Friday Give-Away ~ Art of Andrew Daniel

The Art of Andrew Daneil

http://www.artofandrewdaniel.etsy.com/

Isn't this artwork amazing? I demand you go immediately to this shop and see all it has to offer...but then come back. You will not be disappointed. Just look:

1. Tell us a little about yourself and what inspires your creativity the most.

I live in rural Northern California, about 6 hours north of San Francisco, in a small college town of Arcata. After studying art at three universities I went into working with kids for seven years. While I spent so much time with the wee ones, I found myself inspired by the bold "crayola" colors and the imaginative exploration that I was around. Also, I loved to check out the childrens books from the school library and share them with the kids.

Religious art has inspired me for a long time as well, and I have been looking for ways to express some of those feelings...in a more secular language.

This year is my first year as a full time artist! It has been quite interesting, learning to deal with the issues of self discipline, self promotion, and isolation that comes from the studio life. Growing and adjusting I guess...

2. How long have you been creating?

Well, I guess I have been doing this since I was a kid, taking it more seriously as time moved on. These days I try to take it less seriously, more intuitively.

3. Where did you learn your skills?

When I was in second grade, I knew this kid named Gan Golan from summer camp. Man could he draw! All the kids would huddle around him to see what he would come up with. His father was an artist too. It was then that I decided that art was something I wanted to work at. Along the way, I have turned to many, many masters throughout history, by spending lots of time in libraries and museums. Art history is such a rich well to dip from! Also, I had many great teachers, professors and artists who have been very generous with their time. I only hope to create something that really reflects potential of what I learned someday!

4. What is your most memorable creation?

Usually my mind is more focused on the future, but there are a few pieces that I hold up as ideals in my mind. Probably the painting that I have in my living room called "Radiant Forest" is my current ideal painting. I would love to be able to use it as a spring board for growth and some day look back on it and laugh at how it tormented me. Right now it boggles me a bit. I nailed so many issues that I still struggle with today!

5. How did you find Esty?

I came across Etsy often when I was using online artists forums. Many artists had links to their shops. At one point I was looking into getting a shopping cart for my own website. That was when I remembered Etsy and decided to give it a try! It has been much better than having just a regular shopping cart on my own site, because it comes with this huge base of customers that see your items as well as those you can bring yourself.

And now, THE GIVE AWAY!

The Beautiful Print!!

Just post a comment saying what you like about the shop. Contest will close Thursday at noon Mountain time. Winner will be announced that afternoon.