Welcome to April ...

Each April I like to do a small tribute to ANZAC Day (our memorial day here in Australia and in New Zealand where we remember those who gave their lives in wartime).

I just love the simplicity of our April inspiration artwork by New Zealand artist Karen Neal called Poppyfields. 

CRITERIA - Black and White with one other colour of your choice

A little about Karen Neal ...

Karen works primarily in Scratchboard, Pastel and Oils, from her Rarangi beachside studio. A passion for wildlife art and portraits, she is one of 16 artists internationally to be juried in as a Master Scratchboard Artist. Karen has won several awards for both scratchboard and pastel, including the Supreme Award in the Nelson Art Awards, and twice being runner-up in the national PANZ Pastel exhibitions.

Scratchboard is a process of etching with tools such as scalpel blades and tattoo needles, to remove the top surface of black Indian ink to expose the secondary layer of white kaolin clay underneath.

And now some inspiration from our team ...

Judy Willey- Australia

Black & white with green is my favourite colour combo at the moment. I love the colour of Colourblast Paris glimmer mist.

Elaine Schoof - Australia

I went with red as my colour with black and white. My background is made from misting and stamping and I finished my page with flowers and hearts.

Karen McLaughlin - Australia

Tanya Heritage - Australia

I loved the black and white with the red poppies, I added one into my flower cluster. I stamped the background as I liked the background of the painting.

Tone Jensen - Norway

I have used the color blue. I was inspired by the colors on the top of the paint, so I have made colors on top of my page and I have also made the circles around the page to symbolize the flowers.

Kat Gray - Australia

I made a gift box inspired by the flowers and somber colours.

Jane Howden - Australia

I have used blue for my plus one colour and was drawn to the overall design of the artwork where the flowers are placed across the top third of the page.

Our main prize winner this year will be selected by random draw - so anyone could be a winner, no matter your style or your level of experience or your country of residence. If there are more than 8 entries in the month a second prize (donated each month by one of our team) will be drawn.

Main Prize

Second Prize

(drawn if more than 8 entries)

Donated by Judy Willey

Over to you ......

Please upload the DIRECT link to your actual entry with the link tool on the LEFT by 11.55pm on the last day of the month - please remember we are an Australian based challenge so please check your day and time. You may combine your entry with other challenges. Please include our inspirational picture and challenge details on your blog post as well as providing a link back to us at ARTastic. You may enter more than once in any month as long as each submission is with a different creation. International entries are very welcome. 

Please call past on the 15th for our announcement of the March winners.