I've built up of a wealth of work in my sketchbooks over the years that I'd now like to translate into more serious, more developed works.
SL: I'll still be making fun, little pieces as well, including my Splotch Monsters, which I just started to sell at my new Etsy shop - something my wife Kris put me up to doing by the first of the New Year. In many ways, she's also a big influence on my work, always encouraging and inspiring me to create.
Hey, Steve - so glad you could stop by & share with us today. Many thanks! Also, thank you for donating a collection of your playful creatures to next Thursday's random drawing. On 1/14 one lucky winner will receive a softcover copy of this entertaining book, 1 splotch monster postcard and 1 ATC. The book measures 7" x 7" and consists of 50 pages on premium quality paper. You can get a sneak peek at the colorful critters inside by clicking here.
Readers, to enter this random drawing simply leave a comment before 1 a.m. (EST) on 1/14. Just make sure your contact info is in your blog profile or comment in case you're the winner. This giveaway is open worldwide with free shipping.
Where else can you find Steve's art?
Main Blog:http://goflyingtrtl.blogspot.com/
Art Only Blog: http://steveloyaart.blogspot.com/
New Etsy Shop: http://www.goflyingturtle.etsy.com
For A Splotch Monster Compendium Vol 1:http://www.blurb.com/books/1023323
Also, if you pop back here on Saturday, Steve will be giving a tour of his studio space. So be sure to come back on 1/9 & see where he exercises his imagination. Here's Link To Studio Tour
12/31/09
Enter to win $25 Gift Certificate to LucySweetLucy + Visit with Mixed Media Artist Jodi Ohl
I want to take a minute to once again thank all of the generous sponsors who donated prizes this year. Many of these sponsors have also shared photos of their fantastic creations as well as their thoughts on life and art. It has been a real pleasure getting to know more about each and every one of you. (Enter applause here).
I also want to thank all the readers who stop & take the time to leave a comment. Most of the featured artists have told me just how much your words have meant to them. We get so busy with our lives, families, day jobs, online shops, marketing and then finally studio time. It doesn't always leave a lot of time (or energy) to seek out (much needed) feedback on the art. I have had many featured artists tell me that your comments gave them a much needed energy boost. So, c'mon people keep all that positive energy flowing!
Today's Featured Artist and prize sponsor is the talented Jodi Ohl of LucySweetLucy on Etsy. Jodi is one of the first artists I met in the etsy forums. I was immediately impressed by her sweet temperament and fearless nature. She inspires me more than she knows. I love her art and the way she uses color to express emotion. But I really admire the fact that when she wants something she actively pursues it. Her art and tutorials have appeared in numerous magazines (she is in the current issue of Cloth Paper Scissors). She teaches both live & online workshops. And also has a booth at various art fairs. (I have always been more of a dreamer than a doer - I'd like to be more like Jodi if I ever grow up.)
Jodi, what would you like share about yourself and your art today?
J.O: Most of my work is whimsical in nature, bold, colorful, fun, and deeply textured there's also underlying journal writing and themes that connect my personal life with my dreams, desires, struggles and aspirations. I look for the positive in everything even on the days I'm down or not feeling as energetic as normal, I know that once I pick up a brush and lay down some color, the world will look brighter when I'm finished.
Go Online:
Store - LucySweetLucy.etsy.com
Blog - SweetRepeats.blogspot.com
Online Workshop - Fun With Faux Encaustic
You can also sign up for her new artsy newsletter
If you find yourself in North Carolina:
Swank Coffee Shop and Handmade Market in Southern Pines, NC
Circa Gallery in Asheboro, NC
Fayetteville Museum of Art, Fayetteville, NC
Fine Tracery in Pinehurst, NC
She will also be teaching a Jerry's Artarama Work Shop "in the village" in Raleigh NC on March 7th.
And if you stop back here on Saturday, Jodi is giving us a tour of her new studio space. Hope to see you then! Happy New Year, Everyone!
12/24/09
Enter To Win A Copy Of Diary 2010
Hello again! How are you today?
If you are looking for today's winner of the Jennifer Stano print click here
Some of you may remember I've already hosted a giveaway for 1 of these in November. If you didn't win that time around, why not try again?
To enter the random drawing which will be held on 12/31, simply leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) next Thursday. Please make sure your contact info is either in your profile or comment in case you win. This contest is open worldwide with free shipping.
This unique day-planner/diary is the brainchild of fashion designer/photographer Lucy Baribeau from Fantayza. She sent out a call to artists, seeking original work for each page of the Diary. Hundreds of artists worldwide responded. I heard of the project through Norwegian artist/blogger Ewian and had a lot of fun illustrating 3 different pages.
If you'd like to find out more about this fantastic project & read an interview with Lucy, visit this blogpost from November 10. You can also find out more about Lucy, her projects & original creations at these online locations: (By the way, she sells copies of Diary 2010 in her etsy shop)
Website - http://www.fantazya.ca
On Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/shop/fantazya
Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantazyafantazies/
Diary 2010 - http://www.fantazya.ca/diary2010.html
Blog - http://fantazya2.blogspot.com
I hope you enjoy visiting Lucy's world! But 1st remember to leave a comment here in order to enter next week's random drawing for 1 free copy of Diary 2010.
Final Note Today
12/21/09
Enter To Win Custom Printed Postcards Of Your Design
I've got something for you today. Remember those great guys over at Uprinting.com?

They've generously offered to sponsor another giveaway. This time I'll be hosting a random drawing on January 1st 2010. 1 lucky winner will receive 100 custom printed postcards of their very own design. These 4" x 6" postcards will be printed in 4 colors, both sides on glossy 14pt cardstock.
Think of all the possibilities! You could make Thank You cards, Invitations, Announcements. The list goes on & on. For hosting this giveaway, Uprinting is kindly giving me 100 postcards as well. I'm going to print some copies of Red's Walk to give away with Etsy sales, to friends, etc.
Please note, Uprinting.com states that winner will be responsible for shipping charge.
12/17/09
Enter to win a free glicee print from featured artist Jennifer Stano
Jennifer creates energetic pieces in a variety of mediums. Sometimes paints, sometimes collage yet always bursting with bold colors and gestures. You can view her vibrant artwork in her online shop CoatofPaint.etsy.com as well as on her blog, coatofpaintstudio.blogspot.com. Some of the pieces featured here are available in her Etsy shop. Click on the images for details.
Also, If you're in Northfield Minnesota, you can view her painting Pink Lotus at the Northfield Arts Guild through Jan. 2nd.
Jennifer is also the newest Thursday Giveaway sponsor. More about that at the bottom of this post. In the meantime, I'm going to step aside & let her tell you a bit about her life and art.
JS: In terms of my artistic inspiration, I’m constantly moved by the beauty of the natural world and horses in particular. My earliest art was drawings of horse based on photos I cut from magazines. In college, I returned to this subject matter for my senior art show, which was a series of oil paintings I did from sketches of the horses in my barn.
JS: I was also very influenced by the time I spent in Italy during college. I was lucky enough to live in Florence and study art in a traditional atelier where we did life drawings from models who posed for 2 week sessions. This time gave me a great respect for the history and tradition on which much of our current techniques are based.
by Jennifer Stano
JS: Currently, I’m doing a series of oil paintings that are very inspired by the abstract impressionist movement. There is no predetermined subject matter, and the process is very direct and physical. I tend to work fast in the preliminary phase and I seek to capture that energy on the canvas without a lot of premeditation so it’s more of an unconscious process of putting a mark down and responding to that mark in an organic way. The painting itself determines what it will become and I just have to make sure I don’t get in the way.
JS: Though I’m primarily an oil painter, at the moment my Etsy shop is heavily weighted towards my watercolor work because I find the scale conducive to online sales and print production.
A Storm Is Gathering by Jennifer Stano
JS: I’ve also started doing some photography and I hope to have a series of fine art photography note card released soon. There are always so many ideas and not enough hours in the day!
Keep those ideas coming, Jennifer! Your dynamic pieces have a lively organic feel to them. And thanks so much for stopping by today so share your art & thoughts!
So, Readers, would you like to own 1 of of Jennifer's colorful creation? Well here's your chance. She has generously donated an 8 x 10 glicee print of her acrylic painting It All Starts With An Acorn for next Thursday's random drawing.
It All Starts With An Acorn by Jennifer StanoThanks to everyone who stops in & enters. It is your enthusiasm that keeps these contests & artist features going. If you're in the bloggy neighborhood next weekend please pop by - Jennifer is kindly giving us a tour of her art studio. Won't it be fun to see where she works her magic?
Also if you have any interest in sponsoring a Thursday Giveaway, sharing your art & thoughts with ArtSnark readers or showing off your creative space, please let me know (my email is in my profile). I'm searching for a variety of visual artists to feature in 2010.
12/10/09
Win a $10 Gift Certificate to GardenDelightsArts on Etsy!
But thanks to Melange teammates (& Etsy artists) Heidi Rand of GardenDelightsArts and Brenda Lynn of ManicMenagerie the show will go on!! Thanks guys!
I know I've mentioned the Etsy Melange Team before, usually when I enter their online art challenges. For anyone not "in the know", Etsy sellers can join various teams for camaraderie & promotion. One of my favorites is the Melange Team. This supportive group of mixed media artists also has a blog, MelangeOnEtsy. There you can find art challenges every other Wednesday (open to anyone working in mixed media, the current prompt is Black & White-click here to enter or view entries in the comments), tutorials, book reviews, and Team Member Interviews.
December's team interview was written by Brenda Lynn & the Guest Artist is Heidi Rand. Since I don't have a new featured artist today, I'd like to direct you to that blog post. So Click Here for an in depth interview with artist Heidi Rand of GardenDelightsArts.
Next Thursday I'll randomly pick 1 winner from comments left on my blog. That lucky winner will get a $10 Gift Certificate to Heidi's Etsy Shop, GardenDelightsArts.etsy.com plus free shipping. To enter, just leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 12/18. This random drawing is open worldwide.....See, its easy peasy.
Heidi has a variety of fascinating items in her etsy shop. You can click on any photo in this post for more info on the item. From Heidi's Etsy profile:
HR: I am a nature photographer. I print my original photos on fabric to create vases, purses, scarves, sachets, pillows, and much more. I also use transfer techniques for my mixed media creations, and to adorn wooden treasure boxes, tiles, etc. I revel in exploring innovative processes for printing and creating art. I teach art workshops in the East Bay of the San Francisco bay area.
Heidi also designs her own fabric patterns. She has printed some of her fabric designs through Spoonflower.com.
She also has an E-book available, A Step By Step Guide to Printing on Fabric With An Inkjet Printer
You can also find Heidi online at gardendelightsarts.com where she has links to her art, online shops and blog, as well as information on the Art Workshops that she teaches.


















































