Friday, March 25, 2016

2 books out and a giveaway!



Mandalas for the Inspired Artist is out !!!!!
The book I am in, along with 3 other artists. Louise Gale, Marisa Edghill and Alyssa Stokes, published by Walter Foster Publishing !



 YEAH!!!!
I am so excited.
 I love how it turned out.
 Lots of big bright art to hopefully inspire people!
Each of the 4 artists included all have very different styles so you get to see a variety of ways to create mandalas.
Alyssa has wonderful arranged mandalas of flowers and food!
Marisa has a cut and paste collaged mandalas that I am planning to try.
Louise shows her way of creating her beautiful organic looking mixed media mandalas.
And I show how I start my watercolor mandalas with a compass. Using a compass might seem more intimidating to some people than just letting a mandala grow out from the center, but I find it very simple and relaxing. Hopefully looking at the book you can see how easy it is to do and will try it yourself if you have never made a  mandala.

You can get the book on Amazon
But
wouldn't it be more fun to get it from me...
In my Etsy shop where I have a signed copy along with a postcard of one of my mandalas!
OR
you can leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy from me!!!!
To be entered in the giveaway just leave a comment telling me what you create that relaxes you,
anytime before next friday.




Then my second big news...

The Bee Queen's Message

I did it.
 I finally finished my children's book and put it up for sale on Blurb with my coloring book. 
It is the story of the Bee Queen and how she calls the crows to help her send a message to all the children of the world.
 Here's the cover and the Queen's message....


I have been working on it for ever it seems and I have posted photos in progress in 2 or 3 posts before. And NOW FINALLY...
You can get a copy on Blurb
and eventually Amazon 
but I am not sure how to do that yet.
and in my etsy shop once I get my physical copy in the mail.
 And you can see a preview on the big thumbnail to the right of my blog...

Yes, it is more expensive than a similar book of it's size in the store, but then it is self published and unique! I don't know if there is a cheaper way to self publish, but so far I do like Blurb. I ordered myself a few copies so I will see how it looks.

Plus you can buy a swatch of fabric on spoonflower that you can turn into a fabric Bee Queen and another to make into the Raven named Fair from the story. And there will be fabric that has honeycomb and bees just like the cover. I would love to have a gift set that I can offer on etsy with the book, fabric or premade doll and an iron on and temporary tattoo of the bee Queen's symbol. and maybe a necklace  of the Queen's symbol as well.
and a mug and jar of honey....
(You can tell I have been having fun with this idea!)
then I even wanted to make a tiny cupcake out of fimo clay for the doll to give to Fair like in the story as well.

Please check it out!
Thanks for stopping by
and don't forget to leave a comment telling me what art relaxes you to be entered into my giveaway!
Happy paint party friday!

15 comments:

  1. Congrats on your wonderful books. Happy Easter, Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

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  2. This is so cool . . . I am so excited for you :)
    Happy Easter!
    Connie :)

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  3. WOW, You have created some amazing books. Congratulations on all of these.

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  4. WOw! Congratulations! Two books - and both amazing! Wonderful giveaway.

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  5. wow- what cool adventures-congratulations on all counts Andrea!! Hmm, the ? , I think the art that relaxes me the most is any time I just listen to the quiet and let it go where it takes me with no preconceived notions. Thanks for the giveaway. Would love to try my hand at mandalas. Happy PPF and a happy Easter too.

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  6. Congratulations!! There is nothing quite like being published. I am so happy for you. So what do I do to relax? Hmmm coloring is my new relaxation. Happy Easter

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  7. What wonderful books, kusos to you! I really love mandalas and do need your book. So if i dont win I guess I need to ger from you!

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  8. I decided not to wait! I ordered and if I win, my close friencs birthdat is in May, will be a great gift!

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  9. What an exciting week here!! Congratulations in your completion...you must be so proud!Everything looks to be wonderful and well planned out!! Art that relaxes me believe it or not is anything whimsical and colourful, with dark black lines...I find whimsy takes me away and makes my insides smile!! Thanks for sharing and the best of luck with your book!!

    Hugs Giggles

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  10. You are on fire. Congrats! Xox

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  11. Congratulation. Very cool book, i am exciting to have ;))))

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  12. wow, that's wonderful - i love the cover of Bee Queen's message.

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  13. Congratulations on your books, Andrea. Drawing mandalas is probably the most relaxing for me at the moment. I enjoy coming up with fun designs, turning images I see in nature into motifs for my mandalas.

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  14. Congratulations with your latest publications!
    For relaxation I love to gather and paint beach stones.

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  15. Exciting opportunity to win a book plus just finding out about you and your work. The most relaxing thing about my art to me is holding, pencil, pen, pastel stick, etc. There is a thrill just holding them.

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