Mineral

I was wondering what sort of gem I could post today. It needed to pay tribute to my new new gemstone and mineral obsession and assist in mentioning my guest artist post on Rough Gems for 'Type Tuesday' tomorrow. Arriving home, coming down the path, I saw it protruding from my post-box. It was my 'Mineral' print by Karina Eibatova that I ordered from the Mammoth Collection.

I really don't have the money to be purchasing art - even an 'affordable' limited addition print. BUT - when I read 100% of the proceeds were going to Japan it seemed like a decent excuse....and my love for this print has been haunting me ever since I found it.

Long story short, I am super excited - the print is beautiful. Also, I am pretty sure you are going to like my new (gem inspired) font - so make sure and sneak over to Rough Gems tomorrow afternoon to see.

CA or bust!

Big thank you to blogger friend Pretty Little Thieves! She referred my coloring book post to Common Thread Studios in CA. Not only did they want to carry the books in their shop - they also featured them on their blog (writing such lovely things). Read the post here.
So, if you happen to be near South Pasadena, go check them out! They have a cute little shop, and a studio with industrial machines for you to work on your projects. They also offer a wide variety of sewing classes.

...(Spokane could seriously use a place like this)!

So many wonderfuls!

Eeek, it's Friday! [I can barely contain myself]

Spokane Poetry got some grand recognition in this week's Inlander! You may remember a while back my post about (a good friend and inspiring poet) Mark Anderson, and his poem "For Connor"...we'll to top that - here is him reading it. This is by far my favorite poem of his, and I still get goosebumps every time I hear it.

Luke Baumgarten (another friend) wrote an incredible article about Mark. It is so honest and inspiring. Anyone who knows Mark will tell you it is spot on. The Inlander also put together a fantastic promo video for Broken Mic at Neato Burrito...(featuring a bunch more friends [newest - Mr. Allen Duffy])...AND doesn't my Neato Burrito mural look lovely on video? Hehe.

After posting this, it made me realize how lucky I am to be surrounded by so many wonderful people doing such great things in our city! ♥

Happy Friday!

Green

When you grow up with your Birthday on St. Patrick's day there is a lot of green involved - like more than (if say) you were born on any other day of the year. That said - I got the most lovely flowers as a surprise from my Wife.

Also, I was so excited to find our cute new kitchen stools on Design Sponge today...they are super sturdy and made with reclaimed wood and steel. We are thinking of buying more!

Also - congratulations to the winners of my 100th post giveaway...you can check out all the amazing submissions here!!!

spring type

Lately I've really been enjoying Karli Ingersoll's blog - Rough Gems. She does Type Tuesdays where she posts some sort of illustrated letter-set or something written in handdrawn type. I remember loving her work back when I was just getting interested in illustration. Out of all the posters floating around Spokane Karli's were so inspiring. She really has a lovely way of working with text.

So, this morning [inspired by her], discussing over coffee - seasons, and which seeds need to be started first...without even thinking about it I begun drawing a happy spring type set:

Don't forget about my giveaway happening now! ...I think Karli will be having a 100th post giveaway as well in the next couple of days - so check her blog out.

Stir

Here's my drawing for Illustration Friday's theme Stir. When I got this week's email all I could think about was making caramel...so much stirring, but so tasty.

I also have an ongoing giveaway for my 100th Ugly Yellow post [here]. Enter before the 18th to win one of three prizes!

Have fun drawing, and maybe treat yourself to some caramels!

100th post giveaway!

Having 100 posts on a blog may not seem like a huge accomplishment, except sometimes I have a hard time sticking with the things I start. So, to celebrate this small feat it seemed like a perfect excuse to have another super fun giveaway! A little thank you to those who support my work and read my blog! 

Your entry into the contest will be a photo posted on my Facebook Art Page [here]...this is an anything goes derivative work photo contest (it sounds scary - but it is far from). At the bottom of this post you will find some links of things to play with. You have full artistic freedom - the only rule is that there must be something of mine used in some way. Your art using my art...You could post a photo of a fantastically bright coloring book page hanging on your fridge, photoshop a speech bubble on (well) anything, or you could post a photo of your dog surrounded by a swarm of bumble bees - it's up to you. The possibilities really are endless.

Post the photo before Friday March 18th 8:00pm (PST) for your chance to win one of the 3 prizes. One photo per person (so make it count)! This contest is open to anyone anywhere - so tell your friends!

Here's what you could win:

3 prizes and 3 different ways to win.
1. The winner of the custom Pet/Animal painting will be chosen by a random # generator.
2. The Coloring Book - goes to my personal favorite of the giveaway images. I will dub it "The MOST [blank]." This blank could stand for 'surprising', 'horrifying', 'happy'...we will have to wait and see!
3. The watercolor illustration - goes to whichever photo has the most "likes" (thumbs up) when the giveaway closes.


[Here] is a download link for some items to play with.

Also, I know a bunch of you have D.I.Y. tattoo ladies and things I may have given you....so feel free to use other things of mine as well (as long as it isn't too much of a stretch).

Yay! Good luck - have fun! ♥


- I am reserving the right to disqualify/delete any overly offensive or evil spirited images.