A Magical Place to Dream a Dream



Black Friday:  I had two really large canvases that have been sitting in my storage closet since *last* Black Friday.  For those of you outside the U.S., Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving (and now it is creeping into Thanksgiving) where stores have huge sales and "doorbuster" (really cheap) items to draw shoppers in. I don't really go shopping on Black Friday anymore ever since I saw the craziness (lunacy) at Toys 'R Us at midnight one Black Friday a couple years ago (sorry Karen and Kelly, I just can't do it.) Seriously, people were lined up OUTSIDE the store ... hundreds.  in the freezing cold.  at midnight.  When we got inside, the lines snaked around the entire store, up and down every single aisle.  It is craziness.  Anyways.. I digress.

However, MICHAEL'S arts and crafts store is awesome on Black Friday.  Most people go to other stores like Best Buy or Walmart, but really, if you are an art person there is no better day to go shopping at Michael's.  They usually have a 30% or 25% off your entire order, including sale items.. and tons of things are on sale too.  For the past couple of years, I have picked up a bunch of canvases for really cheap which will last me the whole year (and some I bring to school for large group student artwork.)  Plus, since everyone else is buying electronics, the lines really aren't long at all.

Back to the story of these bunnies.....
I wanted to use up one of these large canvases that had been sitting in storage, so I decided I would make a painting of a cute rabbit for my 3 year old's bedroom. Daria said she thought a painting of a rabbit would be nice.

First layers....
I started painting this large rabbit and after I painted it, I didn't like the composition.. plus it was just a large rabbit in the middle of the canvas.  My husband saw it and he exclaimed, "Holy rabbit!"

So, I told Daria that this was the mommy rabbit and she was going to give birth to three baby bunnies.

She watched me as I covered up the rabbit with white and light turquoise paint.  We sang, "Bye Bye Bunny Bye Bye."  She said, "Where did the rabbit go?"  And I explained that it was under the paint.

Painting over the rabbit....


These were the three bunnies that were born.  After the painting was finished, Daria asked several times where the Momma rabbit went.  I had to explain to her again that it was under the paint and  was secretly hiding behind the babies.
Bunnies that were painted instead...

detail of painting





Linking to Paint Party Friday and Artists in Blogland,
Check out:  In the Studio




31 comments

Anonymous said...

Wonderful painting and I adore how you explained the painting to Daria....and how charmong those baby bunnies look. xox

Netty said...

Loving your enchanting paintings. Happy PPF, Annette x

Susan said...

Love the "cotton candy" bunnies. These are happy colors!

Sarah Leonard said...

I loved both versions - big bunny and little bunnies :)

I am very curious about the "Artists in Blogland" button you have too. I will be clicking on that in a moment!

Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

Linda Kunsman said...

what beautifully colored whimsical paintings-love them! Happy PPF!

sharon said...

Never heard of black friday, sounds a bit sinister! However I really love your bunnies. Happy PPF

Giggles said...

Very cute bunnies...but I am so sad about the big bunny...I love love loved it!! Glad you have a photo...you should make prints of it!! The color and composition are so beautiful!! The two painting together would have made a very nice series!!

They are going to try and have a black friday here in Canada for the first time since we lose so much business to the states. Insane I say!! I'm with you, I hate fighting the crowds. Beside you have the talent to make your gifts!!

Hugs Giggles

Marji said...

I adored this story. Sweet bunny tale. Beautiful artwork and thanks for the tip about Michaels! Happy PPF

Debbie said...

I avoid Black Friday shopping like the plague, but your tip is a good one. Thanks! 'Love the whimsical touches and use of bright colors in this painting.

Rita said...

Love the colors and whimsy and cute bunny story. Happy PPF!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

These bunnies are so sweet! I love the pretty, happy colors. We don't go out shopping on Black Friday either. If we had a Michael's... we might have to though! :) So happy you joined us 'in the studio' this week!

Lynn Cohen said...

Adorable story. Hope you did not trumatize your daughter with the missing mommy bunny. Perhaps she will have to show up on a companion piece? Maybe I am feeling abandoned? LOL

Very cute and perfect for a childs room. Reminds of that book Are you my Mother where the little bird is it? goes looking for his mother asking all the things, tractors, other animals etc if they are his mother.

Boy did this story get to me or what> LOL HPPF!

lorik said...

Lovely story and magical, happy art.

Linda Starr said...

I do love those rabbits and the happy dreamy colors.

Anne Manda said...

Love the bunnies and your sweet, happy colors! The flower details on your mommy bunny painting were wonderful, too! Happy PPF!

Anne Manda said...

Love the bunnies and your sweet, happy colors! The flower details on your mommy bunny painting were wonderful, too! Happy PPF!

Lindsay said...

OMG! You are so brave to paint it all over... I loved the first try but the result I love even more, they are so adorable!!

Lindsay said...

Oh forgot to tell, it's my first visit here and I'm your newest follower! :)

Unknown said...

Dropped by through AiBL the three bunny story is so sweet thanks for taking the time to share your conversation.

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

I lovee your sweet bunnis! :) Awesome layers and colors. :)

Unknown said...

what a great story and journey with your daughter. This canvas is so happy! Happy PPF!

Molly said...

what a wonderfully fun painting-- perfect for a kid's room!

and i am completely with you on the whole black friday thing. it's sheer craziness! :-)

Deepa Gopal said...

Marcia, This is so beautiful and colourful! I am a great fan of your work with kids and I am yet to try some with my daughter... :)

Katie Cannon said...

lovely. I really like your paintings.

J Bamman the southern sunshine girl said...

I love the bright colors in the paintings.

Deborah said...

I love your work. Thanks for the tip on Black friday too!

Karen Smithey said...

That is such a sweet story!

I'm having a giveaway over at Art in the Garage to celebrate my 1000th post--hope you can stop by and leave a comment!

HeARTworks said...

Magical! I'm sure your daughter loves it! Patsy from
HeARTworks

www.dorissdaughter.com said...

I love the way you explained to your daughter how the rabbit was under the paint and sang a goodbye song. I am sure she was delighted with the babies and that it looks perfect in her room, such beautiful colours and patterns

denthe said...

Oh this is so cute. Love your explanation about the mommy rabbit.

wednesday said...

I thought the painting was great to begin with, and then I read the rest of the post, and that makes it even better!