A New Funky Fish...And Pain:C...

Today I am showing you another new Funky Fish...I'll show you this cute little guy as I work on finishing up the 'Beautiful Birds'...

I was asked if I might be making the Beautiful Bird series and the Funky Fish series into books or calenders and I hadn't thought of that but do love the ideal so I will say 'Yes' it's defiantly a possibility. I was toying with the idea of making them into children's colouring books and bookmarks but I really love the book and calender ideal. Well it's honestly been a slightly rough week, my head is simply not cooperating and I find myself envious of all the people who get to run around, make plans and enjoy normal head pain free days...sure I get stretches like that but they never seem to last long enough and even though I've had these headaches and migraines since I was quite young I can't say you ever truly settle into them or get used to them, they are always unwelcome, always a pain in the butt not just for myself but the people around me and on days when your feeling good you still have a shadow over your head knowing it might be back anytime...so today I resign to complaining and I send out a big 'UGH' to the universe BUT atleast they haven't been huge horrible migraines SO, ha ha I'll stop my complaining right now because atleast when it's just a constant little thudding I can still settle in quite contentedly with my work and colouring... See you All Friday, XO M.

A New Series Called "Funky Fish"...

Hi Everyone, I hope your weekends were good...ours was abit quiet as Jon had a bad headache all day Friday and I had one all day Saturday and Sunday, C'est La Vie. I've so enjoyed making my 'Beautiful Birds" series that I have embarked on a similar series in the same style but this time with fish...Funky Fish... People ask me all the time why rabbits, birds and fish are a constant theme in my work. I think the reason I draw rabbits is pretty obvious...but I think I draw birds because to me, they symbolize freedom, elegance and a simple life...and well who wouldn't want to draw something related to those wonderful things, but also there is no bounds to their beauty and inspiration. I think the same goes with fish, there are so many varieties in such incredible colour arrays that I can't not be inspired by them. For me, fish symbolize abundance, ease, tranquility, quietness and serenity. True indeed that the majority of my creatures can't be found in real life, they are quite stylized, fantastical and whimsical but all are inspired by some real life variety out there somewhere. I look forward to this new series, I already have atleast 20 drawn up ready to colour in...I worked the designs when I was sitting with Ella Bella the past month. I am sure it will be a series of atleast 30. So though I am still not quite finished showing you all in the 'Beautiful Birds" series, I just couldn't help myself and had to show you this first Funky Fish:D What do yous think?

A New Beautiful Bird Sitting Pretty...

Finally I can show you a new Beautiful Bird...sturdy on it's own little branch, sitting comfortably in all it's own lovely glory...sitting softly amongst it's own coziness...peaceful...full...content... ...just like the little artist who made him, ha ha....our concert was cancelled and rescheduled till the end of April...but I didn't care all seems good with my little world today. Ella got her stitches out first thing this morning, they came out lickety split super quick...thanks to Ella, she apparently undid all the knots for the doc! He was laughing...Ella is happy to have her sweater off and the doc said not to worry if the bumps come back, only if they get super big, he just wanted to do that 2nd round of surgery to give her more chances to be well...so for now we're going to try to put that worry aside and sit happily for awhile...we can do so because Ella is home, stitches are gone and suddenly whatever felt all helter skelter seems righted and perfect today....new people have visited and commented on this beloved blog of mine, that always makes my day...it's cold out but the sun is shining and the buns will go out to stretch their legs later on...I am going to paint and colour and transfer some new drawings today...listen to some loud music....probably dance around abit ha ha...maybe even take a much deserved nap...movies are on tap for tonight...as well as an opening for a friend...indeed all is good today, I sit comfortably in my own softness, nice and cozy, peaceful and full...not at all worried about falling off my branch for I think for now, atleast for today, the wind has stopped trying to blow me off...wishing you all the same coziness...Happy Weekend All...Happy Day...

....I am Working Away...

Hi All...I know I promised new work Monday but with everything going on with Ella Luna I find myself upstairs mostly with the laptop and my scanner and final bits of work are downstairs...so bear with me...I am toiling away, working on some new stuff, hanging out with the bunnies...making sure Ella keeps her make-shift sweater on, she's apparently a 'Houdini' at getting out of it! I do admittedly find it abit hard not to be able to get into my studio as normal because my head is jammed with ideals and projects but I also admit that I never get tired of watching her and her sweet little face... Tonight we're taking a much needed break away from home for a couple hours. My mom is kindly coming to babysit Ella Luna so that Jon and I can go to an 'Our Lady Peace' concert, I got the tickets months ago and though they aren't one of my favourite bands, Jon really likes them and I hear their excellent in concert so I really can't wait, I think my body and mind needs some good loud music to quiet it abit! I do have lots to share with you...until I get all the bits and pieces together however, bear with me!...Ella gets her stitches out Friday morning thank goodness, she's really anxious for them to come out, as we are, than life gets calm and normal again for abit, hopefully!

Ah Ha...A Turtle Neck Saves The Day...

I am so happy to be able to write that Ella is doing great once again...what happened was that because she shredded the first batch of stitches so badly the doctor wasn't sure if he got them all out or not. He said not to worry that if there were any left they'd eventually show up and we'd just bring her back in to get them pulled no problem...however on the weekend whiles cleaning the area we thought we felt 3 more stitches so on Tuesday we went back to the vets thinking 'oh lickety split this will be quick..." not so....turns out there was 1 stitch yes but the other things we were feeling were the lumps growing back already....anyhow a somewhat long story made short...I had to decide there all on my own to get her into surgery, the doc wanted to do it right away...so she went under the knife again...thankfully I was able to go back 2 hours later to pick her up. Our vet knows we know how to deal with rabbits just operated on, etc so he always lets our bunnies go home earlier than other animals, also because he is kind enough to know that they stress easily away from us and their home and he likes to get them back to that asap.

So of course we're in a constant state of terror now that the bumps will come back again, even if they are benign, it's not good if they do....then we face the decision of whether to put her through more surgery, or do we leave them, or if we leave them again how big will they get and of course the doc has the best chance of removing all of the tumor whiles they are small...ugh, it's all very hard on the nerves and heart...I honestly think we're taking it harder than Ella Luna, she's an incredible tough nut...and forgiving too, she was giving me a hundred kisses within the hour of getting back home...she was letting me know "No hard feelings Mom..." h ha. Also her appetite as been beautifully huge:D....any fellow bunny slaves will know what I mean by that being beautiful ha ha, because basically any rabbit not eating is a sick one...she is also now hopping normally again.

This time the cut is alot smaller, thank goodness, but I was so determined that this batch of stitches not get shredded so that they do come out perfectly and easily, we've reverted back to our usual 'sick bunny' routine which taking turns sleeping for 4 or 5 hours and than switching...but it's been so draining and we've tried cones etc, none of that worked, they simply aren't decided for rabbits let alone lops, we tried homemade variations as well...not that we plan to leave her side at all during the healing process BUT she's so lighting quick at pulling the stitches that it was almost impossible and as most rabbits she's obsessive and was constantly trying...we also caught Roo pulling on them and she was letting him...partners in crime the littl brats, ha ha. Anyhow we literally couldn't take our eyes off her unless she was sleeping and again fellow bunslaves know that most bunnies don't sleep for very long at all...5 minute spurts if your lucky.

Suddenly last night around 3 am an ideal struck me like a bolt...I ran downstairs to my studio where an old turtle-neck sweater as waiting to be turned into a stuffie:D and I cut the neck off and adjusted the size to fit her and VOILA....something to help us keep those stitches looking good...ha ha...I must admit am I am quite proud of this clever solution and upset that I didn't think of it sooner! I guess we may have if we were the type who dressed our rabbits up, we did try those cloth wrap bandages but that was a no go...we still want to watch her of course but now we can rest more easily....this solution, allows her to move around freely, pee and poo like normal and wash most of her body, its soft on the wound, it's not too tight, so far it's working like a charm...I just wanted to pass this story/ideal around for any fellow bun hood parents:D

I also have to send a thank you out to Jonathan, who I think is one of the best bun dads in the world...I don't think any other guy would stay up for nearly 42 hours, or sleep in shifts or run to the grocery store for a pineapple at 4am...he is as dedicated and as in love with our furry babes as I am and I just adore that about that wonderful man of mine:D.

...Thanks to my mom who drove me back and forth to the vets when our car was sorta dead and for putting up with my flow of tears and terror at yet another surgery...

...omg, it freaks me right out, the thought that something might go wrong and my baby might not wake up. We've had 6 fur babies leave us so far, and I held 5 of them in my arms whiles they breathed their last breaths...and it doesn't get any easier and the knowledge that I'll have to face this again soon just completely sinks my heart and soul , I don't handle it well at all and I know I'll never have my rabbit sanctuary unless I somehow toughen up with health problem, scares and deaths...but I don't know how but I am working on it!...

...ANYHOW....also, big thanks to our vet, he's been involved in our bunny journey for some time now, he's knows rabbits and always does his very best for our babies, he is kind, he is sensitive and he puts the animals first, there aren't many people we trust with our buns, especially in scary situations but he is indeed one, for anyone in North Bay, Jon and I always highly suggest Dr. Paul Sidhu.

Also thank you to my fellow AOM collective members, Catherine, Jenn and Rosemary...I don't think they ever visit my blog but it meant the world to me that they covered my shifts so I could stay home with Ella....so to all these dear people who helped us I am sending a big hug and thank you to you all.

See yous all Monday with some new work most likely:D

Ella Luna...

I am popping in with a very quick note today to let you all know that I'll not be posting for a few days...today Ella Luna had to have more surgery and though she is already back home with us, already eating etc...we'll be taking turns sleeping short shifts over the next week and a bit to make sure one of us is constantly watching her since she has a nimble and quick stitch removal ability! Anyhow my computer time will be limited as I know you'll all understand. Poor little thing is too sore to hop so shes walking with her back feet like a cat... Anyhow, this is a portrait I did of our Ella Luna as a birthday gift to Jon, I think it's from 2007 but I didn't think you'd mind seeing an older work just for today, especially when it's of an exceptionally beautiful bunny girl:D I am off to sit and watch my little girl...I swear that little rabbit is WAY tougher than her mama and dad, ha ha....send us good vibes...and see you again next week hopefully.

Apple Of My Eye....

Okay so not THE but ONE OF The Apples of my eye, ha ha...Just popping in to share some favourite new shots of our Apple-Jaks... When I wasn't feeling well last month I got lots of soft snuggles and sweet kisses from this guy... ...when I work away upstairs (which is pretty much a secondary studio space I share with Jinny and Jaks) and I turn around from my desk or easel, this is one of the cute little faces I see, ha ha...(that's his favourite binkie by the way)...

...really who can't be happy with adorable little co-workers/bosses like these:D

I am so happy to have my etsy shop added to Rabbit Match's List of Cool Bunny friendly shops...Because indeed bunnies and Easter are a bad mix, so let's spread the word and spread some awareness that bunnies shouldn't be sold at Easter time....bunny's require much care and are not great pets for small children and let's face it proper and good bunnyhood requires planning and research, especially at least for the first timers....Wouldn't you all agree?

...Have a lovely bunny filled day all, see you Monday with a new Beautiful Bird.

East Coast Ducks...

Ahhh....Sunshine streaming throughout the whole house...Bunnies sunning themselves out on the deck and window bench...jazz tinkling away to the tune of a perfect day...all equals happiness for me today, ha ha.... ....anyhow, here is a brand new coloured pencil of mine. Another in realism done from one of my photographs. This photo was taken years back on our amazing East Coast trip...I am sure more coloured pencils from this trip are soon to come as I am really enjoying working from my photos lately....I've been working on them upstairs as I keep an eye on our Ella Bella. The original will be available shortly at the Art On Main Gallery but if your interested in purchasing it through me/my Etsy shop, let me know and I'll create a reserved posting just for you. It would be sold without the frame (to make for easier and cheaper shipping) BUT as you can see, it easily and happily slides well into any of your favourite 8x10" frames...

Prints and cards will be available shortly but the original is quite lovely I must confess:D It's living in our living room until it goes to a new home.

Till Friday...I leave you with this link to one of my new favorite songs by Priscilla Ahn, her voice is so lovely, I keep playing this song over and over whiles at work in my studio....

Update On Our Ella-Luna....

A few lovely people have been asking after our lovely Ella Bella:D...thank you all. It warms my heart when people ask after the bunnies. As most of you know, our Ella Luna had surgery to remove some infected 'bumps' a few weeks ago. Well since than she has had her stitches out and boy oh boy that girl of ours is an industrious one...first she pulled half the stitches out (despite very diligent watching I must add!) leaving the wound open in parts and making for some very tiring watching, cleaning and stressing!...the stitches she didn't yank out were pulled out to some degree and frayed to hell by the time they were suppose be removed (apparently she had another time schedule for their removal in mind)! The vet said he had never seen an animal pull their stitches like that, let alone natter at the nylon to the point where they were completely frayed. The doctor had a hard time to get the stitches out because they were so frayed and pulled, but he did a great and gentle job and Ella didn't even flinch once, not even when he had to cut some scabbing off and mentioning that, ha ha I'll just pass over the part where Jonathan and I almost passed out! ha ha...

...Now she's home without stitches and she's happy and doing beautifully...super active like she were a youngling, chasing and bossing Roo's butt around like there were no tomorrow, jumping up on the couches which she stopped doing years ago! so all this beautiful and fresh burst of energy leads us to believe that the bumps were indeed bothering her more than we suspected. We still have to clean the wound everyday with peroxide for another month and than than the doc wants to see her again at the beginning of April, but so far she's back to her wonderful spirited self...our precious heart...our little glossy black super trooper. OH and yes:D...I forgot, the biopsy results came back just a few day after the surgery and it was benign, yay:D After that news we were able to breathe normally again! So from Jon, Ella-Luna, Roo and moi...Thank you for all your energies, good thoughts, hugs and interest in our furry babe.

New Prints To Celebrate 2 Years Blogging...

I can't believe it's been 2 years today that I've been blogging...looking back on where I started, I smile and feel proud because I think this blog of mine has grown into it's own kind of special entity and I believe it's a quality blog worth spending some time in. I no longer worry what I'll post about for it seems to have over time naturally found it's own interest, voice and style...I am nowadays proud to call myself a blogger and lead people on over to my little online realm...hooray, 2 years, almost 400 posts strong and a growing number of people who visit...to celebrate I am putting 3 of my most favourite illustrations into my Etsy shop... These make beautiful prints and is a little inspirational series I am proud of. The prints are from original coloured pencils...and indeed the prints are part of the current sale (reg. price will be $24.00 right now they are $19.99). Hop on over to my shop if your interested.

Thank you to those of you who support and encourage me with your kind comments and emails...I have hopes of seeing this blog of mine grow triple fold over this new year...but whatever may happen in that area...Cheers to another good year of blogging.

Shop Update and SALE...

My Shop was abit sparse so I just filled it up with abunch of beautiful prints...and for the first time ever, all are on SALE for a limited time...

I am also trying something new and picked out 3 'Featured Items' and these 3 prints will be on sale for only $12.00 each...they are of a bunny theme of course...So hop on over to my store and browse and shop....Hope there's something there yous like.

(The Beautiful Birds series will be added to the shop on the week of the 15th.)

Another Beautiful Bird To Wish My Dad Happy B-Day.....

This Beautiful Bird is another new one...and it's the perfect day to introduce you all to him because to me it'd look like he'd be; unique, solid yet soft, pretty serious but also fun loving, strong yet sweet, just the kinda bird you'd admire and than wanna give a great big hug too...all these things, just like my dad...who today celebrates his birthday:D... So today Dad, this birds for you:D....HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD...Love you...XO Mandy & Jonathan & The Bunnies OX

My New Business Cards...

I completely forgot to show you all my brand new business cards...I got them just at the end of last year and I am still excited about them because up till now I've been printing my cards at home and cutting every single one out by hand, so over the years well lets just say I've hand cut one to many business card! My friend got me a great deal on printing and I am soooo happy with them. Jonathan and I whipped up the design together in about 3 hours, Jon worked his magic on the computer and voila 1000 new glossy cards. I just love them, what do you guys think:D?

Another Beautiful Bird..

Hi everyone, I am popping in quickly today to show you another new bird in my "Beautiful Bird" series...I think this guys pretty cute and fun.

It's been kinda crazy around here with all the human and bunny ailments so I didn't get to update my Etsy shop with new prints as soon as I would have liked but a shop update is coming within the next few days, fingers crossed!

Have a great weekend everyone...I think we'll be indulging in more televised Olympics, we've really been enjoying it and it's the first year we really got into it...though I admittedly don't always necessarily cheer for the Canadians (but mostly!), it's made for some cozy hours of being home together, cheering with good snacks and with bunny feet puttering around us....in other words: happiness:D Happiness to you all....XO Mandy.

New Picture

I finished this cutie pie in coloured pencil last week and I really enjoyed stepping away from 'my style' for a few hours and working on something more realistic from one of my old photographs. This was a little chipmunk that frequented our yard for a couple years and he was blind in one eye, he was so sweet...but I guess all chipmunks are! The original is already sold but a print will be available shortly in my shop and in card format at Art On Main in the next couple of weeks. ..as you can see it was created in sunlight and bliss one sunny bunny filled Saturday afternoon...

...here's a shot not quite at the half way point....

That's about all I have to share for today....Have a great day everyone.

Ella Luna Is Doing Great....

I just wanted to give an update on our Ella Bella and share abit of whats been going on. Ella went in for her surgery Thursday at about 9:30am and was home by 3:30 the same day (that was a long few hours to wait though let me tell you! whew!), the surgery went well and the doctor is hoping it's not malignant cancer but a savacious cyst, but we are not anxious in anyway to get the biopsy back! But anyhow thankfully she started eating right away when she got home (which can be a problem with rabbits who have gone through surgery, sometimes they just don't want to eat afterwards). She has a 5 inch cut stretching from her right side down to her belly and a 1 inch cut on her left shoulder...she is suppose to go back to the vets in about 10 days to get the stitches out but a few hours after being home she managed to pull quite of few of them out herself...to our horror and despite us constantly watching her! I had a massive migraine to deal with that day and I just couldn't stay awake so thankfully Jonathan was a trooper and stayed up through the first night to watch her. The cuts are healing up nicely despite the pulled stitches and she doesn't seem to be in pain at all though she does not at all like getting her antibiotics twice daily!.... Jon and I are joking that we feel like gophers....now that the cuts are healing up well, we don't have to watch her 24 hours type of thing but we still find ourselves popping up from whatever we're doing, even mid sleep! every 30 minutes to check on her.....our Ella Luna...our Ella Bella:D....our little trooper...Oh My Goodness, it felt soooo good to get her from the doctors and bring her back home again, phew!

It has indeed been a difficult month....it started with that nasty head/chest cold I got which took almost 2 weeks to go away. THAN, Ella Luna got g.i. stasis...which was scary but thankfully we caught it right away and she got better after 2 or 3 days. Jon and I have composed a special blog post together about our experience with g.i.stasus and what we find works best etc...but it's really a serious ailment that plagues rabbits for no obvious reason and it can kill a bunny quite quickly. A fellow blogger recently lost one of her sweet hearts to g.i. stasis and that's why I'll share our info with you all asap. THAN I got pretty severe anemia, which I had never had before and lets just say the first 2 days it hit were horrible and scary and no fun at all...it took me about 2 weeks to get well again and it's not something I ever want to have again...THAN this thing with Ella's bumps....so it's felt like a rough start to 2010 in a way and we're tired but we're happy everyone and everything is looking good again (knock on wood!)....

Thanks everyone for sending well wishes and good energy, that meant alot and I passed along every message and hug to Ella:D

A New Beautiful Bird

I am not taking much time to be on my computer, etc lately so I sure am glad I decided to pre-post the last few blog posts for theres been alot going on here in the cozy warren of the Saile-Petersons...Our Ella Luna goes in for surgery tomorrow and I don't think I'll be able to breathe properly, or really function quite right until she's back home safe and sound and eating and on the mend...But I don't want to leave you high and dry for the week with no new imagery...so here's a new Beautiful Bird.

Send our precious Ella Luna some extra good strong vibes tomorrow and the next couple of days please...I'll be incommunicado until next week most likely...please be back than and I'll update you on everything that's been going on and of course I do have some new work to show you.

My mind and heart are being pulled elsewhere...so to that certain little black furry I now go...

A New Necklace...

We've been having some rough weeks here in our little rabbit warren...but more on that another day for today I am trying to be positive and as cheery as possible....So, onto another topic....Most of you following me on this blog know I am pretty bonkers over rabbit related things. Now I am not a gal who spends alot on clothes, haircuts, make up or shoes etc...but I do indulge myself with certain things like cute socks, cute dishes, yummy delectables (I have a weakness for spicy chocolate), books and naturally of course, rabbity jewelery:D...so today I just had to show you the latest addition to my collection...this beautiful Russian hand-painted pendant from Etsy seller Lavender Rabbit. I had to take a shot before I unwrapped everything...it was defiantly a lovely package to receive...

This is the necklace, I love it...it has a lovely old world charm about it and came with matching earrings...

...AND Lavender Rabbit (a fellow rabbit lover) completely surprised and delighted me by sending me this great pair of earrings, they were totally unexpected and I love them, thanks Lavender Rabbit...I am so glad we like each others shops:D

I am proud to support handmade, fellow artists and great ecommerce sites like Etsy...speaking of which, I plan a big shop update soon, I am going to try doing batch updates instead of singular...but theres still lots of good stuff in there right now so check it out.

Have a great day, thanks again Lavender Rabbit:D p.s. She has a blog here, check it out.

p.p.s. Today I just can't get enough of this awesome Gomez song.....check it out, maybe you'll end up blasting it over and over again too:D

Happy Valentines Day....

Happy Valentines Day

to my amazing Jonathan, whom I've been graced with for 16 Valentines now...

(Mandy & Jonathan 8 years ago)

Today I dedicate This Song to you...

And This One too...

LOVE YOU

XOXOXOXOX

Your Bella Bijou...

A New 'Beautiful Bird'...

I have a new "Beautiful Bird" to show you all today. It's the 11th in the series and so far I think I have 20 drawn up and ready to be coloured in. I am really happy with how they're turning out and I really hope it's a series that sells well for me, we'll see. How is this one working for ya all:D?

I think I am going to try a bunny series like this...perhaps try to do all the different bunny breeds, that might be neat.

Again, prints of this lovely are coming soon and I'll let you know when and where as soon as I get everything together!

p.s. I wanted to mention this great blog called Disapproving Rabbits, my fellow rabbit lovers will enjoy it. I seem to be visiting every morning before my coffee, for it usually makes me burst out laughing and it's just full of really adorable rabbits that will make your heart happy...a good way to start the day:D