Post #595792 by Babalu on Fri, Jul 1, 2011 1:02 PM

Hi all,

Sorry it has taken me so long to touch base. I've been busy making the man lot's of money. It's very apparent to me that I need to find more time for my studio...

Wendy, thanks kiddo...I get to check up on you every once in a while. It's great to see you movin' & groovin'. Hope your feeling better. Keep up the great work.

Hi Bai!! Glad to see you bounce on the thread lady. hummm...the rabbit Ooookay, if you insist....

Thinking back, I guess it all began back in the 80's when I first read Watership Down by Richard Adams This reading happened right after I had brought this pet rabbit for my wife's birthday. The whole family loved this rabbit, but my wife especially loved "Bob" the rabbit like no other pet before. In the end Bob turned out to be a girl rabbit, but the name Bob stuck anyway. The day that Bob died was a very sad day. To this day, the connection that my family had with this creature continues to capture my thoughts.

Working with the rabbit image in my art has been a progression of mine over many years. I have experimented with the personification of the rabbit to explore the vulnerability of humanity. In Western culture the rabbit is a symbol for a number of different concepts: fertility (multiply like rabbits, pregnancy tests); magic (pull a rabbit out of your hat); trickery (What's up Doc? - Trix are for kids): the rabbit is symbolic for bottom of the food chain. At times, I have found it challenging to juxtapose the soft and fluffy bunny image with savagery. This juxtaposition creates an element of shock in the aesthetic that I like. The creative process for me is often a chaotic combination of old and new images; soft and hard; it can be a blending of different aesthetics and cultures.

I hope that explains the whole rabbit thing a little better. :)

I did just get back from spending a time in my home town - Boulder Colorado. It seems that for several years now, I end up going back during Thanksgiving / Christmas time when it's cold. It was nice to be back when everything was green and the waters were running high.

While back in Boulder, I gave my oldest daughter this SeaHare...she had wanted one. I wasn't as happy with this one, but she liked it. The coloring is just a little off for me. The body wasn't just right either...the next one, (if I ever get around to doing another one of these things) will be better. I'll spend a little more time with it.