Matilda Update

Even though last year I composed more posts than ever (185) in all my years of blogging,

I still ran out of time to post things from last summer before winter came etc.

So bear with me as I catch up a little bit here and there with some posts that were left behind!

So as a very brief recap on Matilda the pigeon, in case your new to my beloved blog;

At the beginning of last summer
(read about us finding her right here)
we found a baby bird in the middle of the road who clearly needed help
(she grew into this gorgeous creature)

We brought her home, intending to care for her a day or two or at least until she flew away.

But she ended up learning to fly and stayed with us...she stayed with us all summer...
(click right here to read a blog post about our days with her)

She'd come outside into the yard with us but never flew away,
she'd always come back into the house...

She was lovely and we did fall in love,

it was hard not to, click right here for one of my favorite moments with her.

I'll never see pigeons the same way again and now they'll forever be one of my favorite birds.

 (She was hands down one of my most favorite things to photograph that season...

so I just have to post these last remaining shots of her that I haven't shown you yet.)

She was bonded to us...we to her...
(click here for one of our most perfect day with her from all of last summer)

but as she got older we realized maybe staying with us wasn't the best thing for her,

as much as we didn't want to let her go, we wanted what was best for this wild heart of ours.

We got concerned when we clearly couldn't' leave the room for even 5 minutes without her panicking about where we were and than swooping all over the house frantically looking for us.

We were able to be with her a lot, but there would be a lot of times when we wouldn't be home
and she'd have to go in a cage, because we couldn't have her flying around unattended,
pooing where the bunnies were etc...
so we got more and more concerned and questioned if we could really give this wild bird
the best home even though setting her free felt impossibly mean and hard to do...

.

We ended up talking at length with a local bird rehabilitation expert,
And she explained that yes, Matilda was attached to us

but given the real chance between us and a real flock, she'd likely chose the birds.

Her coming outside with us and not flying away was not unusual,

we had no pigeons around our house for her to identify with...
we were her flock so if we lived in the house,
that's where she figured she was suppose to live too...
(click here to see a bunch more photos of our life with a pigeon in the house)

So we decided, long before winter arrived, to give her the best chance,
that we wouldn't feel good about keeping her
if we didn't give her a real honest try at being wild.
We agreed not to force her, if she decided to stay with us than she was welcome to,
that we'd fit her beautiful heart into the family if need be...

My parents, luckily, were at the time feeding a large group of pigeons,
so we brought Matilda over there to meet their flock and as soon as we let her out of the cage,
she went to the birds (read more about her introduction right here)
but when they flew away, she didn't know to follow...
so back to us she came and back home we went to try again the next day.

Each day she got more and more involved with the flock and on that 4th day
when the flock flew away into the horizon and setting sun, our Matilda flew with them.

I get emails from people now and than asking if we knew how she doing
and whether or not I knew if she survived Winter...
Trust me I was wondering too...
every single time I saw a pigeon my heart would give a little twinge!
I am SO beyond thrilled to finally give you all an update and say

YES, she is doing GREAT
She finally made an appearance at my parents just the other week
and guess what...she knew her name, ha ha!!!

Dearest Matilda,
you'll always be one of my very favorite memories & experiences XO
(She has for sure inspired a story of her very own which hopefully someday I'll share)

Leda

So back to some artwork, as promised...

I admit to not being super busy in the studio these last few weeks,

but than a gals gotta enjoy some summer holidays with her honey-pie too...

I thought you may all like to see my beautiful goddess

"Leda"

She is a woman in tune & in complete alignment with nature...it is she and she is it...



Here is how she came about...

I am still trying to figure out what kind of frames to put on them.  I am thinking ornate gold ones.

Prints of them will be available by the end of this week I believe.

Well, I spent a couple hours at the dentist this morning.

A couple hours at the movies with my mom in the afternoon.

Next on the agenda is quite abit of paperwork in the studio (yuck!)

But part of that paperwork is because I was the lucky recipient of an

Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Assistance Grant,

which is so wonderful & helps me out alot to cover costs from my last solo exhibition, so YAAAYYY.

Than, hopefully I am looking at a good couple hours with my prismas...

Hope your week is off to a good start.

XO Mandy

Marlow & A Happy Birthday Wish

Hi name is Marlow he's been wanting to peek in with a 'hello' for quite some time now....

He's a Northern cousin to the Beautiful Birds.

Another piece for my 'Birds of a Feather' exhibition. 

And again, once I can get him scanned in properly, he'll be available as a print.

I am a tad off the usual posting schedule this week.  I'll be seeing you all Friday with those bunny photos I promised and on Sunday where the post is all about Hair...yep that's right HAIR....see you than.

XO M & 4 Spring ready bunnies

p.s.  HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY TO MY DAD (whose been nursing a badly broken foot:C)  LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU Dad.  XXXOOO.

New Prints Now In The Shop...

I am excited to have just put prints of the first 5 lovelies in the "Beautiful Birds" series, into my Etsy Shop...

...I hope people love them and gotta have them as much as I love making them.

It was a good few days off and I found that I had to make myself stay away from this dearest blog of mine, ha ha. I did start 2 new series that I am having a ball with...I still can't believe I've resisted series work for so darn long...well live and learn I guess!

See you all tomorrow. XO Mandy & some well rested bunnies...

A New Beautiful Bird

Getting back to my Beautiful Bird Series, here is my newest one #17...this ones looking abit more serious than some of the others, I figured even in an imagined world they wouldn't all be cheerful and happy go lucky!

The originals for the Beautiful Birds are not currently for sale but prints are coming very soon. I've had such a hard time with my head this past month that I am really just hopping onto my computer for email and these quick blog posts and haven't taken time for the Etsy shop or putting listings together because that does take a fair bit of time. When I have a sore head I like to stay away from my computer as much as possible and also I hate being on the phone, that always seems to aggravate things even more. My friends are pretty patient in knowing that I might take days to call them back!

Well that's about all for today. Thanks soooo much for taking time out of your busy days to pop in here and see what I am up to...my Etsy shop sale is over but I renewed some older prints in the store and the Avian series will be available this week as well, so if you've never been there please do pop by.

A New Beautiful Bird

It's Snowing!!!...Easter Weekend the temperatures reached about +26 and today it's about -5! Craziness, ha ha...but truthfully, I kinda like it, snow and winter always makes me feel cozy and calmer than summer, I think cause theres always so much to do in the summer. Roo is happy about it, he was bucking all over the deck being the snow bunny that he is, the others mmmm not quite so happy about it. I have so many new 'Funky Fish' that I am anxious to show you but I do like to keep to only one new image per post and only 2 times a week so they get abit of attention before moving onto a new image. This little lovely is the 16th Beautiful Bird I've made and I am really happy with him. I think next week I'll be posting prints of the first 10 Beautiful Birds in my Etsy Shop. The Sale on Prints in my shop ends in a few days actually so head on over there to take advantage of the deals before it's over...I only plan my next sale sometimes next winter.

A New Beautiful Bird Sitting Pretty...

Finally I can show you a new Beautiful Bird...sturdy on it's own little branch, sitting comfortably in all it's own lovely glory...sitting softly amongst it's own coziness...peaceful...full...content... ...just like the little artist who made him, ha ha....our concert was cancelled and rescheduled till the end of April...but I didn't care all seems good with my little world today. Ella got her stitches out first thing this morning, they came out lickety split super quick...thanks to Ella, she apparently undid all the knots for the doc! He was laughing...Ella is happy to have her sweater off and the doc said not to worry if the bumps come back, only if they get super big, he just wanted to do that 2nd round of surgery to give her more chances to be well...so for now we're going to try to put that worry aside and sit happily for awhile...we can do so because Ella is home, stitches are gone and suddenly whatever felt all helter skelter seems righted and perfect today....new people have visited and commented on this beloved blog of mine, that always makes my day...it's cold out but the sun is shining and the buns will go out to stretch their legs later on...I am going to paint and colour and transfer some new drawings today...listen to some loud music....probably dance around abit ha ha...maybe even take a much deserved nap...movies are on tap for tonight...as well as an opening for a friend...indeed all is good today, I sit comfortably in my own softness, nice and cozy, peaceful and full...not at all worried about falling off my branch for I think for now, atleast for today, the wind has stopped trying to blow me off...wishing you all the same coziness...Happy Weekend All...Happy Day...

Another Beautiful Bird To Wish My Dad Happy B-Day.....

This Beautiful Bird is another new one...and it's the perfect day to introduce you all to him because to me it'd look like he'd be; unique, solid yet soft, pretty serious but also fun loving, strong yet sweet, just the kinda bird you'd admire and than wanna give a great big hug too...all these things, just like my dad...who today celebrates his birthday:D... So today Dad, this birds for you:D....HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD...Love you...XO Mandy & Jonathan & The Bunnies OX

Another Beautiful Bird..

Hi everyone, I am popping in quickly today to show you another new bird in my "Beautiful Bird" series...I think this guys pretty cute and fun.

It's been kinda crazy around here with all the human and bunny ailments so I didn't get to update my Etsy shop with new prints as soon as I would have liked but a shop update is coming within the next few days, fingers crossed!

Have a great weekend everyone...I think we'll be indulging in more televised Olympics, we've really been enjoying it and it's the first year we really got into it...though I admittedly don't always necessarily cheer for the Canadians (but mostly!), it's made for some cozy hours of being home together, cheering with good snacks and with bunny feet puttering around us....in other words: happiness:D Happiness to you all....XO Mandy.

A New Beautiful Bird

I am not taking much time to be on my computer, etc lately so I sure am glad I decided to pre-post the last few blog posts for theres been alot going on here in the cozy warren of the Saile-Petersons...Our Ella Luna goes in for surgery tomorrow and I don't think I'll be able to breathe properly, or really function quite right until she's back home safe and sound and eating and on the mend...But I don't want to leave you high and dry for the week with no new imagery...so here's a new Beautiful Bird.

Send our precious Ella Luna some extra good strong vibes tomorrow and the next couple of days please...I'll be incommunicado until next week most likely...please be back than and I'll update you on everything that's been going on and of course I do have some new work to show you.

My mind and heart are being pulled elsewhere...so to that certain little black furry I now go...

A New 'Beautiful Bird'...

I have a new "Beautiful Bird" to show you all today. It's the 11th in the series and so far I think I have 20 drawn up and ready to be coloured in. I am really happy with how they're turning out and I really hope it's a series that sells well for me, we'll see. How is this one working for ya all:D?

I think I am going to try a bunny series like this...perhaps try to do all the different bunny breeds, that might be neat.

Again, prints of this lovely are coming soon and I'll let you know when and where as soon as I get everything together!

p.s. I wanted to mention this great blog called Disapproving Rabbits, my fellow rabbit lovers will enjoy it. I seem to be visiting every morning before my coffee, for it usually makes me burst out laughing and it's just full of really adorable rabbits that will make your heart happy...a good way to start the day:D

Beautiful Bird 10...

As promised, this week I am getting back to showing you some new work...here is one of my newest creations in my "Beautiful Bird" series...I am still having so much fun with them. What do you think of this one?

It'll be available as a print in my Etsy Shop very very soon and as a mounted print at the Art On Main gallery/store very soon as well...mounted prints will hopefully follow into the Etsy shop as well but I only have so much wood cut and won't be able to get into the garage till spring so I don't think I have enough to supply mounted versions in both places.

Join me on Wednesday if you've time, I've been so anxious to share some beautiful photos with you and I've deemed this Wednesday to be that day.

I am Back...

It was a wonderful holiday...over two lovely weeks of just hanging out with myself, Jon and the bunnies and I must admit that often being able to stay in my warm little rabbity warren almost 99% of the time is blissful yet crucial for a tender hearted soul like me. Today I notice one by one my fellow bloggers are getting back to work, visiting once more and getting into the creative swing of 2010...I hope it's the most successful one yet, for myself and all of you...though I may not be stepping forward with as much momentum as I suspected I'd feel...sometimes change and big plans and lofty dreams causes us to quietly ponder and move forward more slowly than planned...I think that's okay... So, today I show you the newest of my "Beautiful Birds"...Hello once again...I am happily back to this beloved blog of mine, what shape is will take over 2010 will be interesting to see. A shop update is coming soon, more 'Beautiful Birds', new illustrations, some pyrography....and a giveaway...so yes, do visit again soon and most of all Happy New Years to you all...be extra kind to your furry friends and extra kind to your own hearts.

Happy Holidays...and a new Beautiful Bird

I thought this new little emerald green 'Beautiful Bird' of mine was a good way to say "Happy Holidays".... (The first batch of 'Beautiful Birds', including this emerald green lovely will be available very soon in the New Year, so if your interested keep your eyes open as the first batch of mounted ones will be small...until summer comes and the garage unfreezes atleast!)

Have a wonderful wonderful Christmas Everyone...wishing you all extra warmth, happy hearts, full tummies, much kindess and extra love for any and all of your furry hearts...Take Care and see you soon, 'Bijou' of Bijou's Whimsy.

Another "Beautiful Bird"...

I think it's pretty transparent that I am having a ball with these little birds of mine. I am really quite happy with this one. It's the most delicious sensation to sit down to sketch them out and suddenly it's like they take a hold of my pencil and tell me exactly how they want to be designed, how fluffy they want their plumage to be, how serious they want their expressions...it's feeling like a very natural series so far and I am really loving that and so happy I decided to make myself do some series work in 2009...now I can see the complete joy in it and the opposite of what I originally felt...I originally felt like a series would box me in and be dull and a cop out but now I see the freedom and fun and challenge instead. I am already working on a new series all with sweet little woman, I think I'll call them "The Harmony Hostesses" and I can't wait to start showing them to you all as well...they will probably start popping up in January of 2010....wow 2010, that sounds weird somehow doesn't it! What do yous think of this one?

Well I have alot more to show you so come back again soon. Hope your days up to Xmas are happy, bright and stress-free....our season is shaping up nicely with all the shopping already done and really just looking forward to time with each other, loved ones and the furry hearts. It does (on most days) really take very little to make a day beautiful and complete.

A New "Beautiful Bird"...one of my favs so far...

This is one of my favourite "Beautiful Birds" so far I think...the contrast between the bird and background, to me anyways, compliment each other perfectly. It took me awhile to figure out the backgrounds for these guys...I did a few and kept hemming and hawing and not showing them to people because they just weren't right and than one day just before I gave up on the whole series! I painted over everything I had done before, relaxed...breathed...and enjoyed the colour instead of trying to control it quite so much and than suddenly the solution to how to create complimentary backs to the coloured pencils birds happened upon me...don't you love it when that happens, ha ha. I've no ideal what kind of bird this might be but if it were a real species I think I'd sit in awe of it, ha ha and would certainly hope it'd find a safe haven in this messy world of ours.

p.s. Tis the season to give extra to all the animals shelters and causes out there...for us it is anyways...like our annual Christmas donation to the Toronto Humane Society which houses so many homeless unwanted rabbits and I just crave to bring every single one home!...This season the little tree tag that they hang on the shelter tree will have our sweet Hazel's name on it. If you can...any little bit...please do donate to your own local shelters.

Have a wonderful warm weekend.

A New "Beautiful Bird"...

Most of my birds are singular...but of course as a gal so in love I just had to create at least one lovey dovey couple... Soon will come the first batch of ready to hang mounted prints in my shop.

That's all for today...short and sweet...and lovey dovey:D

Be Well All...Be Well.

p.s. For my fellow animal lovers and lovers of the long earred, abit of good news that will make the world a tad better! I just realized I never posted the link, sorry about that!

A 4th Beautiful Bird

Another 'Beautiful Bird' and I love this grouchy little guy, ha ha. And I think I managed to give the background a warm richness, don't you think? I do love acrylic and how fast it dries, since I seem to mostly dry brush everything.

Well he may be abit snickety but I think he'll make some people smile anyways, ha ha. I started painting strawberries all over some chairs the other day...my wonderful friend Becca is opening up an organic health spot and has hired me to adorn all the furniture with berries, ha ha. It's going to be alot of berries but so far it's really fun to be working on something abit different.

Also tonight, I'll be at my arts collective for the following shows and fundraiser (also where you can purchase 4 of my paper cuts for only $100) Anyways, I hope it's fun and very crowded, I am deemed the official photographer for the evening so wish me luck!...

After this evening we are looking forward to a warm cozy weekend full of bunny snuggling and xmas decorating...wishing you all a great one as well.

Another Beautiful Bird...

I survived the long stretch of daily headaches which finally abated into a nice stretch with no head pain, WAHOO:D! and the weekend sale 'City Walk' was alot of fun and a great success (I'll post a couple photos soon). I have to admit that I am glad that the busy week is over with and I am looking forward to just spending abit of time with friends, the buns and Jon and just getting back to my own self-imposed projects, such as more birds. Speaking of Birds, here is another of my 'Beautiful Birds'. It seems birds are a popular thing to illustrate/paint around blogland lately, ha ha...but I swear I didn't realize this until after I started my series! I just wanted to divert abit from rabbits..though I do have inklings of a similar series with rabbits roaming around my head. This one was actually the first "Beautiful Bird"that I did...I am really happy with how the painted backgrounds are complimenting the coloured pencil birds. I've used this technique before and it's defiantly one that is growing on me. What do yous think? I hope you can join me on Wednesday for some of my favourite photos from a summer trip to Toronto (I told you I was behind!). I have alot that I want to share so I'll show them in 4 part over 4 weeks..well that's the plan at the moment!

I hope your homes are all glittery and cozy with holiday cheer...ours is full of happy bunnies and really that's all we want for Christmas.