Solo Exhibition

I am booked for another gallery exhibition.

 

This will be my 4th solo show.

 

This time around it'll (hopefully) be all brand new works (if my head cooperates) and all figurative.
The message of this exhibition will again be along the same theme that I always try
to hit with my work...one of connection & kindness to animals & to our own tender hearts.

 

I am excited.

 

I am excited because I know that when I have a gallery show coming up,

I'll be pushing myself to do the more conceptual pieces that I really enjoy making the most.

My last show was 'Birds of a Feather' and it was a cool showing BUT
When I think on a year of work where I was really super crazy in love with what I was making,
it wasn't for that exhibition but for my solo exhibition a few years back in 2009
called 'A Woman's Work' (click here to see the archive site).

I want to capture that feeling of utter pride & excitement with my work again this time around.
Exhibition work just tends to be a time when I make the pictures where my story-telling &
messages can flourish and grow in more depth and with more room.

Sometimes blogging can be passive-aggressive, ha ha

because it over time quietly captures me into this tight cycle of doing smaller, quicker works

for the sake of making sure I am continually showing you all new pieces!
I always try to do a fair balance of new artwork, life sweetness's & rabbit goodness...
I am not at all saying that I am not in love with what I've been making & showing you, not at all,

It's just time to do some more conceptual figurative pieces that tend to take a tad longer to make,
and I've been feeling that need for a shift in artwork...which is why I jumped on the offer to exhibit.
 

 

But whiles I will not let this show be all consuming like my last exhibition was!
I will allow myself to work on what I need to work on so I can feel awesome about what I am showing....and my dear little blog will just have to follow suit!

because the images I have in mind for it are pieces that must be made even if I wasn't having a show.

They've been tugging on my creative heart for a long while now,

begging to make an appearance outside of my sketchbook! 

So in order to bring them to life, I'll succumb to the fact that perhaps

I'll be showing you more 'works in progress' more often.

But you all won't mind that will you?!!

You all seem to like it when I show you

the beginning & middle parts of pictures and not just the end results? 

 

So my show is next year.
The public run is slated for April 26 to May 16 of 2014
at the WKP Kennedy Gallery in my small city of North Bay.

and I am sending out a giant wish to the universe...
I want this show to travel to other galleries far beyond my little town.
I want to use this exhibition to push myself further
to exhibit and get into galleries I've never shown in before.  To reach new audiences.

I don't quite know how to do it, even with my gallery history/background BUT I'll figure it out!!!

SO, if you are a gallery director or you know one, or you think my work would suit a
cool gallery in your part of the world, send me a message & lets chat!

Whimsy, Quirkiness and COLOUR...Check Things Out

Christmas is coming fast...

 

Don't forget that I have oodles of beautifully colourful,

whimsical and quirky prints that would make excellent presents.

All of my prints are 8 x 10" and are super easy to frame with your favorite 8 x 10 frame.

 



 

I hop you'll hop by for a look.

Don't forget to check back often because lots of new goodies are on their way too...

such as smaller 5 x7" prints, mounted prints, greeting cards and other whimsies.

 

My website newsletter sign up isn't working at the moment
but if you want to keep up to date on new artwork & additions to my shop
just send me your email to MandySaile@BijousWhimsy.com and I'll add you to my newsletter list.

Flutter Jewel

I finally finished it up...finally!

and I am really happy with the end results.

 

The coloured pencil hummingbird was done ages ago

but it completely eluded me on how to finish the background...

I usually don't have such trouble like that.  I think because I was so in love with the bird,

I wanted the background to capture and showcase the essence of the birds character too....

 

 

...and I think I've achieved that.  I hope I did anyhow!

I think the line work and colours around the bird capture a warm spirit & an immense energy,

not just the incredible movement such a bird would have.

 

It's been titled  "Flutter Jewel"

 

(the Original is SOLD)

But Prints are in my shop.

 

Have an amazing weekend and I'll see you next week.

Lately

Now that our yard and little home are all wrapped up and ready for winter

and we're taking a tiny break from putting in our new floor, which has been such a big & tiring job!

I've been enjoying long days in my studio
and my head has really been behaving well (shouts of ecstatic YAYYY enter here!)
So whiles I feel behind as always, I also feel like I am getting tons done, I have lots show you all.

We've been rushing out to the beach or to our front yard to take in amazing sunsets.
I've been picking up feathers along the water side,
and my moms finding some on her walks for me too, for future mixed medias works.
I've been excitedly collecting driftwood for a jewelry series I am planning.

We've also been spending oodles of time stretched out on the floor with
favorite tv shows & bunnies & roaring fires & hot chocolates...
and bunnies begging for cookies!

It's just a lovely time of year where things feel like they are settling down & entering a calm phase.

Finally we turned our heat on!!!
We try to wait to turn it on at the beginning of November,
But my fingers & nose were turning to ice in my basement studio
so I am happily basking in the heat beautifully pumping out of our furnace, ha ha.
(it's the little things after all!)
Though waking up to a fire each morning &
enjoying one before bed for the last few weeks has been pretty awesome!
There's something about stacking wood & watching your man chop it, that is so very very cozy.

Bottom line:  We are ready to hibernate.

We are ready to hunker down and be all warm and cozy in our house with 6 bunnies.
We are ready to get lots of work done, me in my studio, Jonathan in his office.
We are ready to do little else on the weekends but watch tons of movies & make good food
...and all the other good good cozy stuff that winter brings.

Are you ready to hibernate and hunker down???

Happy Thanksgiving

Hopping along to wish you all a super duper cozy and happy-as-can-be Thanksgiving...

 

 

XOXO Mandy, Jonathan, Flynnster, Jaky, Jin, Tee-Tee, Fren & Yuuji-San

20

20 years ago on this day

my soul mate & I went on our very first date...

A hike in the woods...

We were completely & irrevocably intertwined from the moment our eyes met

(which was in the middle of a strawberry field on a warm summer evening).

 

 

20 million more years with this guy of mine wouldn't be enough.

He's my heart & soul walking & living outside of my own body...

my absolute everything amazing & wonderful.

Happy Anniversary my Amazing love. 



Cute Overload

What can be considered a super duper sweet part of ones day???

 

Sharing my banana, apple, mango, cashew, orange smoothie with our little foodie.

Ahhhh...she's such a sweetie pie...the apple of my eye, ha ha.

 

 

I am so glad my honey thought to capture our sharing.

And, I am pretty sure Yuuji enjoyed cleaning off Teela's head afterwards, ha ha.

 

We've been enjoying these sunny fall days with lots of time outside with the buns, hope you are too.

Time To Get Hungry

Okay blogging peeps, it's time to make you hungry, ha ha.

And to show you more of the scrumptious meals we veg-heads make in our little abode...

 

Such as...

 

Avocado smooshed on toast with lentil soup on the side.

 

A green salad with kalamata olives and homemade pasta sauce with tons of mushrooms & carrots.

 

Spaghetti with a fresh tomato onion sauce with a side of asparagus.

 

 

Tomato, avocado & sunflower sesame balsamic salad with some side noodles in a 'beef' broth.

 

 

Tofu fried with fresh tomatoes and carrots and loads and loads of garlic.

 



 

A healthy high protein high fiber cereal with a side of banana and a couple of fresh peaches.

 

 

Noodles with shredded carrot and cabbage and mushrooms and garlic.

 

B-b-cued 'chicken' with grilled naan & a veggie blend cooked in tinfoil with olive oil & seasoning.

 

 

One of our comfort splurges, homemade Mac 'n Cheese with a big bowl of sautéed mushrooms.

 

 

Salad drowning in cashews, sunflower seeds, kidney beans & chickpeas with an olive oil dressing.

 

 

Grilled 'riblets' with sides of asparagus, brown rice & onion and oyster mushrooms.

 

 

A favorite, zucchini with salsa, tomatoes, mushrooms, onion & garlic over pasta covered in cheese.

 

 

Made by my mom. Leek soup with potato dumplings & homemade poppy seed/cheese bread.

 

 

One of my specialties, homemade 'Meat-Pie'....made with soy burger, carrots, corn, potatoes.

 

 

Asian noodles with cabbage and a side of tofu with sunflowers seeds in a sweet & sour sauce.

 

 

Grocery shopping is always a pleasure for us.

Firstly because we can afford good food, we're always grateful for that.

2nd because well healthy food is just a really beautiful thing.

 

 

So tell me.

Did I make you hungry???

 

If your a meat-eater, try going completely veg just 1 or 2 nights a week...

as you can see it's SO easy and also SO very satisfying & YUMMY.



Bunny Diversion Short - Night Juice With Jinny And Jaks

A new Bunny Diversion Short is up on my YouTube Channel.

 

We have a pretty strict rule in our home...

always get up to check things out & reassure the fur-babes that they are all good and safe
whenever we hear the buns stomping & harrumphing...
no matter what time of night it is, or how often we have to get up to do so.
It's not hard to miss even in the dead of sleep, they stomp quite loudly, especially Frenwyck!
   

Half the time we have no clue what they are upset about.
But it's usually a good guess that they hear a frightful sound

or smell a raccoon prowling around outside



So to calm them down and to save their precious little feet from sore hocks &
boo boos, which they are prone to, especially with excessive stomping,
we've learnt to side track them.

We offer them a smidge of juice, usually orange, apple or pineapple. 

The stomping then tends to turn into sweet bunny lips smacking and slurping.

 

Bunnies munching, crunching and sipping is one of my most favorite sounds in the world. 

 

Just another trick & glimpse into life with house rabbits.

 Hope you enjoy the symphony of lip smacking goodness, ha ha!

What's On My Desk

I hope your week is off to a wonderful start?

 

Mine is looking good so far...no headache at the moment, which is grand in itself, ha ha.

I get to pick up my new glasses & prescription sunglasses...which I am excited about.

If my head holds out, I'll be starting a new yoga/Pilates routine, which I am looking forward too.

And, today, the sky is weaving in and out between super blue and perfect to super stormy and dark

with yellow leaves fluttering about everywhere...it's very lovely.

I LOVE fall and I already have a jump on the yard clean up, wohoo!

 

I'd thought I'd hop in and show you what's currently in the works in my studio.

 

A brand new 'Nubbin' called "Chantilly Swish".

A pretty intricate design for our coffee table re-do.

And a dapper little Agouti who will no doubt have quite the story to tell.

 

Out of the studio our new floor is looking beautiful, we're almost half way (SO much work, ugh!).

We're putting in brand new ceramic baseboards which are bunny proof & look great (I'll show you).

The new hallway & living room & upstairs studio paint colours are uplifting & bright and cheery.

Our cozy little house is finally starting to come back together, thank goodness, ha ha!

 

What are you working on this week???



Fluffy, Zooming & Blurry

We've been in the chaotic throws of house renos...
but a lot of our time lately also looks like this...

 

Whenever the house stuff gets to be too much, I go outside with our little long-eared loves...

and the stress floats away cause it's just nothing but fluffy, zooming, blurry Happy happy Love Buns.