by Cindy of cksilver

Meet Derek Collins of watercolorsbyderek (watercolor) and derekcollins (acrylics)

Derek is giving away this beautiful "Owls Head Lighthouse" ACEO miniature painting (2 1/2 inches x 3 1/2 inches). To be eligible for the prize, please go to his shop and look around. Pick your favorite item and come back here and leave a note telling us which is your favorite. Be sure to leave us your email address too so that we can contact you if you are a winner. The winners will be chosen via random.org.

Introduction
I live in the real Memphis, Memphis Indiana that is, with my wife Stacy and two sons, Ryan and Tyler. At the age of 27 I suffered a severe back injury and was off work for 4 months. While bedridden I saw Bob Ross doing painting demonstrations on PBS. After 7 weeks I was on my feet again, but still unable to go back to work. I bought some oil paints and started painting. Within 6 months I started selling paintings. I have been doing art shows across the country for 20 years now. Ten years ago I went full time and we bought the house in Memphis and I built a Studio/Gallery behind the house.

Not that I have any spare time, but when I do I might slip off to the lake to go fishing. I tell my wife I'm providing food for the family. I coached some basketball for a few years and I sometimes give painting lessons. Recently an artist group formed at my church. Some of us are occasionally called on to paint a painting during the service to go along with the sermon. That has been a lot of fun.

How did you get started on Etsy?
I had been selling on Ebay for a couple years and I was doing a art show when one of the promoters asked me if I had ever tried to sell on Etsy.

What does a typical day look like for you?
Since I am a coffee snob, I start the day with 2 cups of French Pressed coffee. My cup is actually a large Rootbeer mug! But I can honestly say I only had 2 cups. That is the only consistant thing I do each day. None of my days are alike. I have been told that I can't multi-task, which may be true because I paint in binges. I may paint almost non stop and late into the night for a week, then I am totally drained of creative energy and unable to paint at all. So then I start framing, or taking pictures and putting paintings on-line. From April through September I am traveling to art shows so that really complicates things as I might only be home a few days of any particular week.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one day, where would it be?
Alaska, watching the bears catch salmon.

What is your favorite Bible verse?
Isaiah 1:18 "Though your sins may be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow".

What is your favorite Etsy item listing to feature?
That's tough, my favorite thing always seems to be what I painting now.

Where else can you find Derek on the web?
Blog - A painting each day: http://artistderekcollins.blogspot.com
Blog - Derek talks art and painting lessons: http://artistderek.blogspot.com
Etsy watercolor store site: http://watercolorsbyderek.etsy.com
Etsy acrylic store site: http://derekcollins.etsy.com
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Artist-Derek-T-Collins-Acrylic-and-Watercolor-paintings/46041664715
Derek tweets art: http://www.twitter.com/artistderek

And the winner of last week's giveaway is... Julia of CardsbyJeweleighaB. Julia has won a lovely canvas doorhanger of her choosing from LeeAnn Gorman of designsbyleeann. Look for convos to each of you!