Spring Has Sprung!

Easter morning and all is calm.

Before the sugar rush, of course!

Penny attempts to demonstrate that given enough Easter chocolate, Bunnies most certainly can fly!

Ducks in the Park

So nice to see the sun for a change this morning. Snapped these lovely little creatures at the park today while we were walking Clare.  

Pretty Mallard.

The one thing I've learned about taking wildlife shots is, NO DOGS ALLOWED. Unless you want your blabber mouth of a dog sticking her big fat nose into everything and scaring off the most beautiful blue heron you've ever seen! 

Back to the Bunnies

Taking a litte break from writing to knit a few bunnies for Easter. Here's a special dress order for a lovely woman named Connie. I couldn't resist writing her a little poem to go with it.

Little Connie Bunny,

Is as good as she can be.

Always eats her carrots,

And she wouldn't hurt a flea.

Keeps her room all tidy,

No, she never makes a mess.

All in hopes of wearing,

Such a pretty Easter dress.

Rare Rabbits Press Announces...

Well, I've gone and done it (big fanfare, please). I've hit the send button to
Printorium Bookworks, for what feels like the scariest move I'm ever gonna make! The cover is finished (which I can hardly believe I drew, or that I'll ever be able do again, it's a three book series). The manuscript is properly formatted (I hope), and my little publishing house, Rare Rabbits Press is in business. Whew! My heart is racing, could be the coffee, but I doubt it.

Yesterday I made a little website, www.lenoreangela.com to talk about the process ahead (I'm sure I'm in for it), to help showcase the book, and to sell copies (that would nice). Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it!

Living in a Snowglobe

We live in a hollow. Here's a look at my backyard. Sorta like our front street that the city snowplow never seems to find. 

 Since I can't get anywhere because my car prefers clear, dry roads (you'd think being a Volvo she'd love the snow) there's no excuse to not finish my book cover which is almost ready for the printer! I'm so excited. The next big learning-curve-hurtle is marketing the thing, not to mention formatting and PDF-ing the covers, paperback and e-book. Flying by the seat of my pants, over here. Stressing!

Though I'm sure if Clare could talk she'd say, 

"Try this, you'll love it!"

"Get ready for impact..."

"put your back into it..."

"And smile! No worries, here!"

 Enjoy every minute.

A Very Clarrey Christmas!

The merry year is born
Like the bright berry from the naked thorn.
~Hartley Coleridge

Dear friends, may our lives be filled with peace, love and happiness. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 

and little Clarebear

Preparing to Paint

Well, I didn't actually get to painting today, I was so distracted trying to figure out this video stuff. I did manage to get a few pointers from my favourite water colour artist, Billy Showell. I'm using art masking fluid to mask off the flowers so I don't get unwanted paint on them when I put a wash of colour on his coat.

I would like to say I paint tomorrow, but I'm pretty sure that's not happening. The next few days are super busy around here, getting ready for family. I can hardly wait to see everyone. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones too. See you soon.

My Journey Into Self Publishing

I wanted to try and make a video diary documenting the progress of my book cover. I only wish I'd thought of it sooner because as you can see I'm already a couple of days into my painting. I'm using water colour, pencil crayon and my husband as a model. But shhh, he doesn't want anyone to know.  

Tale of the Black Mamba is my first YA novel which will be self published by Rare Rabbits Press in mid January. And despite the fact that I really don't know how to make a movie I'm still pretty proud of myself. Considering there's no music, the beginning moves around as if I was wearing a beanie cam and the ending cuts off rather suddenly, I still think it's great. But then I would, wouldn't I?

 Even though my movie was cut short, I kept working and managed to finish quite a bit of my painting today. Looks like it won't take as long as I thought. There's hope yet. Tomorrow I start on the evil Dr. Wu.