Monday Meet and Greet! :)

Wow! Not sure what was up with Blogger today but for some reason it wouldn't let me upload photos! And my Blog without Photos Seriously!!! :) So, better late than never, here we go! :)

From Time to Time I like to profile new to me Artists whose work I just love, and so, here is Brad Stivers.

I bumped into Brad in the forums on Etsy a few weeks ago and was immediately struck by his amazing Artwork.

He is an Artist/Muralist; here is the link to his Mural website http://www.stiversart.com be prepared to be blown away.

I asked him if I could feature him on my Blog. I sent him some questions so we could get to know him a little better but first here is a brief Bio :)

"I have a BA in Art with a concentration in Drawing from the University of Louisville. A year or so after I graduated I was still working in a bar and clearly not using my art degree so I started painting murals. That's become the main outlet for my creativity. I really enjoy working on the kid's murals, particularly when I am able to develop my own design, which has led to the children's paintings and then to the Etsy shop. I am married to a wonderful woman who has made it all possible and have two beautiful children".

and this is what he replied to the interview questions I sent :)

1). What do you love about being creative?

I love that being creative isn't easy.

2). What is your Greatest achievement?

Personally, my family. Professionally, still being self-employed after 8 years.

3). What is your idea of happiness?

Family, friends, making art, having what I need instead of getting what I want but it's probably just chemicals in the brain.

4). When do you lie?

On Mondays, Tuesdays, and every other Friday.

5). What is your Greatest extravagance?

Doughnuts.

6). What do you think is overrated?

Going to the beach. I'm not a fan of sand or saltwater.

7). What do you most dislike?

Can we all assume I don't like things like war, poverty, famine, disease and injustice and I'll just say migraines because I really don't like migraines.

8). Tell us 4 things about yourself that would let us peek into your world or that you think define you.

1. It is quite possible that I became an artist just as an excuse to be messy and disorganized.

2. I work alone and often have no other in person contact outside of my family for days or a week at a time.

3. I like music, here are some bands I like: Okkervil River, The White Stripes, The Decemberists, Modest Mouse, and Bruce Springsteen to name a very, very few.

4. I'm an incredibly picky eater, I mean really picky, annoyingly picky. I've tried to get over it but my taste buds can't help it.

9). What would be your dream life?

The life I'm living, just a little bit easier.

10). When you Die what would you like to come back as?

I'm not looking to come back but I've always felt like I would make a good monkey.

TOO FUNNY :) T.

Here are a few of the exceptional prints in his Etsy Shop right now;

Children's Wall Art Print - The Mariner and the Sea Monster (fits 8x10 frame)

Children's Art Print - The Sun Barely Contains His Excitement (fits 5 x 7 frame)

Children's Wall Art Print - The Mariner and the Squid (fits 8x10 frame)

So, I asked Brad if he would be interested in doing a Giveaway to go along with this interview and he was really up for it. So, here is the info.

The Giveaway is for any single print from his Etsy shop (no sets or cards), people have to be a follower of his blog and comment on the Giveaway post on his blog or on this blog to enter. The Giveaway will run until midnight April 7th EST.

Here is the link to Brad's Blog :)

Here is the link to Brad's Etsy Shop, go choose which print you would like to win :)

Good Luck to everyone. :)

Happy Painting/Creating! :) T.