WW: Painting

Pay It Forward

When I saw this post on Meagan's blog, I thought it would be a fun way to interact with my readers.

Here are the details... Pay it forward. 

 Within 3 months I’ll create something unique to share with the first three people to comment on this post. But, in order to receive your present you have to play along. Spread the love on your own blog promising to send a little special something to the first three people who comment on your post. You get 72 hours (that's 3 days people) to re-post, or I’ll have to move on to the next person. Please only comment if you’re willing to pay it forward! Who doesn't love getting mail? Especially when it's "just because" mail! If you love getting goodies in your mailbox and enjoy spreading joy to others, be one of the first 3 to comment below (if you're a noreplyblogger, you're automatically out). 

Who's up for some fun mail?

Father's Day Give Away

With Father’s Day just a few short weeks away, do you know what you’re going to get the special man in your life?

Here’s an idea. 

Holly, owner of Holly Robertson Photography, is offering one of her new prints from her “Strings” series to one of YOU lucky readers!

Isn’t it lovely?
Holly is not only a wonderful photographer, but also a fellow blogger. Head over to her blog to say hello!

So what are you waiting for?!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Just this once

Yesterday Aaron and I made our way downtown to TroyFest. It's a little arts and crafts festival that they have here every year. I love looking at all the interesting artwork and hand made furniture that the vendors bring. Yesterday I was obsessing over these beautifully crafted pastel colored bird houses, but there were none in my price range, so we moved on.
I bought Adelei a pair of bloomers with our school Mascot's logo embroidered on them, but other than that, we just bought food :)

I absolutely LOVE street food, and I'd be lying if I said that wasn't the main reason that I wanted to go. There were SO many choices. Too many choices, really, for my indecisive husband and I to choose from. We got the classic chili dog with fries, and quickly realized that although it was really good, we wished we would have gotten something else. Not long after we ate our lunch, Aaron decided it would practically be a sin to go to a festival and not get a funnel cake. And so we did. Only while we were in line for a funnel cake we saw that they ALSO sold deep fried oreos.
Folks, if you've never tried a deep fried oreo, you are seriously missing out. Heaven in your mouth. This is not a lie.
We didn't even finish it all before I felt like I was going into a sugar coma [I know, not good for the baby, but I just couldn't help it!] However, I kept seeing people walking around with Italian Ice. Not that crappy blended ice stuff, but the real, gourmet looking kind. I just couldn't do it. I wanted it so bad, though. We quickly decided that we would have to go back on Sunday to get lunch, and satisfy once and for all our street food fix until next year.
So that's exactly what we did today.
We headed back downtown for lunch and ended up getting the best grilled chicken [on a stick] that I have ever tasted in my entire life, ribbon fries, and of course...Italian Ice.
I chose the Blue Raspberry flavor and it was so delicious that it made me sad to eat the last bite.
Yes, I am a food-a-holic.

New prints and a Coupon Code

Today has been a very, very busy day.

After running around like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to get all this stuff figured out for my internship, I finally had time to add some new things to my etsy.

I added a TON of new prints to the shop and here are just a few:
Go check them out!
And from now until January 10th, you can get 10% off any PRINT in my shop by using the code PRINT10.

Hope ya'll are having a great week!

Craft Fair::Day 2

While I think most of Jamie's readers know me through my blog, some of you newbies probably don't. My name is Sara and I'm awesome. I also share my awesome with the world at my blog- Sara's Organized Chaos but I also make stuff. That's right- you can own a little piece of my awesome! Lucky duck. My Etsy shop is called ScrapinSara's Gifts because I'm scrappy and my name is Sara. So clever I am...

But I got started in scrapbooking about ten years ago and have gradually become addicted to paper and ribbon. I'm not ashamed to say I own paper and ribbon because it's pretty and I have no plans to use it. I have done cards and scrapbooks for friends and family for the last few years for some extra money but started my Etsy shop almost two years ago. I don't have the time or the resources to really promote my shop like some hardcore shops are doing so I am mostly word of mouth. I like making things for people and I put a lot of time into all of my projects.

The big thing with me is that I really believe you need to put some effort into gifts. I really dislike it when people just put something in a gift bag because it feels half assed and where's the fun in that? I support Etsy shops because you know what you are giving someone is handmade, it's going to be unique, and it shows you put some thought into it. But I am also a big mail sender. I'm pretty sure I alone am keeping the post office in my town going. I am sending cards and handwritten notes to friends and family all of the time, with or without reason. I think the coolness of a handwritten note is still there...it's just that people have gotten lazy. But if you have a cool card you are more inclined to use it. Which is why you should BUY MY STUFF. That and you'll be infinitely cooler because you did.

I am available for custom orders of cards, invitations, treat and favor bags/boxes, gifts, customized picture frames, scrapbooks, etc- contact me directly at slinkies_r_us@hotmail.com or through Etsy conversation. Every purchase comes with extra goodies from my own stash AND you have the satisfaction of knowing my kids get to eat another day. :)

Give away:
A set of 6 'Rock Star' cards

Craft Fair::Day 1

I am happy to announce that this week I am hosting a craft fair on my blog. Each day will feature a new blogger who will talk about their craft and also host a give away. On Sunday, winners from each give away will be picked and posted here on my blog.

_____________________________

As you all know by now, I am an artist. Lately, though, I have been crafting a lot. That is actually what inspired this whole craft fair idea.
I've been making headbands, hairclips, and brooches

but just recently started making aprons, as well.


While most of my stuff can be found in my etsy shop, I am more than happy to do custom orders.

I am giving away a set of hair clips
and a $5 gift certificate towards a custom order.

To enter:
*Leave a comment telling me your favorite item in my store.

For extra entries:
*Post on your blog [or tweet] about this craft fair and leave your link in a comment.
*Become a follower of my blog.

Giveaway ends 10/23/2010

Come back tomorrow for a new featured blogger!!

Jumbled mess.

Have you ever had so many different things going on it was hard to remember which way is up?
That's how I feel right now. I have so many painting ideas/project ideas running around in my head. Now I have a job, which means less free time. I have so many books I want to read, but I've been struggling to keep that up because every time I sit still I think I need to work on my 'projects'. But then I have to cook dinner. At this point, I don't have enough energy/time to do ALL the things I want to/need to do in a day. It's kind of frustrating, actually.

Moving on...
I'm really excited about Halloween. I'm excited to start decorating my house for fall, and even more excited for the halloween costume party we are going to have at our house at the end of the month.

Aaron and I took Kami out to play today, and she made some new friends. There is an after school program behind our apartment complex, and they had the kids outside playing. Kami was on one side of the fence, and three little girls were on the other. They were chasing each other up and down the yard. It was SO cute, until someone told them that 'that dog is gonna jump the fence and bite you!' And then they got scared and ran away.
LIKE this adorable little face would ever bite anyone............not hard, anyway.

What have I been up to?
A new painting....
Homemade Jewelry Display...
AND a few surprises. But those will have to wait ;)

[s]low country

Guess what I just bought?


A blank canvas.
And I need to fill it with beautiful colors & brush strokes.
This is where YOU come in.

I am 'giving away' a custom portrait painting.
From now until Friday, I will be accepting entries.


Details:
I will paint a portrait of your mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, sister, brother, kid, significant other, bffl [you get my point] on an 8x10 canvas, AND send it to you [a $75 value] FOR FREE.

To enter:
Leave a comment on THIS post telling me who you would want a portrait of.
Also, leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Extra entries:
Leave a separate comment letting me know

• if you are a new follower.
• if you have tweeted or blogged about this give away [please leave a link!]

Offer only valid in the U.S.
Winner will be announced Saturday, September 18th.

portfolio
etsy

Only in your dreams

You know how Picasso had the blue period?

Well, I must be having a childhood fantasy period, because I keep painting things like this:

& I keep creating things like this:

& as much as my husband laughs at me for it, I don't care.

I'm currently working on a water color series titled 'Today, I am....'
and an acrylic landscape series titled 'Wish you were here.'

One thing I realized that I haven't been doing like I should be.....reading.
I bought/traded SO many books this summer thinking that I would be reading non stop. I read 4 books before I got too busy, and somewhere along the way I forgot to start back.
So, my goal is to read AT LEAST 3o minutes a day, every single day. I know it's not a lot, but it's definitely better than going weeks/months without picking up a book.

Any suggestions for good reads?

Busy days ahead

Tomorrow morning I have a teller assessment at Regions bank.
Keep your fingers crossed for me!
After that, my Nanny, my aunt, and I will be headed to Georgia to spend the weekend with my sister.
Monday, my two bfff's will graduate college.
And only a little over a week until Aaron comes home <3.

A few weeks ago, I finished some paintings Sara asked me to do for her son's room.
They turned out so cute, I was inspired to do a few more kid style paintings. I just finished with a baby unicorn.
Currently working on a baby giraffe, and would definitely be willing to take on any ideas you all may have for commissions.

30 days of me::Talented

Day 19: A talent of yours


Call me crazy, but I think I'm pretty talented in the art department. Not that I'm being conceited, but if you don't have faith in yourself, no one else will either.

I draw,



I paint,



I make prints,



I also create ceramics and sculptures.

30 days of me::art

Day 17: An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)

I currently have a huge [art] crush on
Yellena James.
This stuff is so fresh & intriguing, it makes my heart skip a few beats.

Another artist that gives me butterflies,
Yvonne Coomber.

They both use brilliant colors and create sweet compositions. I would only hope that one day my art could inspire people the way they inspire me.

Sore Eyes

I said goodbye to Aaron at 7:00 this morning, and have been pretty busy since.
I hate it when he leaves for training, but at least it makes me productive.
I'm currently working on a few paintings for Sara, and in between drying times
I made this:

It is now available on my etsy store.
My last final is tomorrow, which means I will have way too much free time [until someone calls me in for an interview]. I'm going to try to keep busy, so commissions would be very welcomed.

Mother's Day is coming up and I have a few ideas going on in my head for the special ladies in my life; update on that later. What are you guys doing for mother's day?





p.s. has anyone used the Shark brand Steam Mop? It's on sale this week and I REALLY want it, if it's worth it.

WW::My Latest Piece

Work in Progress

If you haven't checked out Sara's blog lately, you should.

I am sponsoring a give away for her, and in turn, she is helping me get my name out there!
I really need to be producing more art work, selling, getting shows, etc. but it's hard when no one knows who you are. So, go check out her blog, join the give away extravaganza, and spread the word!

I also wanted to take a minute to say Hello to all my new followers!!
And, I just wanted to let you all know, if you see pieces in my portfolio that are not for sale, or you don't also see in my etsy, it's okay to email me [jaksart@rocketmail.com]. If it was a one of a kind, I could do something similar for you. If it's a photograph, just give me the dimensions, and I can have one printed for you, and if it's a print, there is a chance I may still have one.

That being said...
Here are some things I'm working on right now:






Hope you all have a great week!!

Rainy Day Blues

It's been raining/gloomy here all weekend.

I got this idea for a painting, and made it happen.

"Painting the City"

I think what I like most about this is it's simplicity.
I'm just not sure if it's 'done'.
It almost seems like it's lacking something.

Thoughts/Questions/Comments Welcome.

Don't wait just tell me all about it

Proof that I'm losing my mind at 22:

• I found my wooden spoon...not in the drawer where it goes, but in the cabinet with the spaghetti sauce.
• I thought I put the tea back into the refrigerator after I poured myself a glass, but found out later I had actually put it in the freezer.
• Also found our candle lighter in the refrigerator.

I don't know if my brain is just temporarily fried from all the stress, or if it is completely going bye-bye.

Anyways, for some happy thoughts, my flower painting is complete and currently hanging in my living room.
Here are some 'in progress' pics. [please excuse the quality, they were taken with my phone]


And here is the final product:
[yes, that big white thing is a cloud]

Questions, Comments, Criticism Welcomed.

Take a breath

The past two days have been full of experience and insight.

I was inspired not only as a teacher, but as an artist.

For those of you who are just tuning in, Me and a few of my peers had the opportunity to teach an art project to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at Gordo Elementary School. Each of us dealt with about 72 students each [not at the same time, thankfully], and were fully responsible for teaching these students how to make pinch pots.

I will not lie. It was completely exhausting, both mentally and physically. But, it was absolutely worth it. Not only for all of the experience that we got, but also for the kids. They loved it! They [for the most part] were well behaved, and I fell in love with their personalities. They were so sweet and full of life.

After we got done teaching, we went on a tour of the town. I met Glenn House, a famous book artist/clay enthusiast, his wife Kathy, who does beautifully hand colored photographs, and they were kind enough to take us through their museum and studio space. They also introduced us to Amos Kennedy who gave me these posters he made:





This is the kind of town I want to live in. One where the whole city supports the arts, and actually welcomes new artist, because they believe that it enriches life.
I have plenty of pictures to post, but for now, I am far too tired.
Hope you all have a great weekend!