She Wished Upon Every Star To Always Be A Safe Haven

The story of this piece is also it's title...

 

She Wish Upon Every Star To Always Be A Safe Haven

 

 

Some details...

 

This image of mine calls out to any kindred souls out there who love animals beyond words.

Kindred Souls who always have that thudding pull in their very veins of wanting to do more...

it's for those with the need to answer the wild & loud call from their tender hearts

to do as much as they possibly can ...

it will speak to anyone who wants to be a safe haven for those who can't protect themselves.

 

I am truly proud of this piece and I've decided that I feel too close to it right now to sell the original.

However prints have already been added to my shop.

 

This is just one of many character portraits that I think will be making into a book someday.

 



She Was Nourished By Honeyed Green Tea

I wanted to show you this new image of mine...

 

"She Was Nourished By Honeyed Green Tea"

 

 

A closer look at some detailing...

 

 A portrait of sorts yes I suppose, ha ha....

I do find myself feeling greatly nourished & soothed by green tea with honey.
But it's also an image for any tea lover.

 

 

And yep...you guessed it....

PRINTS ARE AVAILABLE in my Etsy shop.

 

 



New Print

Picalo Giulam

It was a weekend which started off with a neurologists appointment for my migraines...

Followed up with a day of cave spelunking and zip-lining with two of my best friends...

followed by a rainy day stroll through our local farmers market for honey & veggies...

finishing off with a Sunday filled with homemade soup, reading, stitching and romping bunnies.

Now, it's Monday...ahhhh I love Mondays.

I am sitting here soaking up a beautiful sunny morning,

feeling so very very glad to be in my studio amidst whimsy and colour.

And I finally finished this super dashing cutie...

his name???

Picalo Guilam



He told me that he's never without a striped vest nor some kind of beautiful feather in his hat...

my oh my what a dapper little gentle-bun, don't ya think?

This handsome little fella is done in coloured pencil and mixed in with an acrylic background

and sits on top of a bright orange ribbon strip, all on canvas.

The original is available.

Prints are already listed in my shop.

Today I am working on a fish and a possum in this same series...Such fun!

Join me on Wednesday for some cool photos from a great concert we recently saw.

I've had not head pain for 6 days straight now...

ahhh, It's going to be a wonderful day, don't ya think?

Remembrance

Hopping in today to show you a new picture I just finished up.

"Remembrance"

In the spirit of honoring all of the men and woman who have sacrificed their lives so we can all be safer.

It is a small 5 x 7 coloured pencil on canson paper.

(the original and prints will be available for purchase shortly)

Have a beautiful day.

XO Mandy

New Prints Available

Hopping in for an extra post this week to let you know that...

Join me tomorrow for a blog post about a starry night concert in the country.

XO Mandy of Bijou's Whimsy XO

Abundant In Light

A new coloured pencil illustration

"Abundant In Light"

(A print will be available soon)

I am quite happy with this one and sooo loving the coloured pencils on Stonehenge paper, it's like butter.

Well, we've finally made the huge decision and have booked Ella Luna in for surgury.

I know it's the right move but still, I feel like I can't properly breath....

I always get super anxious over any rabbit ailment, but operations are simply terrifying to me

and leave me quite muddled & useless until our precious hearts are back home and on the mend....... 

(I think a few panic attacks are imminent!) 

So, I am trying to balance my time between bunny snuggles and exhibition work,

which really really needs to get done but I just find myself constantly floating back to be near my girlie. 

The surgury will be to remove the abcess that we've been fighting for over a year now...

she's a tough little nut but the bump has just gotten too big and we don't feel like we have it under control anymore and even though she's an older bun, her doctor highly suggests it's removal...

so we're going ahead with it...

SO do please send Ella Luna some extra good energy on Monday morning....

XO Mandy & Ella Luna & Roo Boo

Morning Glory

I just finished up a new illustration in coloured pencil on Stonehenge paper,  it's called

"Morning Glory"

It speaks of the loveliness of simple mornings and the beauty that is out there in each and every day, if only you'll stop just long enough to notice it and grab hold...





It will go in my solo exhibition.

Prints of 'Morning Glory' are available here.

I am going to be on Lauren Holgates lovely blog, yayyy, I am so excited & proud to be one of her featured artists.  The post all about moi will be on March 27th and 28th, I can't wait.

XO Mandy and 4 spring bunnies XO

Abundant In Courage

I just finished a new coloured pencil image...

this one is called

"ABUNDANT IN COURAGE".

...You are abundant in courage, everyday & through every event in your life you flow with a beautiful inner strength because you believe in abundance & in your own courage...your courage will never fail you, believe in it always because You Are Abundant In Courage....

Prints are available in both my ArtFire and Etsy Shops.

Have a wonderful & most excellent day.

XO M & Four Honey Bunnies

Tiny Bird 2

Hopping in quickly to show you a  a new 'Tiny Bird'...

Coloured pencil and abit of white acrylic paint on canson paper which has been mounted to a wood block measuring not quite 3 x 3"...

The original will be available soon.

Prints will be available in both my online shops, Etsy & Artfire...

I'll be adding to the 'Tiny Bird' collection over the year, should be a fun grouping.

Have a great day everyone,

XO M & 4 buns who are devouring alfalfa like there's no tomorrow

p.s.  Due to large amounts of spam coming in disguised as blog comments, I have made the decision to change my comments settings & allow only registered users & open i.d. users to comment....it won't affect most of you  & I know my true fans, supporters and followers will continue to visit & stay in touch.   

"Refresh" a new image...

I think no matter what situation your in, your able to approach things with a stronger sense of self if you just allow yourself to refresh often, in whatever form that may take, for me it's; rabbit snuggle time, coffee & book time, treadmill time and sketching time & oodles of down time with my honey...And I know that 2011 for me, is about refreshing my body, soul & mind and not giving a fig what other people think about that...

This is what this new image is about...Refreshing Oneself...hence the title 'Refresh'

This one is a coloured pencil on birch plywood measuring 8 x 8 inches.

Prints will be available through my Etsy and Artfire shops and the original for the time being at The Art On Main Gallery or through me (just email at mandysaile@bijouswhimsy.com).

Hope you all had a good weekend and that you'll join me here a couple more times during this new and what will be a fantastic week.

Have a lovely day. 

XO Mandy & The sun basking bunnies

Pond Frog

A new picture....this one is coloured pencil on a pine block...

I am loving the slightly darker tones that my coloured pencils are getting when worked on raw wood.

I think in the middle of all this snow, cold & head pain, my body is craving to relax in the embracing warmth of summer, hence this summery image in the middle of winter, ha ha...

(The next 2 shots turned out abit light...)

The original is 6 x 6 inches and will be for sale at the Gallery I show at here in North Bay...but if your interested in purchasing it just shoot me an email at mandysaile@bijouswhimsy.com

Prints will be available in my ArtFire Shop and my Etsy Shop...

What do you think?  is is making you long for summers warmth too....

XO Mandy & 4 Oatmeal Crisp Munching Bunnies

September Print GIVEAWAY

Hi everyone,  I hope all your human little ones are off to school happily & successfully, that your home feels extra cozy, that your studios are seeing more of you & that your all enjoying what  is so far a very

Fall-Esq September...

...In our cozy & freshly fall cleaned warren all is well, except for my head, which is adjusting to the cooler rainy weather & poor Jon who is pretty sick with a cold, the bunnies however are seeming extra cozy & sleepy these recent days and are at this very moment napping by the open back door, watching the leaves fly about and wondering when the rain will stop so they can go outside for a good romp...I am going to make some brownies later in the day & well all is just feeling lovely & extra good this fall day.

So anyhow, enough catch up!  I promised a giveaway today and here it is...

A beautiful print of my illustration 'Welcome New Time"...I thought it would be perfect for this fresh fall season, it is on an 8.5 x 11 paper, the image itself measures 71/4 x 101/2 inches. 

(A print of this illustration is indeed available in my Etsy Shop)

So here is how you can enter your name for the giveaway:

1 - Leave a comment on this post to have your name entered once.

2 - Become a follower of my blog to have your name entered twice (if you are already are a follower just mention that)

3 - Mention this giveaway on YOUR blog to have your name entered 3 times (ohhh now your chances are gettin' good)

4 - Add my blog to your blog list for a 4th entry (But only if you do enjoy visiting me here).

5 - Put my blog button on your blog sidebar (a 2 week minimum would be nice) to be entered a womping 5 times (the button is available on my blog sidebar). 

6 - Join my monthly email Newsletter to be entered 6 times, just click on the Newsletter Button on my sidebar to join up, it's super easy (this option is for new sign-ee's only, sorry).

The draw will be on the Autumnal Equinox (which is September the 23 of 2010)  Good Luck!

Life Is Good...Live It...A New Illustration

I am so excited about this newest illustration of mine. It is just pure good old coloured pencil on a brand new Arches paper I am trying for the first time & which I am in love with...

I had this sketched out ages ago, literally the design sat in my sketchbook for atleast 2 years, than last month I actually transferred it to the paper & when I saw that Illustration Fridays theme this week was 'double', I instantly thought of this image & that it was the perfect time to get it done & I am just so so happy with the colour & how playful yet peaceful the creatures are.  It was created slowly but surely because I had a pretty sore head whiles I worked away on this one & well I had to really make sure I was paying attention because coloured pencil is pretty unforgiving to mistakes but it was also made with the beautiful company of my sweet Ella Luna snuggled up to my feet almost the whole time I was colouring it so definatly it has extra good mojo:D....what do you think?

(Prints are available in my Etsy Shop)

We had the most fun evening at a friends party for an art exhibition opening, it was a gin & tonic party & I admit to never ever having one before...well now consider me a gin & tonic gal, ha ha.  We also had some rabbit drama today of Ella Luna & a ground hog holing up in the same burrow, that made for some serious heart palpitations & for one very super duper sonic speed bike ride home for Jonathan!  We are so looking forward to this weekend, it's going to be another great one, I can feel it:D  Be Well Lovely people, Be Well.

Breakfast...

This week's theme/topic for Illustration Friday was 'Breakfast'...I am abit late but this is what my brain conjured up for that topic, ha ha...



When I showed Jonathan the final results this evening his first words were "Ohhh she's cool & kinda creepy..." which is exactly what I was going for, ha ha.

I don't know if this concept comes from my dislike of breakfast!...I've never been big on breakfast-y foods or eating early in the morning...my tummy is usually not ready for food till oh 12-2pm!!!

Or perhaps it was sparked from my sitting outside last night, after the war in my poor noggin subsided, I was sitting in my favourite rocker enjoying the cool evening breeze, wrapped up in a blanket with sketchbook on my lap as I watched all at the same time; Roo stretched out eating raspberry leaves, a chipmunk sniffing Ella's tummy whiles Ella munched on yarrow, a grey squirrel hanging upside down to get birdseed out of the feeder & 2 chickadees sitting side by side on a branch up above all this furry sweet action...all of this was happening without a span of a meter...wonderful, ha ha...so this illustration could also be stemming from my connection with nature & earth...hmmm one never knows what my whimsy filled brain will come up with.

(If Your Interested In Prints of This Illustration They Are Available In My Shop)

Hope you find her quirky & enjoy...have a wonderful weekend, see yous next week. XO M & the Buns.

Fauna & FLora 2...a new illustration & print

On this lovely Monday I have a new illustration to show you all..."Fauna & Flora 2"...a coloured pencil on canson paper...the print looks fabulous & identical to the original, I love the print quality...

(Prints Are Available In The Shop)

I hope your week is looking good & bright & I hope this newest illustation of mine adds abit of loveliness to your day as well...see you all on Wednesday...Be Well.

Owl 2...a New Picture & Print

I don't have the post about the garden show ready quite yet so I am hopping in today to show you a new picture I just finished up. Another sweet owl...of the kindly vegetarian variety...it's a 5.5 x 5.5 inch coloured pencil with abit of paint added.

(Prints of this little guy (as well as the first little guy) are now available in my Etsy Shop)

You may have noticed that my posts are abit different...I am loving the bigger photo sizes but bare with me as I play around with the new blogger post template & try to get something fancier going on on my sidebars.  Some link back buttons are coming soon as well, for anyone who loves this beloved blog of mine & who wants to support and share with some link loveage.

We have officially started our summer holidays, I am so excited.  Jon takes his summer vacations off as 4 days weekends...and we have 2 months of them to enjoy & enjoy them we will indeed...I don't plan to take time off from my studio/work but if I do find I'll be absent for a few days I promise to give a heads up.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer as well.  Be well lovely people...see you in another couple days:D

The Chippy Is In The Shop...

Happy Monday All...thanks for all the well weekend wishes & the oodles of recent comments & new followers, all of this so makes my creative days, thank yous.

The Garden Tour was a success...I only sold $10.00 worth & only had 1 person sign up for my mailing list!...BUT the point was just to enjoy a beautiful day in a beautiful garden amongst some lovely people & that was defiantly achieved in abundance so the day was indeed a success (except for Roo getting sick again & me sitting there worried sick & Jon constantly going back & forth between me & him.  We are now sleep deprived & not so much enjoying our very first weekend holiday but c'est la vie...and yes please do send Roo-Boo some extra good mojo...). 

Back to some art stuff...The little coloured pencil chipmunk that I did awhile back is now available in the shop as a sweet print.  We have such a cutie pie living under our pond decking & we love having him scurry around because he really isn't a nuisance like the squirrel...who was recently running rampant in my studio and actually jumped on my head & dug his pointy little nails into my scalp as he catapulted himself off me!...did I tell you guys about that?!.....

(Click here if your interested in a print.  The original is already sold.)

In other news, I celebrated last Thursday because I finished up Kelly Rae Roberts Taking Flight ecourse, it was so good and I am so glad I took the leap, splurged & got involved.  I needed a lift of inspiration & just someone to punch me on the shoulder and say "Heh, keep at it...things are gonna happen...good things will come', so I always work hard but lately I've been working even harder, I can more fully celebrate all the tiny little accomplishments, I still have oodles to do but everything is feeling pretty good even when I am swimming in those all too frequent negative days!...but as I continue on this creative journey I am reminded often to be kind to myself, especially in the moments of friction & stress, I feel good about my work & the direction it's taken, I feel confident in promoting myself more these days, and good things are happening, even if by small steps and at a slow pace, because it's at this small & slow pace that I am able to be in the position of doing this full time at the time being...I am proud to be on this creative journey, and right smack dab in the middle of all it's incredible turbulence and remarkable beauty...I am feeling grateful.

I am taking tomorrow off to spend the day with my honey but join me on Wednesday for a new post.  XO M & The Bunnies...who are very glad that the heat wave has finally broken, (we think this is why Roo got sick!)

A New Picture...Screech Owl

Hopping in today to show you my newest image, a serious little owl done in coloured pencil on paper with abit of white paint added, measuring at only 5 " x 5". I finished this little guy over the weekend and though part of me thinks I shouldn't draw owls because well in real life their diet does consists largely of rabbits, I still can't help but find owls fascinating and incredibly beautiful, hence this one...maybe we can dream up that this one perhaps is of the vegetarian sort or perhaps allergic to rabbits! ha ha...

Prints of this guy are now in the shop in your interested.

A bad migraine set in late Monday night and so I've been having a rough couple days because it just won't go away and in the middle of this heat wave, well let's just say it's starting to wear on me now, so this post will be short. If it gets better I'll post again tomorrow, if not you'll know why I am absent...I just hope it goes away in time for this Saturday for the Symphony Garden Tour where I'll be demonstrating my skills for 6 hours in the sun!

p.s. I just won a beautiful & generous giveaway over at my dear friend Michelle May's Blog "Tales of The Raspberry Rabbits"...I am so surprised and so excited, ha ha. Thanks sooo much lovely Shell. Shell & I might have a very exciting project cooking up together and well today I am just feeling so grateful to all the kindred spirits & beautiful souls I've met through my blog & blogland...hugs hugs hugs. Shell has a wonderful blog with many amazing giveaways, she is a fellow rabbit lover & makes the most beautiful stitchery patterns/kits, so do make sure to hop on over to her spot in blogland...

p.p.s. I am included in a great giveaway over at the fantastic RikRak blog, check it out here.

New Illustration "Fauna & Flora 1"

I am so excited to show you all one of my newest illustrations. This little sweetie is suppose to be our beautiful Jin. When she was sick a few months back, I was doing some sketching to keep myself from going crazy with worry and the drawing has been sitting there in my sketchbook calling to me and whispering 'come on, colour me already, I bet I'll be something extra sweet...' and well I think it turned out to be just that...I love the simple message, I love the soft colour, I love the serenity in it and that sweet delicate little birdie, & of course the subject matter, ha ha...What do you all think? I think more of these little beauties are to be conjured up...

(Prints are now available in the shop. The original however has been adopted, by me! ha ha.)

I hope you all had a great weekend...we sure did, (I'll share some photos soon), despite the heat we still managed to jump in the car for a few hours of adventuring, we spent lots of time by the water, had some great meals, picked over 20 litres of strawberries which included a super fun tractor ride, ha ha and we also fit in lots of gardening, yard work and most importantly of course, the buns got oodles of time outside, so needless to say we're all somewhat pooped but ready to head into this Monday & what will be a very busy week with happy hearts. Thanks for hopping in...come again soon, I've got lots of new stuff to show you all. XO Bijou & The Buns.