I'd like to thank everyone who submitted artwork to the contest. Each one was a unique and wonderful interpretation and I've had great fun seeing them come in. In the end it was very hard deciding winners, as so many of them were so good! After much consideration, however, here are my choices for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Congratulations to Michelle, Carol, and Heidi! And to my choice for Honorable Mention, Laura McCall.

Reminders: No flash photography allowed in the gallery, please. Artist's-choice sizes of the artwork are available by clicking on the images below.

Michelle Deeming

Congratulations to contest winner Michelle Deeming of Tipton, West Midlands, U.K. Her lovely drawing incorporates all the elements stated in the contest rules in a wh imsical and graceful fantasy image.

Karracaz

Second place goes to Karracaz from the United Kingdom.

I love this otter's expression, and the very imaginative "standing stone" desk!

Heidi Pogner

Third place goes to Heidi Pogner of Cincinnati, Ohio, for her wonderfully crazed rendition, the best of the black and white entries!

Laura McCall

Click here to wander through the adjacent gallery containing other entries.

NOTE: For those who sent more than one submission, I chose the one I liked best. Each artist had only one piece in the final running.