Weekend Wishes

I am wishing your way this weekend

lots of big open beautiful space to breathe super deeply and

that your able to embrace both your darker days &lighter days with grace...

Happy Weekend Lovelies XO  I hope you'll join me again next week.

Duo In Orange & Blue

Here it is...the blue and orange bunnies I've been giving you sneak peeks of...

It's the first time I mixed watercolour with black & white ink pen work, I am pretty happy with it.

I don't know if I'll be listing prints of it yet.  If I do, I'll let you know.

The original is up for grabs.  If your interested just email me at Whimsy@MandySaile.com

Jelly Bean Jewel In Blue

Here's a peek at another upcoming Glitter Bug...

I like to have several butterflies all done and released from their paper surroundings

before I seal them onto their painted backgrounds.

I think this is going to be a cool one.  Join me later this week for more from the studio.

Blue and White Heart and Soul

Nature never ever fails to inspire & amaze me...

 

...it truly does feed me, heart and soul.



Winterscapes

We had a deliciously long wintery long weekend...Did you?

We spent a large part of it outside in the snow and ice with amazing winterscapes, sunsets & bunnies.

 

 

The sound of wind racing over ice & snow machines racing over snow was our daytime soundtrack.

I am feeling somewhat refreshed and anxious for a long full week in the studio, how about you?

 

A Beautiful Gift and a Beautiful Passage

As I mentioned yesterday I have some new presents to share with you. One of the wonderful and beautiful gifts that Jonathan had sent to me was this amazing and lovely ceramic bowl from one of my favorite Etsy artists, Poodle Breath. It's joined the ranks of one of my most favorite things...I know I know, the list is long, ha ha! I have one of her beautiful porcelain rabbits necklaces and I just adore it.

I came across this beautiful excerpt the other day in my blog surfing and it just hit me square in the heart, I just love knowing that there are indeed other 'searchers' out there... "I am one of the searchers. There are, I believe, millions of us. We are not unhappy, but neither are we really content. We continue to explore life, hoping to uncover its ultimate secret. We continue to explore ourselves, hoping to understand. We like to walk along the beach, we are drawn by the ocean, taken by its power, its unceasing motion, its mystery and unspeakable beauty. We like forests and mountains, deserts and hidden rivers, and the lonely cities as well. Our sadness is as much a part of our lives as is our laughter. To share our sadness with one we love is perhaps as great a joy as we can know - unless it be to share our laughter. We searchers are ambitious only for life itself, for everything beautiful it can provide. Most of all we love and want to be loved. We want to live in a relationship that will not impede our wandering, nor prevent our search, nor lock us in prison walls; that will take us for what little we have to give. We do not want to prove ourselves to another or compete for love. For wanderers, dreamers, and lovers, for lonely men and women who dare to ask of life everything good and beautiful. It is for those who are too gentle to live among wolves." ~James Kavanaugh

The feeling of living amongst 'wolves' is a sentiment I do often feel...the feeling of never quite belonging or fitting in follows me closely. But I have found that beautiful soul to love me for the so little I have to give, the soul who lets me be me...who loves me more for being unique and sensitive, the one who allows me to search...he keeps the world and wolves at bay and for everything that he is...such a bountiful array of goodness and wonderfulness...I am forever forever grateful and humbled and I am just so lucky and in love. Thank You my Heart. And with all of that shared, ha ha...I must touch on a question which a friend asked me as to whether my blog was too personal. Now I must confirm that I do always think twice and read 4 or 5 times what I post (this posting has changed 3 or 4 times already!). It's difficult to know what to write and what to omit sometimes, being that I want my authentic self to shine through to you all. But when I really think about it, I can come to the easy conclusion that 'no, it's not to personal'...in this cold and evil world of ours, to be open and personal helps me reach out to others who are the same. And it helps one searcher remember that the world also has it's warmth and wonderfulness too, I see that daily in all the lovely, warm and open blogs I read. I must thank all of my fellow bloggers for your openness, inspiration and glimpses into your enchanting worlds. That is why I love the blogging world so much, it gives me a direct connection to people with similar interests, paths, goals and dreams and having that connection is a powerful and uplifting thing. The blogs that I love most, are indeed the very personal ones, the ones where the artist is truthful about their journey through life and as artists they are all indeed sensitives and searchers and I love that. I know that the art directors and clients will not come to my blog, they will go to my website, they don't have time nor interest in my personal or artistic journey...this blog is for fellow searchers, and the art lover who wants to know the story behind the picture...so I refuse to fully censor my true journey, and experiences here...I want to join the ranks of all those wonderful, authentic and charming blogs out there that actually inspire and contribute to others lives by offering a hand, and insight and the knowledge that we really aren't alone in our search. And for fear that I am making no sense at all, ha ha...I'll stop here. I'll wish you a wonderful day, an easy creative journey (does that exist?) and the hopes that you will indeed question yourself and things throughout this day...Grow..keep growing, that's the whole point, in my little opinion anyhow. Be Well, and see you all here tomorrow. Thanks for 'tuning' in. As for myself, I am off to a carousel meeting...

Another New Portrait, More Photos & A Tea Party

I've been spending alot of time with my mom this week and on my Tuesday visit I finished off this 2nd portrait of my sweet Gimmley. I had two frames that I wanted to fill and his image seems to fit in there perfectly. This one again, is coloured pencil on canson.

I took these shots yesterday as well...

I love these shots of Hazel, she has such beautiful thick and glossy fur. And I just also really liked the red of the flower photo mixed with her beautiful little face and blackness.

Also, just to mention for all of you Facebook users out there...I have a "Fan's of Bijou's Whimsy" group on facebook and I am always looking for new members, to join please click here.

And one last thing, I am so giddy to be participating in the Mad Tea Party hosted by A Fanciful Twist this coming Saturday. Check out Vanessa Valencia's amazing blog to see who's participating (on the right hand side of her blog) and be sure to visit every one's sites on the Saturday for this imaginary, fun and whimsical tea party. I am not quite sure what I am going to do for it quite yet but when I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, and I came across this invite & marvelous ideal I just instantly cheered.
Have a wonderful day today everyone and Be Well...until tomorrow, Happy Creating.

A New Painting, Some Cute Rabbit and Thanks

Hi Everyone, well usually I don't look forward to Fridays quite as much as everyone else, I think that it's because I love what I do all week long, but I do look forward to them in the sense that I get to have Jonathan home and it usually means more time to play around the house and to spend with the rabbits outside, making them happy which makes us happier. Anyhow, the last few days I've not felt too great, I think I am coming down with a flu or cold, so today I made sure to get the painting ready so I could show everyone, but once I am done with this blog post, I think I may just take the rest of the day off and either take a much needed nap (I think the constant headaches are wearing on me now) or I might drive over for a visit with my mom. Anyhow, what I am trying to say at length just now is "Thank Goodness it's Friday" ha ha!

So anyhow, here is the new painting for today...

It is a painted version of a coloured pencil I did awhile back, but I liked the composition/shapes and I already had it drawn out on the wood so I proceeded to do the image again and I am glad I did because I really like the acrylic version alot more, it seems softer to me but with more depth. I am really enjoying all the painting I've been doing and I am feeling anxious to get back to the large paintings again. Actually next week I plan a semi-large one which I am excited about, my only hint is that it'll include a sandpiper.

Today, I also really wanted to share these two photos. There I was just painting away when I turned around and found Hazel all stretched out on the bottom shelf, ha ha. She looked too cute and luckily I was able to get to the camera without disturbing her. I cleaned that shelf off a couple days ago, thinking 'mmm, I bet the girls would like to sit on there' but I was just guessing that they would and I can't put anything too important within their little teeth's range! So I left it empty...and Iam so glad I did because it seems to be a favourite spot now, when they aren't under my chair trying to move my feet!, on the window bench or out on the kitchen porch...

I am happy that 'Blog Catalog' has accepted my blog onto their listings, I am hoping this will help to increase traffic.

I also really wanted to send a heartfelt thanks to Naomi and to Maia, two new readers, who sent me such beautiful messages through the Etsy shop yesterday. Girls, I so so appreciated your words, you really made my day.

And with all that said, I shall proceed to enjoy this Friday afternoon 'off'...the sun is actually trying to peek out now, thank goodness for the rabbits are starting to revolt...they need nice weather so they can go outside in the grass and stretch their legs, especially our Ella-Luna, boy oh boy she's been a handful this week, but I guess we really wouldn't want her to be any other way. Be Well everyone, have an excellent weekend and see you Monday.

New Painting "Sticky Frog"

"Sticky Frog", acrylic and coloured pencil on wood, 9" x 10" x 1.5"

Original will be available for sale shortly.

A print will also be available shortly.

As promised, I have a new painting to show you today. "Sticky Frog" was so much fun and I am really happy with the colour scheme. I did a similar design as a lino cut years back but this version is much better I think. It's funny, as I worked on this frog, I felt almost meditative, I get that feeling when I paint, a calm and serene feeling like I am doing what I am suppose to be doing. I don't think I get that as much with any of my other mediums or styles. I wonder what that means? Perhaps I am meant to paint more. But it's funny, at the same time I always have a negative nag in my head saying "That's not right, that's not what good painting is". But I am learning to tune that little nagging bugger out more and more now and just let myself bask in the beauty of the colours I am working with and allow myself to just simply create with no agenda.

I shall go for now. It's a very rainy day and I promised myself I'd let me curl up with my book for awhile before I get down to work. Plus, I have to go clean rabbit pee! The bunnies are being very naughty this week....when I say bunnies I mean mostly Ella-Luna! Happy Creating everyone, until tomorrow.

New Painting

"Leaping Spotted Rabbit", acrylic and coloured pencil on wood, measures 8" x 5" x 1.5"

Original will be available for purchase shortly. A print will also be available shortly.

Good Afternoon Everyone, well it's Friday and I am really looking forward to it. It's suppose to rain all weekend but I really hope it clears up for Saturday because I've arranged a small biking party to a nearby town to take in my dear friend and adopted grandpa's exhibition, we'll see I guess. I am not one of those people who watches the weather channel etc, I prefer to just get up, look out the window and see what the day looks like.

I look forward to my day. I have a few hours in my studio this afternoon, then I head out for an Italian lunch with my wonderful friend Maria. I usually take off early from the studio on Friday afternoons. Tonight will involve some yummy food as we conjure up something extra special and tasty every Friday night, and some movies are lined up, so I am really looking forward to just taking it easy tonight as I've suffered abit this week with lots of headaches, some arthritis and bad allergies.

Well here is a new little painting I painted yesterday. I am on a pink bunny kick every since Maria suggested it, ha ha but this time it was fun to add some spots. Hope you like him and have a great weekend everyone, till Monday stay safe and be happy.

"Everything's Going to be Okay"

Good Tuesday Everyone,

Here is a new image...a whimsical and unearthly blue bird flying amongst the stars. This illustration was done to be inspirational but also at the same time it is meant to be grounding, as I am hoping the bird looks and gives the viewer a feeling of relaxation...that everything will be 'okay'.

To buy the original please click here.

To buy a print please click here.

I love this piece because 'everything is going to be okay' was exactly the mantra I had to repeat to myself the days after I finished it. Here's a question, I don't want answered but that I still want to throw out into the void...can art actually sometimes foretell the future? Anyhow, here's what happened; I was having a wonderful time in Toronto at Judit & Ed's place. I was suppose to be home on a Tuesday but things happened causing my ride to be unable to come pick me up on the scheduled day, so we all decided that I would stay another week on top of the initial week. I finished this illustration on a Tuesday and Wednesday at 6am, I got a call from home saying Ella Luna was very sick and it was strongly suggested that I get home as soon as I could. The bus and train weren't an option because they took 6-8 hours to arrive at home and neither left till at least 9:30am. So I did what I originally thought was the unthinkable..I rented a car and drove myself, ha ha. Now I know this doesn't sound like a big deal to most people, but for me, it was a massive thing....a big fear overcome and conquered. Despite the fact that I lived in Toronto for 5 years and drive quite alot....I've never had the nerve to drive in Toronto on my own. I always needed that expert beside me telling me which lane to get into, and which exit to take etc etc. But when push came to shove, I had to get home to my Ella Luna and I just did it, in 3 hours I must add, ha ha. The whole time...being terrified of being in the car in the middle of Toronto and the expressway all on my own...being terrified that Ella wouldn't be able to hold on till I got home...I kept telling myself 'Everything is going to be okay"...and it was:D I got home safe and sound with renewed confidence in my strength and abilities and our beautiful Ella Luna has fully recovered.

Life is just so much more fulfilling and amazing when we can move freely through it...and when you reach that fear that is blocking your way, if you really must bust through it, have the belief in yourself that you will. I think that most of us are alot stronger than we give ourselves credit for. I love the saying "A woman is like a tea bag, she never knows how strong she is, till she's put in hot water".

Till tomorrow, be well everyone and happy creating.

I am back with a new illustration

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all well. I am happy to be back to my blog. In a very short time, blogging has quickly en grained itself into my routine. I was away from my studio for almost a week. I had the pleasure of spending that time in Toronto with my best friend Judit and I had a wonderful time. Judit and I pretty much just hung out together, cooked and baked and ate together, created together, walked together...it was just a simple and very awesome time, Thanks Judit & Ed.

Here is a picture I created whiles I was at Judit's place. I drew out abunch of images to work on, so all I had to bring was my paper/drawings and coloured pencils basically. I decided to 're due' the painting 'Pink Jinny' in colored pencil and see how it would turn out. I am happy with how it turned out, she has her own kind of whimsy, just as the first one does.

To buy the original please click here.
To buy a print please click here.

Well that it about all for today. I feel like I've been away from my studio forever so I have alot to do today and this week. Be well everyone and until tomorrow have fun creating.