sneak preview no. 2

June is shaping up to be an exciting month for me. Here are just a few more images of what's to come later this month from my art studio. Have I mentioned my obsession with natural colorants and dyes? Cheers!

canson cold-press 140 lb watercolor french paper I stained with my morning coffee for my "art is my compass" original art prints

birch wood plank I stained with the same mug of coffee for my equine art contest entry

some of my colorado prairie landscape oil paintings on salvaged mexican hardwoods

tiny rabbits - no. 12

tiny rabbit no. 12 dons a cranberry-colored rain slicker in preparation for the forecasted rains over Memorial Day Weekend. I realize that the weather has been far worse in other parts of the country, but folks up here in the Pacific Northwest (myself included) are pretty cranky with the long run on gray skies and cool weather since late summer of last year. Ugh!

In happier news, I've been busy at work in the studio:

• Finishing up a few of my "dustbowl" paintings + prints
• Working on a painting for an upcoming equine art show alongside my girls
• Drawing a handful of original pen + ink "art is my compass" prints
  
• And, last but not least, making progress on my oil paintings.

Stay tuned for more shop updates. My goal is to list new items by mid-June.

Thank you for all your support!

Cheers, Mandy

sneak preview

my dustbowl series

pencil and ink sketches; coffee + tea stained papers

salvaged wood for a future canvas

Here's a sampling of the art I've been working on and plan to officially unveil next month once school is out for both daughters. Sketching, painting, natural dyes/colorants....each have brought me happiness.

tiny rabbits - no. 11

tiny rabbit no. 11 is ordinarily a quiet, well-mannered rabbit named Molly. But not today! We found Molly playing with her mama's make-up. We find it charming. What do you think?

tiny rabbits - easter edition

tiny rabbit no. 8 is definitely one of my peeps! With Easter just around the corner, I couldn't pass up this opportunity to try my hand at replicating one of these beloved Easter treats. How'd I do?



tiny rabbit no. 9 is a cousin of rabbit no. 8 and damn proud of his big ears! His name is Dennis and he was brought to life by my older sister Denise.



tiny rabbit no. 10 is the quintessential chocolate Easter bunny. Couldn't you just eat him up? He was quite relieved when I told him about my allergy to chocolate (yes, it's tragic). Long live the chocolate bunny!

horse sightings

When you live with two horse-obsessed daughters, your equine radar is always on. I thought I'd share a few fantastic images my girls and I have swooned over. Giddy-up!

Stables, Gordon & Pagel Co. bakery (circa 1914) via shorpy

Westbury Horse by Eric Ravilious

Ghost Horses by Becca Stadtlander

"horsey" bike by eungi kim via poppytalk

image courtesy of my love for you

tiny rabbits - no. 5, no. 6 + no. 7

tiny rabbit no. 5 is a charmer courtesy of my mother's beautiful hands. His periscoping stance tells me he has a few questions on his mind. "Did you say raisins?" Adorable!



tiny rabbit no. 6 is a playful gray rabbit who is always there when you need her...to share your deepest thoughts and dreams with...and snuggle up to on cold Spring days like today.



tiny rabbit no. 7 appears to be slightly pissed off about something. Perhaps it's because I've been too busy to clean out his hutch. Sorry Clyde...I'll get right on it!