Tiny Love Rabbit...

Hi Everyone, hope your long May 24 weekend was a great one. Ours was very good (except for a bad headache Friday and a piece of glass finding it's way deep into my foot late Friday night so I couldn't walk on it till I finally got it out late in the day Saturday, ha ha!), other than those draw backs we got loads done, relaxed lots, ate lots of yummies, spent alot of time out in the yard with the buns and I of course am always happy to have my man home for 3 days instead of just 2. So yeah on Friday my head was pretty sore, I wasn't able to move around much until 2 in the afternoon, at which point I dragged myself outside into the yard with Jinny and Jaks with my coloured pencils and supplies and conjured up this little cutie...

First I tried him in this sweet little green frame...but this is one of my favourite frames that I didn't really want to sell...

Than I tried him in this other frame and I think he looks great in it...it's at the gallery right now...but I am honestly perfectly fine if no one wants to buy him cause I'd love to bring him home again, ha ha...

Do you guys think I should add this one to the prints in my Etsy Shop????

It's super hot here lately and with any super hot days the house is darkened with blinds and curtains pulled and doors and windows shut, in an attempt to keep things cooler for the buns...it's always so lovely in the evening to open things up wide again, to romp around the yard with the rabbits in the dusk of a cool evening whiles we cook our dinners outside instead of in...ahhh the simple blissful routines of summer:D

Art On Main Window Display

Twelve days ago I was at Art On Main setting up my work in the front window...I was asked if I wanted the space because one side was not booked and knowing that August is tourist time, I jumped at the opportunity... So with two pieces new to AOM and a few pieces from the top of my space in the gallery and I filled up the wall space...

...but I really wanted my decorative dolls, my precise 'Nubbins' to be the main focus, so I laid down big pieces of felt from my studio and I think that all of the great colours in my dolls against the black really makes them pop.

...and voila...my window display which will out for all to view for the whole month of August. I still have a few tweaks to make, I'll fill a couple spaces with a couple newer paintings and I'll make some signage, something like "Come on in and see the fabulous work of Mandy Saile..." ha ha just kidding but something along those lines just not so cheeky:D!

...so if you happen to be local or if you happen to be coming from out of town...please do enjoy our cute little main street, which is only getting better with time...

...and when you walk past Art On Main, have a look at my stuff in the window and than come on in and say...

..."Please may I purchase that pretty little doggie..I mean dollie...in the window..." Ha ha.

The Paddle Project

The past few days, I've been slaving away on a project for a local gallery but also it's a project which will serve me well also because I've designed it so that I'll get a beautiful new art doll and jewelry display out of it as well. At this point I am not even sure if I'll get it done in time for the gallery portion of the project!...it's been much more time consuming than anticipated and I refuse to give anything less than my best work...and I've been away so much that it was put on the back burner a few days too long so we shall see...

The project making my little fingers ache from coloured pencil nubs! involves this paddle...

...I've been working on it almost day and night with few breaks in between...by the day I work here, out in the gazebo...by night I move everything into the house and listen to movies...

...an afternoon snack of green mint tea and raspberries was called for today to give my fingers abit of a break..especially when my sharpeners are working against me, my pencils seem to be breaking more often than usual...but oh, how delicious are the prismas when they sit in the sun and get all warm and the waxy pigment soft...

...plus my co-workers, Ella Luna and Roo seem to like the current arrangement of working outside all day long, ha ha...

...so I guess though I am working hard and multiple projects are not going as smoothly as I'd like!, I ultimately have nothing to complain about;D!

I just got back from Toronto for another 2 days for the 3rd time this month...it's going to be nice to stay home for a few weeks and settle back into our routines, the rabbits defiantly concur with that! I'll share some new photos from our days in the city, as soon as I am done with the paddle, have the gallery set up more underway and have time to sort out the photographs...I took over 125!

Thanks for popping in.

Monday's Monster Migraine & Carousel Gallery Photos

I planned to post yesterday but I was stuck in bed from morning till night with a monster of a migraine...it was not a good day to say the least. And still today, I have remnants of the pain, so I am moving slowly with no sudden motion and hoping that the pain will be gone totally after I do some yoga (after I am finished with this post).

This past Saturday was the opening of the Carousel Exhibition at the Alex Dufresne Gallery in Calander and it was a big success. It started at 3 and went till 5 and I don't think we could have fit many more people in, it was quite packed. I send a special thanks to my parents and friends who did take out the time to come and show your support, it meant alot to me.

So let me show you a few photos....

This is the horse Arlie and I are working on...

And here are the other 3 horses which Pat Stamp, Edna Scott, Beth Jackson and Pam Adams are working on...though we were suppose to be working on the horses during the opening, as predicted we didn't get much done.

This was one of my favourite pieces in the show, a painting by the talented Beth Jackson. I love this little miniature...the eyes are nicely done. And here is my piece..."The Hidden Gem" done in coloured pencil, the biggest one I've done yet.

It was hung to the right of two of Arlie's pieces and let me just say it's an honour to be on the same wall as this beloved talent. And with that I give you a glimpse into 'The Art of the Carousel" exhibition. Where Arlie and I will be working on the horse over the next month and where I hope too see some of you. The show really is a wonderful cross-section of our city's talents and worth the visit...many of the pieces are very reasonably priced also, for those of you looking for a new treasure for your homes.

I love September, a New Illustration and Some Honest Musings

I just adore September. I guess perhaps it has something to do with the fact that a) I don't have to go back to school (even though I always loved school) or b) I am not stuck in a boring and typical 9-5 existence (thank goodness!) but September for me just always has this wonderful energy of renewal and excitement about it. It means the wind down of a really busy and productive summer and the entrance into a cozy, relaxed and productive winter. I honestly write this blog today with a real sense of excitement about my artistic future, I have my heart and head newly wrapped around exciting ideals and plans...I have a fantastic honey and 4 sweet bunnies who are all healthy and happy...I am truly blessed and excited and happy on this wonderful September 2nd.

Also let me finally show you my piece for exhibition "Art of the Carousel" at the Alex Dufresne Gallery...(I drop it off today)...

I wasn't going to show you all until it was actually up in the gallery but I am too excited about it to wait. I just consider this piece a success on so many levels and it's part of the reason I am so very very excited and pumped today. The frame that Jonathan made for me is perfect and the successful framing of my image will just lead me to a whole new world of possibilities and successes. I am honestly however very disappointed with one thing and that is the response of comments to enter the draw for my "Sundance" print giveaway. So I'll make it even simpler and say that anyone who leaves a comment on any of the posts up to the draw date will be entered into the draw and have a chance to win the print. I am unsure if the lack of response means the blog readership is way down, which is upsetting.....or if it means people just don't care about one of my most favourite images which is equally as upsetting...so anyhow, I am not going to let it upset my most perfect beginning to September, but I feel that I should gently remind readers that the option to win something is there! Another note which I feel I should touch upon today...my blog...At this point I am unsure if I'll go back to the 5 time weekly posting...I am thinking that I will continue with the 3 times weekly posting for abit longer but change it to Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays perhaps. I love blogging, part of what I love about it is it's fluidity and ability to change. I've tried different things so far, be it regular lino cuts, daily paintings, daily sketches, but the truth is that isn't how I work. I can't put strict time lines on my work and that's just me being completely honest. Sometimes a piece will take me 2 days, sometimes it'll take me 2 weeks and sometimes it'll take me 2 month, it really all depends on what I have going on and usually I keep myself occupied quite well. So I hope you continue to tune in even though the format or number of postings may change. It's an exciting time and I am up to some exciting things so I hope you'll visit me here often and take if but even a single moment to see what I am up to in my own little enchanted world.

Playing Catch Up, A New Store and A Wonderful Gift

Hi Everyone. Sorry I missed posting yesterday. Wednesday was full of gloom and rain on the outside of the house, but inside I battled the constant headaches with a full belly of Tylenol! some rabbit snuggles, lots of painting and some Poncho Sanchez albums...over all a really good day. I just didn't seem to find the time to blog yesterday and again I was surprised at how much I missed it.

Blogging has begun to open up a more abundant world for me, it really has and I am so happy about that. I've been able to get in touch with people and feel a connection with so many wonderful bloggers out there and I feel really grateful for that. Marisa, over at Creative Thursday sent me a very sweet note which was very encouraging and positive and I just so appreciated that response Marisa, thanks so much.

I am still not happy with my blog readership however, the numbers are too low for my liking, but I will keep at it, and take further steps to ensure that my readership grows...with that being said, back links are always appreciated, you can request them of me also, and please do pass my URL around if you truly enjoy what I am doing here.

I had a really busy day today outside of the studio, running abunch of errands, so I didn't get much painting done. I fear alot of paperwork, planning, organizing and scheduling is on my agenda for the next couple of weeks, I've been abit tardy and lazy with such things so I guess I really can't complain that it's come about again, it always does and it always will and I do actually enjoy the administrative part of being an artist/illustrator...most of the time anyways!

So just a couple other things for today...

A small selection of my art cards have been picked up by "The Little Shop" art shoppe. Located at 150 Main Street East in North Bay, Ontario Canada. You can browse the gallery or email any questions about the shoppe to the lovely people here. They also carry a small selection of my glass-mounted prints. Thanks for giving me a link on the site guys, that is fantastic.

I was utterly gleeful yesterday when I opened up the front door and a big package flopped down onto my feet. It was a package from Akita, Japan so I knew what it contained...my beautiful new purse that (and yes, yes I know I am super spoiled!) my Jonathan surprised me with. He knew I was looking for a new bag and this one seems to fit me perfectly, I am so in love with it.

We found it on our beloved Etsy of course. It is handmade in Japan and made of Kimono fabric. I am really really pleased with the craftsmanship, it is so beautifully put together and sturdy. There is a beautiful orange/reddish pattern on the inside also. It is made by Naomi Tagooka, from Tago Design & Crafts. Thanks Jonathan, again...and thanks Naomi, I just adore it and feel proud and excited to sling it over my shoulder whenever I go out.

Well that is about all for now. I should be able to show you a new painting tomorrow. Until then, Be Well and Happy Creating.

New Cards, New Store

I wanted to let everyone see the 6 new cards designs that are now available. They will soon be available for order through my website, but for now what people do is just send me an email telling me which ones they want etc. You can also order sets of my art cards and boxsets through my new Etsy Shop, please check it out at http://www.bijouswhimsy.etsy.com/.

People don't always send the cards, they often collect them and keep them for themselves. I've seen them framed quite a few times also. I think they look really sharp in frames;

A new store in town is selling my cards also. "The FrameMakers" is a great gallery/framing shop with two excellent and lovely ladies, Anna and Michelle. I just love going in there to check up on my cards because I get to hang out with the two of them for abit.


If any of you out there owns a store and you interested in my cards please give me a shout and we'll chat, I am always looking for new venues. Thanks everyone, 'see' you tommorow.