2.01.2013

Catherine Ethington :: Art Giveaway! And the winner is...

This Valentine's Day, let's get festive! Not in a chocolate wrapped in pink and red foil kind of way, but in a "I like your soul," kind of way. 

by cat


8x10. hand drawn. ink.

Sometimes I still feel like my 16 year old self, the self who wants a valentine, like some cheesy cupid merchandise that's supposed to be a token of love. As if something from the holiday aisle would satiate my desire for affection...

These days, I'm not so much about the extras--not to say a bundle of fresh flowers from my guy doesn't go a long way--because it does; a handful of white peonies can definitely mend things the eye can't see. But now, the month of February is a celebration of having love in my heart.

Last year on the 13th of this month I gave birth to my son, my sweet, meek and mild child. Bringing him into the world was like meeting love for the first time--all over again. The next day being the 14th, I teased my husband by asking what I was getting for Valentine's Day, though the tease was just an attempt to mask my true eagerness of a gift. He said something funny that I can't remember now and then asked the same question of me. I retorted, “Our baby is your present. I made that tiny human and pushed it out for you!” As I heard myself saying the words they turned from a sarcastic quip into a genuine statement. The act of bringing our son into our lives was spiritual, authentic sincerity and romance. Our creation of love.

There was nothing missing, nothing to make it sweeter. Not even those amazing chocolate eggs with the cream inside, yes I'm talking to you Cadbury.

I long to feel that way again, and often, and keep it with me always--to become preoccupied in gratitude and distracted with love.

I'm happy, and I hope to capture that happiness by realizing that I have something to contribute. I hope to be receptive to love given as well as generously offering it to the world we are a part of.

Not there yet? Me neither. By miles. But I plan on practicing the idea that this is the month of love--an opportunity to embrace love more deeply and often.



So, in the spirit of practicing this, I made a little something for you.Yes YOU dear reader!

We wanted to celebrate the launch of Doe a Deery by having a fine art giveaway!

This illustration is hand drawn with ink and is approximately 8x10” framed in an 11x14” frame. I think the classic black really makes the detail pop, don't you?

Leave a comment about how you are going to celebrate love this month, and this original could arrive on your doorstep! I know you'll love it!

Updated Feb. 7... Thanks everyone for entering!

Kimber, our winner, writes a fun blog with five of her sisters! Check it out!

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33 comments:

  1. So cute! I am going to celebrate love by snuggling my babies, and by getting ready to welcome baby #3!

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  2. Love this! :) My cute husband and I will be celebrating love this month by enjoying our new sweet baby boy, Ivan.

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  3. I love this! And I know and love many of you Does. I'm celebrating by dinner out with my husband away from our sweet babies, and by filling his office full of heart-shaped balloons to surprise him. Welcome to the blogosphere!

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    1. I hope he doesn't read this! It'll ruin the surprise!

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  4. I am leaving heart notes on my three boys bedroom doors and on our bedroom mirror for my husband. Every day they each get one heart with something that I love personally about them.

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    1. So cute! You'll need to check back tomorrow, because we are doing something like this on the blog!

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  5. I am planning to leave "love notes" to my husband each day reminding him why I fell in love with him :)

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  6. I want to go to the temple this month with my husband. It's been two years since we've gone together (having a baby and moving four times has really kicked our butts, but I finally found someone who will take my kid for a few hours in our new city) and since we're having another baby in April we really must go.

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  7. I'm going to decorate my house with as many hearts as I can find and dress my baby up as cupid. Oh, and go to dinner with just my husband!

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  8. My husband puts in long hours at the hospital, so we won't have much time to celebrate. But a "love letter" and a trip to PF Chang's for their banana spring roll dessert might be in order!

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    1. Oh, I've never had the banana spring roll dessert, sounds delicious! I am a big fan of the great wall of china!

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  9. I am celebrating love this month by decorating VDay cookies with friends, making cards with my boys, and celebrating my sisters birthday!

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  10. No husband or kids but I will show love by not taking myself so seriously and knowing that LIFE IS GOOD!

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  11. Catherine, this is amazing! You are so talented. I'm going to celebrate love by giving my husband and daughters something they've each wanted for a long time, but just haven't gotten yet. They are all different things, and probably unexpected, and I am excited to surprise them and see their happiness because I love them. :)

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  12. LOVE IT!!! We've kicked off our celebration of love this week by focusing on how much our Heavenly Father loves us that he would send His Son to make sure we could all return to Him. We've focused on sharing that love and light to others (especially to members of our family and especially when someone tries to steal a toy!) (Cole is still working on not biting other people's faces when they steal a toy!) and will continue to focus on sharing this love through service this month. Love you!

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  13. Catherine is so talented! I have actually been decorating for the holiday since the middle of last month, so I could totally use more art around... We have had a tradition of getting a heart-shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's and having a night in. This year, I think we'll have to step it up for the little man! I've always sort of poked fun at my mom for being so darn in love with Valentine's Day, but now I totally get it! I really liked Julie's idea about focusing on the love of the Lord, and the love the Saviour has for us! That makes Valentine's day so special!

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  14. I think Im going to make some valentine sugar cookies and hopefully not eat them all so I can share them with someone I love :)

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    1. Yeah, this sounds like something I would do...

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  15. I love this! So beautiful! We are going to try and do nice acts of kindness for others this month to celebrate love. Trying to teach my girls how to serve and love it.

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  16. It's nice to have a season reminding me to show the feelings I have all year long! Maybe next week I'll bust out the pink construction paper, but for now I'm just trying to be patient and kind, and extra lavish with the hugs and kisses. I love the ink drawing - so lovely!

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    1. Kimber! You won! Congrats! E-mail your address to doeadeery@gmail.com and we will ship right away! I had a great time reading through your guys' blog. I have two sisters of my own, and we have THE BEST TIME EVER.

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    2. Oh, oh! I cannot remember the last time I won anything - let alone something I actually love! Thanks, Ladies!

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    3. Yay Kimber! So glad you're a winner. I hear Chelsea is moving back to DC - I'm totally bummed I wont be there to play. I will, however be visiting frequently, as my parents live in Vienna. In fact, I'll be there in April.... would be lovely to see you.

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  17. I'm going to celebrate love by focusing on the things that I TRULY love...not just the boots I LOVE and never take off; not the entire line of Clinique products that I LOVE (and never go without ); not the Chik-fil-a lemonade that I LOVE and am slightly addicted to. I'm talking about what I REALLY LOVE- my family. They are my greatest treasure and a heck of a reason to celebrate love!!

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  18. I wasn't planning on doing much until I read these comments & now I'm inspired! I think I'll do heart attacks on the bathroom mirrors with hearts that say all the things I love about my 3 daughters & husband. And then if I feel extra ambitious, I'll sit down with my daughters & make valentines to send to all their cousins. P.S. I LOVE this picture & if I don't win it, I'd love to buy a copy if you sell any! Thanks!

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    1. Thanks Jessica, that is so nice of you! Thank you also in your interest of owning a copy of this art. I don't have an online shop set up yet, but I am working on this and will update you when it's in working condition! Hopefully soon. Would you mind emailing me your contact information please. I'm catherine.ethington@gmail.com. Thanks again!!! - Cat

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  19. I'm celebrating this month by eating lots and lots and LOTS of chocolate covered juju hearts. :)

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