Monday Artday - Now a Major Motion Picture

Monday Artday... A major motion picture? No, not really. But it is something to be admired. Not just as an amazing place to find some great art and illustration from a huge variety of artists from all over the world, but as an interesting social experiment. The artists here have an astonishing knack for managing themselves when the host is absent.

Well, the host is back. Just a quick run-down of what's up. I spent all of 2010 treating a horrible intestinal cancer. Long runs of chemotherapy and 2 major surgeries. It's been very hard on me and my family but it all has a happy ending! I'm cancer-free and back to normal health! Now I can ease back into all of my passions (outside of just staying alive). So I'm diving back into Monday Artday and I want to thank you all for keeping it going while I was away.

For all of you that requested membership while I was out, I have approved your membership so look for an email from Blogger with instructions on how to log in. Looking forward to seeing all of you posting your fabulous work here!

We'll Be Right Back After a Brief Intermission...

Hey, artists! I'm going to be away for a little while so I want you all to play nice! I'm going in for tests tomorrow (EKG, blood, etc.) and then abdominal surgery on Monday (March 22). I've got cancer and my duodenum needs to be removed (along with part of my pancreas and anything else they find needs pruning in there). It's all good and I expect to be right as rain in a couple of weeks so don't worry about me. I'll be back as soon as I can.

I set up the next challenges to appear as posts in the next few weeks, Mondays at 10:00 AM PST. Keep that artwork coming! I'll judge the Castaway and Monkey challenges and the next few challenges when I return.

Also, for anyone who wants to join in that time period, I'll have to add you when I'm back, so expect a few weeks delay.

Now, sharpen those pencils and start drawing! And good health to all. Ciao for now.

Creating a Long Post

Hello, artists! A quick note about formatting posts... Please read this whole post!

First off, try to keep your images at a small to medium size. When you add an image to your post you can resize it with a click and drag or a click and select the size. If someone wants to see the image in a larger scale they can click on it.

Hello, My Friends

Hi! I'm so sorry I've been absent. I've been recovering from chemotherapy. I'm doing great right now so I'll be updating this coming Monday. Great work here, glad to see you all are self-sufficient. :)

Greek Myth

In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman. Zeus ordered her creation as a punishment for mankind, in retaliation for Prometheus’ having stolen fire and then giving it to humans for their use. She is most famous for having brought with her a box containing all the world’s evils. She releases these evils, but closes the lid before Hope can escape. Man, those ancient Greeks were nuts! :)

The Greek Myth challenge ends February 23. - Mike (your host)

Cliff Hanger

Minnie “Boom-Boom” Mahoony was the world’s greatest juggling, sword - swallowing, tight - rope - walking, daredevil of the 1890s. She was also known to wrestle gators and climb skyscrapers. Rumor had it that she studied under Houdini, learned martial arts in Peking, and worked as a spy for the U.S. government. While flying biplanes in WWI, she disappeared somewhere over the Bermuda Triangle.

The Cliff Hanger challenge ends February 16th. - Mike (your host)

Host Announcement

Hello, everybody! I'm your host, Mike. I'm your only host as Monday Artday has been left entirely up to me. I love art and illustration and I believe everyone else that does should have as many avenues to pursue that love as possible - and so I host this site (as best I can).

First off, a couple of changes. There will still be a new challenge every week but now the challenge will last for 2 weeks. That means that you have 2 weeks to do the challenge instead of one. The "winner" will be announced in a post and shown on the right under "this week's winner" and the last winner will be moved to "last week's winner". The current challenge and the new challenge will also be shown.

I noticed some pretty great illustrations coming in late so I wanted to give everyone more time and make it official. I hope it's clear and everyone's cool with it.

Also, I dropped the "monthly winner" portion. It's too hard to judge.

Next, I wanted to speak to those who want to join. When you email your request (see the instructions to the right) I receive it personally and have to approve. I need to see your work online so I know you're not a spammer or a prank. Sometimes it takes me a while to approve but I will get to you. You will receive, from Blogger and Monday Artday, an email with instructions on joining. If your account blocks email from Blogger then you may need to check your spam folder. You must accept the invitation in less than a month or it expires. I receive about 20 requests a month and 10 invitations expire before they are accepted. If you don't get your invitation in 3 weeks and think you should have, please email me again.

Last, I want to say something about posting here and "winning". I am the only judge and like everyone, I am susceptible to my own biases. I try to be fair and open-minded and I use comments to help me decide. Comment often! The "winning" part of this blog is just for fun and to give an end to the challenge. In my opinion, everyone who participates is a winner. Your entry is being seen by over 500 people a day, win or lose.

So post often, post for the challenge and post what you are proud of. Don't be afraid to add a link to your site with each post - we like visiting you. And have fun!

EDIT February 5, 2009: You may notice the look around here is changing a bit. New logo, new colors. I'm keeping the birds that Bearuh designed, at least for now (although they will always be here one way or another). I've been wanting a brighter, cleaner look to showcase the art here. More changes coming.

EDIT February 24, 2010: A note to everyone that asks to join Monday Artday... If you are not invited to join in 3 weeks or less, check your spam folder for the invite! If it's not there, email me again and tell me you tried to join once. I invite a lot of people that ask to join that never accept the invitation.