Hello, everyone!

Christmas is just around the corner, and while in the past I have done my own holiday-themed pieces of artwork, I thought I would go a different route this year by physically giving something back to my readers! For the next two months, there will be a contest going on for Peter & Company. If you are an artist and would like to jump into the ring (and get a free gift for doing so), then this is the contest for you!

The rules and requirements are simple:

1. Draw a piece of artwork involving one or more characters from the Peter & Company universe. Unlike the contest, the art does not have to be Christmas-themed.
2. You MAY include a character of your own creation in the piece, if you so choose. You MAY NOT include a copyrighted character that is not of your own design or used without the permission of the original creator.
3. All artwork must be kept family-safe, as per the content of the actual comic. Additionally, all P&C characters must be kept in-character as they are in the comic (i.e. don't show them doing anything they would never do).
4. The art may be drawn at any size and medium with which you are comfortable. Digital or traditional, color or black & white; it is entirely up to you!
5. All artwork must be submitted via e-mail to PeterAndCompany@gmail.com by 11:59 pm EST on December 20th, 2008. Be sure to put your name on your submission so I know who to thank! You must include your home mailing address in the submission e-mail or you will be ineligible to receive your prize(s).

Prizes? Oh yes, there are indeed prizes! Judging will be based on the overall creativity of the artist. All skill levels are welcome and encouraged to participate! The winner will be announced on Christmas Day, and will be awarded a signed hardcover copy of the Peter & Company Collection Book with a sketch on the inside cover (a $44.99 value). Additionally, every single person who submits a piece of artwork will be sent a free, randomly-selected Peter & Company collectible trading card, a full couple months ahead of their official sale date! The first cards will be sent out during the first week of December, with the rest sent out as soon as they are completed.

There is a limit of one collectible card per artist, not per submission. This means if you submit multiple pieces of artwork, you may increase your chances of winning, but you will still only be sent one card as a free gift.

I may create a gallery on the website if time permits to showcase the contest pieces that are submitted. Any questions may be either e-mailed directly via the address above, or simply posted in the comments below.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, readers of Peter & Company. Now get to the drawing board!!