Tuesday 9 March 2010

The Hare Mycomusicologist Clock


MARCH IS MARCHING on and mad March hares abound. I promised to bring you clocks and so here is The Hare Mycomusicologist Clock. It is for Andrea, who asked for hares and mushrooms and music and the Bronze Age burial chamber of Pentre Ifan in Pembrokeshire.



This March hare (for I am sure he is one even though I painted him in January) sits atop a mushroom and violins his moon-thoughts to the Welsh mountains beyond. I suppose this clock has a faint Wonderland-whiff to it, what with March hares and sitting on mushrooms and all, though that was not planned.



Things are seen from an insect-eye-view as I needed the mushroom to be more or less round for the clock face. The clock is a slice of apple wood this time, with a little protrusion where the apple tree had begun to think about a branch. Into this convenient niche I poked the ears of this shy red-waistcoated fellow.


Do click on the photos to enlarge them (though if you do you'll discover a disgraceful scattering of dust motes on the paint surface!). Hares conjure many varied folk superstitions and beliefs worldwide. There is a hare in the moon of course and I was particularly intrigued by the legend that tells of the moon in anger heating a stone and burning the hare's mouth, causing, like Shakespeare's Flibbertigibbet, a hare-lip.

"This is the foul fiend Flibbertigibbet: he begins

at curfew, and walks till the first cock; he gives

the web and the pin, squints the eye, and makes the

hare-lip; mildews the white wheat, and hurts the

poor creature of earth."

King Lear | Act III, scene IV


My friend Terri Windling (whose wonderful paintings are twitching with rabbit ears) wrote fascinatingly on hare and rabbit folklore too, and she quotes at the end of her essay a children's poem by Walter de la Mare, which, to add to the hare-witchery, I pass on here:

In the black furror of a field
I saw an old witch-hare this night;
And she cocked a lissome ear,
And she eyed the moon so bright,
And she nibbled of the green;
And I whispered "Whsst! witch-hare,"
Away like a ghostie o’er the field
She fled, and left the moonlight there.



* * *
POST SCRIPT : Thank you dear folks for the warm welcome back to blogland! I have since listed the original of Väinämöinen Sings a Ship for sale (EDIT: SOLD!) in my etsy shop and little prints of both Väinämöinen and A Girl Mad As Birds too.


POST POST SCRIPT for the extremely observant : One of my painted characters has a hare lip in Leg Wheel And Jew Harp.


POST POST POST SCRIPT: It seems that the hare witchery truly is abounding this March - my artist friend Danielle Barlow has also been painting lunar witch-hare tales!

60 comments:

Christine--RHP said...

fantastical!! I see you're off and painting well in your new abode.

Claire said...

Hey Rima, lovely to be reading your blogs again.

The clock is superb and I am sure the recipient will be thrilled with it.

Enjoyed the last post and the tour of your new abode. Particularly like the view from your desk, I hope you will be very happy there.

Wishing you blue skies and sunshine.

Regina Rozenbaum said...

Beloved Rima
It's beatiful!!! I, really, can't believe in your work... You are an amazing artist. With my best wishes...
Regina
www.toforatodentro.blogspot.com

Marie said...

I started following your blog a while ago and then you stopped posting! So glad to read your posts and see your amazing artwork. Marie x

Janine said...

Absolutely wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Ooooh, yay! I'm going to have to buy a print of Vainamoinen. Thanks so much! Love the hare clock. Thanks for reminding me why I like Walter de la Mare's poems so much. Coupled with your beautiful artwork, his poetry has enchanted me even more.

Sidereal Day said...

I Love the clock!
Also, wow, 2 posts within a week, I'm so happy to see you back posting =)

mermaiden said...

Enchanting, as ever. I am not surprised to hear of your friendship with Terri Windling; I have had many a good tale from her lips and admire the circles she sits in.

Priya Sebastian said...

Superb!

Auguste said...

She does have a harelip! She really does! How does one go seeing that picture so often and never noticing it? Anyways, forgive the rambling, that is a very beautiful clock :) and a delightful read. Best wishes for your next adventures.
Franky

Artsnark said...

what fun! Beautiful

Carl V. Anderson said...

This is lovely, I am sure Andrea must be thrilled. I think any kinship with Wonderland just adds a bit of whimsy and delight. It was so good to come over here today and see a new creation. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

femminismo said...

The hare is wonderful! Do I see a reflection of Stonehenge in the background? Not reflection; silhouette? Playing the violin as the clock hands sweep on - great.

Elderberry-Rob said...

I'm so glad you came out of hibernation. The Hare is special and beautiful and I wish he was mine! I hope you don't mind but I have talked about your wonderful creations on my blog. I had said you make me feel like Alice in Wonderland when I visit here, becoming very small and seeing things through different eyes. Many thanks. mrsyappydog

Griffin said...

It looks as if he's making the mushrooms dance a jig! Wonderful and perfect for the Hare is Eostre's creature and Easter her festival of the Dawn is almost on us.

I love Terri Windling's stuff too! Wondrous stuff, like yours.

Alice said...

Wow... so lovely to have you back. And a new adventure! Your rooted house looks very welcoming :-) We too start our new adventure on water in a matter of weeks and I feel that this is what life is: The opportunity to enjoy many different paths and to experience them right through to our very soul :-)

Anonymous said...

Lovely work Rima you put the elements together really well using the wood to the best advantage. Love it!

Tonia said...

I love hares: their connections with the moon and crones of a witchy kind, their boxing and sparring, their twitchy ways. Great clock.

gz said...

agreed ,Griffin. Beautiful work too.
Makes me glad to see it

Jess said...

What a beautiful clock! I love the rich warm earthy colours but most of all I love the way you've worked the painting oragnically into the shape of the wood, so very special. Lovely to have yopu back blogging again :o)xx

Heather said...

What a beautiful clock - lucky Andrea. I love the hare's big feet and ears. I also have a fascination with hares, the moon, mushrooms and burial chambers though must confess I don't know very much about any of them. I shall follow your links and no doubt learn more. Thankyou.

Jess said...

...oh typo alert! That was supposed to be 'you' not yopu! :o)

Snippety Giblets said...

Lovely ! I'm still considering a hare tattoo to represent Tal - that or a Norse style dragon :0)

Love Terri Winding's prints. They remind me of the gentleman with the thistledown hair in "Jonathan Strange" !

Genevieve said...

Such a wonderful and interesting clock.

Half-heard in the Stillness said...

Oh! I was so pleased to come to your blog today and find not one but two posts to read! I feel as though I have been on a wonderful visit to your cosy new home. You have given it such comfort and loveliness in so short a time, everywhere looks as though you have been there for years! I think the house was waiting for you.
The lampshades you made are wonderful!! You are such a magical artist, I wish you many happy times dear Rima, thank you so much for giving us a glimpse into your entrancing new home. As they say in Scotland, 'Lang may your lum reek, dear lady'.
Hugs...Spring...ah..Spring!

The Clever Pup said...

Rima I am staggered by your talent and that of your Mum and Dad.

Liese said...

Rima, I think your painting is more beautiful than ever before, the colours you have used on your latest clock are so warm and promising. I like your new place very much, it looks so cosy and it seems to have your touch. Living in quite a new, but self - built house the history that I share with my house is quite short, though sometimes it feels like it must be centuries. looking forward to seeing some more picts of your new-old home.

Anonymous said...

Oh beautiful! I love the way the ears fit the shape of the wood.

Syren said...

Gorgeous clock, you are so talented.
I love your wordcraft, reading your blog always softens my heart, quietens my mind and I find I am listening with my soul. It always leaves me feeling gentler and whole.
Blessings to you Rima, so glad to have you back.
BTW The house looks wonderful.

Vitor Chuva said...

Hello Rima!

You seem to be hard at work of late, which is welcome news for those of us who enjoy reading your stories.
As for the clock, it cetainly is a most fancy one, full of creativty -with that smart-looking hare playing the violin; one can almost hear the music coming from it!
Lovely post

All the best!
Vitor

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

That just may be my favourite clock yet.

* said...

I like the Stonehenge included in the background of the painting. It is brilliant, as are the mushrooms and rabbit fiddling.

Martin said...

The clock is beautifully painted. Glad to see that you're settling in.

Kay said...

I don't know how i found you but am so glad i did!!! Hares are one of my favourite creatures....I see at least two every morning when i walk my dog...i read somewhere that they know all of natures secrets...your work is incredible...xx

The Shitty Astrologer said...

Fabulous artwork and I LOVE the poem...as usual, always a delight to read your blog...

Aleks said...

Zdravo Rima,it is a true pleasure ti wander trough your fairy tale life,I love your work and the thoughts and spirit behind it,stay safe and in good health,greetings from Aleksandra! :O)

April said...

I am so happy to see you back writing and having pictures. You sounded so sad and I imagine you lost something or someone dear to you and I'm sorry. But we aren't strangers, you know. It happens to all of us. You lose yourself for awhile but hopefully you eventually wake up and carry on. Time helps and Art helps and Dogs help. I love your new home "Sniffing you". I bet it's happy you're there. Love and happiness to you from across the ocean.

Josh said...

He wears a red waistcoat and not only has a clock... he is one. :)

Andrea said...

The clock is incredibly beautiful and its a wonderful experience to unwrap the parcel not knowing what you are going to find inside. The clock is for my husbands birthday later this year - I know he will love it.

Interesting that the link to Pentra Ifan is to Julian Copes website, and he is Rob's favourite artist and one of his favourite books the Modern Antiquarian :)

Eliza said...

Oh what a wonderful, beautiful clock, I love it. Enjoy your new home.

Ciara Brehony said...

Rima, dearest,

Cannot tell you how happy I am to see you back here. I am heartened. All looks cosy and delightful.

C x

Rusted Wings said...

The fruits of your fingers are delightful in this piece Rima! I'm so glad too for your new abode that will give your spirit room to soar into new places!!
blessings,
abigail

Maggie said...

So glad you're back. Your posts are always such wonderful things to read during rare quiet moments of my hectic days.
Some additional hare imagery for you: my favorite song, the Creggan White Hare, sung most excellently by Karen Casey, describes the white hare escaping huntsmen.

Michelle said...

Gorgeous. :-)

Michelle said...

I'd love you to read my story some time. I could see your hare playing the music at the dance. ;-)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/16547215/Dancing-with-the-Dark-Boar-

Vicki said...

Hares, hares, everywhere hares...I suppose it is that time of year...I'm seeing them scurry about everywhere here on the farm.

I simply adore the clock painting. The hares huge feet are too cute and his ears fit so nicely in the little branch hole. He has a wonderfully pensive expression on his little face...from the music he plays or from the memory it brings to mind...I wonder. I'm not a huge fan of mushrooms (except to eat them.) I think it was because they were the subject of too many bad paintings in the 70's but as mushrooms go, yours are very nice ones and I like the insect eye view of them.
I say it again, you are a genius, Rima! Your work is brilliant.
Wishing for you a very happy springtime!

Vicki said...

Actually, we don't have hares here in Georgia, we have white cottontails that behave very much like hares and who live above ground as hares do. Just thought I would clarify, so that no one thinks (knows) that I am mad as March hares.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness Rima! So much for me to catch up on and so exciting.I'm going to savour this all tomorrow morning,like chapters in a beautiful book. Sunday, with tea and toast,I shall be here.Can't wait.Will comment again later. xx

Erica-Jane said...

Hello Rima!

Just a little message to say I'm back in the land of blog. Please pass by and say "hi" soon :0)

Erica
xxx

Rosaria Williams said...

New from Abbey Style. This is the most amazing site around. What a treasure trove,here.

susan said...

I'm glad to see you are well and have landed in such a lovely spot.

Rose&Bird said...

Fabulous, absolutely love your work x

Amanda said...

A little witch-hare has been haunting our back porch and nibbling our blueberry bushes to nubs. My husband complains she's been leaving piles of shite all over the yard, but I say here-hare to the lovely natural compost!

Nikiah said...

Hi Rima,
I have been following your beautiful Blog for a bit now due to friends Sarah-the witch of the forest grove and my dear friend Nao- the teatime traveler and love your work!
I am thrilled you are writing again and your new home looks so cozy and beautiful....
I have posted a link to you from my Blog because I do love it so...
Blessings to you and your work~
Nikiah

Patty said...

That's beautiful, very Beatrix Potter. You're very talented, keep it up!

Joana Su said...

I have loved to know about the Hares folklore, thank you for the interesting link to Terri Windling`s page.
Your clock is an amazing art piece.
I am glad your back Rima! I wish you all the best.

Hug from the magical Estrela Mountains in Portugal.

Joana

mixdbrew said...

"...where the apple tree had begun to think about a branch..."

I can smell, taste, see, hear, feel every one of your words. Your blog opens up every sense in a way i never imagined possible :) I wish, i wish, i wish i knew you personally...how much more magical life would be :)

BT said...

What a lovely mad hare clock Rima, almost as lovely as mine!! We have mad March hares digging up our front lawns. Buster tries to chase them but they're too fast.

Zaina Anwar said...

Hello Rima,
During my nocturnal wanderings through the web one night, I bumped into your fascinating blog, and quite frankly, absolutely fell in love with your artwork. Furthermore, you are a talented writer since you have the capacity to engage your readers. There is soul in your work which is unfortunately rare nowadays.
You have been an inspiration.
I myself am a painter and a writer. If you are interested, you can see my work at zainaanwar.blogspot.com. I have already added your blog to my list and I would looking forward to some feedback from you.

Thank you,
Zaina Anwar.

Cindy said...

You are an amazing artist. I look forward to your posts.