Did I ever show you....

the little Chef Turtle I made to go with the little Baker Turtle. It was a special request for another fun couple. I'm so privileged to meet creative, original, art-loving people from Etsy. Thanks to all those who've ever taken an interest in my art. Look for these two sold as a set in my Etsy shop soon!

February Giveaway!

I've never done a giveaway before. Well, I mean, a bloggy giveaway....I give away things all the time. To friends, to Goodwill, to my poor unsuspecting neighbors who can't seem to avoid me....but an honest to goodness, bloggy giveaway...that sounds like fun too!

So this February, the month of cupids and hearts and chocolates and flowers and panic for men everywhere....I'm going to give away a one of a kind surprise box from Elena's Easel. It IS better to give then to receive. But hopefully one of you will want to receive this little box of goodies. Hand painted by moi and with one of my prints on the top (that would be the Love Turtle, also available here). I'm not telling you what's inside, you'll just have to wait and see when you win it! But there will be some wonderful artsy things from my store and maybe some sweet treats too! All you have to do is leave me a comment with your email address and tell me your definition of true love...


If you're friends with me on Facebook, leave me a message on my wall and that will count too! The winner will be randomly picked and announced on Valentine's Day (February 14th) and I will send your little box of goodies right out to you! Happy February everyone....make sure you tell the people you love that you love them...not just on Valentine's Day but every day.

Lovey-Dovey Turtles

February is almost here! I'm not trying to rush you or anything but you realize that if we start celebrating February, pretty soon it will be March, yes, it will probably still be snowy and cold BUT the first day of Spring is March 20th.....and then it will be April and then....JUNE! Oh, the anticipation! In my opinion, God made winter to toughen me up and teach me to hope and wait for what I desire. And I always desire SUMMER!

In celebration of February I've been working on more Love Turtles for Valentine's Day. First, I finished the "Love is in Season" Turtle:

And then I made him into a card!

Then I drew some Tango-ing Turtles.

And made them into cards. I couldn't decide which design I liked best...they're all so cute!

Can you see...the caption says "It takes two...." Because of course, it takes two to tango! These designs are already listed over in my Etsy shop. I'm starting to get the hang of Etsy and am really amazed at all the artists and crafters on there. So much talent! I just made my first sale through Etsy this week! Hooray! Thank you, Maria!

I planned to attempt the deadline for Illustration Friday this week. The topic was "climbing" and I had an idea and a sketch drawn out but just couldn't get it done. I'm really hoping to start participating in that forum. It is very inspiring to look at other artists/illustrators submissions, they are SO beautiful! And it is very good practice for coming up with a concept, sketch and finished illustration quickly. Just look at some of my favorites this week....

Laura Zarrin

Carmen Keys

Kristin

Mike Desantis

Aren't they beautiful? I aspire to be as good as these artists! Some day....