More Treasuries & Collections

Thanks again so so much to everyone who put my work into Etsy Treasuries & ArtFire Collections in February...you know how they tickle me happy ever so much...

Here's one of my 'Funky Fish', 1st on the 2nd row down.

One of my 'Beautiful Birds', 1st spot, 1st row.

Another of my 'Beautiful Birds' 2nd row down 4th spot.

My 'Flora & Fauna 2' print, 2nd spot 2nd row down.

Another 'Funky Fish', 1st row 1st spot.

Yet another 'Beautiful Bird', 3rd row down, 2nd spot.

Another small print of mine, 1st row, 2nd spot.

My purple and lime green 'Beautiful Bird' 2nd row down 3rd spot.

And my favourite 'Beautiful Bird' 3rd row down, 3rd spot over.

The 'Fauna and Flora 2' print again, 3rd row down 4th over.

One of the very first pieces in my coloured pencil portfolio, my 'Flying Fish' print, 3rd row down and 3rd over.

And still one of my favourite illustration 'Inertia Creeping', 1st row 4th one over.

And here is one of my 'Avian' prints 4th row down 2nd spot over.

A couple years ago I was never included in collections, now it's happening more and more which means my work is being seen by more and more which hopefully means a wider audience and all the goodness that comes with that and which will hopefully lead to that rabbit sanctuary I've had in my heart & dreams for years now!

Hope your having a wonderful weekend and thanks so so much to all the lovely supportive comments as of late, espeacially for my recent post about leaving Art On Main, my heart feels aptly hugged...thank you, thank you, thank you.

XO Bijou

A New Mixed Media In My 'Celebration' Series

This little series of mine was started from something as simple as having a craving to paint with acrylic paint on illustration board. Than it seemed natural that the designs were well suited for birthday cards etc but I didn't want to pigeon hole these birdies of mine, they seemed more life lesson-y/life celebratory to me...hence the name "Celebration" series...

....You can see the first in the series if you click here... ...These two cuties share a message which I think is a good one and that is "You Can Learn More With Two Different Perspectives Than With Just One..."

...Now, don't you think that wording is nicer and more interesting than just a 'Happy Birthday'...I do...

( ...Prints of this new illustration o' mine are in the shop now...)

...I've drawn and just finished colouring in the sweetest little bunny with birdie...I can't wait to show you. Be Well all and thanks so so much for popping in and extra thanks to all of your sweeties who take time to leave me a message/comment, I can't tell you how much they make my day.

A New Illustration Made on a Wonderful Day

So whiles I am in the process of working slowly and finding my footing whiles on a new path, the day called for nothing serious and just a simple and colourful image. I was thinking of my brother after I finished up this one because I think it would make an excellent tattoo.

This illustration is called "Joyful Fish" and is only 6" x 6", done with collage, watercolour pencil and ink. A Print will be available in my Etsy Shop over the next few days. I am excited about a new product I'll be introducing to the shop soon...custom orders will be available for any print of your choosing, and the prints will be mounted on birch...they are looking great and I can't wait to show you all the first batch. This Joyful fish image will be in the first group I introduce into the shop.

So I took a few shots from my day and it was a beautiful day. One where I had one of my favourite sky.fm stations on...it wasn't too cold or too hot so all the doors in the house were open and the rabbits spent the whole entire day outside. Jinny has discovered a favourite new game which is 'Let's see who's faster' and the winner gets to hide and dig under the boardwalk for hours on end!!! So whiles I waited for the little bugger to come out...is when I got "Joyful Fish" done.

Here is Hazel just about to join her sister under the boardwalk! Hazel seems most comfortable outside when she knows I am close by, so having me sitting there close working away suited her just fine.

Here's my favourite shot of the day...Jinny sitting by the tree and ferns, in the sun...she looks so peaceful and therefore so was I. It was a good day. And to top it all off, we got the most beautiful pumpkin for carving and soup at the grocery store later in the same day and a full tank of gas for free:D Happy day. Be Well All and Happy Creating. XXOO Mandy.

New Painting

Good Tuesday Everyone. We've been having such a rainy summer so far, but I don't actually mind too much because I find it very cozy and it gives me an excuse to remain inside and fully concentrated on my artwork. The only downside to all the rain and the temperatures bouncing back and forth is that it wrecks havoc with my head and I seem to have a constant stream of headaches, but I continue to work, which is the important thing.

Here is a new little painting, it measure 6 x 6" and is acrylic and coloured pencil on canvas. It will be available for sale shortly, when I put a whole lot of paintings up for grabs at the same time. The new website is coming soon, I promise! We just have rabbit priorities to deal with first...I'll explain later. Be well and have a great and cozy filled evening.

New Painting "Flower & Words"

Original painting "Flower & Words", acrylic, coloured pencil, collage on canvas, measures 6" x 6"

Original will be available for purchase shortly.

A print will also be available shortly.

Hi everyone. I've had a few sad days recently which I haven't really felt like talking much about, but my heart feels heavy, so I've been happy to dive into these 'daily paintings' to help ease my mind abit. News of my grandfather in Germany is not good and I am thinking of him constantly and of all my beloved German family actually. I was last in Germany when I was 12 or 13, and though I am 30 years old now and many years have passed since I was last there, I remember many nuances like it was yesterday. Lighting of certain vistas and hills, my grandparents house, smells, sounds and just special feelings of special places and people follow me closely in my heart like I just experienced them yesterday. Even though it's been a couple of years since my dear grandma Katie passed, I can still feel exactly what it was like to hug her, she loved to hug people, she had this sweet little voice, a contagious giggle and a honest to goodness sparkle in her eye...I just adored my grandma and I miss her. To think of my grandpa leaving us soon, with my never getting a chance to spend time with him because we were so far apart, just makes me feel very sad and somehow lost. I've always kept in close contact, writing lots of letters to my Aunt and Grandma, my grandma loved stickers so I'd often send her letters full of sticker sheets. Since she's been gone, I've continued to write to my grandpa with the simple message that though we are miles apart, I've always felt very close at heart.

Well, I am going to get too emotional if I write on about it right now. My message today is a simple one...Love your loved ones well; be kind, have patience, hug lots and let them know often that you care for them. Until tomorrow, be well.