Artful Monday

For a long time, I have been kind of...undecided about the role Painting has to play in my life.  I go back and forth about it. 

I'm not sure why.

I guess it's because, like anyone, I sometimes make excuses to block myself from doing the things I really want to do and the things that make me happy.  Who knows why?  Fear of the unknown, maybe?  I'm not sure.

Instead of focusing energy on this thing that I love to do and trying to make it into a vocation rather than a hobby, I poo poo it and say, "I would....if only I had time."

Sound familiar?  To some of you, it may.

In my world, "I don't have time" tends to mean one of two things.  Either, "I am not making time," or "I am not using the time I do have very wisely."

I want this to change.  No more excuses.

I will be 40 years old this Saturday.  It is time to live the life I truly want.  It can start small, but it has to start, and it has to be a Priority.  That is the point of this post.

I want you to notice Two Major Changes on Today's Blog.  Look, up at the top of the page.  See those new tabs?

One says ART HELPS BUNNIES.  

The other says ART HELPS CATS.

These two simple tabs are part of my new mission Use My Talents for the Forces of Good (instead of Evil, as I have been.  NOT REALLY!)

These two simple tabs are a representation of me starting to do Two of the Things I Want To Do Most in This Life.  These Two Things are as follows:
   
1.  I want to Paint
2.  I want to help Animals

50% of all proceeds from any Bunny or Cat Portrait (or DOG! or any other kind of Animal!!) you or others purchase will go to the no-kill animal shelters listed on the pages.  Helping Animals is the Mission.

There you have it.

There is more to come in this Fortieth Year.  Lots more.  Exciting New Projects and Lots of Fun Things.

But this?  This is a start.

Zoe Presents: Flip Friday

Yes, it's that day again.

Friday.  Friday of the Flip variety.

That's right.  It's time for an Elizabeth Movie.  I don't think She's been in the spotlight nearly enough.  She agrees with that sentiment wholeheartedly.

I usually make the Rabbit Movies during the day.  Well, that just makes sense, doesn't it, to make movies (or hay) while the sun shines?  But the Winter can present a problem in terms of lighting.

On this particular project, Our Little Elizabeth brought in an assistant.   Namely, the Chick.  With a flashlight.  We shall call it...a SPOTLIGHT!  A spotlight on our New Little Star.

It's very Film Noir.  Prepare yourself for the Magic.  It's Rabbit Magic, Baby.

ARE YOU READY?   LET THE MAGIC BEGIN:

Ode to Mod Podge

Lately, I've developed an obsession with Mod Podge.

It all started because of a few paintings I made that ended up in a show in a local gallery.  I wrote about this a few weeks ago, and then FORGOT TO TAKE MY CAMERA TO THE SHOW!  I still haven't gotten pictures.  Anyway, I wanted to start painting some of my scenes from Italy, and I also wanted to incorporate a narrative feel to these paintings.

The idea I came up with was to layer the paintings by starting with an image from the trip-- a map, a ticket stub, an actual picture that I took-- and then to paint over it, making sure the image somehow showed through the paint.  After doing some research, I discovered that Mod Podge might be the key to this process.

It turned out to be true.  In the meantime, I also fell in love with the stuff.  (Apparently, I'm not the only one with this opinion.  Check out this blog called Mod Podge Rocks.)

I like the smell.  I love the shine and texture it gives to the paintings.

In one Italy-themed painting, I began with a map of the city of Volterra, which I copied onto a sheet of vellum paper.  Then i used Mod Podge to stick it down, let it dry, and then painted over it.  Then, I layered it and layered it with Mod Podge.

I have to admit, it was a little obsessive.

But, now, I have put it on another painting that has nothing layered on it.  It was just a regular painting that I made years ago based on a picture the Chick took when she went to Paris.  I retouched a bit for an art auction I am participating in in April.  Well, I pretty much redid the whole painting, actually, but the finishing touch?

MOD PODGE!

Here is is.  You can't see the Mod Podge effect from this picture, but believe you me, in person, it makes a difference.  

Really, it makes a difference.  Right Blueberry?

Ummm.....Blueberry?

OK, I guess She is busy.

The Rabbits are probably getting nervous that they will be brushed with this Magical Super Substance that is an all in one glue, sealer, and finish.

Not to worry.  No Mod Podging Bunnies.  Nope.

Happy Day of Presidents

Here in the U. S. of A, today is a day to celebrate Presidents.  I know this is true, as I have today off to do so.

And, being that I am getting paid to sit at home in this Extremely Comfortable Rabbit Chair in a Cozy Rabbit Room on a day when snow has suddenly reappeared outside after days of clear streets and sidewalks (though I have to admit, it is beautiful), I thought I should set forth a President to Celebrate.

Let us all take a moment then, to Celebrate President Blueberry, current Ruler of the Rabbit Room!

(These are recent photos from a Formal Address She gave in the Rabbit Room for a Small Audience.  Below, you can see the Small Audience:)

(The Small Audience)

And, now, onto Madame President.

Here, She is gearing up for the Big Speech.  You can see the Calm Collectedness of Her Countenance.

And, now, She is, being called out to the podium.  You can feel the rush of excitement, can you not?!?!

And the Speech begins!!!  Let us focus on Her words.  Wait....they are coming in a moment.  I think:

YES!  HERE ARE THE WORDS!!!!

 "Fourscore and yesterday, 

we removed cats from the room by biting their butts.  

As God is my witness, we shall bite cats again!!!"

"We shall have peace in the Rabbit Room!  

Kittens and Bunnies Shall Live in Peace!"

THE CONSTITUENT WENT WILD!!!  (Well, it's possible that She actually fell asleep behind the chair, but let's not tell our Esteemed President.)

LET US CELEBRATE PRESIDENT BLUEBERRY!  

LET US CELEBRATE HER MAJESTY!!!

Let's all have a carrot in Her Honor today, shall we?

Flip Friday

It is:  FLIP FRIDAY!

As promised, we, here in the Rabbit Room, are going to post a couple of Classic Zoe Movies.

Up to this point, I have been thinking it would be too hard to watch Zoe in action.  But really, it turned out to be nice to see Her.

Here, see for yourself.





See? It is just nice to see Her again. Thanks for sharing in the experience.

Have a great weekend!!

A Show of hands, Please

I would venture to say that a few of you out there have missed your Weekly Rabbit Movies.

Is that so?

Because it feels like forever since one was posted.  I think it may actually be Forever.

Well, no, not really.  

I think my issue has been that losing Miss Zoe also made me lose interest in making movies for a bit.  She was so integral to the whole Movie Making Process, and though I have made movies since, and though She has been a part of them (they do say "Miss Zoe Presents, after all), something about the whole process has felt a bit off.

But, I think I am ready to let that go.  I have to remember that Zoe is always with me, the same as all the Cats who went to Sparkle Pond before Her. 

She is not here in corporeal form anymore, but She is always with me.  Sometimes I forget that. 

Since She has gone to Sparkle Pond, I have not been able to watch a video of Her.  It just still feels too hard.  But for Friday, I think I want that to stop.  I think I want to post a video, an Oldie and a Goodie, of Miss Zoe.  We will all watch it and remember Her Beauty.  Because, it Was and Remains Great.

Are you with me?

I guess you had better be!!

OK.  See you then for Flip Friday.

Have you Wondered What the Rabbits are Up To?

HI!

Remember us?

Greetings from the Lilypad!

It has been some time since we've blogged.  To be honest, I thought the Rabbits were working on it, but I found out that They weren't.  Last I heard, They were going to dictate posts to a certain cat with thumbs, who I thought They had hired.

I apologize.  I must have misunderstood what They said.  I don't want to say you can't trust Rabbits, but....

Let us (or is it "lettuce"?) not dwell on that, though.

Things have been good here.  I guess I must have needed a wee break!  I have been painting and writing, and the Chick was out of town.  Blah blah blah.  Also, I am inherently lazy about a lot of things. 

But now, I think I'm back.

One thing I've been thinking of doing is a bit of a blog redesign to feature Art that is made here in the Rabbit Room.  I've been painting a lot of animals as well as working on some paintings of my trip to Italy.  I would like to share more of that.

I would also like to start selling paintings here on Ordinary Enchantment to help raise money for the Free Range Cats at Orphan Angels, from whence came Toby, Tuppy, and Daisy and for the Rescued Rabbits at Little Angels Animal Sanctuary, from whence baby Elizabeth came.


At least that's the plan.


So, bear with us in the Rabbit Room while we work on new stuff. 


New Stuff!

New Stuff!

Cute Stuff!

Bossy Stuff!