Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Artist Feature and Giveaway: Greg Spalenka


Welcome to the 1st Etsy Artist Feature and Giveaway of the year 2010! The talented and heart felt visual artist Greg Spalenka graces us with his glorious, inspiring imagery. Greg is the visual artist behind the Etsy shop Spalenka.

Maestro Gregorio, as we have refer to him at this journal, graduated from Art Center College of Design in 1982. Shortly there after he moved to New York City to launch his impressive career as one of the leading conceptual illustrators of the era. Throughout his extensive career illustrating for such publications as Time, Newsweek, Rolling Stone and the NFL. he has garnered numerous awards. Displayed at his studio in Los Angeles are gold and silver medals from the New York and LA Society of Illustrators as well as the Spectrum Annual of Fantastic Art. The scope of his artistic life also includes conceptual art for films such as the academy award winning, “The Golden Compass” and the upcoming third Narnia film, “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”

Last year Greg opened two shops at Etsy, one for his elder illustration work which included his journalistic work with Mike Tyson and the Spalenka shop featuring "Fantasy and Visual Art from the Mind's Eye." The image that originally drew me to his work, even after being aware of his name in illustration circles, is Blessings. The original painting Blessings was created for a festival created by San Francisco organization called Open Hand.


Greg's work embodies elements of the old masters with his a devotion to the figure. The expertise as a draftsman and painter is highlighted by his use of collage, tape, texture and wild abandonment. See more of his technique at this and this Bouquet link on his website.


Lately Greg has been manifesting more than just beautiful imagery for print and film. He has decided to be of service to the larger community of artists with empowering workshops. Greg refers to ArtistAsBrand™ as an "Indie Art Revolution" with a lofty goal of creating empowered, self sufficient artist entrepreneurs.

I asked Greg a few questions so that you'll could get to know him a bit more. He was in the car driving to Laguna Beach to teach ArtistAsBrand™ as I asked him these questions via the phone.

1.) What is the one thing you find most inspiring to feed your creative spirit?

My goal is to channel the essence of the divine through my work and live in the art spirit.

2.) What is your favorite scent from the natural world?

Carnation absolute, essential oil of Ylang Ylang and Spice.

3.) If you were King of a village what would you wish for your kingdom?

The first thing that comes to mind is peace and prosperity.....and divine creativity,

4.) How did you find yourself making and teaching art?

For as long as I remember I have always had an interior cathedral in my head, a sacred space of infinite imagination. I am grateful to have had success as an illustrator and now empower others with what I have learned in the span of my career.

5) Tell us a secret?

Hmmm, a secret...hmmm...I'd like to receive an academy award!

Thank you Greg, it is an enormous delight to share your beautiful imagery with the readers of this journal. We will all be visualizing you receiving an academy award, can't wait! Get to know Greg a bit more and tap into his interior cathedral by visiting his art website and his new blog.

Now, for the giveaway....Greg has decided to give two things away, which means there will be two winners:
1. A Goddess Postcard set from his Etsy shop, winner chooses set #1 or #2.
2. A FREE pass to one of his ArtistAsBrand™ workshop during 2010 (a value $500 !!!)

This giveaway ends at 10pm PST on Sunday, January 31st.

To qualify to win one of these prizes, please....

Begin by visiting the Spalenka shop on Etsy and sharing in your comment what item you most crave from his shop. You must include your first name -or- etsy username AND email address with each entry or it will not be included.

For additional entries you can do any or all of the following, please leave a separate comment for each entry.
  • 1 entry: Be or become a follower of the ArtistAsBrand web log
  • 1 entry per day of the contest: Twitter this message: RT @RoxanaVilla is hosting a giveaway with Greg Spalenka! Visit http://journal.illuminatedperfume.com for a chance to win
  • 2 entries (total) - Blog about this giveaway, leaving the URL to the post in comments (1 blog per entrant, please)
  • 1 entry: Be or become a follower of the Greg at ArtistAsBrand on Twitter
  • 1 entry: Be or become a follower of the Greg at ArtistAsBrand on Facebook
  • 1 entry: Be or become a follower of this journal: IlluminatedPerfume
More fine print, learned along the way
1. If we cannot contact you we will give your prize away to someone else.
2. The featured seller will do their very best to mail the winners package in a timely manner, please contact them directly if you have any questions.
3. Depending how many entries I receive I determine how the winner shall be chosen. Normally each entry is assigned a card from several decks here at the house, I then shuffle all the cards and have someone handy (like my daughter) choose a card for the winner and a runner up.
4. If you have won the Artist Feature and Giveaway in the past you may enter again.
5. Please don't make up any new guidelines, what is outlined above is what we follow.

Good Luck everyone!!

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the Lotus Faeries poster listed here: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25488975. Magical and I love the choice of colors! I'd love to hang this in my bedroom. Thank you for the wonderful interview--please enter me in the giveaway!

Marci
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Y said...

I really like Ignite Thy Passion Greeting Card Set. Your store is wonderful - unique vision.
-Yevgeniya ym2154 at gmail

lo said...

It's really hard to pick just one! I love BOTH Lotus Faeries posters- If I had to pick I would probably choose this one: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25488975

lo said...

tweet tweet!
http://twitter.com/luckylauren06/status/8049388630

thanks for the chance :)
lauren

Unknown said...

The Musing the Goddess Postcard Set 11 has captured my imagination.

Anonymous said...

I love the "Eye of the Unicorn" greeting card set. Thanks for the giveaway!
e.estt[at]yahoo[dot]com

Amber said...

I most crave the Blessings Greeting Card Set!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Cabootique said...

I love the Eye of the Unicorn greeting card set. So beautiful!

carethediva[at]hotmail[dot]com

AmbreRose said...

So many beautiful choices! I really liked the Illuminated Heart Necklace, so pretty! ambrerose@aol.com

Heather! said...

My favorite (I think!) is the Lotus Faeries poster. But I am also in love with Illuminaire! Gorgeous work!!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! said...

Shoot, sorry...forgot etsy user name. It's hybroanglid.
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! said...

I follow artistasbrand on Twitter as hybroanglid.
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! said...

I follow THIS blog on Blogger!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

avalonne83 said...

Great giveaway!
I do like the Eyes of the Unicorn Greeting Card Set.

Please count me in. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

Anonymous said...

I really love the Fire-Light greeting card, http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=38977371.

I love how the woman looks so innocent but is yet so beautiful.

I'm following Artistbybrand on FB, as melimore@nova.edu.

My email is fubabies2010@yahoo.com or Christmaself56@gmail.com

I have a lot of emails, sorry!

Great Giveaway!! I hope I win!!

Stephanie said...

A great artist!
I really like the lotus faerie poster!

-stephanie.hartwick@gmail.com
stephanie

Chantele Cross-Jones said...

OMG I love the Lotus Faeries! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25488975

daisydayz25 at googlemail.com

K said...

I loved The Eyes of the Unicorn Greeting Card Set very mystical!
Kym - busybbee05[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au

K said...

I have become a follower of ArtistAsBrand Web log
busybbee05[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au

K said...

I follow Greg on twitter @umeplusone
busybbee05[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au

K said...

I follow Greg on Facebook (Kym T)
busybbee05[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au

K said...

Follower of IlluminatedPerfume
busybbee05[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au

bibay said...

Musing The Goddess Postcard attracted my attention

Beverly
bvrlylava at gmail dot com

bibay said...

my tweet

http://twitter.com/Barbiejef/status/8230805672

Beverly
bvrlylava at gmail dot com

bibay said...

follower of Greg on Twitter (barbiejef)

Beverly
bvrlylava at gmail dot com

bibay said...

blog post 1

http://bvrlycute.blogspot.com/2010/01/post-card-giveaway.html

Beverly
bvrlylava at gmail dot com

bibay said...

blog post 2

http://bvrlycute.blogspot.com/2010/01/post-card-giveaway.html

Beverly
bvrlylava at gmail dot com

Heather! said...

I tweeted this contest!
http://twitter.com/hybroanglid/status/8302398464
h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Michael Glenwood Gibbs said...

Nice work as always, Greg. They're all great, but Fire-Light is especially evocative. The workshop looks interesting. Michael... mggibbs@yahoo.com

Michael Glenwood Gibbs said...

btw, I follow Greg's blog... I'm on his mailing list.

Michael Glenwood Gibbs said...

... and we're FaceBook friends. Does that count? Not just FB friends, but friends who have friended each other on FB. :-)

Michael mggibbs08@yahoo.com

Bob Dob said...

I would have to go with Lotus Faeries Poster. Great use of color with a nice simple composition. Bob Dobbie, bobdobbie@gmail.com.

Shilo said...

I've really been wanting The Visions of Vespertina CD...so I finally bought it! Haha:)
ShiloCrandall
shilocrandall@hotmail.com

Shilo said...

I am a follower of Greg's ArtistAsBrand on facebook.
(Shilo Crandall)
shilocrandall@hotmail.com

Gruvkitty said...

I love the "Blessings" postcard set!!!! What a lovely and loving image.

gruvkitty
gruvkitty9 at gmail.com

Gruvkitty said...

tweeted.

RT @RoxanaVilla is hosting a giveaway with Greg Spalenka! Visit http://journal.illuminatedperfume.com for a chance to win

Gruvkitty said...

Following on twitter

Gruvkitty
gruvkitty9 at gmail dot com

Gruvkitty said...

Became a fan on FB

Gruvkitty
gruvkitty9 at gmail dot com

Gruvkitty said...

Follower of Illum Perf.

Gruvkitty
gruvkitty9 at gmail dot com

DRigoli said...

Greg, I love all of your work. Musing the Goddess Series 1 includes two of my all time faves: Divinus & Ignite Thy Passion. Your work has inspired me to come back to painting after a stretch where I became disillusioned with being an artist for hire. I'm intrigued by your Artist as Brand workshops. I must tell you that this strikes me as an unusual way to enter a contest, yet I'm compelled throw my hat in the ring for a chance to come to your workshop gratis!!!
Thanks
Diane Rigoli, Email address: rigoliarts@earthlink.net

DRigoli said...

Became a follower of Artist as Brand Blog. Mille Grazie per tutto!

DRigoli said...

Became a fan of Artist as Brand on FB.Thank you for the opportunity.

Peg said...

Hi Roxana ~

I love the Goddess postcards, particularly the Divinus piece (it makes me feel good to look at that, truly).

I also love the Lotus Faeries poster. Greg's art is all very beautiful and transformative to me.

Thank you for letting me enter your giveaway (I follow your blog)!

<3 Peg in SM
cwestpost [at] aol [dot] com

Gruvkitty said...

Blogged! This is a great give away! Thank you! Hope I get the workshop - I could really, really use it! No, really! :)

http://waywardsouthernbelle-gruvkitty.blogspot.com/2010/01/branded-good-thing.html

Gruvkitty
gruvkitty9 at gmail dot com

Eleutheria said...

By the Goddess - how to choose?

I've followed Greg since 1999 and am absolutely in love with everything he does. This, however is a no-brainer: Lotus Faeries, because it's both the epitome of feminine spirit and the magic of his visual poetry.

Poppet said...

I love all of them, but really love Illuminaire. That just speaks to my soul.

Pkmaulding@gmail.com

Adriane said...

While I'm fortunate and most blessed to have one of Greg's original works, I love*love*love* his Musing the Goddess series... but mostly what I wish for is the gift of his wisdom on the artist as brand. I think what the two of you have accomplished, both separately and together, is alchemy of the highest order.

~Adriane xx
Adriane@onesundayafternoon.com

Illuminated Perfume said...

This Artist feature and giveaway is officially closed, the winners will be announced shortly.
Thank you for stopping by.