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!

a new deal for the arts

It's no secret I have a serious lust for the early 1900s...from art and architecture to music and everyday American life. My current obsession focuses on the 1930s and the millions of Americans who struggled to survive The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl in particular.



One source of pertinent history that's influenced me is the National Archive's "A New Deal for the Arts" online exhibit (a gift for those of us who weren't able to travel to D.C. for the 1997-98 exhibit at the National Archives Building).

Art took many forms such as plays, music, photography, playbills, posters, and paintings, and covered a variety of subjects, including "Rediscovering America", "Celebrating 'the people'", "Work Pays America", "Activist Art", and "Useful Art".

USA Work Program WPA by an unknown artist, Photolithograph (circa 1936)

Magnus Fossum, a WPA artist, copying the 1770 coverlet "Boston Town Pattern" for the
Index of American Design. (circa 1940)

Robert Sonkin and Charles Todd recording a fiddler at a Farm Security Camp in California
By Robert Hemmig, (circa 1940-41)

Words from their Website:

"The New Deal arts project provided work for jobless artists, but they also had a larger mission: to promote American art and culture and to give more Americans access to what President Franklin Roosevelt described as "an abundant life.

The projects saved thousands of artists from poverty and enabled Americans all across the country to see an original painting for the first time, attend their first professional live theater, or take their first music or drawing class."

Painting depicting the activities of the National Youth Administration
By Alden Krider, Kansas National Youth Administration, Oil on canvas (circa 1936)

Perhaps I am drawn to this collection because art is central to who I am (you've heard me say before that "art is my compass--without it I am lost"). Well, I can only imagine these artists' sense of relief and fulfillment once they were given the opportunities to exercise their craft.

I invite you to browse the collection and share your impressions here.