So Happy Together.

Every year my uncle sends me money for Christmas, and when I got the card this year, I decided that I wanted to do something very specific with it -- treat myself to something I normally wouldn't purchase for myself.  So I bought a frame at Michaels with a very specific plan of what I was going to put in it.

I've been fascinated by the fish created by Saint John artist Jessica Doyle for a little more than a year now -- ever since I first saw them.  Not only do the drawings have so much personality, but the fact that she names them makes me grin.  So I decided that I would pick my three favourites and frame them together.

Please meet, from top to bottom, Emily, Milton, and Annabelle.  (The fact that my grandmother's name was Emily and that she had a sister named Annabelle probably cemented my choices.)  Because I was having a hard time trying to balance colours and fish, Jessica was kind enough to print Annabelle in reverse for me so that things would balance out.  (Annabelle normally faces left.)  The signature is now reversed, which makes me giggle, but I love the way the three fish look together.  And because my fishies make me so happy, I have placed them so that they are literally the first thing I see when I get out of bed in the morning.

Besides picking up my fishies, I had a delightful visit with Jessica and her cat, Missy.  I had only visited Jessica once before, during her open studio sale before Christmas, but once again I was struck by what a warm and gracious person she is.  It's always inspiring to talk with another artistic soul, and such a treat to see her current projects and ACEO collection.

Despite my outer self being tired after working and having dealt with a headache all day, this evening my inner self is feeling pampered and very content indeed. :)