Mini weaving giveaway!

 

I'm still on cloud nine from my weaving sale on One Kings Lane.  The collection sold out on the first night! I can't thank everyone enough for all the lovely comments.  And with Habit of Art turning four this Monday, there's even more reason to celebrate and run a giveaway!

This week, the mini weaving shown above is up for grabs.  For a chance to win this little handwoven wall hanging, just leave a comment below.  I'll announce the winner (randomly chosen, of course) on Tuesday, September 24th at noon. 

Oh, and international entries are welcome- shipping is on me.  Bonne chance!

9/24:  Number 13 was the lucky number today, so the winner of the weaving giveaway is Dee! Thanks everyone for all your lovely comments.

art giveaway!

This week, I'm uploading 35 original works of mountains into my Etsy shop.  Five new works a day, each priced at $35.  The special art event starts Wednesday, June 5th at 9am (PST).  At this time,  I'll also draw a name from below to receive one of the new art works for FREE! (A value of $35 plus free shipping.) And I'll even let the winner choose their favorite piece.  Just leave a comment below to enter the giveaway.  Oh, and make sure that your name links back to an email so I can contact you.

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Congrats to Maggie Paul!

Happy Spring Sale

My favorite time of the year is here, hurray! To celebrate, I'm running a special promotion in my Etsy shop for the next few days.  Spend $50 in my shop and get an art print (up to $25 value) for FREE! Read more about the sale here.

Limited-edition linocut giveaway

I nearly forgot that it is my Etsy shop's anniversary today!  I've been quite busy these past few weeks helping out with a church art project and spearheading the Holiday Market at my daughter's school. Oh, and did I mention we got a puppy?!  Pictures to come in the next post.

In all this craziness, I've managed to eek out some me-time at my art desk. . . sleep is over-rated, I say.  My latest creative output resulted in a batch of hand printed linocuts.  Printmaking was my focus in college, but it's been years since I've tackled a hand printing project.  My daughters watched me this time as I hand pulled the first lino print, and all the oohs and ahhs from the peanut gallery just added to the excitement. 

I used turquoise ink for the first few prints and then switched to a deeper blue (and oil-based) ink.  There are only three of the turquoise available, and I thought it would be fitting to give them away in celebration of my three year Etsy anniversary. 

If you'd like a chance to nab one of these limited-edition prints, just leave a comment below.  On Wednesday, November 28th, I'll randomly choose three winners and post the names here.  

I am also giving away these prints with every order in my Etsy shop.  You can check out the details here.

11/28: Congratulations to the three winners! David Thurston, Emmel Prutsemieke, and Emma-Lee

Swapathon- your stuff for my art

running low on tea and yarn

Welcome to the third Swapathon event on my blog! This is where I trade my art for something you have or make.  Anyone can participate, even those who have swapped with me in the past! The exchange is for any item in my shop valued up to $25 (plus free shipping).  Or, if you prefer, a $25 credit towards an artwork.  

Here are some items I would love to trade for:

Yarn remnants (preferably natural fibers), tea, vintage fabric, homemade soap/lotion/lip balm, kitchen towels, fingerless gloves/mittens, homemade baking mixes, and, of course, anything drawn, printed, or sculpted. 

I'm pretty open to whatever you come up with, and I look forward to reading some of your ideas!

On Sunday at noon (PST), five names will be randomly chosen from the comment list below, and the names will be posted here.  Can't wait to start swapping!

9/2: Thanks so much for all of your wonderful swap ideas!  My [very unbiased] husband picked five names out of a bowl, and here are this year's swapathon winners:

Lamina, Linda, Sally, Katie, and Annie

For those of you without contact info in your blogger profile, please email me at catmcmurray[at]gmail[dot]com.  Thanks!

Giveaway to celebrate 500 blog posts

I've been toiling over what to write for my 500th blog post.  An expository on the Higgs Boson particle, perhaps?  Already bored.  How about the recent vandalism of a Picasso painting? Maybe another time.  Holmes and Cruise divorce?  Let's move on, shall we.    

To be completely frank, it's absolutely stunning outside, and I think I'd rather enjoy the rare Oregon sun than expound on the meaning of life in post #500.  So I've decided to throw a giveaway instead.  Yeah, for free art!

I'm giving away a $50 gift card to my Etsy shop.  All you have to do is leave a comment below, and I'll randomly choose a winner on Monday, July 16th at noon.

Thanks to all my loyal readers for following me these past three years!  Here's to 500 more : )

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Thanks everyone for all the wonderful comments.

No. 10 is the lucky winner, so congratulations to Caitlin!

my creative week

I managed to find some time this week to finish an 8 x 10 mixed media painting called dreamscape.  When I start a new work, it's rare for me to have an idea of what the finished piece will look like.  My painting process is very organic. I apply one layer after another until all the elements seem to just fit together.  Outside of art, I tend to be a big planner, so it's very freeing to sit at my art desk and not have to plan a composition beforehand. 

One of the comments I receive the most about my art is that it's much more detailed in person than on the computer screen.  It's difficult to capture with a camera the subtle gradations of color and texture in an artwork.  In dreamscape, the background may initially look like it's one flat color.  But, at closer observation, the wavy pattern that has been scratched into the wood panel reveals underlayers of color. 

Negative space isn't usually a dominant feature in my work.  But, in this particular piece, the dark empty space between the mountain and clouds creates balance and adds an element of mystery.

dreamscape is currently available in my Etsy shop here.  

I'm helping plan an art fair and fundraiser next month at my daughter's school.  It's a two day event where Portland shoppers can purchase art and handmade gifts by local artists and makers.  My two girls will be sharing a booth with me.  I'll be selling my art, and they will be selling their beaded jewelry.  They want to buy some chickens for families in developing countries, so this is their way of raising money. 

The girls will also be selling some wearable friendship pins.  I helped them figure out how to get the beads on the other side of the safety pin so that it can fasten to clothes or bags.  I have to say that the friendship pins are pretty cute, and I feel like I'm in middle school again!

In the spirit of holiday cheer, I'm including one of these little guys with every order from my Etsy shop this month and next. 

Sketches for a floor design.

This upcoming week, I'm finishing my art installation at Prana's new Portland store.  I have three designs done and one floor design to go.  My back already feels a little contorted from standing on a ladder for hours or being hunched over on the floor.  [I can't imagine what Michelangelo felt like painting the Sistine Chapel- which took four years!]

I have really enjoyed seeing the new retail space come together, and it has brought back many memories of opening my own store.  There are days when I really miss it, and sometimes I do think about opening another art-focused shop. . .  but not anytime soon. 

I'll post photos of the new Prana store and my designs later this week.  The grand opening party is set for this Friday from 6 - 9p.   Enjoy some drinks and snacks while watching me paint on the floor.  The design will look something like the sketch on the right. 

Anniversary Giveaway

With jet lag and all, I nearly forgot that today is Habit of Art's two year anniversary!  To celebrate (cause two blog years is like 27 human years), we must have a giveaway.  How about a sampling of my latest stationery goods?  The giveaway package will include my new cards, two Elevation and Cascade notecards, five Portland notecards, and some stickers.

Just leave a comment below, and a winner will be randomly chosen on Wednesday, September 28 at noon.

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I'm touched by all the wonderful comments!  Thanks for all your support the past two years.  It means so much to me. 

The winner of the stationary giveaway is Brittan! 

giveaway! succulents eco-journal by Jill Bliss

I love this sweet journal by Jill Bliss.  It's filled with beautiful illustrations of succulent plants [224 pages!], and it's printed on 100% recycled paper with soy ink.

For a chance to win this lovely notebook, just leave a comment below.  One entry per person please.  

A winner will be randomly chosen (using random.org) this Monday, August 29, at noon PST.  Shortly following the drawing, I will send the winner an email and post their name below.  So make sure your name links back to an email address.

Thanks again to Jill for a wonderful giveaway and interview.  Check out all of her fabulous journals here.

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Giveaway winner- congratulations to Alex!

Studio visit: Jill Bliss

[All photos by me. Art images, Jill Bliss]

I have known artist Jill Bliss for several years now, since first meeting her at my Portland shop.  She had recently moved from the Bay Area and had setup a studio space in a classic Portland foursquare house.  Since then, we've had many meetups and run-ins, talking about art and our other shared fascinations- Prairie Underground clothes, the Asian culture, and good food. 

Jill's nature-inspired art goods can be found all across the country in little and big shops, an admirable feat for a one-person business.  Unfortunately, a hand injury this year has hindered Jill's drawing routine.  Being the resourceful and dedicated worker that she is, Jill still manages to stay very busy.  I paid Jill a visit at her home studio a couple of weeks ago to hear about her latest projects as well as give all of you a glimpse of her wonderful creative space. 

Jill at work, and her sweet 11 year-old dog, Lucy. 

What is one of your most prized possessions in your studio?

My vintage scientific wood drafting table. It's huge, it fully disassembles, it has two drawers underneath and footrest bars that perfectly hold my flat files. I will have and use it the rest of my life, and possibly request it to be used as my a funeral pyre when the time comes! Ha!

Jill's drawing of California Poppies is still one of my favorites of hers.  Every year they spring up in her garden.

What inspires you to create?

Learning about ecology - all the little pieces and how they fit together! So inspiring!

What are the things you love most about what you do, and what are the challenges?

I love creating visual reference guides for all the things I've learned, which is what my work has become. I love being my own boss, and I love interacting with people who appreciate and use my work. Current challenges are all related to not being able to draw as much or as quickly as I used to, thanks to aging and overuse, and the expense and stress of trying to maintain what's left. 

An artist can never have too much storage.  The wall and window ledges are perfect for Jill's smaller collections.

If you could change one thing about your art space, what would it be?

I would make one whole wall floor-to-ceiling cabinets with doors for storage to eliminate the visual clutter in here! And the other wall floor-to-ceiling windows to enjoy the garden view.

The insanely detailed work of Jill's Anima series. 

What art project or accomplishment are you most proud of?

I love my Anima series as if they were my own children, and I'm very protective of them! Unless things get really super dire around here [I'm eying my pile of medical bills] you will never see my anima babies on mass-manufactured-in-china stuff!

Enjoying tea in Jill's sweet kitchen.

If you had a spare hour in the day, how would you spend it?

Meeting a friend for coffee, tea, or happy hour.

Clipboards are an easy way to organize loose papers.  The chair rail is a perfect spot for Jill's clipboards.

Staying organized is a challenge for many artists.  What are some simple tips that have helped you?

Clean as you go and put things back where they belong as soon as you are finished with them - easier said than done!

Jill makes business cards from recycled prints and stationary. 

What advice would you give to an artist starting out?

Are you sure you want to do this?! Just kidding- well, only a little. Hold on to your day job or other source of income as long as possible, and be prepared for lots of compromise - either your integrity or a normal lifestyle! Very few artists get to have both.  Many artists doing mostly self-generated work aren't paid well enough to afford all of the comforts of typical middle class life. Generally, self-generated work doesn't pay as handsomely as corporate work, and corporate work can be full of artistic and moral compromises. No matter what type of work you choose to do, even if your art is popular and paying all your bills now, there's no guarantee that the popularity will last. Have a back up plan/ career just in case - especially if you have or want to support a family! Nothing lasts forever!

Thanks Jill for a great interview! To see the plethora of art goodness from Jill, go to her website here. Jill has also launched a kickstarter campaign this month.  Pledge $25 to her new Anima project and receive a 16" x 20" poster of your choice!  Read more about it here.

And, once again, we'll be throwing another art giveaway, thanks to miss Jill.  See what's up for grabs tomorrow!

giveaway: an 8 x 10 art print by Callie Thompson

Enter a chance to win one of the following limited edition prints by the talented Callie Thompson!

Bat

Storylines

To enter the art print giveaway, all you have to do is visit Callie's Etsy shop here and then leave a comment below about your favorite piece(s).  One entry per person please, and make sure that your name links back to an email address so that we can contact you if your name is picked.

The winner's name will be randomly drawn this Friday, August 12, at noon (PST).  Shortly after the drawing, I will send the winner an email and post their name below.  Winner will receive their choice of Bat or Storylines. 

Good luck to all!

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Congratulations to Kim D. for winning the art print giveaway!

artist interview: callie thompson

[images: Callie Thompson]

Austin-based artist Callie Thompson has been making art as far back as she can remember.  She grew up playing in her mom's art studio and went off to college to study art at Dartmouth and Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan.  I first came across Callie's art on Etsy a few weeks ago, and there was an immediate connection to her work.  Callie paints beautiful abstracted landscapes and patterns, and recently, she has translated some of her designs into a new textile line. 

How would you describe your work?

My current work is a combination of reductivist landscapes, biomorphic shapes, abstract patterning, and a heavy use of white and black. I would describe it as contemporary, meditative, minimalist and optimistic.

Studio mate, Bodhi, is relaxing on a pouf that Callie made.

What does your typical day look like?

Until this summer I worked full time at an Austin HIV/AIDS non-profit, now I work part time for a land conservancy. When I get home from work, I immediately go to my vegetable garden in the front yard to decompress. I don’t usually paint after a work day, so after dinner I fulfill orders.

Listening to 'ambient grooves' on pandora while I paint the abstracted landscapes is my painting nerdery secret. When I’m doing more pattern-y work, I like more energy like La Roux or Cults (Pandora stations).

What artist/tool/material do you love using at this moment?

Sumi-e ink is my all time favorite. Nothing matches its luminous, full black. It can cover anything and moves like silk. I also love using hearty cotton-linens and lightweight silk in my fabric line.
 
Now that your textile collection, BEAM, has launched, will you be focusing more of your energy on textile design and production?

My paintings lend themselves intuitively to repeating patterns, so textiles are a logical next iteration. I’m still in the early stages of launching BEAM, so yes, I will definitely be spending more energy on it in the coming months. I’ll be releasing more items and also offering larger quantities of items for wholesale/consignment.

Callie, her dog, and a few favorite objects on the desk- an old hinge, driftwood from the Sonoma coast, a Japanese figurine, and pottery by Eli.

What accomplishments are you most proud of?

I’m proud of four years spent with my girlfriend, Eli. I’m always learning about myself and how better to be in relationships.   

What inspires you to create?

Spending time in deserts anywhere in the Southwest. The physical expanses of the desert inform my work. The openness, the wide spaces.  I’m inspired by friends too: my next door neighbor Cheyenne Weaver, Brian Crumley, Natalie Davis, Adrienne Brabham Butler, my mom, Harriet Huss, and Eli’s mom, Delia Robinson. And finally, GOOD MUSIC: Lovers, MEN, King Tuff, Big Freedia, Jean-Eric, Missions, Ava Luna, Arcade Fire, the Luyas.

What advice would you give to an artist starting out?

Think less. Do things that will get you into feel. The more connected you are to your work, the more authentic and strong it will be. Keep doing what you do with dedication. The artists that affect culture most have created their own aesthetics over the years. They create those aesthetics through pure persistence. You can make a whole new rubric just by making what you make confidently and abundantly. Allow your work to evolve, each piece informs the next. At 28, I’m definitely just starting out myself, so this is what I ruminate on.

[image source: West Elm]

Your art is currently featured in West Elm's fall catalog. Can you tell us a little bit about that experience? 

West Elm found my work through a collaboration with Etsy. There are items from five Etsy sellers in the current fall catalog. It has been a huge amount of exposure for me, which has been wonderful. And, every Etsy and West Elm staff person I’ve worked with throughout the process has been exceptional.  (Look for my prints “Storylines” and “Ice Mountains” on pages 24-26!)

To see more of Callie Thompson's most recent work, visit her website here and her Etsy shop here.  Five percent of all profits go to Florida's Eden, a non-profit working to document and preserve Florida's natural environment.
 
And check back tomorrow for a giveaway of one of Callie's art prints!

Porcelain necklace giveaway!

Here's your chance to win a handmade porcelain necklace by Emily Jull of Nesting Emily.  I have one similar to the blue necklace pictured, and I get compliments every time I wear it.  Keep in mind that each necklace is one-of-a-kind and can vary in shape and color from the one shown above. There's another photo of the necklaces in yesterday's post. 

To enter the necklace giveaway, all you have to do is visit Emily's shop here and then leave a comment below about your favorite piece(s).  One entry per person please, and make sure that your name links back to an email address so that we can contact you if your name is picked.

Two names will be randomly drawn this Friday, July 29, at 11a (PST).   If you are a winner, an email will be sent to you shortly after the drawing.  The names of the winners will also be posted below.

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Congratulations to Sara K. and Rebekah Leigh!

Huge giveaway ends soon!

I love giveaways- entering and hosting them. The idea for the Instant Art Collection Giveaway came to me when browsing the shops of some of my favorite Etsy artists.  I was imagining a new art collection on my wall when it occurred to me that I could make my dream art collection a reality for someone else!

Everyone wants beautiful art on their walls, but many don't know where to start or are on a tight budget.  I'm thrilled that three homes will soon be filled with fabulous (and free!) art, but my hope is that a slew of personal art collections will be jump-started by this event.  Each participating artist has an Etsy shop where you can find an array of affordable art, including one-of-a-kind pieces.  If you haven't already done so, I'd encourage you to take a closer look at the artists' works by clicking on the links here.

Much thanks to the wonderful artists for their generosity and inspiring art, and best of luck to all who have entered the giveaway! The drawing takes place Tuesday, May 31 at noon PST.

<<< Instant Art Collection Giveaway >>>

Ten contemporary artists from around the globe have joined forces to create the most amazing art giveaway!  Twenty-five works of art (original pieces and limited edition prints included) have been grouped into three art collections valuing $160 - $275.  For a chance to win one of the Instant Art Collections shown above, all you have to do is leave a comment below.  Three names will be randomly selected on Tuesday, May 31 at noon PST.  Winners will be notified by email, and art collections will be shipped within a week. 

Make sure your name is linked to an email address, and only one comment per person. Good luck!

Participating artists include: Hollie Chastain, Jo Cheung, Estibaliz Hernández, Belinda Kemp, Jessica Mills, Nancy Mungcal, Liesl Pfeffer, Eloise Renouf, Becca Stadtlander, and me.

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Congratulations to the winners!

                   

Laura J. (Australia),  Elle (Singapore), and Jansen (Australia)

Ten artists giving away 25 works of art

Nancy Mungcal (Los Angeles, California), it's early original and if you hold on print

We're not kidding around with this giveaway event.  THREE lucky winners will be picked randomly on Tuesday, May 31 to receive a collection of art works valuing $160 to $275!  For a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment on the giveaway post coming up Thursday, May 26. 

Here's a list of the participating artists and the 25 beautiful works of art up for grabs, which includes limited-edition prints and originals.

Belinda Kemp (Melbourne, Australia), aqua flowers print, step through print, and 3 flowers print

Eloise Renouf (Nottingham, England), Passing Shower limited edition print, Embroidery Flowers Multi Bright limited edition print, and I Love Woodland limited edition print

Estibaliz Hernánadez de Miguel (Bilbao, Spain), The choice is ours original, Bringing the light print 

Jessica Mills (Omaha, Nebraska), Nestled in Trees original, Prairie Madness on a Hot Summer Day original

 

Liesl Pfeffer (Melbourne, Australia), The Crystal Lake print and Leaf print

Jo Cheung (London, England), Alone print, Lonely Bear print, and Sleeping Under The Stars print

Becca Stadtlander (Covington, Kentucky), The Girl in Green print and Pink Ceramics print 

Hollie Chastain (Chattanooga, Tennessee), Passing A Message print, Doppelganger print, We Choose The In-Between print 

and then my work,

Bloom print, Spirit limited edition print, and Cascade print

Get ready for the biggest art giveaway ever

Now that Oprah is calling it quits, someone's got to give away their favorite things.  So, I've rounded up some of my favorite Etsy artists for the most amazing art giveaway! We're giving away 25 works of art (including original pieces), a value of $600!

On Thursday, May 26, the "Instant Art Collection Giveaway" is going to launch right here on Habit of Art.  Be sure to mark it on your calendar.

This is going to be so good, I'm thinking about entering the giveaway myself using an alias.

I'm serious.