Focus On... Stubborn Dog Artwork! {And A Giveaway!}

{{CLOSED}}


Like most people, I'm a fan of one-stop shopping. I like Target for this reason. I can get toilet paper, shampoo, milk, pudding, and a cute new purse all in one place! This is also why I like Stubborn Dog Artwork (and the sister store, Stubborn Dog After Dark). Though they don't carry toilet paper (drat!), they do offer multiple styles of artwork, so whatever you fancy, you can find it here! Are you looking for nursery artwork? Done! Are you looking for cute watercolor and ink drawings? Done! Are you looking for pink pachyderm gift tags? Done! Are you looking for affordable acrylic paintings on canvas? Done! Are you looking for a light-hearted interview and an awesome giveaway? Read on!

What kind of mediums do you use and why?

Watercolor and acrylic are my current favorites. Most of my subjects are light and happy, so it seems natural to use something like watercolor.  I pair it with ink a lot because I like the simple lines against the color. On canvas, I like to play with acrylic because it feels bigger and bolder to me, which fits with the shapes and ideas I want to create.

{peeps in love}

What made you decide to sell on etsy?

I came back to painting at a time when I was feeling really crabby about my routine. I was working all day, coming home, eating dinner, watching a little TV, and going to bed. I loved my job, but I was missing something. Once I pulled out the paints, I felt really excited and realized that to be happy I needed to give myself time to create. My mother-in-law and her friend showed me etsy, to which I instantly became addicted, and now there’s no turning back!

{about face}

Where do you get your inspiration?

To be honest, sometimes I don’t really know. A lot of my ideas are very literal, like making adventures for my sheepdog, Scout, or being inspired by beautiful things like trips to the Farmers Market and hikes in the woods. Other times I just start exploring with the paints and discover an idea along the way.

{one daisy}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

Whew. I’m all over the place. Current top picks:

Brandi Carlile

Bon Iver

Horse Feathers

Blitzen Trapper

I’m also a lifetime Beatles fan, a lover of old Motown like the Temptations, and a devotee to classics like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.  

{little portrait - coffee break}

When it's cold outside... I’m happy. I love flannel and mugs of something hot. 

{pollen}

When I'm hungry... I hope that my husband will cook. He’s really good at it. 

{farmer's market - broccoli and carrots}

When I need a boost... I cuddle my dog, sing along to Disney soundtracks, or go to Starbucks. 

{little town 1}

I wish I was/were... independently wealthy? Ha. No – really, I wish I was more organized. 

{apple to zinnias - a stubborn dog alphabet}

If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be... peace of mind, hot chocolate, and a stack of my favorite books.

{red trees}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be... Barbara Kingsolver or Cormac McCarthy - two of my favorite authors. 

{hammerhead shark}

If you were an animal, what would you be? A loon! Not because I’m crazy, though that might fit, but because they live on northern lakes in some of the most beautiful places I know.

 {ollie - orange}

What's your favorite piece of your own?  

I’ve never thought about that before. I guess it might be Scout’s “A is for Ants” because that started me on a great adventure into illustration. I also still think fondly of my first big acrylic to sell at an art fair, “Oh.” I loved it from the start, but it was one of those things that a lot of people just didn’t get. I’ll never forget the lovely mother/daughter duo that came in and felt just as excited about it as I did. That was a kick of confidence that I needed. 

{Oh.}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now?

I have a substantial blogroll, but a few of my top sites are:

Geninne's Art Blog

Lovely Design

Cake Wrecks

Hear*Ya

::::Stubborn Dog can be found in the following places::::

- etsy (stubborn dog) -

- etsy (stubborn dog after dark) -

- facebook -

- blog -

Ashley has so graciously offered 2 fabulous prints for a lucky reader. The winner will receive a Fall Critter print set {1 of these and 1 of these}!

- 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 Stubborn Dog and tell me your favorite item!

Extra entries (optional):

- Head over to Stubborn Dog After Dark and tell me your favorite item!

- Follow the Stubborn Dog blog.

- Become a Facebook fan of Stubborn Dog.

- 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).

- Become a Facebook fan of Kate and Oli.

- 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 9, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on October 10, 2010 and will be emailed promptly. Stubborn Dog will ship anywhere in the world!