Sunday 21 February 2016

Hare Gazing & Hare Leaping Paintings on Hearts

I was having a rummage through my 'stash' and found a few Hanging Heart blanks, mmmm so what should I use them for? I asked myself...... yes, I often talk to myself, I suspect you do too. The Hubster says it's because I'm usually the only person to understand my own ramblings!! 
So I thunked and I thought and decided it was time I painted a few more Hares. I haven't done any for a while.

A Leaping Hare & The Snow Moon

The Hare is closely associated with the moon, particularly the full moon, it's a connection found in Celtic and Druid mythology as well as folktales from all around the world.  Did you know that the Snow moon or Full Snow moon is a traditional name for the full moon that occurs in February in North America? No I didn't know either but I saw it on my FB page and checked it out. I thought this was a fitting image for one of the hearts.

Hare Gazing at the Moon

I live in a rural area and lucky enough to see hares running through the fields, it's believed to be a favorite animal and 'attendant spirit' of the Celts. It represents love, fertility and growth and is associated with the Moon, Easter, death, redemption and resurrection. So I really should paint a Spring Hare to add to the Winter and Autumn ones. 

Hare Painting










 

I love the Hare and the associated stories, the Moon Gazing Hare on the hanging heart was taken from a painting I done a while ago. You can see the post about it here..  The Hare Gazing Painting

Hare Sketch

And while searching for the Hare Painting post I came across this little sketch from one of my first posts way back in March 2011, you can see the post here ..... Running Hare Sketch

I hope you've enjoyed my little ramble but that's all from me for now, I'm off to do some more painting.

Jan x


I'm linking this post over to the weekly Lucy Blossom Craft Link Up

Sunday 14 February 2016

Magical White Unicorn Paintings

Unicorns are what Fairy Tales are made of, I love these magical creatures. The Unicorn is often used in heraldry on coats of arms and flags around the world.  Did you know that the unicorn is the symbol of Scotland? The unicorn was chosen because it was seen as a proud and haughty beast which would rather die than be captured. The Scottish and the English Coat of Arms are quite similar, but the Scottish Unicorn is on the Left and the English Unicorn is on the right. You can read more about it here at wikipedia.

White Unicorn on Canvas



This Unicorn that I painted on canvas  is neither haughty nor proud, I'd say that she is more playful and whimsical.













Unicorn painting on wood



This White Unicorn is a little more regal. He has been painted onto wood.
He has a lovely silver mane and a pretty ribbon to hang it up.













Unicorn Painting




Or if you prefer, it can popped onto a stand and displayed on a shelf.

















White & Silver Unicorn Plaque

I'm joining in with Handmade Monday over at Lucy's Linky Party

Wishing you all a magical week


Jan x

Monday 8 February 2016

A Bumble Bee Outdoor Plaque

I had a lovely commission via my Wow Thank You Shop.  It's an outdoor plaque and a bit of a rush order but hey, that's how we crafters do things. I even managed to get it finished on time.


 Plaque Ideas

I done a couple of quick sketches and sent them over for my customer to choose, she favored the bottom one so I made a start on the painting. 


Outdoor Plaque

The choices given for hanging the plaque was wire, twine or screws, as you can see from the photo, the screws were chosen. I prefer brass screws for outdoors, they weather well and look good.



The Bumble Bee Plaque


I hope you've all had a good week, I'm popping this post over to Lucy Blossom's Craft Blog Link Up I love to see what everyone else has been up to and it's great to leave and receive comments from the crafting community.

Ta Ta for now..

Jan x