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)
What a beautiful journal! I would love to have it to give to my mom for Mother's Day. She is a gardener extraordinaire and I would love to have some of her ideas and thoughts on record.
I'm an artist and I feel like I often get stuck in doing the same thing- I think going through the exercises in this book would be great in exploring a little more freedom with art...just to do something different, you know? If I don't win it I will definitely put it on my birthday list!
I have never been good at drawing but I've always wanted to be able to draw the beauty I see in everyday life...I would love this! If not to make me better, but just to inspire me!
tweeted!
-kaitbirdsays
http://twitter.com/kaitbirdsays/status/60720574619590656
I'm currently learning to draw animals and other objects the Ed Emberley way, so I would love to switch it up and take on drawing nature the Jill Bliss way! :) Crossing my fingers!
Ohhh, my mouth is watering, is that weird!!? I have been sketching lately, animals, flowers, doodles, etc, I would LOVE to have this book for more inspiration!! Thank you for the opportunity EZ <3
I think this is lovely. I would gift it to my 10 year old daughter who loves to draw fashion. She is starting to draw girls with different outfits and hairstyles and she gives them different names and stories. This would be perfect for that.
Seeing the nature in a different way by drawing it. Love to have it for myself!
I would very much like to win this most beautiful journal. Thanks so much for the generous offer.
I've never been able to draw. There's something about me that can't let me draw properly. I find it so hard to see and figure out the shapes and volumes. I took a drawing class where this non-looking method was applied. It helped me a lot. But still, I can speak three languages with no problem at all... but drawing is such a pain for me!!!
I would love to have this book. Beautiful cover art. Thanks for the fun!
This would be a gift for me! I'm graduating from grad school in 2 weeks sand expecting my first child in 4 weeks. I will use it to RELAX! :)
A gift for my lovely wife
I would love to win this so that I can give it to my mom, who years ago use to draw, but has yet to reclaim it for herself. I would love to give her an beuatiful encouraging nudge.
what a lovely giveaway!
i think Jill put it best: learning how to see things better by drawing them.
i would love to use this book to reacquaint myself with drawing, something i have not actively done for years even as i continue to make other forms of art. i regularly collect moss, lichen, leaves, twigs, bones, antlers and other natural goodies, and i think the nature journal would help me discover these things in a new and inspiring way...
I would love to learn more about getting my interpretations of things I see as reality on paper. Thanks for the opportunity!
Wow, what a beautiful book and the video is great. I would love to win a copy to give to my sister-in-law, she is an amazing artist and continually inspires me and I just know she would truly appreciate this journal. Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful artist with us. Enjoy the journey!
Such a pretty notebook! But I'd probably give it to somebody special.
http://tiny-yellow-bird.blogspot.com/2011/04/giveaway-roundup.html
I blogged about this giveaway!
i do community-based arts with kids around the country and would love to show them there IS a future in drawing, and in experiencing the natural world through art!
♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ TWEEEEEEEET♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ @rachael_rice: @jill_bliss A+++ drawing nature journal giveaway: http://bit.ly/eCLuVl
I've love to win this journal. I've been meaning to start writing down my thoughts again, but haven't had the funds to buy a journal yet. This would be perfect for me to share all of my secrets and ideas in, along with some poetry.
I tweeted this constest @soapdeli
As a sahm/home business owner, my creative self (and former wandering artist) is so frequently put on the back shelf. I've eyed Ms. Bliss' journal for so long...I think it would be a perfect inspiration & so lovely to encounter through my days. Thanks for the opportunity!
I would love to win! I own several jill bliss notebooks and feel more creative and inspired everytime I open one whether it is to write a grocery list or just to make a little doodle