Vote for Iviva and WIN an Andrew Thornton Original...

I've long been a fan of Iviva Olenick. I first met her years ago in a studio residency program at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Since then, I've been following the growth and development of her heartbreakingly beautiful work. If you've ever longed or yearned for someone to call your own, then you'll just get her series entitled, Were I So Besotted. You'll get the bittersweet roller-coaster of emotions – all splayed out like pages of a diary. Often times quirky, sometimes melancholic, her meticulously embroidered pieces are an honest offering to the art world. (Even the few pieces she admits as being fictitious, ring clear and true from the heart.)

Ivivia is participating in an artist competition called, Artists Wanted. The winners are selected from popular vote and ratings, and if chosen will receive prizes to help further their careers. Why not help Iviva further her career? Vote for Iviva! You could be a winner too!

If you vote for Iviva, giving a five star rating, and leave a comment on this blog post letting me know you've voted, you'll be entered in a random drawing to win the necklace pictured below:

White coral, ocean jasper, creamy chalcedony, raspberry-hued Elaine Ray ceramics, polymer rounds by Pam Wynn, striking silver chain, and a silver toggle from Saki Silver come together to form this summery necklace. I created this piece last year for a summer issue of a magazine that is no longer in print. I really love how organic and asymmetrical it is. It could be your's if you VOTE FOR IVIVA! You don't even have to sign up or send anything out. Just click on the link, hit the stars and leave a comment. SO EASY! CLICK HERE to visit her online portfolio, where you can vote. Don't forget to leave a comment on this blog. The winner will be drawn, Friday, January 15th.

(OH! Since you can vote more than once for the competition – once per day – you'll also be able to comment more than once for even more chances to win!)