Monday, September 6, 2010

Focus On... WaterWorks! {and a Giveaway!}

WaterWorks is a fabulous shop on etsy specializing in watercolors. Not just watercolors - amazing, beautiful, affordable watercolors.  I have tried watercolor painting and it's not particularly easy to make paint into a picture. Sumiyo, the artist behind WaterWorks obviously doesn't suffer from my affliction and she has graciously offered a print for your giveaway pleasure! :)





Tell me some basic info about yourself.




I'm originally from Japan and came to the United States when I was 16 years old. I received a BA in Music and an MFA in Painting. I am a mother of three children (2,6 and 8 years), teach art at a college and to home-schooled teenagers. I also teach flute to a neighbor. I take Kung-Fu lessons 3 times a week. I have been practicing Buddhism for a year. I paint everyday, 3 works per day.



{worcester sketchbook no. 12 - my favorite!}



What kind of mediums do you use and why?


My main medium is watercolor because it is the most convenient and safe medium when I have 3 children running around the house. But my most favorite medium is oil, because of its thickness, texture and physicality.






What made you decide to sell on etsy?


About one year ago, I started to practice Buddhism, it changed my mentality. When I thought it was impossible to paint with so many responsibilities (jobs and family), this Buddhism practice encouraged me to believe in myself to achieve any goal. I decided to make a painting a day to begin with, 6 months later two paintings a day, and recently three paintings a day. I realized that I have over 400 paintings, so I decided to market through the Internet. Since I have some friends selling their paintings through Etsy, I decided to try as well.


Where do you get your inspiration?


My inspiration is from my children's art, my husband's art, and other artists' works.




What is your favorite music to craft by?


My children's singing, and playing instruments.




When it's cold outside... I stay in my warm and cozy house and have a cup of tea.


When I'm hungry... I would eat some chocolate.


When I need a boost... I chant.


I wish I was/were... a better student when I was in school.


If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be... one my paintings.


If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be... with my husband.


If you were an animal, what would you be? a cat.


What's your favorite piece of your own? Fresh Pick No. 30


What are your favorite blogs/websites right now? Etsy - I visit many shops everyday and find my favorite shops and items.


Sumiyo is giving away a print of Marsh No. 8 to one lucky reader!




- To be eligible for entry, you must be a follower of my blog through google friend connect or through your preferred RSS reader. -
- Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win. -
- Please leave separate comments for each entry. -

First entry (mandatory):




Head over to WaterWorks and tell me your favorite item!

Extra entries (optional):
- Follow WaterWorks on Twitter (leave me your username).
- Sign up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.
Follow me on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.
- Add my button to your blog (in sidebar).
- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link.

Fine print: Giveaway begins when it is posted and ends at 11:59pm pacific standard time September 14, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on September 15, 2010 and will be emailed promptly. WaterWorks will ship anywhere in the world!

82 comments:

  1. great giveaway. she does amazing work!

    beeyum@ymail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love your giveaways but being that I am a gallery director this is probably by far my favorite giveaway (so far!), my email mariasolha@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I visited WaterWorks and I am debating between two:

    Fresh Pick No22 and Marsh 65

    Love them all but specially those two.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I already follow your blog and now I am a facebook fan of Kate & Oli.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this piece at Waterworks

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/55266469/fresh-pick-no67-original-watercolor

    lovely!

    lisa.2713 at gmail.com

    I'm a follower

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love the fresh pick no. 48!
    already follow your blog

    ebony-ivory-rainbow.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love fresh pick #9! I follow your blog thru google friend and via email...
    piecesofthesky[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a beautiful giveaway, the water paintings are great, I would be honored to hang one in my home.....

    I follow your blog and my favorite is: Worcester Sketchbook No.12, open edition print

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm a facebook fan...
    piecesofthesky[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I also love marsh no. 51 as well.

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I follow WaterWorks on Twitter as
    2Cats2See

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm already signed up for your mailing list and glad I am.

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm a facebook fan

    Donna Hufman Warrington
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I follow your blog~

    cheungshinyee@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love the Fresh Print Cherry Blossom Limited Edition Print! It's just gorgeous!

    cheungshinyee@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. And I have already signed up for your mailing list :D

    cheungshinyee@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love the cherry Blossoms
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/54676524/fresh-pick-cherry-blossoms-limited

    ReplyDelete
  19. I follow waterworks on twitter.
    http://twitter.com/SomsStudio

    ReplyDelete
  20. I already follow you on twitter and I tweeted about this giveaway.
    http://twitter.com/?status=@ichbinseins&in_reply_to_status_id=23156155627&in_reply_to=ichbinseins

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am a new Facebook fan of Kate and Oli.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I follow you on GFC. My favorite print is Fresh Pick # 9.

    sabrita@juno.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm an email subscriber.

    sabrita@juno.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I liked you on facebook.

    sabrita@juno.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. great pieces. my fav is the pelican -- worcester sketchbook 25. fantastic.

    oh and i remembered you were intrigued by the ice cream in a bucket a while back -- i posted a link for you today!

    tamaradean {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  26. wow, I could spend hours browsing your artwork, but for now I would choose Fresh Pick, Cherry Blossoms because I am of Japanese descent and it is beautiful.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  27. following waterworks on twitter.
    jhitomi
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. signed up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.
    jhbalvin at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. My favorite is Fresh Pick, Cherry Blossoms, limited edition of 50 fine art giclee print.

    ReplyDelete
  30. All of these are so beautiful! I don't know if I could choose just one favorite, though Fresh Pick No. 36 jumped out at me when I was scrolling through.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love Marsh No. 44....beatiful sunset!! :) meg.wilkerson(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I love the Fresh Pick No.45 print...beautiful!

    picnut1512@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I subscribe via email :)

    picnut1512@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love the Fresh Pick No.25, original watercolor.

    So beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  35. i love the Fresh Pick No.12, great giveaway!
    engh.katie at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. My favorite is the Fresh Pick No 67 original watercolor.
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I follow WaterWorks on Twitter - my Twitter ID is @AmberGoo
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'm a Facebook fan of Kate & Oli - my FB name is Amanda Moore
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I follow you on Twitter (@AmberGoo) and tweeted: http://twitter.com/AmberGoo/status/23876290937
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi, my faviest thingy there is http://www.etsy.com/listing/55208033/fresh-pick-no64-original-watercolor
    Contact me at liz_crowny(at)yahoo(dot)com
    http://pintaliztiirene.blogspot.com/
    Good luck everyone :)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi, i am already fan of you in fb name doki doki co
    Contact me at liz_crowny(at)yahoo(dot)com
    http://pintaliztiirene.blogspot.com/
    Good luck everyone :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. The cherry blossoms. I love the pagoda behind them. Thanks for the chance.
    shutterboo at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I like:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/53993919/fresh-pick-greeting-cards-five-5x7-blank

    ale84.vercelli at hotmail dot it

    ReplyDelete
  44. I follow waterw on twitter (dakha)
    ale84.vercelli at hotmail dot it

    ReplyDelete
  45. I follow you on twitter (dakha).
    I tweet:
    http://twitter.com/dakha/status/23914730229

    ale84.vercelli at hotmail dot it

    ReplyDelete
  46. facebook fan
    alessandra lalla vercelli
    ale84.vercelli at hotmail dot it

    ReplyDelete
  47. New follower here, AND I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE 'Fresh Pick No.25, original watercolor'. The blue tones are so pretty and calming, and the detail is exquisite. khaski78 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  48. I've always wanted to learn to paint like this!
    My favorite is:
    Fresh Pick No.35

    katehopeeden at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love
    Fresh Pick No.38, original watercolor!
    cal_rubies at yahoo dot es

    ReplyDelete
  50. Oh my gosh your works are so cool!!!!
    My favorite is Fresh Pick No.40, limited edition of 50 fine art giclee print

    N_Gel9 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I love Marsh 65 original watercolor. thanks. i follow your blog.

    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I follow WaterWorks on Twitter (Lubaska)
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I signed up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.
    lubaska at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  54. I am a Facebook fan of Kate and Oli. (Lubka Kotmanikova)
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I follow you on Twitter, tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/Lubaska/status/24020182545
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. hi i love this
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/54676524/fresh-pick-cherry-blossoms-limited

    heglesATinwind.it

    ReplyDelete
  57. i follow on twitter (hegles9
    heglesATinwind.it

    ReplyDelete
  58. i follow waterwork on twitter (hegles)
    heglesATinwind.it

    ReplyDelete
  59. My favourite is Worcester Sketchbook No.7, open edition print, I know you post it here but I browse through all and it's really my favourite!

    yuki@michelf.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. I Follow WaterWorks on Twitter

    @yuki_kokoro

    ReplyDelete
  61. Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/yuki_kokoro/status/24119602212

    yuki@michelf.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. All are beautiful but:{worcester sketchbook no. 12 -is pure poetry.
    I follow you as"orchismoria"
    I follow you on tweet as "wolfsrain777" ant tweet of your candy.
    Thank

    ReplyDelete
  63. I love marsh no.51

    cellaslineup@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I followed them on twitter under Cella Marcellina


    cellaslineup@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. I also follow your twitter under same name :)


    cellaslineup@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  66. I liked them on facebook under Marcelina F


    cellaslineup@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. i love Fresh Pick No.25, original watercolor

    egle dot mane at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  68. It's virtually for me to pick just one favorite! In fact, I not only "hearted" her Etsy shop, just browsing through the first three pages of her "offerings" - I had already "favorited" about half of them!

    So, one of my favorites is "Fresh Pick No.76, original watercolor" - and I also love the Fresh Pick Greeting Cards (and Postcards!)

    I am a Public Follower via GFC and also an RSS blog/feed subscriber via Google Reader.

    Salleefur/Jesslyn
    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hearted/Favorited Etsy Shop/Seller (as well as many creations/items

    Salleefur
    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I love fresh pick no 10!

    six_one_nine_girlie86 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  71. These are so soft and lovely. :)
    My favorite is without a doubt the "Fresh Pick, Cherry Blossoms".

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. Following WaterWorks on Twitter, my username is my_wunderkammer.

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. I'm signed up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. I'm following you on Twitter! Tweeted about the giveaway here: http://twitter.com/my_wunderkammer/status/24463874143

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  75. Your button is in my blog! In the right sidebar: http://skittlefairy.diaryland.com/

    Thank you

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I'm a Facebook fan! My username is wunderfraulein.

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  77. Blogged about the giveaway here: http://skittlefairy.diaryland.com/100914_11.html

    so.kitsch at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  78. I follow with google connect. Love Fresh Pick No. 13.

    dhesh at webmail dot co dot za

    ReplyDelete
  79. I like Worcester Sketchbook No. 13. (I'm in the Worcester area!)

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  80. Kate and Oil Facebook fan

    allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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