Arte Y Pico Award...

This month I was awarded the Arte Y Pico Award by Pattie Wall, a talented artist from Kansas. Patty was one of the students in the workshop that I took in Austin taught by Karin Jurick and Carol Marine. Unbeknownst to me she has been following my blog since then and graciously chose me for this award. I have seen this on other people's blogs and thought it was a way cool idea, but never thought I would receive one. If I had thought about it I would have guessed that it would be sent by someone I know really well. I was so touched to get this from Patty and to have it reinforced that I am not just sending this stuff out into space....that someone besides just my family is actually looking at it. ==sniff- sniff===This is where I say "I promised myself I wasn't going to do this" as I dramatically wipe away a tear. But there is business to take care of.

The Origin of The Arte y Pico Award You might be interested in the origin of the "Arte y Pico Award" The designer of the award puts it like this..."The Arte y Pico Award has arisen from the daily visits that I make to many blogs which nourish and enrich me with creativity. In them, I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain and enrich me day to day. Doubtlessly, there are many and it will be hard to pick just a few."

I couldn't have said it better myself. I LOVE the blogging community and cannot tell you the inspiration I have derived from the art, musings, tutorials and general postings I have found there. So, in accord with the "rules" I shall pass on the links for five artists that I think deserve recognition. There are oh, so many, but these five are women I feel exhibit quality and may need to know that others appreciate their efforts.

Faye Christian Phillips-Her blog is the whole package including quotations that match the subject matter of her painting for the day. Can you say "consistent"? And so classy, like her.

Vicki Shuck-I met her (and Faye) in the Carol Marine workshop in Santa Fe. She is working to improve her art sales so that her husband (also an artist) can "quit his day job".

Paula Cravens-Also a "Santa Fe" friend. Her and her husband were so kind to me on that trip! You never know what will appear when you tune into her blog....and I mean that.

Terry Rafferty-Yes, another Santa Fe friend...what can I say? It was a great class! Terry is a serious girl...she is working to get better and better and it shows.

Robin Cheers-I had the pleasure of meeting Robin Cheers at Carol Marine's house when I was in Texas for the Carol Marine/Karin Jurick workshop. I had followed her work online and did not know she would be there so it was a delightful surprise to be shaking her hand all of a sudden. Her work is probably the most similar to what I attempt to achieve in my own style...bold, colorful, bright, happy.

So now I am requested to post "The Rules":

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award through creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogger community, no matter of language.

2. Each award should have the name of the author with a link to their blog.

3. Award winners have to post the award with the name and link to the blog of the person who gave them the award.

4. Show these rules and the paragraph (above) explaining the awards origination.

So there you have it. My thanks to Pattie and my congratulations to these five artists (not intentionally all female, by the way).

Have a great day, I'm off to paint!