Hyde Park Sunday Market

The Dude and I were in the neighborhood dropping off some photos, so we popped over to the Hyde Park Village monthly market. I

We've been meaning to check it out for ages and were pleasantly surprised by the number and variety of vendors. Everything from fresh pasta to homemade hula hoops (& everything in between) was for sale.

But first an iced chai and cookie break at Indigo Coffee, for the latest member of the Tampa Regional Artists Association. He became official today while submitting his photograph for an upcoming show at The Old Hyde Park Art Center.

Then it was fresh Belgian waffles - yum!

Someone was getting hot and tired... and full of sweets.

                     

The market is the first Sunday of each month from 10-3. Click here for directions & details.

Oh, there is also a kids-only vendor section. They just have to sign up ahead of time and sell only items or baked goods that they've made. Do you know a creative kid in the Tampa area a who wants to sell their wares? Click here for more info.

I hope you are off to an inspiring week! If you get a chance, stop back here later this week for a new giveaway announcement. Toss your name into the hat for a chance to win the prize - I'll give you a hint: it is perfect for creative-types, as well as those who desire a bit of guidance.

Rainy Days in the Garden

day 83 sunflower bud

Florida summers are known for their heat 

day 82 monarch waiting out the rain

and we get some fantastic daily storms

day 81 rain again

our plans may get soggy

day 80 pentas and bee

(yesterday we lost 2 umbrellas to a mini-monsoon)

day 79 mimosa pudica (aka touch-me-not)

but it sure energizes the garden

day 79 rainy Sunday

in fact, the top sunflower is a "weed" 

day 78 infinite jasmine

birthed out of nowhere once the rains came

Hope you've enjoyed these damp pics from my 365 days in garden project (via iphone & instagram).  If you like, you can find more here. 

So, tell me, how does your garden grow?

Party like it s 1776

Bird of Freedom
1942 
Stow Wengenroth
Smithsonian American Art Museum,
Gift of International Business Machines Corporation, 1966.48.90

More art (and alterations) at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Flickr page.

For everything you've forgotten (or never knew) about The Declaration of Independence check out this link to the .gov archive. Lots of links to everything from Founder's bios to murals to adding your own John Hancock to a printable version of the famous page.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day! Plus a safe & happy July 4th to all partygoers!

Dude & I enter the FMoPA Members Show 2013

life

Almost 2 weeks ago the Dude & I entered some pics in the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts Members show. Here he is preparing to drop off his photograph, Paris In My Pocket, which he entered in the Travel category.

I decided to send it a couple of iphone/instagram pictures. The top one in the digital category- the show has a screen where they rotate the images. And this little fellow in portraits:

A couple of days later we checked out opening night & voted for our faves for the "people's choice" award. There were lots of fun photos submitted, a variety of styles on a range of interesting topics.  Photographers were encouraged to be flexible in their interpretations of the eight categories, so a really interesting mix.

In addition to the people's choice award. There were awards for Best of Show, plus a winner and honorable mention in each category - these were determined by a panel of three judges. 

While the Dude was briefly disappointed to not win, he was very encouraged by one of the FMoPA staff members who  hung the show. She told him that he was one of only two young people to have ever had their work in the museum's members shows over the years. That cheered him up quite a bit and now he wants to enter the Tampa Regional Artists photography show this weekend. 

I was surprised to learn that my sprouting bean photo (top image) received honorable mention in the digital category - woo! I didn't expect anything but submitted just to "get back out there" and to give the Dude some solidarity and encouragement. 

I've been putting off this blog post, hoping FMOPA would release a list of the winners so I could link up. Nothing yet, but when they do I will come back and add a link.

This show will be up through July 28. Two other fascinating exhibitions are going on through September, the New Visions Contemporary Artists series & Edward S. Curtis' historic photogravures of Native Americans. Both are worth checking out. The Dude & his Dad especially enjoyed the Curtis images. 

FMoPA is located in Downtown Tampa at 400 Ashley Drive.  Click here for hours & directions.

By the way, my instagram account is http://instagram.com/artsnark

We have a winner!

Lucky Frog Kite by Wayan Suteja

Can you believe it is almost July? 

The summer is flying by here.

I am amazed that is is already time to announce the lucky winner of a $50 gift certificate to Novica.com. Let's take a peek into the magic mirror.....

'Carenlian Butterfly Sky' reverse painted glass mirror by Gelacio Giron

drum roll please.....

wood djembe drum 'Sword of Justice' by Ernestina Oppong Asante

Actually, the winner was selected using random.org.... 

And the winner is....

Heather Christopher

Congratulations, Heather! I will contact you today with instructions for claiming your prize.

Many thanks to he folks at  Novica for sponsoring this fun random drawing! 

And great big thank yous to everyone who entered. Be sure to check back soon for a new prize announcement. (hint, hint: it is a good one - something for you crafty types!)

Disclaimer: Novica.com is giving me a $50 gift certificate for hosting this random drawing. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

Inking continues & Etsy shop interview

Just a quick phone snap or two - sorry for the poor quality pics. Finished up the Leviathan inking today. It will cure overnight and then get several lacquer coats tomorrow if the weather holds

If you have a few minutes, my Etsy shop has a fun feature over at the Time Traveler's Shops blog. In a fun series of interviews Jill Merrill (no relation), owner of etsy shop Creaturosities, talks to Etsy shops (not the owners, the actual shops) and teases out their personalities. She is a perceptive host and entertaining writer, and it was a lovely surprise to find out about this blog post today - Thanks , Jill! 

Click here if you'd like to check it out.

I've got to run but 1st a quick note - there is still time to enter the random drawing that I am hosting for Novica.com. 1 lucky winner will be picked to receive a $50 gift certificate on 6/30. Entries are low, so your odds are pretty good. Just leave a comment to enter once. (Please leave an email if it isn't in your profile.). For a second entry, share the drawing on Twitter or Facebook & then return here to say that you did. Here is the link to the original giveaway post that explains everything.

WOYWW - pyrography tattoos & sea monsters

Whaddya know - it is What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday! I'm still tinkering with items for the steampunk undersea cabinet of curiosities. 

Today I'm coloring  in this wooden artist hand with beasties inspired by Jules Verne's classic book Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea.

"The monster did exist, and he had sworn to rid the seas of it."

Photo below was taken before coloring. I like to use a wood burning tool to draw the lines first.

Next up will be some armor and accessories for this sculpey mermaid.

... and she glows in the dark!

Thanks for checking out my desk. Want to share what you are playing with? Or get a peek at other folk's works in progress? Hop on over to the Stamping Ground blog where you will find links to all kinds of crafty goodness.

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Before you go - leave a comment to be entered into a random drawing for a $50 gift certificate to Novica.com. Winner to be selected on 6/30. (Please leave an email address if it isn't in your profile. Novica needs this to issue the gift certificate.)

Want a second entry? Click here to find out how to get your name in the hat twice. You'll also find more info about Novica with links to all sorts of goodies.