Category Archives: News

Check out what’s up with Whimsical!

FOCUS!

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We’ve been MIA for a little while… sorry folks!

We have a good reason though – we’ve been rethinking the landscape of our blog and have decided that it needs a little more focus. Our discussions and research have helped us to understand that we need to zero in on our target audience which is ultimately family and kids. This means that there will so be much more ‘Fun for Kids‘ and also far more content for parents to sink their teeth into as well.

In light of this new focus, Micheline Ryckman is moving the art and photography portion of this blog onto a new site – so if you love seeing what she is up to in this area be sure to follow her new blog > MISH MASH.

Stay tuned – good things are coming here – including the promise of a colouring book giveaway!

The Art of the Humble Horse

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I’ve known Micheline’s daughter, Hannah since she was about four years old. In the decade I’ve known her I’ve watched her grow and into a lovely young woman. While it’s normal to outgrow the things you loved as a child there’s one love Hannah has never outgrown; her love of horses.HannahRiding Hannah 13 years_02If you’ve been following our blogs you already know this. You’ve probably seen pictures of Hannah’s horse, Lady and pony, Babe. Maybe you’ve even read some of Hannah’s stories or seen some of her beautiful drawings.

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Hannah isn’t alone in this passion; there’s something special about horses that continues to draw us to them from a very young age. We devote shelf space to Classic books like Anna Sewell’s Black Beauty and watch timeless movies like National Velvet. Famous artwork owes its inspiration to this gentle beast from the stunning The Large Blue Horses painting by German artist, Franz Marc to the bronze sculptures by Frederic Remington.Booksthe-large-blue-horsesWhimsical Publishing has also been inspired by the simple horse. In fact,  WE’RE PUBLISHING A HORSE COLOURING BOOK! With original artwork by house-artist Micheline Ryckman and newcomer Hayden Wolf, this book will also include a step-by-step guide for budding artists and horse enthusiasts everywhere to draw and colour their own stunning horses.

Stay tuned for a sneak peek inside the book and details of how you can win a copy of our new colouring book due out this fall! In the meantime, check out this cool website from Horse Channel on their 30 favourite children’s horse stories: Horse Channel. :)

~ Trina

Introducing Hayden

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Whimsical Publishing is pleased to introduce a new member to our team, Hayden Wolf.525953_10151161465148119_2100988735_nCombining his extensive background in art and design with a background in visual communication and photography, Hayden is the perfect compliment to Whimsical Publishing’s house-artist and fellow photographer, Micheline Ryckman.

Hmm. That sounds a bit formal, doesn’t it? But how else do I introduce such a talent except to say that we’re really excited to have him on board! Perhaps the best thing to do is to just let you see for yourself. Mich has included pictures of some of Hayden’s work. Hayden’s website is currently under construction but for now you can check out more about him and his work by visiting him on Facebook.attachment-1attachment-5 attachment-6attachment-3 attachment-1attachment attachment-7 attachment-8 attachment attachment-2 attachment-4attachmentaAnd here’s a bit of a spoiler alert; Micheline is also working on a couple of colouring books with Hayden –but you’ll have to check back to find out more about those. :)

~ Trina

Photo Shoot Giveaway Winner!

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We had almost 200 entries for our Photo Shoot Giveaway!!! The draw was today and we are so happy to announce that Kimberley Shypitka is our winner! Congratulations Kimberley!!!

Thanks so much to everyone who entered – you are ALL so greatly appreciated. We are planning to offer this give-away once or twice a year so be sure to stay connected with us. IMG_7156

KCDC Grand Opening! And a NEW painting!

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On June 15th the Kootenay Child Development Center held it’s grand opening! Although I didn’t get the chance to be there in person I was there supporting it in spirit. I totally believe this place is an indispensable addition to the East Kootenays – it is going to be a such blessing to families and children around the region. If you don’t know much about the benefits of this center please DO check out this link to read more >>> KCDC Project Details.

‘Unspeakable Joy’ – 18″ x 24″ – acrylic on canvas.
Please click on image to see enlarged version.

My partner, Trina, did attend the grand opening with her son, Thom. She admitted that Thom had so much fun eating goodies, playing in the bouncy tent and doing projects at the craft table that they were actually some of the last people to leave – ha ha! Trina also told me that approximately 50 folks (in her estimate) attended the opening including Cranbrook’s mayor, Wayne Stetski, the Cranbrook city council members, Sharon Cross and Diana J. Scott. When I asked Trina what she thought about everything afterwards she said, “It was amazing to actually see this center come to fruition as I have been watching these dedicated women work so hard for the last few years.”

The women that Trina is referring to are Patricia Whalen, Gail Brown and Gwen Noble. Although I’m sure many folks were involved in making this center a reality I understand that these women have been the front runners. (Great job ladies!!! :) )

So you still might be wondering where exactly do I come into all this and what does my newest painting have to do with it? Well, Gail Brown is actually retiring soon and as a memento of all her efforts and dedication I was commissioned to do a painting in her honour that will hang in the center.  The painting is titled, ‘Unspeakable Joy’ and it was presented to Gail at the opening.  It was a serious privilege to do this piece and my heart is that it reflects the untainted joy that we see daily in our children.

You can check out more of my paintings at my other blog – MISH MASH,

Micheline :)

Miss Emily the Cat at Home in KCDC!

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It has been such and honour to help support this important endeavour – and we are so excited to have these prints framed and hanging in the Kootenay Child Development Center! Read more by clicking the following link >>> MISS EMILY THE CAT AT HOME IN KCDC!

Miss Emily at the Spring Market!

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Our first publication – Miss Emily Goes to Bat – will be available to purchase at the Spring Market this Saturday (the 26th of May) in the Cranbrook BC Curling Arena (right beside the Rec center).

Doors are open from 10 am until 3 pm.

Author, Trina Ayling, will be present for the morning of the sale – so if you want to meet the author and get a personalized copy then be there early! Oh…  BTW it is Trina’s  birthday that day as well – so give her a BIG birthday high-five!!!

Cheerio,

Micheline

Kootenay Child Development Centre Opens April 1st – No Fooling!

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The Kootenay Child Development Centre officially opens its doors on Sunday, April 1st, 2012 and I couldn’t be more excited for the families here in the Kootenays because I know how needed these services are and how hard people have worked to make this Centre a reality.

You see, even though there’s an estimated 700 children with disabilities in our region the nearest community of specialists is a 4½ hour drive through the Rocky mountains away.

And, even though we’re the only region in BC without this type of centre it wasn’t until last week that the provincial government announced it would provide $100,000.00 funding to our region for a child development centre.

Our community didn’t give up on doing what’s best for the children and families in our communities. In 2009 Community Connections Society of South East BC purchased the old Shannon’s Fabrics and planning and fundraising efforts began in earnest.

Thanks to the organizational and fundraising efforts of Gwen Noble, Jan McGinn, Patricia Whalen, Gail Brown and others and the generous support of families, individuals and businesses the Society has raised over $900,000 of its $1.1 million goal since 2009.

Anyone who’s familiar with Whimsical Publishing and Miss Emily Goes to Bat knows that Micheline and I are a part of that enthusiastic group of Kootenay Child Development Centre (KCDC) supporters.

When we first launched Miss Emily Goes to Bat we did a number of library and classroom readings and pledged 20% of our retail sales to the Centre. We’re also excited to donate two signed, numbered and framed prints of Miss Emily to the Centre.

Congratulations to everyone in the Kootenay region for making this centre a reality –it wouldn’t be a reality without your support! :)

For more information on the Kootenay Child Development Centre and some of its incredible sponsors or to make a donation visit the KCDC website at www.kootenaycdc.ca.

~ Trina