Focus On... Eastwitching! {And A Giveaway!}

If you missed my post on the Eastwitching bunnies a few weeks ago - you missed out! I love her bunnies - the emotion in their faces is palpable. And now, she has new ones - I like the english eccentrics. Read the interview with Alison and don't forget to enter the giveaway for a print of your choice!

Tell me some basic info about yourself.

I started Eastwitching because I wanted to paint scenes from the novel by John Updike called "The Witches of Eastwick" - I only did one or two and then I started painting animals. 

{gossamer dreams}

What made you decide to sell on etsy?

I joined Etsy because it was such a simple and beautiful site and very attractive and easy to use as a buyer and a seller.

{to the lighthouse}

Where do you get your inspiration?

The drama of light and shade inspires my work. Color contrast also inspires me. Animals with their innocence and artfulness intrigues me and painting their shapes and gestures is a challenge that constantly appeals to me. I also paint people portraits in pastel and I am always looking at people's faces as the infinite ways of expression enchant me.

An ideal buyer is someone who sees a painting of mine and feels what I felt when I was painting it - in other words the painting will resonate with them in some way. The energy and mood I was feeling at the time can be felt in a painting and it is this that someone else may pick up on if it is for them.

{home to roost}

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

I use watercolor because it is so clean and non sticky and messy but really because it is so fresh and spontaneous and it moves on the paper by itself aking it look free and energised. I also use soft pastels as they are perfect for my portrait work - allowing me more control than watercolor as pastel stays just where you put it!

{apple orchard time - one of my faves!}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

My fave music is Led Zeppelin or sometimes Joni Mitchell.

{strength}

When its cold outside... 

me and my Jack Russel Dotty sit together on the settee with a nice sweet cup of strong milky tea and toast and watch the wild weather through the patio doors that look onto our tiny back garden.

{happy days}

When I need a boost... 

I surf all the lovelies on Etsy! Or treat myself to a couple of second hand books on Amazon.

{gooseberry bunny}

I wish I was...

- nope - don't wish I was anything else - fine as I am.

{serenity seahorse}

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

- inner peace.

{orange tulips}

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

with Mr Robert Plant please.

{custom home portraits}

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I would be a fire horse as this is my Chinese Zodiac sign.

{king of fox hollow - special promotion price - only $19!}

What's your favorite piece of your own?

Fave piece of my own is a pastel of an Apache Indian. I am pleased with his simplicity and emotion. 

{waiting}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now?

Etsy, Amazon

{periwinkle budgie}

You can find Alison

on her blog, 

her collaboration blog (she is currently illustrating a child's poem by poet Marnie Jones. The poem is about animals waking in the morning in nature and will hopefully be ready by the end of October!), 

her blog for animal charity, 

her animals etsy shop, 

her nude and portrait etsy shop, 

her florals etsy shop, 

her architecture etsy shop, 

her art blog for animal charities, 

and flickr!

*Also*

here is a great article published by Alison's University when she was published by a major greeting card company in 1997.

Alison has graciously offered to give away one print (a $25 value) 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):

Head over to Eastwitching and tell me your favorite item!

Extra Entries (optional):

- Head over to any of Alison's other shops and tell me your favorite item there (and which shop it's from). 1 entry/comment for each shop.

- Follow Alison's blog.

- 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.

- Like Kate and Oli on Facebook.

- 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 October 22, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on October 23, 2010 and will be emailed promptly. Michelle will ship anywhere in the world!