spoiled rotten

It’s rare that I need to be reminded about how lucky I am; I have a really good life, I know it and I am ever so thankful for it. Living in this beautiful country, in a safe home and being able to stay in contact with the people I love dearly, makes every day a blessing. So when an occasion like my birthday comes along, I am reminded of this fact even more so. Below are the generous and very thoughtful gifts that my loved ones gave to me almost a month ago now, for my 26th birthday. I am definitely spoiled rotten. From top to bottom: 1.An incredible Dutch pop-up & interactive art book, Verborgen Vogels, from my sister & brother-in-law 2.Incredible cast bronze owl hook,  from my sister & brother-in-law 3.Hand-me-down wedding books, from my sister. 4.Discarded library book gem found and re-lined by my sister: John James Audobon’s entire Birds of America 5.A constantly-waving Queen, powered by the sun, from Olivia Delorme & Nick Oostyen 6.An illustrated edition of Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species (so much better than my previous words-only copy), from my mother and father 7.A really special piece that once belonged to my great grandmother: a carved ivory tusk depicting a beautiful herd of elephants marching in a line. My mother graciously handed down this antique to me, which was assumed to have been acquired by my great grandmother’s brother, who constantly travelled the world. 8.Books right up my alley: The Moon of the Bears, The Moon of the Owls and The Charlton Canada Stamp Album & Storybook, from Marcus Jackson 9.Stationery, art and craft supplies from Carney Oudendag, my mother and my sister. 10.Three vintage finds, National Geographic’s My First Pocket Guide: Woodland Wildlife, Canadian Nature Guides: Mammals and Some Canadian Birds, from Carney Oudendag. 11.Custom-ordered, hand-made leather fanny pack by Loves Jules Leather (arriving in June), from John Helm …See what did i tell you? I’m ridiculously rotten!

paws with claws

I’m so excited to share this lovely little screenprint that I just finished. After several failed attempts with poorly shot screens and old dried up ink, the fourth time was luckily the charm, yielding some beautiful results after printing all afternoon yesterday. This design was created in response to my pair of (dog) paws, as I am also an avid cat lover; the drawing was made in my 2012 arthouse sketchbook, take a peek here.The ink is a lovely soft black and has been printed by hand onto 4′x6′ white magnani paper. Signed and numbered in a limited edition of only 45, this beauty is now available for purchase in my etsy shop here. Cat lovers rejoice!

on the fox’s back

I loved this little gocco print (from ‘les chose imprimes’ by Lea in France) so much so that I couldn’t resist treating myself to it last month. It is the most lovely gocco print that depicts a gorgeous little fox carrying a cabin and woodland scene on his back. So cute! This furry friend, and his precious cargo, now rest safely in Canada.