<EDIT>I have been totally swamped with trying to finish this chapter that is due in the next few days, so I haven't replied to most comments, favs, or watches, nor have I commented on most deviations. I'm very sorry; please know that I am very appreciative of all comments, and I will try to sort through all of your beautiful artwork when I have a chance to breathe again. Thanks for your patience!</EDIT>


Okay guys, here's the thing. I have a print account here, but truthfully I really couldn't care less if I ever sell anything through dA. I mean, I'm not going to make it or break it on the $2.12 I get from selling a print here, you know? What I would honestly, truly rather do is just give prints away. I have a very nice photo printer and am more than happy to print them out and mail them to people for free.

Oops, wait, not entirely for free. There's no such thing as a free lunch (or a free print), remember?

Here's the "cost:" do something to make the world better. Not sure what I mean? Here's a few examples:

• Donate food or supplies (blankets, toiletries, ect) to a homeless shelter.


• Donate dog/cat food, treats, and toys to an animal shelter or humane society.


• Donate your time. This is even better than donating food or money because you give and receive something amazing with the simple act of sharing a few of your hours with someone. Volunteer to spend time with the elderly at a nursing home, to walk dogs or play with cats at an animal shelter, to help feed the homeless, to mentor young kids who are at risk, to work at a museum... The list is endless.


• Adopt a dog/cat/bunny/snake/rat/whatever from an animal shelter. Hell, I'll give you TWO prints for that. I'm serious.


• Donate money to your favorite charity. This is last on the list because while it's a nice thing to do, it doesn't necessarily enrich your community the way that the other stuff listed above does. But, it is still giving, and I will certainly send you a print for doing it.

To get a print, simply do one or more of the things I've listed (or make up something of your own), get something in writing that says that you did it (a receipt for the donated items, a note stating you gave x number of hours, an adoption certificate from a shelter, ect.), and scan/photograph it and send it to me with your name, address, and choice of print. You can choose anything in my gallery or my scraps (except the photo of my daughter, sorry), and I'll send it to you and even sign and number it so that it looks official and stuff. The offer is open for the next month (we'll see how it goes after that).

Sound good? I hope so!

(Before anyone mentions it, I know about the `ArtistsForCharity thing, but I wanted this to be more personal and something more closely related to your community.)

Now here's my next challenge to you... If you have a way to make prints and the resources to do something like this, then do it! Post something similar to this in your journal, and help to spread the love around. You can make your own "rules" -- they don't have to be the same as the ones I've listed here, just the same general idea -- you'll give a print to someone who works to make the world a better place.

I hope you are all well!