My Greeting Card Shop

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Free Postcard Giveaway

Giveaway Prize:

4×6″ Flat Postcards
Quantity: 100
Dimension: 4×6″
Paper: 14 pt Cardstock – Gloss
Printing: 4 Color, Both Sides
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping
Eligibility: Limited to US Residents only
Eligibility: you must be at least 18 years old to enter


Contest ends midnight Sunday, June 27 – that way Diane can announce the winner on June 28!! And it could be YOU who gets to own a lovely 100 Postcards of your choice!!

To enter to win go to Diane Clancy's Art Blog

Friday, June 11, 2010

Barbara Haviland - Featured Artist

Big Horned Sheep

From Barbara's Profile:
"I create art and have been an artist for 34 years. I paint daily and usually have about 6 paintings going at a time. I am mostly a self-taught, raw artist who draws inspiration from the world around me. My favorite artist is Dalhart Windberg. I love taking workshops to further my learning. You can never cease to learn something new. I usually paint from my photos. I love bright, bold, rich colors."

One Yellow Iris


"I feel satisfied when someone can see the love I have put into the piece that I have created, whether it is a landscape, a floral, a portrait, or a seascape. At this stage in my career, I enjoy painting in Plein Air. It is both exciting and frustrating. Light changes, and shadows move, but I love it! A paint brush is my favorite tool. You can just about do anything with a brush and some paint. Painting brings out my passion. It is like reading a book, you can go anywhere. It is my escape. The problems of the world fade away. For a few moments, it is just me and the canvas. I feel as though I am meant to create art. God has blessed me in this way."

Along the River


Little Yellow Bird

I create in oils and usually paint on a canvas. I stretch my own canvas. Winsor Newton paints are my personal preference. Everything about painting just makes my day. I never get bored. Now that I am retired, I paint every day. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with an idea and must get it sketched on canvas. I start with a vision and go from there. It just flows. Painting fills me with joy."


View From Under the Bridge

"I am married to Sam, my husband of 46 years. We have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. We have been fortunate enough to travel the country. I paint wherever we are. I do not think I could survive without my painting. It is my drug of choice. I need it. I do have to do it every single day. I am a sight painter. I simply paint what I see. Lately, my art has been taking on a fresh look of looseness, and I like it. Plein Air is my new thing. It feels great to create! Painting is very relaxing and gratifying. It is freeing. The world around us is so beautiful. I try to capture it's raw beauty on my canvas. I love to paint landscapes of the bayou. They are my favorite! I also love painting flowers as well as animals. I paint everything. If you have a photo, I can paint it. I am so thankful to be able to paint and create art."

My Wild Purple Iris

Visit Barbara Haviland's Website http://barbarahavilandfineart.net
Barbara's blog http://barbsgarden.blogspot.com


Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Featured Artist - Karen Casey-Smith

Today I am featuring Karen Casey-Smith. Karen works in fine art photography, mandalas and digital art. She is a member of the World Wide Women Artists Online group (WWAO), and participated in the May Showcase that I am hosting on my website, yes, even though it's now June, the Showcase is still up and running.

Donsejo de las Rosas

Purple Pansie

From Karen's Bio:

Home has been the Chicago-land area with my DH since 1981. We have two cats that make me laugh every single day. My love of all things creative comes to me as a gift from my mother and her mother and on and on. Most of my art training has come from books and "doing". Favorite mediums are drawing, watercolor, pencils (plain and color), calligraphy, ink, photography and PhotoShop."

Not Fat Just Fluffy


"My work has primarily been in the mandala form since around 1995, first in colored pencils and now with flower photographs. Mandalas combine my two great interests, that of creating art and healing. Mandalas are used as a healing and transforming art in cultures around the world. It is always an amazing experience, and a delightful surprise to see the patterns that emerge while making the flower mandalas. Some of my photographs are of flowers growing in our yard, while others are from one of my many trips to the Chicago Botanic Garden. What a wonderful place!"


Release



A Dream Within A Dream
"For many years now, I've been involved in energy healing and balancing. I play Tai Chi, and use Reiki, Qigong, Chios, Seichim, Donna Eden's Energy Medacine plus other energy healing systems learned along the way. All of these things influence and infuse my work. Each mandala has its own vibrational frequency. They bring healing energy where they are displayed and to whoever wears or views them. I find that they draw me in and still my mind. It's a lovely place to be. I hope you enjoy them."


Adagio Afternoon

Visit Karen Casey-Smith Website
Karen's Etsy Shop
Karen Casey-Smith's Blog
Follow Karen on Twitter
Karen Casey-Smith's Facebook Fan Page



I hope you enjoyed learning a bit about Karen Casey-Smith and viewing her beautiful and vibrant work.
Have a wonderful day,
Brenda