Coloring Books Kickstarter by EMG
Ellen Million Graphics is an artist-owned small business and a publisher of coloring books for grownups. Ellen has been at it way before the current coloring book boom took hold as THE hottest creative hobby. As some of you may already know, my coloring books are published by EMG. It's an artists-friendly, totally legit company you would be proud to be a supporter of. Take it from one of the artists represented - ME! There are so many shady publishing companies and self-proclaimed "artists" jumping onto the bandwagon by ripping off copyrighted artwork of numerous fantasy artists out there (myself included). There are also coloring books that are nothing but lines traced from photos grabbed online. EMG's coloring books are fantasy art, originally conceived by fantasy artists, printed with permission and royalties paid out regularly. Sure, the books cost a little more, but you know, that's what it takes when you are bringing original, creative visions by working artists, instead of ripping off people and getting the images for free and selling cheap books to customers who don't know any better (or don't care...).
EMG is running a Kickstarter campaign to bring new titles of coloring books again. I have several images included in the compilation, multi-artists collaborative coloring book titles this time (No solo titles this time. Sorry, peeps!). With the fundraiser comes the precious opportunity to get PDF versions of my coloring books. Neither EMG or myself offer PDF versions of the coloring books outside of the fundraiser. So if you are either 1.) totally opposed to paying high shipping cost, 2.) prefer PDF so you can print over and over ... or 3.) live outside of the US where shipping would be totally ridiculous, then take advantage of the offer and pledge support today!!
You'll be supporting many fantasy artists when you pledge your support. There are so many different support levels available from just $9 USD to $250 USD or more. The perks that come with each tier is different. The higher the amount pledged, the more goodies you'll get.
Meanwhile, you can order my coloring books (I'll sign it out to whomever you specify.) at my Etsy shop HERE.
Here comes the second volume of my Sprites coloring book!
This new book's theme is Christmas. 12 Sprites in all, with 6 of them being brand new, coloring book exclusives. The book is 'mini', half the size of my other full fantasy coloring books, measuring just shy of 5.5" x 8.5". Pages are printed one-sided as usual with all books from Ellen Million Graphics, so if you happen to want to frame an image after you color, you won't have to "sacrifice" another image on the back side.UPDATE: The coloring book is now listed at my shop at this link.
The Sprites included in this volume are:
1. Christmas Cactus Sprite
2. Christmas Tree Sprite
3. Poinsettia Sprite
4. Mistletoe Sprite
5. Little Santa
6. Holly Sprite
7. Amaryllis Sprite
8. Candle Angel Sprite
9. Candy Cane Sprite
10. Gingerbread Man Sprite
11. Stocking Sprite
12. Holiday Wreath Sprite
Earlier this month, my fourth coloring book came out from Ellen Million Graphics. This one is different from the previous three books in a way that this is my Sprites collection book AND it's a half-size MINI book (5.5" x 8.5" with 12 images). I'm giving one away in a giveaway on Facebook.
One lucky winner will recevie this book shipped anywhere in the world the USPS ships to. I'll also be randomly picking 5 additional winners to receive a brand new Sprite digital stamp that I'll be inking this weekend. *fun fun*
Go to the pinned post at the top of my art page on Facebook at this link. Entry deadline is Monday, Aug. 31, 2015 at 11:59 pm EDT US (3:59 am GMT, Tuesday, Sept. 1).
DeviantArtist Questionnaire
How long have you been on DeviantArt? -- Since Oct. 19, 2008. 6 years.
What does your username mean? -- I took the idea from Nujabes' Aruarian Dance from the sound track of Samurai Champloo, which was my favorite anime at the time when I joined dA. And since I was a dancer (ballet & jazz) at the time, I just added an r at the end of that title, honoring my favorite anime and passion with one username.
Describe yourself in three words. -- Happy, relentless, optimist
Are you left or right handed? -- Right handed for fine, detailed work, but left handed for strength work.
What was your first deviation? -- "Kimono Girl" ... don't know what to say. Haha.
What is your favourite type of art to create? -- Fan art of Samurai Champloo done in pencil or ballpoint pen
If you could instantly master a different art style, what would it be? -- tattooing
What was your first favourite? -- This one "Eric Draven" by mattyrich, which I'm sure I found on DD list.
What type of art do you tend to favourite the most? -- My friends' work - mostly fan art and photography
Who is your all-time favourite deviant artist? -- hellobaby maybe?
If you could meet anyone on DeviantArt in person, who would it be? -- Fella!
How has a fellow deviant impacted your life? -- I received a lot of love ane encouragement from my friends in the beginning. Many of whom were also friends from yahoo forums and livejournal. Really, without them at that point in my life (winter of 2008), I wouldn't be a professional artist, earning my living with my art. This was an unexpected development looking back. ^_^
What are your preferred tools to create art? -- I love ball point pen/ biro as much as my Wacom Intuos for creating art. Pencil on printer paper is still where most of my ideas come into being, just like when I first started in 2008.
What is the most inspirational place for you to create art? -- Right here in front of my monitor at my work space. I pull my inspiration from my head as I am a fantasy artist, and internet is the most wonderful resource for instant access to references and fact checking.
What is your favourite DeviantArt memory? -- I used to run a contest specifically for young artists (13 to 18) who worked with traditional media right here on dA before my art business took off and I couldn't find time for it. I had all my best buddies on dA help me as judging or sponsors donating prizes in support of younger generation of artists. We did that for 5 years. That was great. Also, my first Daily Deviation with my doodle done with a ball point pen on printer paper. That was great, too.
Do You Think Numbats Are Adorable?
Some of you may ask, "What are numbats?" Well, they are this cute little marsupial native to Western Australia. They have long ant eater tongues which they use to eat termites. They are an endangered spicies with population in the wild estimated to be less than 1,000.
I've been a fan of this animal ever since my artist friend, Jenny Heidewald, just couldn't stop talking about it on her Facebook and at Sketch Fest. 
When I Googled for an image of one, I totally got why she was so crazy about these little critters. They are ADORABLE! XDI just recently found out Project Numbat Incorporated (a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and helping fund conservation efforts of numbats) is trying to raise fund to purchase 25 radio-collars to be used in a conservation study conducted by the Perth Zoo. I decided it was about time that I do my part, so here it is - my little fundraiser for these adorable animals. ^_^
Clicking on the image will take you to my fundraiser page that can accept credit card donations of any amount. If you'd rather use PayPal, there's a donation button set up for this campaign at my web site, Color for a Cause.
Basically, I'm sending out this never-before-released digital stamp (line art file) of "Numbat Fairy" to everyone who donates to my fundraiser as my humble thanks. This next part is optional, but I'll also be setting up a Color & Craft Contest at my Facebook group, Stamps by AuroraWings, which is a very lively group of over 2,400 members who love to color and make paper crafts with my images. The contest will run past the fundraiser deadline of August 15, 2015 to allow time for people to color and work on projects. There will be two prizes - one Artist's Choice Award, chosen for merit by me, and one random winner. Both winner is entitled to receive a choice of either $30 USD in digis OR 1 coloring book (with international shipping included). I hope this is a win-win situation for crafters out there.
The campaign kicked off yesterday afternoon, and as of this morning, we've already raised $104.00 toward the goal of $500 (which will buy 2 radio-collars for the numbat study).