Ringing in the New Year Right - Giveaway #12

This is our last day of giveaways. If you haven't won anything yet, don't give up. There are so many of you who have regularly been visiting and entering, and even if you haven't won, I hope you've had fun. I sure have! I have so enjoyed reading the comments, seeing who has stopped by, talking with the featured bloggers, and composing the posts. Today is my day and you all know my link and what I look like so I am skipping that part!

I've always painted...always. My mom put me in art classes with Ann Haley in elementary school. I remember going every Saturday morning from 10:00 - 12:00. I went for several years, rarely missed, and loved it. I didn't play ball. I wasn't a cheerleader. I felt like I had found a place where I could shine.
When I went to college, I started out in advertising. I wasn't happy, so I switched to graphic design. I picked up a major in book illustration. Again, I loved what I was doing. We lived and worked in Nashville for a while, but it was time to move back home and start a family. I had a hard time finding work and that is when I sort of stumbled into teaching.

I went back to school and ended up with my license and a master's degree. I love teaching because I like something new every day. I found a place where I can mix variety and structure. I can also incorporate creativity and art in my classroom. The kids love it and so do I. I am now also teaching "Art for Educators" for Tennessee Tech, which I so enjoy.
Now I paint just about every night from 8:00 - 10:00. The kids go to bed and eight and I have to go to bed at ten to function properly. I am a busy bee until eight, then I sit down and let myself unwind over a bottle of paint.

Nancy Golden was my first customer. She called me out of the blue one day and said she has some canvases she had picked up at Big Lots. She asked me to paint something for her nieces for their birthday. When I delivered them to her, she told me that I should start a business. I thought about it for a while and talked to my husband about it. I started the blog shortly after and am consistently busy. I owe a lot to Nancy for that initial spark, for that encouragement. The encouragement, support, and kind words I get from you all is immeasurable.

So, what am I giving away today? I wanted to give something special, something to really say thank you. You can see that my desk is ready for this project. I've got a fresh shipment of canvases waiting.
I am giving away four canvases, one for each season to be delivered throughout the year. I have your winter one ready, but it is a new design and I'm not ready to show it just yet. The winner will receive that winter one immediately, a spring surprise in April, a summer surprise in July, and a fall surprise in September. How's that for sharing the love?