Thursday, February 3, 2011

Focus On... Art Garden! {And A Giveaway!}

Art Garden is a beautiful shop that makes you feel peaceful just browsing - imagine how you'd feel if you saw one of these beauties everyday! Lupen, the lovely lady behind Art Garden, has lavishly offered to permanently loan you one of her beautiful prints! Okay, that was my strange and slightly sad attempt at alliteration - but basically, you could win your very own print from Art Garden!

Tell me some basic info about yourself.

My name is Lupen, I grew up in Portland Oregon . When I was 20 I moved to Lopez Island in Washington state , a very small Island only 14 miles long at the longest distance. I lived there for 15 years, gardening , farming , crafting , collecting seaweed , kayaking and sleeping under the stars on summer nights . My husband and I left the Northwest a few years ago for sunnier skies however .... and we are now living in a small town in northern California , there's alot I miss about the Island , but I don't miss the 9 months of winter :) 



What kind of mediums do you use and why? 
I am a self taught artist experimenting with lots of different mediums. My main mediums seem to be colored pencil, ink and acrylic paint. I got my first set of 'Prismacolor' pencils when I was in grade school and been in love with them ever since, I like that they are so portable to take out into the field to draw plants. I also like the bold colors of acrylics and use them mostly for doing large pieces. 



What made you decide to sell on etsy? 

I stumbled upon Etsy a few years ago ..... and I knew right away I wanted to join and be a part of the community. I was already selling my art at farmers markets and craft fairs and this seemed like a great venue for my work. I was so happy to find a place with so much creativity and handmade goods.

{hollyhock - my fave!}


Where do you get your inspiration? 

Alot from nature and my garden . I love the macro close up world of plants and seed pods , vintage photographs , and different color combinations I may see throughout my day , can inspire my pieces . Reading Hafiz and Rumi poetry inspires me with some of my figure drawings.



What is your favorite music to craft by? 

I usually have my music on shuffle, which is wide variety of things like French music , Hawaiian , Carla Bruni, Micheal Franti, Habib Koite, Celtic , and some of my old favorites like the Cure and the Pogues.



When it's cold outside... 

I love to go out for long walks.



When I'm hungry... 

It seems like I'm always hungry :) snacking and cups of tea are part of my day between meals to keep me going



When I need a boost... 
I like to spend time outside, it seems to give me the the boost I need usually , I also meditate , and I will look through my sketchbooks for ideas if I'm not feeling the creative flow and see where I can pick it up again.




I wish I was/were... 

more confident and had less self doubt .



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

unconditional self love 



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

All my girlfriends I miss and love dearly on Lopez Island.



If you were an animal, what would you be? 
I would be a river otter, because they get to enjoy the water and the land, and eat as much fresh seaweed as they want.


What's your favorite piece of your own? 
My 'Vision of home' Painting is my favorite piece , I painted this a few years ago when we were living on Maui ( we were there for a couple years before we moved to California ) and not really realizing it until a while after we moved in to our house here in California ... it is the house in the painting most things about it..it is so weird ! ..minus the red walls. The vision of home really worked.... 


What are your favorite blogs/websites right now?




You can find Art Garden
on her blog
on etsy!



Lupen has offered to giveaway one 5x7 print of your choice to a lucky winner!



- 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):
- Visit Art Garden, select your favorite item and tell me about it.

Extra entries (optional):
- Follow the Art Garden blog.
- Sign up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.
Follow me on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.
- 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 February 11, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on February 12, 2010 and will be emailed promptly.

88 comments:

  1. Hollyhock, definitely!!! AMazing.
    leftcostamom at gmail dot com

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  2. entry 2: I'm on the Kate and Oli mailing list.
    leftcostamom at gmail dot com

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  4. oops, forgot my twitter link.
    http://twitter.com/#!/LeftCostaMom/status/33289732154867712
    I follow you on twitter, too!
    leftcostamom at gmail dot com

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  5. Black Wire Pods -- Giclee Print Fine Art Botanical illustration - 5x7 ink and pencil line drawing seed pods in black and cream tones is my favorite. It is almost a monotone psychedelic print! lol

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  6. I like this one

    http://www.etsy.com/listing/64499216/sale-40-off-original-painting-eucalyptus

    the bold colors of this painting really stands out.

    www.thecrochetloft.etsy.com

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  7. I really like the...Eucalyptus flowers - on canvas . Fine Art botanical . home decor

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  8. I love the Two Ferns print. Reminds me of sunnier days and spring time!

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

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  9. following the art garden blog via GFC

    marija.majerle at gmail dot com

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  10. i love love love visiting the cherry tree
    following with gfc
    trisha
    mahgwi21 (at) yahoo

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  11. My favorite item is the Blackberry vine - Fine Art Print 8x10
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. I follow Art Garden Spiral's blog with google friend connect
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  14. I follow you on Twitter - I'm @AmberGoo - and tweeted: http://twitter.com/AmberGoo/status/33365570254540801
    Thank you for the giveaway :)
    hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. My favorite is Visiting a Cherry Tree, I love birds so it really caught my attention! and the colours are so pretty together. Thanks for the chance into this giveaway.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

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  16. I love tulips, so obviously I adore this print http://www.etsy.com/listing/28890488/tulip-tree-fine-art-botanical !

    Following on GFC!

    danaan at gmx dot at

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  17. Liked you on FB (Birgit Lehner)!

    danaan at gmx dot at

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  18. GFC follower. I like "Visiting a Cherry Tree". It looks so peaceful, and it's something I'd want to put in my daughter's room.

    littleamberfaith@yahoo.com

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  19. I like your page on FB.
    Amber Faith Pilcher

    littleamberfaith@yahoo.com

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  20. i like Dusty Rose flower

    anna_k67 at yahoo dot com

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  21. Following the Art Garden blog

    anna_k67 at yahoo dot com

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  22. i'm quite fond of the Botanica Exotica, myself :) so vibrant and vivid!

    following as Yin~
    flory(dot)leow(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. Aw...love those illustrations, although my favourite one is the Queen annes lace - Fine Art Giclee Reproduction Print Natural history botanical drawing

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  24. follow your blog gfc skipthelaundry
    I like the eucalyptus flowers original painting because it's very bright with the pinks and greens.
    skipthelaundry at gmail dot com

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  25. follow artgarden blog
    skipthelaundry
    skipthelaundry at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  26. subscribed to emails
    skipthelaundry at gmail dot com

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  27. follow on twitter and tweeted
    http://twitter.com/skipthelaundry/status/33544875978784769
    skipthelaundry at gmail dot com

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  28. like you on facebook
    amber jackson porter
    skipthelaundry at gmail dot com

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  29. I love the coral tree. The colors are so vibrant!
    susanerios at hotmail.com

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  30. LIKE kate&oli on FB
    susanerios at hotmail.com

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  31. beautiful prints! i love "dogwood branches"!!!

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  32. hollyhock is my fav but i also love the black wire pods jmmccarr@gmail.com

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  33. I love "Centered in Peace." What a beautiful reminder.

    hrfarley at gmail dot com

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  34. I love the coral tree.
    burchard_kim at yahoo.com

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  36. I like the SALE 40% off - Original painting Whimsical Hamsa hand in orange/red and green

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  37. I Follow the Art Garden blog

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  38. I Signed up for the Kate and Oli mailing list

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  39. I Follow me on Twitter @CricketSaunders

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  40. I Like Kate and Oli on Facebook

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  41. i like a lot of them, including this one:
    http://www.etsy.com/listing/42776021/40-off-sale-original-botanical-painting

    bittofraw@gmail.com

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  42. following art garden bittofraw@gmail.com

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  43. Queen Annes Lace is pretty

    faked_sugartone at hotmail

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  44. http://www.etsy.com/listing/38711265/purple-salvia-5x7-fine-art-print

    i like this purple salvia print because of it's softness and neon type tone of purple . really pretty

    tumblemumbo at gmail.com

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  45. Following the blog via GFC.(panicxduh)

    I'm between the Rainbow Om Print as a reminder to stay present, or the Two Ferns Fine Art Print to represent new growth in my life!
    panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  46. e-mail subscriber.(validated!)
    panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  47. Following the Art Garden blog via GFC.(panicxduh)
    panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  48. I LIKE Kate & Oli on Facebook (Erin Mize)
    panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  49. Following @ichbinseins via Twitter.
    http://twitter.com/erinxduh/status/33821518307786752
    panicxduh[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  50. peripatetic33
    peripatetic33 at hot mail dot com
    my favorite is queen anne's lace it brings back memories of childhood and the rendering is perfect

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  51. I blogged about it!
    http://mostlycrafty.blogspot.com/2011/02/cabin-fever.html
    lauraloops at gmail

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  52. i follow you on my blooger blog
    lovelylittledeer at hotmail.co.uk

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  53. http://www.etsy.com/listing/59848623/visiting-a-cherry-tree-fine-art is my fave, it is just gorgeous!
    lovely art!

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  54. http://art-garden-spiral.blogspot.com/ i follow this blog

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  55. i follow you on twitter, lovelylildeer

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  56. I really love Black Wire Pods -- Giclee Print Fine Art Botanical illustration. The pattern in the background is gorgeous and I love the intricate detail of this illustration.

    melissa.ellermann@gmail.com

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  57. Following the Art Garden blog via google reader.

    melissa.ellermann@gmail.com

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  58. I follow on twitter and tweeted about this giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/craftyfusion/status/33934225795186688

    melissa.ellermann@gmail.com

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  59. My favorite from art garden is Mandala set of 3 -- Aceo Fine Art Prints because it has this psychedelic feel to it.
    -I Followed the Art Garden blog.
    - I Signed up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.
    - I followed and tweeted on twitter
    twitter: @thatgirlrose
    -I liked your facebook

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  60. Botanica Exotica Fine Art Botanical Print is gorgeous...I love the colors and intricate patterns.

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  61. I added your button to my blog!
    mostlycrafty.blogspot.com
    Laura

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  62. My favourite has got to be mustard and bloom. It's beautiful :)

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  63. "Blackberry vine" print is my favorite! :) simpe and beutiful. thank you for the lovely giveaway

    stockroomdoko at gmail dot com

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  64. So lovely, I'm especially enamored with the love birds print.

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  65. I'm following Art Garden in Google Reader ^^

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  66. I love the lotus I would hang it in our shop, Karma Konnections
    earthdancedaph@yahoo.com

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  67. i'm your follower via gfc :) my favorite item from ArtGarden is the "Open heart - Fine Art Goddess heart Print 5x7" :) soooo peaceful just by looking at it. great items!
    pringlespalo(at)gmail(dot)com

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  68. i have signed up and confirmed for the Kate and Oli mailing list :)
    pringlespalo(at)gmail(dot)com

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  69. i'm now a follower of http://art-garden-spiral.blogspot.com/ :) pringlespalo(at)gmail(dot)com

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  70. Beautiful work, wow!! My favourite piece is the "Visiting a cherry tree - Fine Art Reproduction Giclee Print" (I'm a GFC follower: erin d)

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  71. I followed the Art Garden blog! (erin d)

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  72. I subscribed to the Kate and Oli e-mail list! (dr..ch..@gmail)

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  73. I liked Kate and Oli on Facebook (erin d)

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  74. I would love to have the Visiting the Cherry Tree
    lovekatydid at g mail dot com

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  75. I follow their blog
    lovekatydid at g mail dot com

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  76. I subscribed to your emails
    lovekatydid at g mail dot com

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  77. I tweeted :)
    http://twitter.com/#!/lovekatydid/status/34841983159631872

    lovekatydid at g mail dot com

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  78. I like your facebook page :) Love Katydid
    lovekatydid at g mail dot com

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  79. I'm in love with the 'visiting a cherrytree' art. Birds are one of my favorite animals, and I think the movement through the painting is gorgeous.

    jasminewaiteATgmail.com

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  82. this is my favorite item http://www.etsy.com/listing/59665333/mandala-stickers-set-of-6 because it would fit right in with my little collection box I have with flowers/birds I have been saving for the perfect time to use them
    katherinekinnaird@yahoo.com

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  83. katherine kinnaird is GF blog follower of Art Garden Spiral and kate and oli
    katherinekinnaird@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. @kinnairdkath follows @ichbinseins on twitter
    katherinekinnaird2yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. katherine kinnaird likes Kate and Oli on Facebook on Fb
    katherinekinnaird@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  86. Following you! I love the Botanica Exotica piece!

    ReplyDelete

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