An Older Painting "Atlantean Ebb"

Hi everyone...despite the rainy and stormy Monday that today was, it was a really good and productive day...unfortunately though, the time was not spent on creating but on ordering and organizing new supplies for exciting new products I hope to introduce to you all soon.

Today, I wanted to show you one of my favourite older paintings. It is acrylic on canvas, measures 4 feet x 4 feet and is called "Atlantean Ebb". I created this piece specifically for my very first solo exhibition....which was years ago!....way to long now that I am thinking of it.

Anyhow, I am moving some paintings around the house this week and this is one that has been relocated, so I thought I would share it with you all since the 'gallery' section on my current website is one of the less visited portfolios.

Until tomorrow...have a wonderful and relaxing night and thanks so much for taking the time to visit me and my work. Be Well.

My Friend Arlington Hoffman

Hi Everyone, well it's Friday and the week whizzed by without feeling very productive and that makes me uncomfortable, but what can you do....just not dwell on it, see it as a restful week and plan to be more proactive the next week, right? right!

So my little friend Penelope is still not ready to make her appearance, next week for sure. I don't want to rush any images just for the sake of having new imagery to post on here. And since coloured pencil is a timely medium, well hopefully you'll all thinks she's worth the wait.

So today, I wanted to show you some of the work of my dear friend, mentor and 'adopted' grandfather figure Arlie Hoffman. To say that Arlie is a beloved figure in our city is an understatement. Every one who meets Arlie falls in love with him. He is so so talented and he likes to share that talent with people, he is always welcoming people into his studio, always open to give pointers or show other artists how he creates. He is just a wonderful human being and I am proud and blessed and happy to call him a dear friend.

Arlie had a show this past month at the Calander Heritage Museum, which myself, Jon and a couple friends biked out to see. Today I want to show you the photos from the show, just to give you a brief glimpse of this artists amazing talents.

Arlie, works in oil paints and watercolour but for this show he also dived into some assemblages and photo transfers onto canvas as well. Standing amidst a collection of Arlie's work honestly brought tears to my eyes. I was struck again, of the vast talent of my dear and lovely friend.

I shared a studio space with Arlie for a couple of months at the WKP Kennedy Gallery, a couple years back and it was just wonderful, as much as his work and person inspired me, he found inspiration in my work as well and it was just a really good partnership. I will jump on any oppourtunity to share a studio with Arlie again.

When I left my job as Gallery Co-coordinator, where again, I worked closely with Arlie, he surprised me with this lovely painting as a parting gift. It was hard to tell Arlie that I was leaving the Gallery, I was so worried that I was letting him down. But he is still there, at the Gallery and in my opinion they are lucky as hell to have him. (sorry for the incorrect rotation).

A couple of years ago, I also worked on the Winter Wonderland Carousel with Arlie. He was the head-painter and I the understudy...we met at the carousel studio 2 to 3 times a week for a few hours to get our creature done in time. Over all, it took over 70 hours and was just a wonderful experience...to spend time with Arlie like that, to paint such a lovely carving, to spend time in the fanciful world of carousel creatures and their makers. Here is the fox that we painted.

First it needed some sanding, and plastering...just an over all smoothing out before applied the base coat of white.

Arlie, trusted me to do the top saddle design and also mix up the colour of the blue under saddle. It really was such a collaborative effort which made it every funner, I think.

Now our beautiful fox sits serendipitously next to the beautiful rabbit, on the carousel.

So if your ever in North Bay, come ride the fox...or any of the amazing creatures on either of North Bay's world famed Carousel's.

I am excited to be part of an upcoming exhibition which is made up of the Carousel artists. And to also possibly work on another creature with Arlie this coming fall.

I could go on and on about dear Arlie, but I'll stop here and let you bask in his talent. I wish you could all meet him, for every one's life truly is better for having him in it. Arlie, love to you my excellent friend and thank you.

An Old Illustration to share with you

Hi Everyone, today was so lovely and I was reminded of an important and old adage "Seize The Day". The skies were quite stormy looking but it was still a beautiful day with many flowers blooming and birds chirping, the sound of the pond and a gentle wind rustling all the trees. I almost didn't go outside but I thought, today is the perfect weather for myself and the rabbits, not to hot, not to cold with wind to keep the mosquitoes away. So, instead of staying inside from worry that it would rain any minute, I hustled all four rabbits outside, including myself and my coloured pencils and we just had a glorious afternoon working away and playing outside. Hazel was so sweet and kept falling asleep with her little nose twitching away in the air only to be woken by the cawing crows, then she'd fall asleep again as soon as she heard my assuring "Hazel, it's fine, your too big for them to steal" ha ha. So yes, I was reminded that you should just not worry and do things anyways because the outcome may be wonderful or at least something to learn from...and in my case today, a perfect working day surrounding by happy bunnies and not a drop of rain.

So anyhow, I can go on and on can't I, even about the simplest things! I hoped to have new imagery to show you today but I just don't, everything I am working on currently takes longer than 1 or 2 days and a couple of the images are a surprise which I can't share with you all quite yet. So as I am still in the mode of Saturday's tea party, I have selected this older illustration of mine to share with you today. It is full of whimsy, fairies, mother nature and living trees, I hope you like it. I did this image long ago as a cover ideal for "Emily of New Moon", because I grew up just adoring all of L.M. Montgomery's fictional works. This one is done in pastel with coloured pencil on canvas. I am really hoping that tomorrow I'll finally be able to introduce a new friend.

It's Canada Day & I am still on holiday

Hi Everyone and a Happy Canada Day to you. I am still off today, I took Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off...well if you can consider toiling away in the yard really time off, but we're having fun so I guess it would be, ha ha. This weekend, we did alot of cleaning, had a dear friend over for a lovely dinner and movies, planted 6 trees, tore down an old crooked deck and attacked the front garden and actually got it all finished and looking beautiful which took about 8 hours total!...to say that the weeds were prolific would be an understatement. Anyhow, the bunnies are outside and another weedy area is calling to me so I shall be going outside for the rest of the day.

On Friday we also picked up my dad from the airport and I was so so so glad to see him back home. He brought me some amazing gifts from my dear Grandpa which needless to say are now some of my most treasured possessions.

I just also wanted to send out a hugely felt thanks to everyone who visited my Saturday Tea Party and left all those wonderful comments. Vanessa over at 'A Fanciful Twist' did an amazing job with her party, she went all out, I was so amazed. I was also amazed at how much fun I had in creating my own little imaginary get together, I think I was walking around with a smile for 2 days. Anyhow, again thanks everyone...it was a lovely time.

I must send out a "Happy Birthday" to my sister-in-law Jennifer. And now I leave you with a tidbit photo from my studio...my sweet little lamb bronze sculpture that I love oh so much. Be Well Everyone and until tomorrow's post, which may be abit later in the evening than usual.

It's a Mad Tea Party...Come one Come all Let's See What's Happening.

Oh Hello...HELLO....it's so nice that you could join us on this beautiful Saturday afternoon for our lovely little tea party. I am truly so glad you could join us, we're going to have a perfect day.

As I am usually Mandy....or Bijou of Bijou's Whimsy...at my tea parties I am known as "Missus Sassafras" so you may know me as such for today pretty please.

Now let's get right to it shall we...let me introduce my most favourite tea party partner...my niece Karly, from hence forth known as "Madame Pomfrey"...

Anyhow...sorry I got side-tracked there...let's see what my party partner has decided to wear today shall we....

Now come on out to the back deck, whiles we wait for everyone to arrive...

Oh why, may I introduce you to my cousin Vera and her new little babies...she is very shy and quiet, sorry about that...

Dear Cousin Vera....your little ones are welcome to go play in the large gazebo, I believe little Elisha is out there playing about right now...shall we go check...

Oh excellent...I think I see some more guest arriving...

Could you give me but a moment...I need to go check on Ella-Luna and Roo-roodolpholus...
ah ha, just as I suspected...

Oh, look.....abunch more guest have arrived...this is just so so exciting...I can't remember the last time so much of the family was gathered together all at once in one place...we really need to do this more often.

This is uncle Lineus, he always dresses in his best suit and he is actually a sign maker down in Lapinity City, that's near the Green Forest....yes yes....quite impression I agree. It looks like he's made a nice little sign just for this party, oh how nice is that.

And here is Madame Juliette, she actually raises butterflies of the most beautiful variety. They listen to her like little puppy dogs, if she says 'come here my lovelies' they flock to her right away. It looks like she is releasing some to flutter about the party....that's going to be a really fantastic touch. I think that she's started to teach the beautiful butterflies to sing too...perhaps if we listen close enough we'll here them hum a tune as they float by...oh how excellent...I am feeling positively giddy.

And there is her sweet as can be husband of 5 years, Charelton. He's been a local gardener for many years now...the two of them met when one of Chareltons clients wanted to know which butterflies liked what flowers so Juliette was called in and boy oh boy it was love at first site with those two...they do match perfectly don't they. Charelton is such a sweetheart and always helps me clean up before and after the parties...he can rake up a yard in a flash and is always one of the last ones to stay to help me clean up. I am so pleased that they could make it today.

Where are we having the party you are asking? Why let me show you please...you've seen the deck already, that's where Cousin Vera was with her tiny nibblets...

Anyways! Yes, back to your question...I think many people will be able to fit into the gazebo...here it is...what do you think?


Oh you like it thank you so much....oh your so polite, your parents taught you well...

Now if you look in this area...quietly now...take a peek really really close because not all of our guests can be spotted right away, they are so tiny that you really have to look closely.......closer....no no even closer, trust me you won't regret it....
ha ha...I know...aren't they beautiful. That is Ellesmera and her even littler gang. That little ladybug sitting on her hand with the cup of tea is the mayor of the ladybug city, his name is Teeny-Tony and he and Ellesmera are the best of friends. I am so glad that Ellesmera came to visit, she's been gone a very long time...helping hurricane victims in other ladybug lands...she's quite the girl. When her and Teeny-Tony are caught up perhaps she'll come out and share some of her fantastic adventure stories with all of us.

Anyhow yes...back to the party details...

There is just plenty of places to sit and chatter.

What are we going to nibble on...oh my goodness there is a feast to be had...let me show you just a sampling... Grandma Diane sent us boxes of her delicious lemon orange pound cake and her famous decadent brownies...and pardon? what's that? Yes, ha ha...yes indeed those are my favourite cookie jars and they are filled with all kinds of cookies. Some had to be made specially tiny for Ellesmera and her ladybugs friends...we don't want any cookie crushing accidents to happen do we!

I can see you there Miss Ebony hiding in the shadows, you may have one berry but that's it...we must have the utmost manners and use our best part etiquette and politely await for ALL the guests to arrive.

Who's left you may ask? Oh why hmmm....let me think...oh yes, 4 guest need to arrive still, then we can start.

Oh why here's another one now....

Ah welcome welcome my dear friend...may I introduce you to my very dear friend Deh-Finn. He is a lantern maker from Frith, he's learnt the trade from his daddy, who was taught by his daddy who was taught by his daddy...well you get the picture. It's wonderful that Deh-Finn is here because his lanterns put out the best light in the country...you see they have magic attached to them, when these candles are lite, all the mean old nasty bugs who like to bite and ruin the night time fun are put to sleep, only to awake in the morn. What's that?....nope, I have no ideal how Deh-Fin does it but it's a very good feature to have for any tea party that may go into the evening tide don't you think? Not to mention that Deh-Finn tells the best jokes, so I am glad he's here, he'll have us all in stitches I am quite sure of it.

Only two more guest to arrive....I am not surprised....Hazel and Jin are always late.

Oh look, how beautiful....it's one of Ellesmera's singing butterflies, how delightful. They will look so lovely flying about in Deh-Fin's lamplight later on this evening.

Oh FINALLY....Our last guests have arrived...yahoo...

why, it looks like you two have just woken from a nap?

What's that? oh my, you've been here for a couple hours now...sneaking in flowers

With over 50 different kinds of marvelous tea, all of the sumptuous food ready to be eaten, all of the excellent and beloved guests having arrived...this is going to be the best tea party ever.

Come on, let's stop chatting away and looking at everything and join everyone else, it's TEA TIME.

Thanks for coming to my party. The silly little tales and names are all from my concept character ideals for upcoming children stories of mine. All the illustrations are mine, all the real live bunnies are ours, and all the photos are taken in our yard showing just a small sampling of my rabbit collection. The photo montage of Hoppington Way Castle was made by my husband Jonathan, thanks baby:D I hope you enjoyed yourselves and again thanks for taking time in my little enchanted world. Mandy Saile of Bijou's Whimsy.

Friday's Here With An Older Illustration

Good Friday Everyone. We've had a few lovely days full of sunshine and thankfully not-intolerable heat but today is gloomy and looks like it will rain any minute which I am actually happy about because I have too much to get done to worry about the outdoors beckoning me to 'come hither' ha ha.

Since I've been busy with some other secretive things:D which I can't share with you this week...let me show you another old favourite of mine "Home" which is the coloured pencil study for one of my most favourite paintings that I've done so far...here's the painted version...which my friend Maria will attest to that it's defiantly not one for sale, I just can't seem to part with it.

This version was done years later in acrylic on canvas and it's about 2 x 3 feet. It was one of my very first paintings that I didn't show to many people and aside from it's subject which hits home for me (at the time all Jon and I wanted was a little house near the water that we could live in peacefully and blissfully and fill with rabbits:D....we got our wish years later:D) whenever I look at this painting I am reminded of the joy I had in making it, the excitement that came with working with paints...well I just think that it's important to keep reminders around like that so I refuse to part with this piece and it happily lives in my main studio.

I welcome all of you to hyperlink images to your most favourite and not-for-sale inspirations in the comments section following this post.

Well, I really must get going...my studio needs attention....serious attention actually and some added twinkle lights and pink paint I am thinking, I promise to share photos of my studio someday soon. Also, today my dad is getting back home, yay...so we'll go meet him at the airport.

With that I bid you all a fantastic fantastic Friday...don't forget I'll be doing a Saturday post this week for the "Mad Tea Party".

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.