Giveaway Time - Drawing Nature: A Journal by Jill Bliss
Hello lovely friends! It's been quite a long while since I last hosted a giveaway, so when the awesome folks at Chronicle Books asked if I'd like to be part of a blogger book tour and give a copy of Drawing Nature to one of you lucky ducks...I couldn't say yes fast enough. I also received my own copy to check out ahead of time, and I have to tell you that whoever wins this beautiful book is truly in for a treat! Are you excited, or what?!!
Portland-based artist Jill Bliss has been tantalizing us with her exquisite renderings of the natural world for years...and now she finally shows us how it's done in this wonderful hands-on journal. But this isn't a book simply for the artistically gifted...the beauty of this art journal is how Jill provides easy to follow guidance that is meant for all (artists and artistically-challenged alike). I especially appreciate how the emphasis of this journal is all about discovering who you are artistically through the practice of drawing simple natural forms and patterns (no right or wrongs ways to go about it). But perhaps my most favorite touch of all might be the little motivational captions and inspirational prompts written at the bottom of each journal page...thoughts to inspire and keep you going (and we all need those from time to time, don't we). All in all, Drawing Nature: A Journal is a beautiful book for anyone who loves to draw and/or journal (plus it looks great sitting out on your desk)...and it would make the perfect gift (I'm planning to share the copy I received with my little sister).
Take a little peek at this short video interview with Jill Bliss for a more in-depth look at the book and what it's all about. If you'd like you can purchase your own copy (or one for a friend) at Chronicle Books, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.
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THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED - THANKS!
Rules for Entry (PLEASE READ ALL RULES BEFORE ENTERING):
- For your entry, please leave a comment on this post telling me why you'd love to win a copy of Drawing Nature (if you plan to give it as a gift to someone, I'd love to know who the lucky person will be).
- BONUS ENTRY is available if you blog or tweet about this giveaway with a link back to this post. Be sure to leave your regular entry comment PLUS a second comment with the link to your post or caption of your tweet (including your twitter username).
- All entrants, please be sure to include your first name AND last initial plus a VALID email address when commenting or I will not be able to include you in the final drawing when selecting the winner.
- One comment per reader unless you have been given a second entry by posting about this contest. (I do use IP tracking)
- Contest open to everyone - US and International entrants welcomed.
- This contest will end Tuesday, April 26th and the winner will be announced here on Wednesday, April 27th.
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Best of luck to you all and a big thanks to Chronicle Books for providing such a lovely prize for you to win! xo Ez
P.S. Take a look at the other blogs scheduled to be a part of this fun book tour! Each blogger is featuring the book in their own way - with giveaways, interviews, and more...so be sure to follow along. Maybe you can up your odds of winning!
April 15 Craft
April 18 AOL Shelterpop
April 19 Creature Comforts
April 20 Mint
April 21 UPPERCASE
April 22 Pikaland
April 25 The Little House in the City
April 27 Wit + Delight
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 
Reader Comments (226)
I have tried to keep a journal myself but honestly... drawing and playing any instrument are my worst skills, still I feel optimistic about doing a journal any time soon and this approach is very convincing, it takes you step by step and the whole concept is very attractive. I'd love to have that book and to follow the tips to make something different with my creativity. Btw, thanks for the giveaway!!
I would love to have this book for myself, selfish I know, but I have come to trying to draw and doodle late in life and a little direction is just what I need. Thanks for the chance
This looks like an amazing book and I think it would be perfect for my best friend Chrissy.
Keeping my fingers crossed!
~ Elizabeth G.
i love jill bliss' work and have 2 of her bigger prints framed - one hung in my kitchen at home and one in my office. i like the way she presents leaves and flowers, with so much details but do much fun to look at as if it's done by a child. lately i am teaching my daughter to draw better and i hope to win this journal and draw with her together. thanks, ez!!
Such a darling book of drawings. Sometimes we take nature for granted and to see these drawings brings a smile to my face. I too take my sketchbook with me everywhere i go. The weather has been nice in Los Angeles (with no smog) and thats when its the best to go outside and enjoy the scenes.
I would use this book for inspiration.
I would keep this beatiful book all to myself! Hopefully it would give me inspiration to start drawing again.
I just went on my first camping trip last weekend and this journal would have been lovely to have...maybe next time. :)
What a wonderful little journal. I'd love to try my hand at those flowers.
I LOVE Jill Bliss! I'd love to win this and be so inspired!
Wow this book is amazing. i would keep it to myself as i LOVE nature, plants and drawing! And i would really like to work on my drawing skills!
looks like a gorgeous book - id love a chance to win!
when I first started blogging, id hear and read about Jill Bliss quite a bit - her work and illustration style is really lovely! this would be great as I enjoy draWing so will be wonderful book to have that can inspire me to draw more often!
I'd love to win this journal. I'd love to try it and to do something beautiful with my hands since I'm not that crafty person. :)
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I really want to win this amazing book. Can't wait to start drawing!
thank you
I'd love to win this book.... I'm just starting to learn how to draw and I think this book would offer me tons of inspiration!
Thanks for the chance to win.
Emie
I would not give it to anybody. I would grab it and keep it and love it :-)
I love collecting natural specimens and I usually draw inspiration from them for my jewelry designs. I also enjoy sketching some of the pieces that I collect. So I believe that this book would be really helpful in many ways.
Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
Drawing and designing is the only way i can disconnect and forget. I also love her work! im a sucker for wild flowers and nature :)
http://mymusecomesandgoes.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/awesome-giveaway/
Desiree M.V
http://allsortsof.blogspot.com/2011/04/creature-comforts-giveaway.html
I am a doodler, but not much of a drawer - this journal sounds like it would be perfect for me to explore a new creative medium! I'm such a fan of the books & stationery Chronicle Books puts out, thanks for hosting this giveaway!
I love being creative. It calms my mind, relaxes me, and makes me feel part of a beautiful world whilst creating beautiful things. I would love to have a copy of this book; it looks wonderful !
Many thanks in advance for this opportunity !
Kind regards,
Silke
I would love to get this book for myself. It's been 15 years since I last held a brush in my hand and I do hope that this lovely giveaway will trigger my desire to get back into painting.
I would love to win this book! Drawing has never come easily to me, and my hope is that this book will help :)
Beautiful and inspiring: just what I need in New England as spring is slowly awakening!
I love Jill Bliss's work...one of the first artists I was inspired by when I began exploring textile design.
It would be a fantastic sketchbook to work through and always exciting to read the thoughts/work process of a great designer!