We Were Graced...

I've been so anxious to share these photos with you...We were graced with the beautiful presence of this remarkable creature not long ago...he ended up about a metre and a half away from me and was breathtaking. I had never been that close to a deer before and I was so entranced I think I forgot to breathe for a couple minutes. Luckily I had my trusty camera with me and he didn't seem to mind me snapping away at least 50 or 60 photos....I picked just a few of my favourite shots to show you...when I open my photography shop I think these will defiantly be some of the first ones listed...

...Oh just so amazingly beautiful...I've no ideal how people can hunt these serenely innocent animals and I am completely convinced that people who do have no soul or at least a very dark ones...BUT...my soul was made lighter and brighter for seeing him and being near him that's for sure and that's what I will concentrate on:D

Beautiful Bird 10...

As promised, this week I am getting back to showing you some new work...here is one of my newest creations in my "Beautiful Bird" series...I am still having so much fun with them. What do you think of this one?

It'll be available as a print in my Etsy Shop very very soon and as a mounted print at the Art On Main gallery/store very soon as well...mounted prints will hopefully follow into the Etsy shop as well but I only have so much wood cut and won't be able to get into the garage till spring so I don't think I have enough to supply mounted versions in both places.

Join me on Wednesday if you've time, I've been so anxious to share some beautiful photos with you and I've deemed this Wednesday to be that day.

Spring?...And Not Feeling Well, Again!

The snow seems to be dripping and melting, on sunny days at least, is spring really on it's way already? My body is already yearning for warm hazy days of bunnies romping around the yard, munching on grass and me working on some coloured pencils in the gazebos...ahhhh....

Ella Luna and the other bunnies sure do hope winter is at its end. I smile when I look at these photos of Ella out in the snow cause you can almost hear her saying "Ummm what did you guys do with the grass?"...

Our Ella has always been a high energy bunny...quite a handful and sometimes abit hard to keep busy...but we wouldn't have her any other way. It's been very cold the past 2 weeks and none of the buns have gotten out in the snow for too long, hence the boredom commences and with young rabbits, a bored rabbit is usually a destructive rabbit but all our babies are older and seem fairly content to spend the day napping away in the sun...and I've been quite sick this past week myself so I too am happy just to sit and colour in the sun! anyhoo...just wanted to hop in and wish you all a good weekend with much bunny love.

Jana Brogan "The Forest Speaks"

As mentioned a couple days ago my pal, the lovely Jana Brogan is having a solo exhibition of recent works at our arts collective Art On Main.

..."Jana Brogan has always felt a special connection to the life and energy of forests. She is known for her beautiful silver and copper jewelry inspired by trees and organic shapes. However, while preparing for this exhibition, she began to ponder the question, “When the forest speaks… what does the forest say?” The answer took her in a new and exciting direction, and she began an exploration of non-traditional materials which were, in her words, “kinder to the earth… in an attempt to create without destroying.

In the spirit of environmental protection, preservation, and sustainability, Jana’s makes use of organic, recycled material such as sawdust, wood ash, and coffee grinds, and combines them with found forest detritus such as bark and branches. The results are quiet and haunting works that truly capture the essence and magic of the forest".

I had fun photographing the pieces in Jana's show...here's a sampling...

Jana's opening is tonight and will be great fun...come on out to celebrate Jana's exhibition and her exciting divergence into sculptural work and join us for some hot cocoa and other wholesome and healthful nibblies and treats.

Nubbins In The Window....

As most of you already know I am part of an artists collective which runs a gallery/store called Art On Main...each month our member Rachael designs and sets up the windows and I love taking photos of them and documenting them...here is February's small window...

...and lookie 3 of my Nubbins are in the window, again:D ha ha...I admittedly just LOVE seeing my work in the street front windows, it makes me proud and excited....

On the top is "Lovely Lalita" than lower down below is "Avril May Aviva" and the one holding the bunny is "Lillie Fionn Lapradie".

...and the larger window is a group showing....my coloured pencil "Conjure One" is included again(the colourful birds on the wall in the pine frame:D)...

I love the little arts collective I am a part of and I am so glad I decided to give it a try....I joined in June so I guess we're rounding up on my first year of joining...I do hope I can stay on another year...Espeacially when we get to spend our shifts in the gallery/store with great company like Coco, one of our members doggie:D....

Well, that's all for today....time for a cup of something warm and sweet and some bunnies snuggles before getting back to my coloured pencils....Hugs everyone.

p.s. This week is looking like it'll be posts on AOM stuff. If your interested to see an exhibit my friend Jana is having, join me here this Friday. We had fun hanging the show together last week and it's a kind-to-the-earth solo show with some interesting and playful forest fellows. Next week we'll get back to bunnies and artwork:D!

New Things At The Gallery...

Did I ever show you all my newest Nubbin? I don't think I ever did...well here she is, my sweet yet serious keeper and care taker of all the oceans starfish "Ellie Ebben Gray", isn't she cool? I brought her into the gallery this week and I am hoping she's adopted into a new home soon.

I also brought in some of my hand stitched felt stars...

...and some of my nubbin bird decorative ornaments....

Here's a shot of the new goods in my gallery section...I brought in tons more cards as well...

....AND also these Nubbin bird versions on stands with funky little twig crowns...

...and now everything has sweet little tags with clear and inviting info etc...even these took me a few hours to do, every little bit of having a handmade indie business takes time I suppose...

I was thinking of making new batches of all these items and putting them into my etsy shop, what do you think?

A Handsome Boy.....and Some Life Thoughts.....

Sometimes, well no, actually it's every time I look at our Roo-boo my heart squeezes with pride over how darn handsome he is:D...Isn't he just an extra handsome boy:D?

I am floating in creative bliss the last couple days as I've had very little to no head pain so I feel great. I have so many projects on the go and so many projects I am planning that I am just all giddy and happy...my studio is a mess from busy-ness...the music is blasting (Jon just installed 2 more speakers so of course I must properly test them out:D)...there seems to be ample time for bunny snuggles...fingers are dirty with pastels, which feels amazing because I haven't played around with pastels for well over a year...good food is being made & bellies are happy...cappuccinos are being enjoyed...there seems to be time for episodes of "Gilmore Girls" and "The Tudors" in the evenings with even time for reading (The New Art Doll Quarterly has me completely inspired)...

...all of this goodness naturally makes me think about life and I am learning to let go of my fears that too much happiness will inevitably bring bad luck. I am finally realizing that bad things happen in life weather you were presently on top of the world or down in the gutter...and that being happy and feeling lucky doesn't mean that I don't feel or worry at the exact same time for others...like a friend who just lost her husband...a friend whose possibly facing another bout with cancer...a friend whose career was whipped out from under their feet...or, all the pedestrians being killed in Toronto (14 in 15 days!)...or all the pour souls in Haiti...

...BUT, only I can live my life, it's only one life I get and it's going quickly SO I figure I matter as well ride the high of each great day as much as I can until we hit those inevitably bad ones...and it feels good to realize this and defiantly affects my creative world which is why I share it with you here...

Check out This awesome song by one of my favourite bands "Twelve Girls Band", it is completely resonating with my happy state today...and I am so glad I found a video of it here to be able to share it with you:D...Wishing much guilt-free happiness to you all my dear readers:D

A Beautiful Gift...

I just had to hop in today to show you a beautiful gift I received by post a couple weeks ago (and by now you all know I love mail, ha ha)...it came from my lovely friend over at "Tales From The Raspberry Rabbits", she made this star for me and than packaged it so nicely...even including some chocolate:D...

..AND she included this handmade card showing her two furry hearts Razzy and Sugie. We get a kick out of the fact that our bunnies look so alike.

I am realizing that many rabbit owners/slaves, really do take an interest in other rabbit lovers & their furries and its a lovely network of interest and support. And this well this was just an amazing gift to receive, there was definatly some squealing and ohhhing and ahhhing as I discovered what was within the parcel...thanks so much Shell, I know it's a xmas ornament but I just had to leave it out to enjoy all year round so it now hangs on my favourite rocking chair and I see it everyday and it makes my heart squeeze with the warmth of friendship:D

Hop on over to Michelle's beautiful blog and check things out...she is a stitchery artist who does lovely work, she is a fellow lover of the long earred and often posts about her two beautiful buns, she has a free pattern download available every month AND she hosts giveaways for the most delicious treats...and she's just one of my favourite and most treasured pals in blogland:D

Well, last week was a terrible and tiring week where I combated the final days of that chest cold and a monster migraine all day Thursday that almost sent me to the hospital AND all of that with very little sleep due to a bad bout of insomnia BUT we had a fantastic weekend and now I am entering this new week refreshed and with good plans...heres hoping that it is indeed a good one and that yours is wonderful as well.

Congratulations To My Best Friend...

I don't have any new illustrations ready for this most auspicious day so a quick shot of some of my hallway flowers must do...some kind of happy visual to reflect the happiness in my heart as I announce to my blogging friends that my bestest friend Judit had her very first baby, YAYYYYYY!!!!! And oh what an amazing mommy I know she'll be:D

I am off now to drink some wine with my honey as we toast to Judit, Ed and their new arrival, Benjamin...CONGRATS GUYS....WE LOVE YOU:D...Hooray, we are auntie and uncy again:D

Some Rabbit-y Things...

I've been meaning to show you some new lovely rabbit-y things that have been added to my rabbit collection but I keep forgetting so here we go...all Etsy finds/purchases of course, because well I am just not a mall type of gal and ordering something online and waiting for it to arrive and getting to unpack it is part of the fun...especially when your honey surprises you and you've no ideal something special is coming for you until it sweetly and suddenly arrives at your doorstep, now that's the best:D....

Anyhow! sorry...back to show and tell...these were a surprise for xmas, they are meant to be ponytail elastics but my hair is super thick and they won't wrap around so I took the vintage buttons off the elastics and now they await their addition to some special project. These sweet little things are from Please Eloise, I just love them.


Speaking of this past Xmas, when I was shopping around Etsy, I stumbled across a cool shop called The Bold Banana, they do vintage reproductions and original screen prints on shirts and bags...anyhow, I picked out two cool shirts for my Jonathan and couldn't resist getting myself this bag...I love it...(plus it was on sale for a mere $5!)...

Than quite a few months ago...oh I think it was last summer actually Jon surprised me again with a little itsy bitsy box which had these cute little critters in it...

Again from an Etsy seller called WeeBunBoutique, though it appears that this shop is now closed I wanted to show them to you anyways cause I just think they are so sweet.

Well that's all...I just wanted to share some rabbit-y goodness and recent treats:D I have a few more things to show you but for the next couple posts we'll get back to some artwork:D Until than, be well...and hopefully your all warding off the cold better than I did!

A New Headband...Caring Bunny...And The Sickies....

Well it would appear that January is not off to a great start! First I was feeling lethargic about getting into my studio after two slothful weeks off!...than when I was ready to get to some work I was struck down by a week of head pain forcing me into bed the last couple days of the run...NOW I've been sick with a cold and today I can barely talk! Fun fun fun over here in the studio and warren of Bijou's Whimsy, ha ha...

BUT! I did get a new headband made for myself to go with my ski jacket....I felt the need for a new ear warmer...I did granny squares than after putting them together I added white glass beads and a big beautiful wooden button on the back with some stretch cord that it easy to wear...I am happy with it, what do you think?

As I lay bundled up on the couch and lean over to peer over the side, this sweet little face more often than not greets me....

Our Ella-Luna is such a special girl and has always been very caring and has always worried when I am sick...if I am in the bed with a bad migraine she jumps up on the bed constantly to check on me...or like this past week, if I am bundled up on the couch with a cold, she comes into the living room and just sits there and stares and watches me for hours on end...it's pretty darn sweet...she's the only one of our rabbits whose ever done this and she doesn't seem to do it when Jon is the sickie, just me:D.... Eventually when she's been assured that I am okay and won't die! She hunkers down and lets me bundle her up in part of my blanket and she snoozes with me....but when I am perfectly fine and not sick she won't let me bundle her!.....

Like I said....One Very Special Bunny:D....Well back to my sickie spot, my speacil girl, my cough drops and Gilmore Girls...I've never seen this show so thought I'd give it a try...

Welcome 2010...A New Illustration...

I've been abit absent the past week sorry about that...I had head pain to deal with and after that I just seemed to be moving abit slower than usual...My studio is a disaster and I've been avoiding the immense clean up it needs, I don't know why...I usually love tackling anything to do with my studio...hmmm...anyhow...here's a new image that was completed just last night in front of a roaring fire, with some Sex In The City reruns and cute bunnies underfoot:D...

It is coloured pencil on illustration board. Though it needs to be properly scanned in and pieced together...today I just did it quickly but as soon as I do that I'll be posting a print in my Etsy Shop. I've no ideal why I am on this bird kick lately...I sit down to sketch a new picture and without realizing it, it's bird related...another 'hmmm...'.

Anyhow, I am truthfully abit dizzy since I had to take some codeine and I forgot to eat something with it, so I am going to go do that and perhaps have a quick lay down with my heat pack...Have a wonderful weekend everyone...I am sure I'll post more next week, I just have to shake the slowness and 'woozies' from my head.

Golden Days...

I am having a golden day, because whatever mess the world is in on the outside, in our little home, with the winter sunlight falling through sheer yellow curtains and bunnies snuggled up together as happy as can be...with a fritatta in the oven cooking, a coloured pencil awaiting my return and the jazz flowing...with my honey arriving home from work at any minute...whatever bad is happening outside...all feels just so good and wonderful and golden on the inside...

...and I admit this despite my fears of being punished for being too happy or lucky!(one of my New Years resolutions)...I admit this because it's exactly what I am feeling today and because I am so very happy for the warmth and luck and security that I feel in this sweet little rabbit warren of ours...I am grateful and wishing you golden days as well.

I am Back...

It was a wonderful holiday...over two lovely weeks of just hanging out with myself, Jon and the bunnies and I must admit that often being able to stay in my warm little rabbity warren almost 99% of the time is blissful yet crucial for a tender hearted soul like me.

Today I notice one by one my fellow bloggers are getting back to work, visiting once more and getting into the creative swing of 2010...I hope it's the most successful one yet, for myself and all of you...though I may not be stepping forward with as much momentum as I suspected I'd feel...sometimes change and big plans and lofty dreams causes us to quietly ponder and move forward more slowly than planned...I think that's okay...

So, today I show you the newest of my "Beautiful Birds"...Hello once again...I am happily back to this beloved blog of mine, what shape is will take over 2010 will be interesting to see.

A shop update is coming soon, more 'Beautiful Birds', new illustrations, some pyrography....and a giveaway...so yes, do visit again soon and most of all Happy New Years to you all...be extra kind to your furry friends and extra kind to your own hearts.

A New Image To Say "Goodbye 2009"....

(Coloured Pencil and White Acrylic Paint On Painted Black Illustration Board)

Goodbye 2009...you were a great year. I thought you were rather quiet and uneventful at first but on retrospect you were full of excitement, lessons, warmth, love, wonderful times and filling quietness, thank you.

It was another year of being lucky enough to stay at home with my artwork and the bunnies and with lots of time for me and my honey. For this I am always grateful....

A summary of my 2009:

-It was a difficult year for head pain, the worst year yet actually BUT I survived...perhaps a few more wrinkles due to constant cringing in pain but I am only stronger for it and I am determined to have 2010 better in that department somehow...somehow!

-In 2009....I met my hero Jane Goodall, she was as beautiful and wonderful a human being as I always suspected she was and I took in every word she breathed and walked away knowing I can never become apathetic like many around me.

-We took in another great concert by Canadian Crooner Matt Dusk and I also got to meet him.

- I celebrated my 16th year anniversary with my amazing man....and also celebrated my 32nd birthday!

-We lost part of our heart when our precious Hazel suddenly passed away and we miss her everyday still.

-We gained a new family member and welcomed little Jaks into our little warm rabbity warren and what a lovely addition the sweetheart makes.

-We saw our first Cirque Du Soleil show "Ovo" which was so amazing.

-We went for our very first helicopter ride over our sweet little city.

-I finally introduced my brand new website to the world.

-I had my 2nd solo exhibition.

- Created alot of new work and found my style even more and I started some series work.

-I took up paper cutting.

-Started my own line of stuffies called "Lagamorph Lovelies".

-Further introduced my beloved 'Nubbins' to the world.

-Joined a beautiful and wonderful arts collective, Art On Main.

-I took part in 2 group exhibitions aside from my solo and participated in 3 different art sales.

-Went the whole year with only 1 back spasm and no knee locking whatsoever, hooray:D.

-Dived into my photography abit more.

-Refinished a few pieces of old furniture making them into lovely new things.

-Composed over 173 blog posts!!! and was featured on a few blogs such as Pecannoot.

-Joined Twitter than left it soon after.

-Got to Toronto and visited with my best friend more than in 2008 which is good.

-Knitted myself 3 hats.....

-For the first time since I started my business...treated myself to 'real' business cards:D

....I am sure there's more I am missing ha ha but that's off the top of my head....Over all it was a successful and full and lovely year and I am grateful....I am so grateful for all the I have, for all that I've been through, and I am grateful for all the excitement and hope I feel for 2010.

I hope you can look back on your year with much pride and happiness and I hope 2010, our new century ushers in beautifully....Happy New Years everyone.

Happy Holidays...and a new Beautiful Bird

I thought this new little emerald green 'Beautiful Bird' of mine was a good way to say "Happy Holidays"....

(The first batch of 'Beautiful Birds', including this emerald green lovely will be available very soon in the New Year, so if your interested keep your eyes open as the first batch of mounted ones will be small...until summer comes and the garage unfreezes atleast!)

Have a wonderful wonderful Christmas Everyone...wishing you all extra warmth, happy hearts, full tummies, much kindess and extra love for any and all of your furry hearts...Take Care and see you soon, 'Bijou' of Bijou's Whimsy.

The Last Toronto Photographs...

It seems odd to be posting photos of Toronto from this past summer when we're currently covered in so much snow, coldness & with Xmas just in a few days! But I didn't want to leave them out and I also didn't want to post them in January so here we are...the last batch of my favourite Toronto photographs, from one of our favourite harbour front parks...

And today I am sending out a big hug and special 'shout out' to Dogwood at Pink Dogwood Blossoms...your continual comments on this blog of mine really do mean alot. And the lovely Michelle over at Tales of The Raspberry Rabbits for her beautiful gesture of friendship which completely cheered my pain-riddled week, your special star will be in the mail soon:D

Join me Thursday for another "Beautiful Bird". Wishing you all extra warmth at this time....it's freezing cold here!

The Good Lovelies....Hmmm.....

A couple weeks ago Jonathan and I took in a lovely little concert by "The Good Lovelies", a very talented Canadian folk group that we had seen before and loved...BUT what do you do if this lovely little band starts to flippantly joke about wearing animals...specifically rabbit fur mittens and skunk fur gloves...

Well for me it really did take the 'loveliness' away quite rapidly...It did really bother me quite alot I admit. Part of me wanted to walk out, because if anything drives me madder than people abusing animals, wearing their fur etc, its people who joke about it because to me, it's simply not a joking matter. I don't know....I felt confused...at the time I just sat quietly, if indeed abit miffed and tried to enjoy the rest of the evening. I know that I can't change everyone and that everyone is entitled to their own opinions etc, that sweet girls still eat meat, that people who love animals still eat them...but I don't know, in this case, I feel like my adoration for this sweet little band is now tarnished and my solution that night was to leave without supporting them further by buying a cd. Now I don't know if I want to listen to their music anymore....because really I am disappointed...I guess I put the onus on the younger generation to spread the motion of kindness to animals and to speak up about their importance and our lack of connection to our natural world, (especially because one of the girls is a vegetarian!). I just feel like people in the public eye need to take more care in the vision they spread and in what they poke fun at...am I being overly sensitive? I don't know...I've yet to package this little ethical dilemma of mine away neatly! All I know is that Jonathan was beside, ready to boo and he is a tough guy and usually sees 'both sides' more quickly than I do, but about this, he felt the same way...hmmm....any thoughts?

Another "Beautiful Bird"...

I think it's pretty transparent that I am having a ball with these little birds of mine. I am really quite happy with this one. It's the most delicious sensation to sit down to sketch them out and suddenly it's like they take a hold of my pencil and tell me exactly how they want to be designed, how fluffy they want their plumage to be, how serious they want their expressions...it's feeling like a very natural series so far and I am really loving that and so happy I decided to make myself do some series work in 2009...now I can see the complete joy in it and the opposite of what I originally felt...I originally felt like a series would box me in and be dull and a cop out but now I see the freedom and fun and challenge instead. I am already working on a new series all with sweet little woman, I think I'll call them "The Harmony Hostesses" and I can't wait to start showing them to you all as well...they will probably start popping up in January of 2010....wow 2010, that sounds weird somehow doesn't it!

What do yous think of this one?

Well I have alot more to show you so come back again soon. Hope your days up to Xmas are happy, bright and stress-free....our season is shaping up nicely with all the shopping already done and really just looking forward to time with each other, loved ones and the furry hearts. It does (on most days) really take very little to make a day beautiful and complete.

Favourite Toronto Photos....3 of 4

Hi there. Even though these photos are from this past June or July when we visited Toronto, I still wanted to share them with you all. These are some of my favourite 'city' shots that I took, all taken from the truck window, some whiles at a red light, others whiles in motion.

I think I'll be slowing down post-wise over the Xmas holidays...I'll have my honey home with me for about 2 weeks (can't wait!) and I plan to spend as little time on my computer as possible! But we'll see...for now, atleast until the 18th I still have lots to share so do keep popping in...I do love your visits and kind comments.

As for today...well the past week actually, it's not been great for head pain so I am moving abit slowly today, doing half hour installments of yoga here and there and just reading, colouring and snuggling with the bunnies....oh yeah and making a garbanzo bean zucchini bake later on tonight...with perhaps more chocolate chip cookies:D Wishing you all coziness and warmth as well.

AOM Members Show...

It's been a busy time for events for the arts collective Art On Main, that I've been a member of since this past June. Another event happening this month which I am involved in and you may have heard me mention before is our members show. The great thing about this show is that everything in it is only $100.00 so it's a great opportunity to buy a piece of art for a pretty great price!

There are a bevy of beautiful things such as wooden bowls...

Framed original artworks and prints...

...there are textiles, pottery....

and even unique wall hangings...

or adorable handmade Santas....

I have my eye on this beauty!....I naturally have the exact place picked out that I would put it!

...And for myself...I have four of my original handcut papercuts in the show....

So for anyone local...come on in, have a browse...buy a paper cut or two by yours truly:D and give the gift of a beautiful piece of artwork to yourself or a loved one. The show runs till the end of December and new pieces will continually be arriving.

Join me tomorrow for more of my Toronto photos and on Friday for another 'Beautiful Bird" creation.

I apologize if I've been abit absent on your blogs the past few days but I've really been having a hard time with constant and bad migraines and it keeps me from my usual enjoyments, such as surfing my fellow bloggers blogs...but I'll be back at it soon hopefully!

A New "Beautiful Bird"...one of my favs so far...

This is one of my favourite "Beautiful Birds" so far I think...the contrast between the bird and background, to me anyways, compliment each other perfectly. It took me awhile to figure out the backgrounds for these guys...I did a few and kept hemming and hawing and not showing them to people because they just weren't right and than one day just before I gave up on the whole series! I painted over everything I had done before, relaxed...breathed...and enjoyed the colour instead of trying to control it quite so much and than suddenly the solution to how to create complimentary backs to the coloured pencils birds happened upon me...don't you love it when that happens, ha ha.

I've no ideal what kind of bird this might be but if it were a real species I think I'd sit in awe of it, ha ha and would certainly hope it'd find a safe haven in this messy world of ours.

p.s. Tis the season to give extra to all the animals shelters and causes out there...for us it is anyways...like our annual Christmas donation to the Toronto Humane Society which houses so many homeless unwanted rabbits and I just crave to bring every single one home!...This season the little tree tag that they hang on the shelter tree will have our sweet Hazel's name on it. If you can...any little bit...please do donate to your own local shelters.

Have a wonderful warm weekend.

AOM "Release Your Inner Artist" Evening...

This post is mostly for my fellow AOMer's and anyone who is interested in seeing some of the photographs I took on the night of the "Release Your Inner Artist" auction, which was last Friday evening...it was a good night, deemed a success and involved and invited many local leaders the chance to be artists and to create unique one of a kind pieces. The dignitaries involved were; Nipissing MP Monique Smith, Mayor Vic Fedeli, Deputy Mayor Peter Chirico, Coun. Judy Koziol, CTS Canadian Career College President and CEO Carlos Carvalho, MP Anthony Rota, Canadore College President Barbara Taylor and Nipissing University President Lesley Lovette-Doust and even some of their family members.

I think a good time was had by all....

It was a great chance for Art On Main and it's artists to reach out to the community and not only give them a taste of our world and a glimpse into our creative process...

...but it was a great opportunity to open up the art world and show that it really can be an inviting and friendly place to dwell or visit from time to time!

I hope all are pleased with my photos from the evening and thanks to everyone from Art On Main Downtown Collective, you all worked so diligently and hard on this project for the rest of us who couldn't be involved. Thanks to the guest artists who had the courage to try something different. And Thanks to everyone else, including supportive spouses, etc who came on out in support. Be Well Everyone and thanks for popping by.

Happy Birthdays...And "The Party Pooper"

Today I send out a big giant Happy Birthday to my Jonathan...HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY...and to our baby of babies, our beautiful Ella Luna...who turns 6. We don't know Ella Luna's exact birth date but it's defiantly sometime in December and Jonathan said he wanted to share his day with his favourite bunny girl.

I usually do a new birthday image every year and this year Jonathan's aversion to celebrating his birthday inspired me, ha ha....usually for me, the more hoopla and people to help celebrate the better, for Jonathan the least amount of celebration the better...so, ha ha, in coloured pencil on illustration board I conjured up this grouchy little birdie whom I affectionately call "The Party Pooper".

This one won't be available as a print but will be available very soon in greeting card format at my members space at the wonderful Art On Main and later on through my new website and possibly etsy shop.

Our Ella Luna...6 years ago in the month of January you were a few weeks old and we saw your big beautiful feet sticking out of a log house at a pet store that didn't deserve your precious spirited little heart...we weren't looking for a new family member...we just lost our first bunny baby and we're still heart broken...but I couldn't take my eyes off those feet of yours and I found myself saying without even thinking "Can We See That Little One Under That Log House" and the sales person pulled you out and put you in my arms and into my heart and you haven't left them since:D We brought you home and you were the light in our darkness...our Moon...our Luna....Our Bella Luna....one of the best decisions we've ever made and one of the best little souls we've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Happy Birthday to my love. Happy Happy Good day to you my sweet...If anyone deserves birthday wishes coming true, it would indeed most certainly be you:D XOXOXOXOX

Happy Birthday our little bundle of craziness and sweetness, laughs and joys...We love you you perfect little furry person, we love you.

Toronto...Part 2 of 4...The Beach

Walking along the seemingly endless wooden boardwalk along Toronto's waterfront is one of our favourite places to spend some time when we're in the big city...


And despite there always being lots of people around, you can always find moments of complete privacy and quietness, because people seem to mind their own business and are involved in their own stories and lives...sometimes you can't find that in smallish towns like where we live! In the city you have anonymity...sometimes I miss that...

This was a building right alongside the boardwalk and I loved how the shadows of the afternoon danced on the siding...

This dog playing along the shoreline made me feel so cozy and content but also made me anxious to get to my best friend who I knew I'd be spending the evening with and also made miss our furry babes back home...usually half a day or even a few hours away from home and the bunnies makes me crave to get back to them.

Something about the Toronto police on horseback makes me giddy with awe, ha ha.

This woman looks good on her horse...I was happy to see a female up there in the saddle as well.

I really like this shot...with the duck in the water and the upside down Tim Horton's cup on the fencepost! It does speak of our lack of respect for the natural world doesn't it...well whomever left it there is not treading lightly on this earth I am quite sure!

And than just when we didn't think the day could get better we saw two people on the beach creating these cool little stone pillars...a balancing act of sorts and quite impressive to view and watch. There were tons of these stacks taking up at least 10 metres of beach...

I found this guy so beautiful to photograph and the way he so intently and serenely focused on his tower of balancing stones was lovely and calming to watch...I found myself breathing easier just watching him...

I think part of what I found so beautiful about this scene was not just the perfect day we were previously enjoying, or the fantastic warm summer air wafting gently around everyone, nor the waves crashing down on the beach but it was how these two people building their rock creation didn't give a single fig about what anyone thought...they were simply in that moment building whatever they were building and not caring a second what anyone else thought...I have to learn to do that better...

...Full concentration on the task at hand...feeling ease in the moment present because you know your doing exactly what your meant to be doing at that exact moment...also something I am working on, ha ha...

A wonderful day...with some pretty cool shots taken too I think:D

Again thanks for joining me here and having a look at some of my photos...like I said before, I don't call myself a photographer by any stretch of the imagination but I sure do love my camera....and I do plan to open an Etsy Shop for some of my photos...why not give it a try right!? I already have my banner and name picked out too.

Come back again on Friday for another and new Beautiful Bird. Be Well All.

Can Cute Rabbity Faces Coerce You....

I've noticed a drop in comments on this beloved blog of mine the last few days and I know it's just because every one's busy but still, I've been complaining about it to Ella and Roo saying 'Dammit and I thought I was finally on the right track here guys, what going on?...." and Ella and Roo seem to think that I've just not been putting enough pictures of them up...they said 'Sure mom...it's your artwork that might bring them to visit BUT it's us that makes them stay...' ha ha...so upon their suggestion, I took some shots of the Queen and King of our rabbity manor...

....And pass along a big "Hello" from Ella-Luna and Roo today:D

A New "Beautiful Bird"...

Most of my birds are singular...but of course as a gal so in love I just had to create at least one lovey dovey couple...

Soon will come the first batch of ready to hang mounted prints in my shop.

That's all for today...short and sweet...and lovey dovey:D

Be Well All...Be Well.

p.s. For my fellow animal lovers and lovers of the long earred, abit of good news that will make the world a tad better! I just realized I never posted the link, sorry about that!

A 4th Beautiful Bird

Another 'Beautiful Bird' and I love this grouchy little guy, ha ha. And I think I managed to give the background a warm richness, don't you think? I do love acrylic and how fast it dries, since I seem to mostly dry brush everything.

Well he may be abit snickety but I think he'll make some people smile anyways, ha ha.

I started painting strawberries all over some chairs the other day...my wonderful friend Becca is opening up an organic health spot and has hired me to adorn all the furniture with berries, ha ha. It's going to be alot of berries but so far it's really fun to be working on something abit different.

Also tonight, I'll be at my arts collective for the following shows and fundraiser (also where you can purchase 4 of my paper cuts for only $100) Anyways, I hope it's fun and very crowded, I am deemed the official photographer for the evening so wish me luck!...

After this evening we are looking forward to a warm cozy weekend full of bunny snuggling and xmas decorating...wishing you all a great one as well.

The City Walks Sale...

As you know last Saturday I spent my day selling my goods at our local "City Walks Tour", an artisans sale where several houses host a few artists each and than the public are given a map and can come tour and shop at each house. It was my first time participating, but the 11th year it's taken place and despite the current troubles & worries of flu & recession, was a great success with over 300 people visiting each house.

Here was my display and little corner...which I loved it was so cozy and comfy...

Every sale is different, sometimes I sell mostly necklaces, other times I sell an equal mix of everything, this time however I sold lots of cards and my felt star and bird ornaments.

Mary Bon, our lovely and fun house hostess was selling her pottery in the kitchen which was also full of baked goodies and warmth and across from me was my friend Jana, selling her beautiful jewelry, she is such a strong and lovely gal that Jana Brogan...

In the living room were 2 artists...you can see abit of Florence White's set up in the photo below, she was selling her lovely knitted goods and had also brought her spinning wheel and added coziness to the day but spinning wool.

I refuse to show the other artist for he was wearing a suit he made from buck skin! (which as you can imagine just horrified me, and even more so since that morning on our way up to the sale Jon and I saw the most beautiful deer and we felt so lucky to take in it's majesty!) and I am sorry, but from what I could see the guy had enough skin of his own to wear! So since this is my blog and I can post what I want and because this blog is also about animal advocacy I have no desire to advertise or share his wares with my readers.

It was a great day, alot of fun with alot of sales and full of lovely people and defiantly something I would do again next year.

For now...my hands are so cold I can barely move them, I turned my studio heat off over the weekend and forgot to turn it back on! so I am slightly frozen, ha ha...so I am going to go partake in a warm cup of something sweet and bury my hands in some warm rabbity goodness. So than, 'adieu' for now, be well, be warm and thanks for popping in!

Toronto Photographs By Moi...Part 1 of 4

Way back in June or July of this past summer, Jonathan and I spent a couple days in Toronto, just enjoying our old stomping grounds and one of our favourite parks...

We sprawled out under the towering trees with some ice cappuccinos beside us, a full beautiful day ahead to do at leisure whatever we wanted and we just basked in the heat and calming noise of park life...ahhh it was blissful...

It's a park in the Beaches area that we frequented quite often when we lived in the city...it holds good and cozy memories for us...

We've seen lots of couples dancing and bands playing on summer days in this beautiful gazebo.

...and we've gotten hit in the head by acorns thrown by black squirrels quite often too, ha ha...which is why we're often seen looking up...like my Jonathan in this shot, ha ha.

Okay okay...so this blog is mostly for my artwork and artistic inspirations but I do include Jonathan in that group, and do oh so love to photograph him and I just love these shots of him so I thought I'd add them in:D

I also love taking photos of houses and gardens...or places and moments that just strike me as being quiet and cozy and most likely overlooked...like the side of this house near the park...

...and Jonathan of course took this one of moi...which I of course had to alter and crop etc...I think I had a sore head that day, which is one reason we were laying under the trees but I am happy that it doesn't show too much in my face, since bliss and contentment defiantly overshadowed any head pain that day...

...and I just had to show you my favourite little charm...my 'bunnies will be just fine while your gone' talisman that I just can't leave town without!

...A sweet little garden and house making the day even sweeter...

...a lonely park bench reminding us of how lucky we were for each others company...

...and fallen leaves reminding us of precious time being quietly passed...

I think as a carpenters daughter, I was raised with an appreciation for wood and the beautiful places and trees that they come from...so a 'normal' set of tree branches often holds much beauty for me...

I think this is one of my favourite shots I've taken of Jonathan so far...

But this "I am coming to get ya" shot is a possible close 2nd, ha ha.

And for now that's it...we took tons more photos but as always I try for this blog of mine to par it down to my absolute favourite imagery...so there you go...part 1 of 4....do join me next Wednesday for Part 2.

Be Well and may you find many beautiful simple moments and places to photograph wherever you may be.