Sunday, March 1, 2009

Art Giveaway and Kiva Sale


This past year I've sold, given away and thrown out a lot of older art. I have a few eclectic pieces I've held onto, ranging from children's illustration I like to do from time to time, to older linocut prints to semi- abstract paintings. I like all these pieces for one reason or another but want to declutter my art studio so I'm having a sale.

Here's how it works. I've put a selection of art for sale here in my Etsy shop. All shipping is free and EVERY penny you pay for the purchase of the art goes directly to Kiva. Kiva is an organization that pays out micro loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries. You decide who and where you want to give the loan to from the Kiva website. You may get the loan paid back one day, you may not, but it's a great charity for helping people out of poverty into self sufficiency. If you see something you like for sale, but it exceeds your budget, make me an offer at ellesereda(at)gmail(dot)com, I'm pretty flexible. It's a win win win situation for everyone. I get to make more space in my studio, you get some very affordable original art and someone, somewhere gets a little help to make their own livelihood.

I promised a giveaway in my last post and so here it is. Blue Crow


This is an original mixed media piece I just finished - pen, coloured pencil and acrylic (5"x5"). The background is not grey but a lovely metallic silver. I think I am spending far too much time with crows because every time I look at shiny things I become MES-MER-IZED, the silver paint is so pretty, I just like to stare at it. This scan doesn't do justice to the drawing. It comes matted in a 9"x9" white mat that fits the inexpensive Ribba frames available at Ikea.

I was going to give this piece to the first person who bought something from the Kiva sale, but that wouldn't be a giveaway, that would be a little attempt at bribery. So instead, I'll do a draw for this piece for all those who comment in this post for the next week. However, if you'd like to promote and support the Kiva sale, well, that'd be nice. And of course, if you do and win this crow artwork then I certainly must bestow upon you a pack of Freakin' Magical Unicorn Gum just to spread around a little more happiness.

11 comments:

p said...

what a great thing to do (tod turned me onto that kiva site and he has loaned $$ there and already got some of it back within a month!) great way to push art that you are ready to let go of.

Jean Levert Hood said...

I love Kiva, Ellen! I'm been a part of it for some time, and it is so very gratifying.

Julie B said...

I'll put a link up on facebook and twitter promoting your sale and giveaway, Ellen. I won't promise to get it up on my blog, but I will try!

I have not heard about Kiva, but it sounds like a wonderful thing. I'm off to find out about it now!

dianeclancy said...

Hi Ellen,

This is wonderful that you are donating all the proceeds from your sale to Kiva!! Micro-businesses and micro-loans are very powerful!

Please enter me into your drawing!

~ Diane Clancy
www.DianeClancy.com/blog
www.DianeClancy.etsy.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip about kiva...and I have to say you're work is stunning.

andrea said...

Count me oin! And if I win, you won't even need to ship it! (I can bribe, too, though I know you'll be scrupulously honest about this.) Really, scanning or photographing reflective artwork, as I know so well with my on-black drawings, is SO much better in person, so if I like it this much then I know the actual draiwng is amazing.

If I can drum up the energy to post soemthing in the next few days I'll meniton your sale as it's definitely above and beyond the call of duty, but for now I'm just tickled that I DUSTED today. :)

Kiva's suvch a great organization. Must donate more money soon.

dinahmow said...

Hooray for Kiva. (I've been registered for a while now)
And I must have a closer look at that Viking ship. Looks like lino. A bit like mine!
Really like the whole panel, as posted on this site.
And crows? Would I want to win a crow? Yes, so long as it's not called Russell!

Melody said...

Kiva is a wonderful organization and I've been a supporter for the last three years. It is gratifying to know your money is going toward helping someone in another part of the world get a business together and succeed. Worthwhile!

p said...

hey, i just wrote another post and am linking to this post on my sidebar. hope its okay, if not let me know. YOU'VE STARTED SOMETHING :)

Ellen said...

Thanks for commenting everyone. Julie thanks for promoting the sale and Paula, you rock! thanks for joining in with your own sale.

I've got a winner and will post it tommorrow. And Dinah, not Russell? really, I thought everyone loved Russell.

Unknown said...

I love your little Kiva art sale. You have some great stuff.
Found you through self taught artist.