These Curator's Picks are put together with a common theme in mind, and the contest revolves around guessing what that theme is...whoever gets closest wins! The themes can be quite cryptic, and may not be as simple as they first appear. For an example, you can visit the ImageKind blog.

When you think you've worked out the correct answer, visit the ImageKind Forum, and join the corresponding discussion under the category Contest - Curator's Picks. Post your best guess there! But that's not quite all: you also need to go out and find another work of art on Imagekind that fits in the theme, and post that link along with your guess.

You can discuss the contest as much as you like, but you can only make one official entry for each time. And don't forget, the winner is the first member with the closest guess - so get in early if you can! You'll be able to edit your entry, but that will re-set your entry time...so you've got to be a bit tactical too, and make sure you put your best guess down as soon as possible!

OK, now for the part you've all been waiting for: the prize...The winner will receive $25 off any ImageKind order...and with the contest re-starting every time the set of Curator's Picks changes, there are plenty of chances to win, and to view some great artworks while you're at it.

Good luck and let the games begin...

Visit ImageKind's Home Page to browse all their artworks.

Show me some Raw Talent - I want to see some great new artwork and photographs from across the world...

Which brings me on to Raul del Rio, my latest discovery in the world of art, color and life. Would I hang a piece by Raul del Rio in my front room? Without a doubt. The only problem would be choosing which one! I came across Raul's work when browsing through ImageKind's online galleries, where Raul is a fellow member artist. His work is hard to miss - it leaps out at you, a blaze of color and cheerfulness - it's so vivid, it literally pulsates with life.

Raul himself describes his work as "modern primitive". All his work effortlessly combines his two main interests: Nature and Heritage. He portrays nature and architecture as he would like them to be: bright, colorful, stylized and clean. In his collection of artworks, you'll see pieces featuring wildlife (from birds to fishes and whales), farm animals, bright Mexican villages and market scenes, all bursting with life, color, lush vegetation and tropical fruits. There are landscapes and underwater scenes too, with Raul's style elegantly mixing primitive and folk art with the exotic and even a touch of realism here and there - there's so much going on in del Rio's artwork, that everyone will find something to relate to, something which reaches out and touches them.

When I read the long list of eminent environmental organizations who have commissioned Raul del Rio and are affiliated with his work (including Greenpeace, Earth Island, Conservation International, Environmental Defense Club, Humane Farming Association, Animal Voice Magazine and National Wildlife Federation), it becomes clear why I feel such an affinity with Raul's work, for I too am someone for whom Nature is not only inspirational, but central to my life and a driving force behind everything I do.

I highly recommend taking a look through Raul del Rio's entire collection, but here are my own personal favorites:

Toucans by Raul del Rio
Veracruz by Raul del Rio
Country Chickens by Raul del Rio
Lavanderas by Raul del Rio
Las Palomas by Raul del Rio

You can also view the work of some of my other favorite artists on our Raw Talent page. Enjoy browsing!

More information can be found, and applications made, at ImageKind's Nonprofit Contest Page.

Here at Dezine Design, we think this is a wonderful idea, but we'd like to see the concept rolled out beyond the Seattle environs, to encompass a wider area and open up the opportunity for non-profits who are providing shelter and other important services across the United States...meanwhile let's also open up the opportunity for a wider range of artists who live and work outside of Washington State. This is a great idea, but it needs to have wider application, in our opinion. (News on the ImageKind Blog is that this is just the first contest of its kind, and that in due course ImageKind will be running more wider reaching contests of this sort. They are doing the first one locally, to iron out any potential creases. Good thinking, probably...but we're looking forward to the next one!

I understand that international freight would make contests of this kind impractical to run globally, but why not hold a contest in future which would award US Non-Profits who work on the international stage, with art works created by artists living outside of the United States...this would add an interesting international flavor to the contest, and also make non-US artists feel like they have an equal opportunity to promote their work through these ImageKind contests.

Go check out his work, marketed under the name PixoPopKids, and learn more about this fascinating guy who not only runs a full-service firm (Sabet Brands) but also heads up the character design based social site Mojizu...

And if you know any kids whose birthdays are coming up soon, go buy some children's art from Mr Sabet!

More art for kids is also available HERE.

The ImageKind offer is for a flat rate shipping charge of only $6 (yes, you read it right - just $6!) on all art prints - framed or unframed - ordered from Imagekind before 10 pm PST on June 18th. Sadly, this offer applies to US customers only...grudgingly, we have to admit we can understand why as international postage rates would make this kind of offer unfeasible for overseas orders...so, if you're in the States, you're lucky - so go art shopping! Oh yes, don't forget to use the special Promo Code DAD to ensure you get your discount.

Click here for more details about the ImageKind Fathers Day Special Offer, and to go directly to the ImageKind site.

Or, for a wider range of gift options, check these out:

Dezine Design's Own Fine Art Galleries at ImageKind

Fathers Day Gift Selection from Dezine Design

Full range of Gifts & Apparel from our Wild Web Stores

Beautiful Budget Art Prints from our Art.com and Artist Rising Gallery

To preview Mike Cressy's artwork, take a look at his Imagekind Gallery, where you can also find out more about his upcoming show.

The Laura Frost Fine Art Gallery
5801 14th Ave NW
Seattle
WA
USA

Prizes are in the form of e-gift cards (vouchers) to spend on wall art at Imagekind, our favorite online fine art store...$200 for first prize, $100 for second, and $50 for third. For more information, be sure to check out the Blue Flavor Blog, or read more details on Imagekind's own blog.

Something fun for us all to do today!

PS. We also see this as an endorsement of Imagekind's quality and growing reputation as leaders in the print-on-demand field. If you've got a moment, go check out their inspiring website.

Blue Bling Florals
(vector illustration)

Designed By:
Tanya Saunders

CLICK HERE TO SEE FRAMED PRINTS & OTHER MERCHANDISE FEATURING THIS IMAGE