What a contest it was!

170 entered, guessing the number of paint tube caps in the jar and sending pictures of their art-needing wall. Guesses ranged widely, from a very low 70 caps to over 6000!

Participants came from near and far, even Norway and Germany and South Africa. No one hit the exact number. Four came within 20, the winner within eight!

THE WINNER WAS MARY HOWARD who guessed 1087.

I called her to let her know. Since she lives within driving distance I invited her to come to the house and get her prize.

The painting I chose for her is “Beauty on Blue,” working best, I thought, with the room photo she supplied. She says she’s over the moon.

In the end I counted all the caps–1079. What a project, so many of them stuck together. What I’ve lost track of is how many paintings have resulted from those tubes.

I’ve enjoyed hearing from so many. I printed out all the pictures people sent, seeing so many great spaces, all with wonderful potential. They make me want to enter in and help find something just right.

From when I first started painting, one of my goals is to help people have art!  That’s ongoing, even after the contest.

I made two paintings at the same time, desiring to give the winner a choice.  She chose “Beauty on Blue,” right.  “Beauty on Indigo” is available for anyone interested.

Also, for anyone interested, here’s a video of me painting the two ballerina pieces.  It’s the whole process; short, but long.  You may want to just dip into moments, beginning, middle and end.  Enjoy.

(That’s what I do.)