Running hare

This beautiful golden hare is part of a small collection of running animals, inspired by my love of movement and the moment of awe when you manage to spot a hare in the distance.

Brown hares (Lepus europaeus) are introduced to Britain by Romans. Though people confuse them with rabbits, they are totally different: they are large, tawny-furred, with long black-tipped ears and can run up to 70–72 km/h. RAther than living in burrows, hares live above ground in shallow forms, and can be up to 70 cm long. Of course, we all think of Mad March Hares, when they box in spring. Sadly in the UK, they have minimal legal protection. You will notice, I deliberately painted my fox and greyhound in the same series running in the opposite direction. I have no desire to contribute to their declining numbers.

In folklore, hares are often clever tricksters who outsmart predators, embody quick thinking and adaptability, and symbolize freedom, renewal, and transformation; they appear in Aesop’s fables demonstrating perseverance over arrogance, are linked to the moon and spring in Celtic traditions, associate with fertility and new beginnings in Egyptian mythology via Hathor, and frequently represent intuition and keen perception as survival-guided instincts.

The painting is 30x60cm on a thin edged canvas. It is painted in ink and watercolour and then finished with imitation gold leaf. The painting has been sealed with UV protective varnish and it is framed in a handmade wooden float frame to help it stand out. It is strung and ready to hang. I am able to frame in a natural wood, black or white frame of your choice.