FIRE FANCIES CHALLENGE

"FIRE FANCIES"

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I'm doing something I've never done before. I'm hosting an art challenge! Actually, I'm co-hosting the challenge with Mary at "Back of the Moon" (www.backofthemoon-shopgirl.blogspot.com). (Check out her Halloween banner!)

Mary and I both fell in love with the painting (above) called "Fire Fancies" by Arthur Hacker. It's an evocative image that leads us to ask ourselves, "What is going on in this young lady's mind?"

We thought having this challenge would be a good way to celebrate fall. We're asking you to use the painting as a basis for a collage. Our challenge is for you to take the image and the word prompt "fire fancies" (i.e.: What does she see as she peers into the fire?) and create your own work of art, celebrating a realm where imagination takes full flight.

If you'd rather use some other art medium than collage, that's fine. We don't have a lot of rules.

Entries will be accepted through Oct. 10. Post a picture of your collage or other type of art work on your blog and then make a comment on Mary's or my blog with a link to your post. If you don't have a blog, just e-mail a picture to Mary or me.

We hope that you are inspired by this challenge and the prizes we're awarding. We're giving away a packet of "Fire Fancies" greeting cards, Susan Branch's "Autumn From the Heart of Home" book and "Borders and Frames," a CD ROM and book of clip art frames to use in your artwork.

Winners will be chosen by popular vote. Voting will be done via comments, either on Mary's blog or mine. Voting will start the day we post the entries.

Have fun, everyone!