More Bunnies and a Horse

 Well, I suppose I could say that I was trying for a full year without a blog post but that wouldn't be true...... and I really have meant to write, so many times...... I've dashed off quickie drive-bys on Facebook and even quicker ones on Twitter even though, of course, it's not quite the same. Everyone knows what the road to Hell is paved with and while it's not as bad as all that...I do feel a bit embarrassed. At least I've been painting up a storm  since I posted last.
     I recently was commissioned to create a couple of designs for a fabric overshoe. This remarkably engineered object will cover anything from a flat to 4" heel and allow one to walk about in the pouring rain without insult to prized leather footwear. One of the designs was a "Bunny Toile". It was great fun for me to impersonate a copper engraving as my first love before watercolors was black and white pen and ink. I've probably spent half my life with a 4 ought Rapidograph or crow quill pen stippling, crosshatching... making tiny inky scratches, very hypnotic and relaxing!  Here is the boot and the tongue which hides beneath a zipper:

Bunny Toile Boot

    
        I'm about half way finished with two different picture books. All the drawings for both of them are finished and now I'm painting everything. I am loving painting horses...and, surprise, surprise...more snow!  Here is a detail from one of them:

detail from "Over The River"

    
        My latest quilting fabric collection , "So Many Bunnies" a soft book to sew, along with other projects has just come out from Wilmington Prints :

"So Many Bunnies" soft book panel

"So Many Bunnies" quilt and pillow patterns

   Lots more happening, I'll be back sooner than later next time!  Thank you.

    

Springtime

     It really is hard to believe that here it is Springtime.....April Fool's Day, in fact......and I am finally writing my first blogpost of 2011......I am certain I should be embarrassed or horrified, but I've just been busy with the business of painting and the two projects that I've been so busy with are done and dusted so I can peer out for a moment, sniff the greening air and write something...quickly, as I am about to start something new.....painting Gardens and Garden-y Stuff which are perfect to paint right now.
     I've been painting about a million bunnies......which is appropriate considering it is the Year of the Rabbit.....which has nothing to do with it but is fun anyway.

One Rabbit

Two Baby Rabbits

Mommy +1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9 + 10 Bunnies

 

 

                                                            
                                                              and 26 dogs, here:

Mutt

  
         Also, I am really excited and pleased to say that my second fabric collection, Alphabet Soup, is out and in shops now. I had such a blast working on this group!

Soft Book/Quilting Panel A is for Alligator and.....

Alphabet Soup group, panels, prints, stacked animals!

Alphabet Soup Quilt Project

        And lastly....I am so pleased and delighted to mention that Bartholomew's Gift by Diane Dignan, one of my last picture-books was a Mom's Choice 2011 Gold Medal recipient! Thank You, Mom's Choice!  Lucky book gets to go to the London Book Fair!

Bartholomew's Gift, Mom's Choice Award/Gold

    Now I'm going to order some paint...Blockx Burnt Sienna Light and Deep and Burnt Umber, I LOVE these browns, they use glycerin and honey as binders, and are a joy to work with. Also Imperial Purple, Garnet Genuine and Black Tourmaline from Dan Smith...swoonworthy colors.....and new brushes ( pure heaven! ) and paper!!!! Nothing is as inspirational as new art supplies, I'm so excited.
More  news soon.....W