Incredible Time Travel

We’re going to do some time traveling today through the magic of photos! Since Wes and I are preparing to list our house for sale this week, I thought it would be interesting to take a look back in time and see what changes have taken place over the past 20 years that we have lived here. It’s truly amazing to see the incredible transformation that a lot of time, hard work, tenacity and patience can create! I tried to take photos from the exact same location, from which we took the original ones over 20 years ago. I guess for us as artists, it was like creating a work of art using a BIG canvas! A masterpiece  in which we put a lot of blood, sweat and at time, tears into. So I hope you enjoy seeing these amazing “before” and “after” photos as much as I did! 

“Before” and “After”

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I believe our lives are made up of different chapters or seasons, and there comes a time when the page is turning  and a new chapter is starting. And many times change can be very scary, as we tend to settle into our lives of comfort and sameness, but sometimes wonderful things happen when we’re willing to take that leap of faith, follow a dream and step out of our comfort zone. So while Wes and I are somewhat nervous about the coming changes, we’re both excited to see what this next chapter brings us, as we embark on our new adventure in life together! And don’t worry, I’ll keep you up-to-date each step of the way.

With the coming move, we are currently having a BIG moving sale on some of our artwork, and this includes some of our larger artworks! So if you would like to acquire one of our paintings for your very own collection, here’s the LINK to Collector’s Corner and if you see paintings you’d like to get, please email us at: siegrist@artofwildlife.com

 

These are 4 of the numerous miniature paintings available through our BIG sale!

 

See our miniatures in person this week

 Exquisite Miniatures is currently at the beautiful Elliott Museum located in Stuart, FL 

We are delighted to have our history-making tour on display in this beautiful museum! So if you’re in, or are going to be in the area, plan a visit to see over 60 of our miniature paintings in person, grab a magnifying glass and experience the “wow factor!” And if you fall in love with one . . . well, it can be yours forever, as all paintings in the exhibition are available.

To see our available miniature paintings, visit our website: artofwildlife.com

Would you like to commission us? If so, contact us by EMAIL at: siegrist@artofwildlife.com

Until Next Time ~ Rachelle

Most Adorable Baby Squirrels Ever

I have so enjoyed my breakfasts in the garden every morning this past week! I’m always joined by numerous feathered and furry friends, who bring so much entertainment with their hilarious antics! My bunny is so tame, that she comes right up when she sees me walk into the garden, and patiently waits for me to put out the seeds that she absolutely loves. Within minutes there are several squirrels and at least two or more chipmunks running around eating. Chippy the chipmunk has come so close to jumping up into my lap, and I expect it will happen any morning!

At one point I had several squirrels by my feet, and the hummingbird came up right beside me to drink from one of the beautiful purple Hosta blossoms next to my head, and of course I was in heaven! I know, it’s truly a case of “conditional love” but that’s okay, I’m more than happy to continue passing out the treats to keep all my critter friends hanging around!

We eat our other meals on our screen porch which looks out over “secret garden” where we feed our critter friends, and during supper last evening, the bunny walked up and started eating off of the little blue picnic table. And if that wasn’t cute enough, she then put her front paws up on the table, while continuing to eat, and it was totally adorable! I’m so sorry that I didn’t have the camera with me, and didn’t get a photo for you. Maybe I’ll be able to this next week! 

Okay . . . get ready to “Ooo” and “Aww” while watching this precious video of my two adorable baby squirrels, which I promised to make for you a couple of months ago. So here it is as promised… Enjoy!

As some of you know, Wes and I are working towards selling and moving soon. We have been significantly downsizing for nearly two years now, and have already sold about two-thirds of our furniture and other stuff. That being said, we are now currently having a moving sale on our artwork. So if you would like to be sent the link for this wonderful opportunity to own one of our paintings, or add to your current collection, please email us or comment below.

Subscribers to our monthly email newsletters, are also getting these notifications, and we’re sending out a BIG heartfelt “Thank You” to our collectors and friends who are already enjoying their “Christmas in July” artwork, purchased through this sale!

 

See our miniatures in person this week

 Exquisite Miniatures is currently at the beautiful Elliott Museum located in Stuart, FL 

We are delighted to have our history-making tour on display in this beautiful museum! So if you’re in, or are going to be in the area, plan a visit to see over 60 of our miniature paintings in person, grab a magnifying glass and experience the “wow factor!” And if you fall in love with one . . . well, it can be yours forever, as all paintings in the exhibition are available.

We still have paintings available through these miniature shows listed, so visit their websites linked below to see what can still be yours!

Masterpieces in Miniature
 May 2021: Picture This Gallery, Alberta, Canada

To see our available miniature paintings, visit our website: artofwildlife.com

Would you like to commission us? If so, contact us by Email

Until Next Time ~ Rachelle

Where Squirrels Fly

While we were painting the back deck recently, I temporarily moved down to what we call “secret garden” to eat  breakfast al fresco with my squirrels and birds. Well, I enjoyed being out in this small secluded section of our gardens so much, that I’ve decided to continue enjoying breakfast there every morning. Most of the time there are at least half a dozen squirrels, numerous birds, our resident bunny and a few chipmunks join me. As you can imagine it’s a lot of fun, and most entertaining! I’m not sure where my bunny hides, but she sees me bringing the food, and instantly there she is, sitting there beside me, waiting patiently for me to dispense some seeds on the ground. She is so gentle and gracefully and quite peaceful to watch move about. The squirrels are not patient at all, and get rather upset if the food isn’t placed out quickly.

At one point yesterday morning, I had 8 squirrels sitting in a semi-circle surrounding me, enjoying peanuts that I was passing out continually. There have been several times that the chipmunk has almost jumped up into my lap, so I’m expecting that to most likely happen soon! Yesterday morning all of the sudden, one of the squirrels went nuts, and started acting like a kitten at play! It would suddenly jump straight up into the air, fall down sideways on the ground, roll onto its back and spin in circles whilst chasing its tail. It did this numerous times over and each time it would catch its tail, it would start playing with it, before releasing it and starting this same performance over and over again. Occasionally it would quickly stop, dig a small hole and then start all over again, and at times leap over to a nearby tree trunk, appearing to be flying through the air! I laughed until my sides hurt while watching that silly squirrel, as this all took place in the middle of a mossy area mere feet away from where I sat. I’m still wondering if it found “squirrelnip” somewhere . . . Ha! Sadly I didn’t have my camera with me that morning, so I can only share the hilarious story of what took place.

The precious squirrel pictured above is named Growlin’ and somehow she lost her foot a couple of years ago. I have absolutely no idea what happened to my sweet girl, but thankfully she manages just fine and very much enjoys her extra special attention and treats! She got her name because she talks, in her growling sort of way, and actually will carry on a conversation with me. Of course I have no idea what she’s saying, but as long as I keep doling out the food, I’m pretty sure it’s all good!

The entire time I’m sitting there, the chipmunks run back and forth beneath my chair, transporting their edible goods back to their underground home nearby. Even the honey bees have been joining me during breakfast, whilst drinking the rich nectar from the plentiful purple blossoms of the Hostas. It is truly a rewarding way to start the day!

I’m always spotting things when walking our around our garden paths, and I just happened to see this beautiful Swallowtail Butterfly one afternoon, that had recently emerged from its cocoon and was pumping the fluid from its abdomen into its gorgeous new set of wings! This was such a great find that I came back inside to grab my camera.

There are at least two resident Praying Mantis that stay on our front deck and one absolutely loves literally hanging out on the eggplants Wes is growing using the Kratky hydroponics method. They are never too pleased when I get close to look at them and especially photograph them, but they will tolerate it. I’m just so thankful these insects with attitudes are as small as they are, otherwise we would be in big trouble . . . Ha Ha!

 

See our miniatures in person this week

 Exquisite Miniatures is currently at the beautiful Elliott Museum located in Stuart, FL 

We are delighted to have our history-making tour on display in this beautiful museum! So if you’re in, or are going to be in the area, plan a visit to see over 60 of our miniature paintings in person, grab a magnifying glass and experience the “wow factor!” And if you fall in love with one . . . well, it can be yours forever, as all paintings in the exhibition are available.

We still have paintings available through these miniature shows listed, so visit their websites linked below to see what can still be yours!

Masterpieces in Miniature
 May 2021: Picture This Gallery, Alberta, Canada

To see our available miniature paintings, visit our website: artofwildlife.com

Would you like to commission us? If so, contact us by Email

Until Next Time ~ Rachelle