Opart Giveaway!!

Good morning everyone!  Glad to see you all survived a night undoubtedly filled with panic and nightmares after Erin's haunted house tour yesterday.  You guys are some tough kittens and for that we would like to reward you!  How about an, um, I don't know, maybe a GIVE AWAY???!!! Hooray!  Everyone loves a give away.  Especially me because it makes me feel like Oprah.  We're very similar if you divide all of her accomplishments, bank accounts and loyal followers by approximately one hundred gazillion.  Enough about me, the real Oprah in this story is a lovely gentleman called Tim who sells his affordable photography prints under the name Opart on Etsy.  He's a rockin photographer who wants nothing more than to bring warmth and joy to your little hearts this holiday season.

Here's how this shit's going down:  I'll be posting several of Opart's pieces (I just couldn't narrow it down) you dudes pick your favorite one and leave a shout out in the comments section.  Next Tuesday, I will pick THREE WINNERS via the magic number generator et voila each of THREE WINNERS gets their favorite piece.  Don't worry if another winner also loves your fave, Tim is happy to print duplicates.

Here are your choices:

Carousel 1970, 8"x8"

Street Party, 8"x8"

Happy Holidays, 8"x8"

Zebra Number 3, 8"x8"

Almost a Unicorn, 10"x8"

Road King, 8"x8"

Gina, Venice Beach 1996, 8"x8"

Four Bee Eaters, 10"x8"

Five Humming Birds, 10"x8"

And just incase you can't wait until the big reveal next Tuesday, you can buy most of these prints for $25, which includes free shipping around the world through January 2010, here.

Happy commenting!

+++++++UPDATE: AS OF 6:30pm CENTRAL TIME, ENTRIES TO THE CONTEST ARE CLOSED.  Sorry loves, come back tomorrow to find out who one and next week for a BRAND NEW CONTEST++++++++

Heads and Holgas

Something really bizarre is happening this week:  I'm starting to develop this thing that most people call "a life."  Between the outing with our blog buddies, the book reading Monday and the art show I'm attending this evening, one may be fooled into thinking that I do more than work and watch America's Next Top Model.  (I'm a master at smiling with my eyes BTW) Are you in Austin?  Perhaps you would like to play my new favorite game, have a life, as well.  Here's how:  Head south to Austin Art Garage tonight to check out the latest work from two of my favorite ladies, Cory Ryan and Hope Perkins at their show, Heads and Holgas.

Austin Art Garage is located at 2200 S. Lamar Blvd.  Not in Texas?  Here's a peek at what you'll be missing.  Sorry, I don't have any photographs of free booze.

A few of Hope's older pieces.  The bobcat on the bottom right started it all.  Her name is Tanya, she wears a tierra.  I happen to know from my many trips to Round Top with Hope that Tanya has since gained a sister, Zatarans McGillicutty, who's just as cute as a stuffed button.

The piece on the left is "So you DO know Betty Blackwell?" If you live in Austin and have ever found yourself watching tv past 11:00 at night, you will know that this is the funniest title for a neon pink taxidermied deer with a telephone ever in the history of the planet.  I'm not sure what the one on the right is called, but, knowing Hope, I'm sure it's hilarious. 

It should be noted that I tried to find a video clip of the Betty Blackwell commercial to share with you all, but it doesn't exist online.

Cory will be displaying photographs from her extensive Holga portfolio.  She's spent the last year obsessively shooting Austin from angles I've never seen (normally I can name almost any street corner in an Austin shot, but most of these leave me guessing).  

I'm not sure if I should be beaming with pride over having such talented friends or spending my energy commanding that you hit the show this evening... perhaps a bit of both.

Bust Out the Jamz

Well, Karly just screwed me over by writing the best post of the year, and now I have to follow THIS. I hate you, Karly. I mean -- I love you. No, I really do hate you. Are you people out there as inspired as I am to redo your entire house now? As soon as I can figure out what coordinates with the oh so trendy Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo (primary colors will come back in style someday, right???), Ima gonna get bizzy. Until then, here's some more heady ideas for sculptures you can stuff into the lonely corners of your home.

Guardian UK

So, is it too early to capitalize on the death of the biggest star in the world? Nah. This is America! Actually, MJ's gold painted plaster bust was slated to sell in the April auction of his possessions, but since the auction was canceled, it's ostensibly still floating around the ether somewhere. Estimate? $100-$150. I have a feeling the price may have gone up since then.

Jane Antoni's Lick and Lather (1993) comprises two self portrait busts, one of chocolate and one of soap. Let's hope she didn't lick the soap, although lathering oneself with chocolate sounds not half bad.

Speaking of deliciousness, this chocolate head by Paul Wayne Gregory would last about 2.2 seconds at my house before someone determined whether the inside holds a sugary Cadbury cream filling. I secretly hope there's a buttery yellow yolk in there somewhere.

In the grand tradition of busts of great heads of state like Lincoln and Napoleon, we have a deftly decorated Delft Lenin. So nice to see his softer side, but I'd love to see him pitted against this guy:

Wax Obama looks like he's getting ready to take a bite out of Communism. Seriously, I like our prez, but did they have to make him look like a jaundiced beaver?

Lego man is ready to sacrifice himself for your good time. Just don't bring him to my house, because Momma don't allow toys with tiny pieces destined to collect dust underneath the couch. At least, that's my stance for today. Ask me how it's going in year when baby Ike throws a tantrum in the middle of the store because he just wants some damn legos.

When superbloggers Molly and Raina come to visit in a few days, we're going skeet shooting Texas style. After seeing these amazing self portraits by Julian Hoeber, I think I have a new project idea.

Ok, I have 3 days to cast a bronze sculpture of myself. I can make it, right?

And let's not forget about my buddy Beethoven. His ubiquity offers many chances for modification... I love the little dude painted black in my dining room, but now I'm coveting Karly's new wave rainbow treatment. Also, I think I need something bigger, so if you guys see something worthy out there, send old Erin a heads up, will ya?