Clouds… beautiful clouds.

What do you get for a man who makes ceramic pinhole cameras, studies chaos patterns, will venture out while the rain is pouring and lightning striking to get the perfect shot of a bolt of lightning racing through the clouds? Well, this year for Christmas I went with a membership to the Cloud Appreciation Society for my Dad. Today, his lovely photo is on their site. It is one I had to share… because it will make you smile.

My wonderful Dad, Steve Irvine spotted this cloud.

He is quite the guy. His photos have been in National Geographic and numerous other publications. Check out his work if you have a chance.

Astronomy lovers: http://www.steveirvine.com/astro/

Ceramic fans (pinhole too): http://www.steveirvine.com/ceramic_cameras.html

I just wrote a story about clouds. I love them too. Here is an image of my own.

There were moments when she felt apart of everything... just floating on the wind. Copyright Elly MacKay

Margaret and the Moth Tree

Margaret and the Moth Tree is now available on pre-order through Amazon! I really enjoyed this book and think it would be a great read for kids or to read to them… I will when Lily is a bit older. I created the cover for this Kids Can Press youth novel written by sisters Brit and Kari Trogen. Available in stores this spring.

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

Lemony Snicket meets Charlotte’s Web in this spellbinding story about a quiet, brown-haired orphan named Margaret trapped in a dreadful orphanage run by the sinister, beautiful Miss Switch. After an unsuccessful attempt to alert authorities to Miss Switch’s tyranny, Margaret is forced to endure a life of complete silence. But the new state of affairs proves to be more blessing than curse. You see, Margaret can hear things other people cannot. And on one incredible day, Margaret hears tiny voices coming from a strange, thorny tree and discovers a community of playful moths. Together Margaret and the moths prepare a plan to end Miss Switch’s reign of terror and provide a better life for everyone. – from Amazon

Margaret and the Moth Tree via Amazon

A little video to take you somewhere…

Katy over at Winsome Hallow (who has compiled a list of paper cuts) put me on to this video. It was just the perfect thing to watch after a hectic day. Amazing paper shadows and I love this man’s voice.

Playing with water in my new theater!

Though I have lots on my to do list, I needed some creative time so for the past few days I’ve been playing in my new theater while Koen sleeps. I felt that my little train needed a last stop on its journey, so yesterday I set it up in my theater. I took several shots. I really like the brownish one and think I’ll  put it in Koen’s room eventually.

Did you know we are entering the year of the water dragon? This inspired me to create this imaginary dragon friend at Mirror Lake (up near Algonquin Park, Ontario). I wanted a mirror effect for the lake so instead of the usual papers I use for water, I tried.. yes, a mirror! Hope you like it and the other images that appeared here in my mini Mirror Lake.

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All are now available in my shop.

Shapes in Silver, Pink and Gold

We had a very memorable Christmas this year and I hope you did too. It was so great seeing Koen’s first smiles and visiting with family and friends.  I am starting back in the studio this week but first really wanted to share these pics. I am so proud of my daughter Lily for making this beautiful mobile for baby Koen. She spent an entire afternoon cutting out the shapes and taping them on string. I helped her with attaching the strings to the branch. I think it is beautiful. My  Simon made me another theater this Christmas! This one is twice as large so I can add more details or work on diptychs. My father also got me a new lens to experiment with. We bought some gifts this year on etsy as well, trying to support makers out there. Simon bought me a gorgeous little print by Elista. My mom, Lily and I also got something to make noise with though I am not very musical (yet)… Ukuleles!

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The Grand Giving Tree – Grand Marnier

I did some work this Fall for the Woo Agency on a project for Grand Marnier.

I am so happy with this and excited to share it! I love the talented people at the Woo Agency. Check it out and see how they have animated my little fox… It was such fun to make things out of paper for them.  You decorate and Grand Marnier donates to 3 great causes. http://www.thegrandgivingtree.com/

 

Baby Koen

We have a new family member. Here is Lily, a very proud big sister meeting her baby brother Koen. He is 2 weeks old now. Life has settled into more of a routine. We are so thankful for the support of our family. My parents took Lily at first (making her feel so special) and our moms really helped with the day to day in the first week. So far Koen is a very content little guy… or not so little. He was 9 lbs 3 ounces. He is sleeping beside me here in the studio. So nice!

It was a wonderful birth experience. I focused on this picture… one that I made the day we had our ultrasound.

 

 

 

On ETSY!

For the last couple of days I have been the Featured Artist on Etsy!

Thank you so much ETSY and all of my Etsy Friends. You are so supportive… I’m so happy to be able to spend my days making things and selling them in my shop Theater Clouds.

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/featured-seller-theater-clouds

My brother’s girlfriend, Christine Su just started a paper shop on Etsy called Sally Eyeballs Paper Goods. Beautiful paper cuts. Can you tell she is a dancer… I think her grace shows in her lines.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SallyEyeballs

Collaboration!

The latest issue of La Petite just came out! Swiss Alps. http://lapetitemag.com/current-issue/

I had the wonderful opportunity to collaborate on a segment with photographer, Jodi Palmer. She was just fantastic to work with. She took images of two girls against a grey backdrop…  Aren’t they sweet girls? I took the photos and set the girls in another world… my imaginings of the Swiss Alps. Hope you like the results. I want this dress in my size! (Clothes: Jumina)

So happy this morning…

Last night I was honoured at the Owen Sound Cultural Awards with the Emerging Artist Award. I am so happy to be living in this little city that just buzzes with culture. It was a really lovely night… good music, friendly faces and it was so inspiring to see all of the creative things happening here. I wish I could have spoken more eloquently last night to thank my family and those that have helped me… with this little guy kicking and what I am sure is ‘baby brain’, I was totally tongue tied. So, Thank you Artists’ Co-op for nominating me! And thank you to Cynthia Porter for writing up the nomination. The Artist’s Co-op has done quite a bit recently to support young artists in the community. I really appreciate their support and plan on using the award money for some things that I need in my studio. All of the winners received a gorgeous marquetry box by Diane Edwards.

Along with glowing from last night’s event, I am feeling so happy with this beautiful weather this morning. Lily and I went outside to look at the frost on the grass and leaves. It was a new discovery for her. She found the most velvety red leaf that sparkled in the sun. Delighted! Then, she found that she could ‘make clouds’ with her breath. Adorable.  I’ve told Lil that her baby brother will arrive when the snow begins to fall… we must be getting close. Just a few days to go I hope.