...AND the WINNER IS...Friday, January 17, 2014

I am so excited to announce that the winner is Marlene Daniels.  Marlene is a fellow painter from Michigan.

The other day when I was talking with a friend, I told her that I wanted to do more.  I've always felt sorry that people from other countries often don't win or are not included in drawings.  I've been blessed to win an AWESOME painting from my friend in Australia.  I wanted to do a bit more in spreading the JOY, so I painted two smaller 8x10 canvas boards and decided that I would have two more winners.  I would have 3 winners:  One from the general population, one from those who follow my blog and then I would choose a winner from a country OTHER than the country that was the GRAND PRIZE winner...The first name I pulled was from the general population.  AMAZINGLY, the NEXT name I pulled from the bucket (a cool whip bucket...LOL) was someone who FOLLOWED my BLOG...I think it was just meant to be.

 

WELL, since the winner was from Michigan, I then was looking for a winner that lived outside of the United States.  I drew two more names, and numbered them in CASE, I did not hear from the original winner, BUT the next name that I drew was from ITALY...I met Franca and we are not only PAINTING buddies, but we are "foodies"...LOL...She asked me how to make cornbread and cinnamon rolls.  I have enjoyed our friendship and she has one of the kindest hearts I have seen...SO I was SO excited to draw her name...

I have heard from all three winners and was so excited that they are glad they won...it warms the cockles of my heart to KNOW that someone appreciates the strokes of my brush.  I prayed that I would be FAIR in my drawing and I was glad that I was. 

OF course, NONE of these paintings would have been possible IF it weren't for Cathy Strate.  SHE is another soul that I am thankful that has crossed my path.  WHEN I saw her circle snowmen, I KNEW that I wanted to learn to paint them.  I offered to PAY her to make me instructions, BUT true to form, she generously GAVE the instructions for ANYBODY who wishes to learn to paint these FANTASTIC snowmen.  I am in AWE of the shadows.  I HAVE figured out that I use WAY more paint than she does, BUT I think that will be what separates my creations from hers.

Click HERE to go to the Tutorial for the Circle Snowmen on Cathy's Blog:  Tolentreasures.  Don't look for part two of the tutorial because there is only one part, and really, that is all you need!

Of course, I painted these using Americana Paints by DecoArt...they are made in the USA and always consistent!

THANK you for EVERYONE who entered and who have shared my page and my blog...NO, the NUMBERS is NOT the reason I do this, BUT I do like to think that SOMEONE other than ME is reading what I write and seeing what I paint!  THANK you for your friendships and your encouragement...I HOPE that in some small way, I INSPIRE you...

I can't believe the friends that I have made from all over the world during the past 19 months.  NEVER did I know the path I would be on right now, BUT I am enjoying this journey and look forward to where the road leads...THANK you to each of you who has had a part in my travels...we WILL continue and WILL have many more good times...Blessings to YOU...~charlotte♥