Announcing...2008 Literary Contest

The Extraordinary Pencil
"Sponsors High School Literary Contest"

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This is the second year that I have sponsored the literary contest at our local High School. The information was submitted to the students some time ago...with the contest closing before Thanksgiving. We did it earlier this year in order to avoid the end of the year activities. I would expect to be announcing the winners sometime in December and posting their poems and essays in January, along with a short biography about the author.

As before, High School students are ask to submit a Poem or Descriptive Essay, using one of my Pencil Drawings as their subject and inspiration. There are over fifty drawings on my website to choose from. The $100 in prize money will be divided between first, second, and third place winners.

My hopes are that through the writing process the student will develop a greater appreciation for fine art of all types, and learn to view an original drawing, a painting, or even a piece of sculpture with a questioning mind. Art always tells us a story. In fact I believe there are two stories to be told...the one that inspires the artist and the one that inspires the viewer.

I hope you will return to the "Young Authors" section of my blog often and read "the story behind" the image that inspired their poems and essays.

PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment.

November Update:

The Show Season Ends...
I had a two day private showing of my work this past weekend in my home town...a nice way to finish my show season. It is always great to to come home for my last show. Everyone is glad to see me and anxious to hear how my art fairs went. It is more of a social time than a time to sell, however, I did book two commissions. I usually plan to work on a piece while I'm there...everyone seems to enjoy this, but I never get much actual drawing done. A special thanks to everyone who stopped in.

Off to New York: I am presently visiting my daughter and grandson in New York; I flew out on Monday and will be staying through Thanksgiving, flying back late the next week. I have been looking forward to this trip. My show season is long and I hate it that we see so little of each other. It is just hard having your children so far away. We are having a great time...going to celebrate Thanksgiving on Tuesday as my daughter, "the chef", has to work on the holiday.

When I return home I will be finishing my commissioned pieces for Christmas and after the holidays will start on some new works of my own. I have more ideas in my head than I will ever be able do get done...but excited none the less. Now that I am no longer traveling every weekend perhaps I can be more attentive to my blog. It has been neglected the last few months and I apologize for this.

Thanks so much for your encouragement and support,
Marsha

PS...make a "Point"...post a comment.

New Additions to my Website

I have been hard at work since my last newsletter making some changes to my website. My art career has taken on a new life and I am really excited about the new direction that I am moving in. I have been preparing to approach galleries in some of the larger cities in my area, in hopes that they will carry some of my originals and possibly some of my Limited Editions and Artist Proofs. I still have to have slides made of some of my newer drawings, as they require you to jury in order to be accepted. Then I'm off to "peddle my wares". When you visit my site you will notice that there have been several changes made.

"About the Artist" has a new look...I have reorganized the information and eliminated some in order to hopefully make it easier to find what you are most interested in.

The "Commissions" category also has a new look... as with the some other areas, I have condensed and organized information in the hopes of making it more user friendly.

Under "About the Artwork", I have answered some of my most asked questions.
1. Open and Limited Editions...what is the difference?
2. What is an Artist Proof?
3. What is a Certificate of Authenticity?
4. What is a Remarque...will it increase the value of my print?

In my "Portfolio of Works," you will notice many changes also. After much thought I have closed out some of my Limited Editions. If you have purchased one of these closed out LE's...hang on to it. If I ever become another "Grandma Moses" it will be of great value! The premature closing of these editions make them a "very small and rare edition" indeed. Thus increasing their value. You will also notice that a few of my drawings are now offered in "Open Edition" prints....most are offered in two sizes.

**The "Regular Size OE" is similar in size to the original drawing.
**The "Large Size OE" is more in the 11x11 to 11x15 size range.

This Larger Open Edition has been the single most requested item by far...so here it is, I hope you enjoy it. I am quite pleased with the quality and size of this new larger print. The price on both of the new Open Editions are considerably lower than my Limited Editions... making them more affordable for those of you who simply want to decorate your home. I do understand that not everyone is a collector!

I want to personally say thanks for all your support and encouragement as I've gone forward in this new career. You're simply the best.

Marsha


PS...make a "Point"...post a comment.

Print of the Month...update

Rack'em Up
This is the new "large Open Edition"...11x13
Cost...$39.00
Free Shipping!!
A savings of $8.50 for US customers,
or $13.50 for orders shipped overseas.

This offer is good until midnight November 30, 2007
and is now exclusive to my "Email Newsgroup"

I've been offering "The Print of the Month" for some time now...each month I would notify my email newsgroup of the current months offering and then post it on my website, making it available to everyone.

Starting in November the Print of the Month will be exclusive to my Email Newsgroup. Each month's newsletter will have a new print offering and as in the past you will be able to purchase it at a considerable savings. I may occasionally offer a Limited Edition, but for the most part the monthly print will be one of my new Open Editions. The "Print of the Month" will be available until the current month ends. I may even sometimes surprise you with a mid-month "tickler"...who knows.

Join Now...don't miss another issue

I will still announce the current months print on my website, just to let them know what they are missing and encourage them to join the Newsletter Group...but those of you who are current members of my "Newsgroup" are the only ones who will be eligible to purchase.