Made it to FINALIST!!!

I'm so excited today...several weeks ago, I entered artwork in a national art competition, hosted by The Trail of Painted Ponies (http://www.trailofpaintedponies.com/). 

After weeks of waiting and thousands of entries, the finalists for eight categories were announced yesterday, June 1st.  My pony, "TUMBLIN' TUMBLEWEEDS" was chosen  as a finalist in the "American Country" category!!!  I'm so excited about this honor!!  I absolutely love painting these beautiful horse figurines and I am hoping, with the help of voters, to win this competition! 

PLEASE click on the link below, to be taken directly to the category page...you'll find my entry (TUMBLIN' TUMBLEWEEDS)there.  If you feel that it's deserving, please vote for me!!  There is some awesome talent shown in the entries, and each person should be congratulated on this achievement!!

Please pass this on to anyone you know that might help me achieve my goal!!  Sincere thanks to everyone!!

http://www.trailofpaintedponies.com/artists/competitions/competition-american-country/

2011...ALREADY???

Well, we've raced through Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas of 2010 and now even the New Year of 2011 is behind us!!  We're racing through the days here at AWESOME ASS ACRES, but can't really give an account of what we've done!!  We have a new granddaughter, Isabelle Leigh, born 12/14/10...healthy and beautiful!  We've had a recent visit from her big sister, Alayna, which is ALWAYS fun and at the moment we're in the midst of our 2nd BIG snow storm of the season.  We enjoyed a beautiful white Christmas day, with 6-8" and then yesterday, nature gave us about 12"!!  I do love to see it, but with livestock, I'm ready for it to leave after about 3 days!!

I've been painting several items through the holidays...ornaments, pendants, ACEO's and the wonderful Painted Ponies!!  I'm working toward becoming an official artist with The Trail of Painted Ponies, and my imagination is in overdrive! One of my latest was titled, "My Only Wish" and sold on Ebay...also 2 commissioned pieces for a wonderful customer from California!  I'm now working on a special pony that was inspired by an old Western tune!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and please leave a comment to let me know you visited!  I love hearing from folks and have made many friends through my blog!!  Take care!! 

Something NEW!!

It's HOT here at AWESOME ASS ACRES, but I think it's hotter in Magical Mule Folk Art Studio!  I've been staying inside to beat this humidity and heat, but have I been BUSY!!  About 2 months ago, I discovered the collectible figurines from "The Trail of Painted Ponies" and as I researched the different designs, I fell in love!  You can order through their wonderful web site...be sure to visit!
They also offer a blank resin figurine that you can paint yourself...that has really gotten me excited!!  These are wonderful gifts for kids, grandchildren, anyone that loves horses!! 
I've completed 2 (Magical Mule and "Beauty" of the Mountains) and will be offering more in the near future!!  I've posted pictures of both...let me know what you think!!  Both are SOLD, but I'm filled with ideas for more!!

Of course, this is my very own "magical mule", Solomon!  I added a little to the ears (remember this started as a horse) and painted it as close as possible to his markings which BTW, was VERY hard!!

I love this one...she has 11 different mountain flowers painted on her, with a bear on this side, looking out from a cherry tree and a raccoon on the other side sitting on a limb.  Her mane and tail depict waterfalls and a mountain stream runs down her back!!

We also found a surprise in our peafowl yard last Friday...6 babies!!  I didn't know if the eggs were fertile, and 6 is all she had, so the odds were against her hatching all of them, but she did!  I'll be posting pictures of them soon!!

 Take care and stop in again!!

SPRING CLEANIN' & RE-VAMPIN'

Ahhhh....yesterday was the first day of spring and it's none to soon for me!!  For weeks, we've been sorting through the attic, closets, barn, kitchen cabinets...and then, yesterday,  "BIG YARD SALE-- ALL MUST GO!!".  That was how the signs read, but of course, there were still some things left to box up for another day.  Yard sales are soooo much more work than some would imagine and after several weekends of moving sales during our re-locating from GA to TN, I don't relish the idea of preparing for one!  Anyhow, we made through the weekend,  and I'm rid of most of it, so I'm tickled! 

I've been painting several things, trying to get ahead a little before we leave for Mule Day.  Things have slowed since Christmas, but orders are still coming in, so I'm staying busy!  The picture is of one of my photo albums that I've just finished...very pleased with it.  It's listed on Ebay now!

I mentioned Mule Day...for those interested, it's in Columbia, TN --- April 8-11.  Anyone that loves long ears or work animals, be sure to check it out.  We've been going 15 years and plan to attend 'till we can't go anymore!  We camp inside the park and it's UNBELIEVABLE FUN!!  We're heading over on Sunday, April 4th, to ride in the wagon train.  We travel 15-20 miles a day on back roads, camping out at farms along the way at night, then pulling into the park on Thursday for the kick off of the pulling, driving, western, jumping and yes, even gaited classes!!  The crowds number 250,000 and you'll see mules out of every known breed of horse...Quarter, Walking, Paso Fino, Appaloosa, Paint, Belgian, Percheron...the list is endless.  Every color, every size -- it's truly a AWESOME ASS event, where every bray brings a smile!!  Contact me if you have any questions and I'll gladly help you out!!

I plan to re-vamp my blog page within the next few days.  I need to update "favorites" and some other things...watch for NEW things soon.  I also plan to post links to some really great sites for horse folks, artists, farmers, gardeners, wildlife enthusiasts, pet/livestock owners, so check back with me often!!  I plan to "network" more with links to Facebook, and other friendship sites.  I'd love to connect with as many folks with my same interests as possible!!  Thanks so much for stopping by and reading my blogs...I know how busy we all are and I appreciate each visit!

"ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT DREARY..."

Ah, yes, Edgar said it so well...he must have been referring to me as I paint on these dark, dismal winter days (and nights)!!  It's snowed here in East Tennessee, now for several days...some days with accumulation, some days, just a dusting, but EVERY day, COLD and dreary!  Okay, back to the beginning of this post...I wanted to post a picture of my latest crow/raven piece!  I love the look and pose of this one and I will be adding several others to Ebay soon!  Y'all stay warm and let's all look for bluebirds and daffodils soon!!

WINNER NAMED!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO KELLI LUSK, from North Carolina!!  She is the lucky winner of my hand painted primitive sheep sign!  I have emailed her this morning and hope to hear from her today!  Kelli, if you check my blog before your email, be sure to send me your mailing address ASAP...I'll have your sign ready to go!

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all participants in this year's OWOH contest!  Your comments and sweet words were very much appreciated and I thank you for your time and effort in stopping by!  I look forward to this event every year and I hope that each one of you will watch for it in 2011!!  Be sure to visit my blog page once in a while...I'll be offering more giveaways in the near future AND there's alot happening here at AWESOME ASS ACRES, especially with spring right around the corner!!  Have a great week ahead, stay warm and safe!!

ONE WORLD ONE HEART GIVEAWAY...Fun for ALL!!

I can't believe that it's been a year, but the time has come for another "ONE WORLD ONE HEART" giveaway!  This wonderful event is promoted to help fellow bloggers connect and it's a FUN way to meet friends and associates that share the same hobbies, ideas and interests!! 
You can see that my blog reflects life here at our farm, "AWESOME ASS ACRES".  The namesake of our farm and my studio (MagicalMuleFolkArt) is our sweet, smart, spotted Appaloosa mule, King Solomon.  We've raised him from birth and show him throughout the southeast.  My art is inspired by Solomon, along with the many other farm animals (chickens, guineas, peafowl, horses, mules, sheep, goats, dogs and cats) here AND by frequent visits by wildlife...deer, fox, raccoon, oppossum, coyote, skunk... 

My giveaway item is a handpainted wooden sign, with a sheep on the front.  It will come ready to hang with a piece of latigo on back!

The creator of this idea is, Lisa Swifka, of "A Whimsical Bohemian"...she started the event in 2007 and now, the participation is global!  My first year to participate was 2009 and I've met some wonderful on-line friends through the process!  To join our "Magic Carpet" ride, just follow the easy steps below...

Rules for One World - One Heart Giveaway:


1. The giveaway starts today, 1/25/2010 and ends at 11:59 PM on 2/15/2010...I will use "Random Generator" to choose the winner, then announce the name on my blogsite on 2/16/2010.


2. EASY to enter...just leave a comment here on my blog and you will be in the drawing!


3. EVERYONE is invited to participate! If you don't "blog", just leave your email address, so I can let you know if you win.


4. Be sure and check out the list of participants at:  http://awhimsicalbohemian.typepad.com/a_whimsical_bohemian/
and visit all the other artists that are involved...SOOO MUCH TALENT, SOOO LITTLE TIME!

**BE SURE TO "FOLLOW" MY BLOG!!  I will be offering other giveaways in the future!!
Take care and GOOD LUCK!!
Sharon Anderson ~~~ Magical Mule Folk Art Studio

CHRISTMAS SALE!!

I've decided to make use of my blog site, other than the goings on, here at AWESOME ASS ACRES!!  Of course, everyone knows that I paint and sell items on Ebay...now, I've decided to "franchise" my blog!!  The following pieces are favorites of my Christmas buyers and I paint several throughout the season. 
The first one is a mailbox topper, made out of solid wood, about 17" tall and 9" wide.  It will attach to any mailbox, from standard to the oversized ones.  It's finished with several coats of varnish to protect it from the elements and the ribbon and floral pieces are for outdoor use.  These are really cute on your mailbox and are always "attention getters"!!  The price for Rudolph -- $28.00 + $8.00 shipping.

The second picture is of my "Garden Santas".  These are okra pods, dried, painted and varnished for years of use.  They're ready to hang with a red satin ribbon.  The price for one (1) -- $7.00 + $1.50 shipping. 

I'll be glad to offer a discount if you order several.  These are perfect for the folks that you want to remember with something a little different...teachers, mailman, beautician, coach, vet, sitter, co-workers...
You can email me with your order or if you have any questions.  I'll be glad to take checks, money orders or PayPal.
sharonssmule@yahoo.com

I also paint pendants of all types...horses, mules, dogs...Those are $18.00 + $1.50 shipping.
Hope to hear from you in time to get these to you for the holidays!!  Thanks so much!!

FALL GIVEAWAY! COMMENT TO WIN!!

There's so many bloggers that offer items to be given away during certain times of the year...so I've decided to jump on the mule wagon!!  As my blog sometimes mention, we have a good size garden every year, here at AWESOME ASS ACRES.  We freeze, can, sell, give away vegetables, throughout the growing season and enjoy the process of it all.  Our favorite canned item is, by far, my red sweet pickles.  I've been using this recipe for about 20 years and it's ALWAYS a favorite of anyone that likes sweet pickles.  They're sooooo good with any kind of meat dish and are a pretty addition to any meal!  Crispy, sweet, would remind you of candied apples at the fair!

I will be giving away a pint jar full of these delicious, sweet, crispy pickles + the hard to find recipe! 

The drawing will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 8PM, using a random number generator.  I will contact the winner by email.

Directions to participate:
Each time you leave a comment on this particular post = 1 entry
Each time you leave a comment on any post on my blog AND mention pickles = 1 entry
Each time you mention my blog in your blog = 2 entries
If you pass this info on and that person gives you as a reference = 2 entries
If you leave a comment and you're a current follower OR if you become a follower = 2 entries

I'd love to get as many folks involved as possible, so tell your friends, email your contacts, spread the word any way you'd like!!!  BELIEVE ME -- these pickles are worth your entry, so have fun and GOOD LUCK!!

*Due to shipping, this drawing will only apply to continental US residents.

This one's IT!!

Good morning from East Tennessee!! Once again, I've changed my user name on Ebay!! As my last post reported, Ebay insisted that I change from AWESOME-ASS-ART, so I went to ANDERSONS-AWESOME-ART...well, it's been the required 30 days, so I've now decided on my "forever" name!!!! magicalmulefolkartstudio will be my user name from now on!! I had to "refer" to my sweet Solomon somehow, so magical is as close to the perfect description of him as you can get AND it kinda goes with mule, especially since I can't use the word, ass!
BTW, there's lots going on here at AWESOME ASS ACRES...we've had a beautiful, SOLID white fawn born on the property. Early mornings and late evenings, I watch, as it and the doe wander and graze the hilltop pasture outside my studio window...I'm trying to get pictures! Also, our "herd" of sheep are doing so great! All three, (Ray, Doe, & MeeMee) have really grown since my last pics of them. We've been fencing, building and installing an automatic watering system for the mules/horses, but we're almost finished with those chores! Last, but not least, we're getting excited about our trip up the East Coast...can't wait to eat lobster!!!