Beautifully-designed, Custom, Hand-painted Art

Being an artist was one of my childhood dreams. To draw, design and to glorify Christ is now my passion. I am the artist, Melissa Jackson, and while I specialize in lettering & matching nursery/child bedding, I can custom design almost anything you can dream up on canvas, wood, glass, fondant, or wall! Art is great for any room of your home or as a unique gift. I have also enjoyed painting many murals. God has blessed me and I would love to pass that on to you!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

101st Post!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED...PLEASE STOP BY FOR FUTURE GIVEAWAYS!!!!!!!

I can't believe I finally surpassed 100 posts! Whew!!! Thank you to all my blog friends, customers, and followers as well as those that have dropped by and left some very kind comments. You all are the reason I feel compelled to post pictures of my art and sometimes give a little peek into my personal life. You all are encouraging, uplifting, and most of all very kind and supportive. Thanks to all of you that have supported Initial Designs over the last year and a half! You are all so great!

So, as a thank you I am going to host a small giveaway. I have a 10x10 inch canvas (I think; I know it's square) that I have been itching to do something with and here's your chance to win it and design it how you wish. To enter the giveaway you have to do two things. First, publish a small post about the giveaway on your blog and then, secondly, leave a comment on this post including your blog address. Next Wednesday, June 24th at noon CST, I will randomly choose a number and the comment that corresponds to that number will win the painting. When the winner is chosen, I will check their blog to see if the posted about the giveaway to make sure everyone plays fairly. LOL!

Last, here is a painting I am working on for a friend. She baked a ton of AWESOME cupcakes for Preston's 2nd Birthday Party and I agreed to do a painting for her in return. So, here is a picture of the painting as it is right now as well as a picture of what she is wanting it to look like when it is finished although we are varying the colors a bit and also a couple pics of the YUMMY, art-themed cupcakes (see the paint palettes, crayons, paint buckets, etc...) from the party. Enjoy!

11 comments:

Kristin said...: Congrats on your 100+ posts! Those cupcakes are so cute and look so yummy! I will definitely post a blog about your giveaway....what an awesome thing to win!

By the way, I hear that the girls' teachers LOVED their paintings, although I wasn't there to see them receive them or get pics of them because they gave them to them when I wasn't there.; June 17, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Steph said...: Congrats on you 100th post, I had mine recently!! I would love a canvas for my classroom, (like the one Kristin posted about)!!! I posted on my blog.

http://houstonhouserules.blogspot.com/

Thank You for this opportunity!!!; June 17, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Veronica said...: Coming over from Kristin's blog to say hi! You do such beautiful work. I will be sure to post about your giveaway sometime tonight.

P.S. Love the cupcakes! They look awesome!!!

P.S.S. My blog url:

verandthegirls.blogspot.com

Thanks so much!; June 17, 2009 at 6:39 PM
Linda said...: Love it! What haven't I loved...

PS I don't think I tell you how much people say about my paintings and how they love them!

Those cup cakes look great! What a great exchange!; June 18, 2009 at 5:24 AM
Ape said...: WOW 100 post! I ♥ those canvas'!!! I posted this on my blog www.thebuechelfamily.blogspot.com; June 18, 2009 at 6:06 AM
HappyascanB said...: CONGRATS to you!!!! You know i'm going to be posting, too!!! Fun stuff!! Those cupcakes are crazy-kewl!!!! Your painting is great, too!; June 18, 2009 at 6:37 AM
Belinda said...: So sweet of you to do a giveaway.I need to do one myself soon.I mentioned your giveaway on my blog over at www.eddins4.blogspot.com. Have fun , anyone would be lucky to win.; June 18, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Shanda said...: Coming from Belinda & Bethany (Happyascanbe)'s blogs. Congrats on your 100th post! I'd love to win a print for our guest bathroom...or maybe my daughter's bedroom!; June 18, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Unknown said...: So cute! I love hand made things!! Congrats on 101!

calledoutone.blogspot.com; June 18, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Alicia W said...: I'd love something for my new daughter's room. :); June 19, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Judson Family said...: Congrats on your 100+ post.. I would love to win the canvas with our family name....

I blogged about give away
http://smjudson.blogspot.com/2009/06/initial-designs-101st-post-give-away.html; June 19, 2009 at 7:14 PM

General Info

All of the pieces of art and the respective pictures on this blog were created by Melissa Jackson.

All information is owned by the artist and requires permission for use.

All art is created on high quality gallery-style canvas (edges wrapped) acrylic paint and protected with a glossy varnish. Other mediums are available such as glass, wood, fondant painting, etc, Lettering is both hand-designed and hand-painted by the artist and stencils are never used. Your piece will come wrapped and with a coordinating ribbon long enough to attach to the back as a hanging option; otherwise the piece can be immediately hung simply with a nail.

Payment is required at time of order and payments are only accepted via PayPal unless you are local. A detailed invoice will be emailed to you with a link to PayPal where you can pay using checking account information as well as a debit or credit card. You DO NOT have to be a member of PayPal to utilize this free service. Shipping is additional and will be based on shipping method and size of item and will be determined up front. The nominal shipping charge will include insurance in case it is lost in the mail.

Sorry no refunds because art is custom made and designed for you. However, I will work with you on design and show pictures as your piece is created to make sure you are COMPLETELY SATISFIED!

Painting Lessons Available!

I am now offering painting/art lessons for individuals, groups, children, young adults, and adults. Art is not focused on very much in the schools/community in relation to other activities yet it can offer a stress-relieving and fun outlet for children and adults alike. It is a teachable skill and is helpful in developing the creative side of your brain.

SINGLE SESSION ADULT/TEENAGER(1.5 hrs)/PAINTING OF YOUR CHOICE ON A CANVAS UP TO 16X20 (landscape, still life, abstract, lettering) $60*

5 SESSIONS ADULT/TEENAGER(1.5 hrs)-SERIES OF PAINTINGS TO INCLUDE LANDSCAPE, STILL LIFE, ABSTRACT, LETTERING, WATERCOLOR TECHNIQUES ALL ON CANVASES UP TO 16X20 $250*($50 discount from single sessions)

SINGLE SESSION CHILD (2-12) (1 hr)/PAINTING OF THE PARENT'S CHOICE, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST STILL LIFE, ABSTRACT, OR WATER COLOR $50*

5 SESSIONS CHILD (2-12) (1.25 hrs)-SERIES OF PAINTINGS TO INCLUDE LANDSCAPE, STILL LIFE, ABSTRACT, LETTERING, WATERCOLOR TECHNIQUES ALL ON CANVASES UP TO 16X20 $200* ($50 discount from single sessions)

GROUP PRICING FOR CHILDREN OR ADULTS WILL DEPEND ON SINGLE/MULTIPLE SESSIONS AND HOW MANY ARE IN THE GROUP, BUT DISCOUNTS WILL BE OFFERED

MURAL DESIGN/ASSISTANCE/LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE AS WELL; INQUIRE ABOUT PRICING

*All supplies will be provided: canvas, acrylic/watercolor paint, brushes, smocks, and anything else that will be needed; you will take home finished art project(s)

GENERAL INFO: While do have a BSBA from Aquinas, I am NOT professionally trained in art. My art lessons stem from what I have gleaned from being an artist for 25 years and a painter for 9 years as well as attending some independent art sessions offered through art supply stores and teaching art. In addition to just creating a painting, other lessons will be taught while paintings are in progress such as color mixing, brush types and usage, determining canvas and paint quality, protecting and caring for tools and paintings, using painting tools/techniques, painting circles/lines, etc...

Please feel free to ask any questions; I am open to and welcome any suggestions. There are many sizes and style of canvas as well as hundreds of art techniques; some I know and some I do not, but we can always try anything. Longer lessons/larger canvases are available for an additional fee and more difficult ideas can be shown such a damask painting. All paintings will not be finished in one session, so the customer may feel free to paint from home or purchase additional sessions. Payment will be due in full via PayPal prior to any lessons. I can invoice you (you do not have to be a member) and you can pay using any check or credit card.

I am also available for parties of any kind (bachelorette, birthday, shower, etc...) and can also offer face painting and face painting lessons; please inquire about pricing. I can come to your home or you can come to mine for individual sessions, but for groups a place will be determined at the time of purchase based on the number in the group.

Thank you and I hope you will inquire about painting lessons.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

101st Post!

11 comments:

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