Creative Diversification aka Variations on a theme...

The prototype: copper, enamel paint, and faux bone. Version 3.0: copper, enameled copper, and polymer. 

The lunar hare - a theme that has inspired me and continues to inspire me! (I know we just did hares in March... ) The lunar hare is an archetype that appears across the world in diverse cultures, regardless of time or language. Often associated with a lunar goddess, the hare represents fertility and creativity.

Version 2.0 sold at Sweet Melissa's Dream. 

The pieces above are my interpretations on a theme. The first piece was truly a prototype; the enamel paint easily scratches off the copper background. The first "real" version I made sold at a friends boutique - and another friend owns it! I decided that this motif was one I would revisit... even though I usually do one of a kind work. The composition of the piece echoes my ceramic tile and pendant. And it seemed cohesive in my body of work...

My lunar hare tile and pendant designs. 

But it was a few hours spent reading and drinking coffee in the airport that really blew this idea wide open. I was reading "Maker Magic" by Connie Fox. (see Francesca's review of the same.) I knew I was what Fox calls an "intellectual designer" as I am driven to have content/meaning/intention/narrative in my work. One tool she recommended was the "SCAMPER" technique. (Teachers world over may recognize this mnemonic... It rang bells with me.)

SCAMPER is a mnemonic that stands for: 

• Substitute.
• Combine.
• Adapt.
• Modify.
• Put to another use.
• Eliminate.
• Reverse.

You use the tool by asking questions about existing products, using each of the seven prompts above. These questions help you come up with creative ideas for developing new products, and for improving current ones. (Mindtools.com)

Initial sketches to SUBSTITUTE in my lunar hare design

Heavens! Animal silhouettes! Enameled backgrounds, polymer backgrounds! So many possibilities and I had gone exactly 1 letter into the "SCAMPER" tool! And there were definitely influences from my fellow team mates: Caroline's blog on silk screening features these animal silhouettes. And Karen's leaf and branch would pair so well with the fox - its referenced in my sketch!

Influences and inspiration: Karen and Caroline

Today I FINALLY got to sit down to think on this again:

Reference photos researched online. Sketches drawn by hand, to scale; only the greyhound is a smidgen over 2". Transferred to copper - let the wild sawing frenzy begin!

The original and the reference photos. 

Sketched out to scale. 

Transfered to copper! 

I am not sure how these will all be integrated into work. Some will follow the original plan for sure. But I had a flash vision in my head of a small hare on an enameled full moon... and I so want to run with that idea as well.

I am constantly grateful for this team's camaraderie and inspiration - Look for more along those lines in the near future. For now - I have brewed afternoon coffee. I am going to saw!
Later!

Jenny

Folklore Friday: the lunar hare

A few in my collection

Easter may have come and gone - but rabbits and hares are here for the season. Not a day goes by when I don't see a flash of white fluff tail as it bounds across the back yard - escaping before the dogs are loosed to sniff and roam.

Anyone who knows me  knows I have a personal interest in hares. Not so much the cutesy bunnies, but rabbits and hares. These animals show up in mythologies around the world - from China to Aztec Mexico, Celtic myth, Buddhist lore...  And while I could wax poetic about hares and myth for a while ( Easter/spring/eggs - a whole other post!) I wanted to introduce you to the lunar hare...

Reproduction netsuke. Future pendants. 

The Hare in the Moon is a common thread in folklore from the China, Celtic Britain, Mayan Mexico... which is interesting in and of itself. Where Western folklore teaches us to look for the "Man in the Moon amidst the craters and lunar landscape - in the East its the hare in moon. He is often seen with a mortar and pestle, grinding the ingredients to create the elixir of immortality. He is associated with Chang'O a Chinese moon goddess - concocting the elixir for her... Symbolically the hare represents longevity, fertility and the feminine power if Yin. 

The Mayan goddess Ixchel was the goddess of the moon, childbirth, weaving... Her consort was a hare.   There was a temple to Ixchel in Cozumel Mexico. 

One tale I find the most intriguing - because of its commonality in so may diverse mythos is this: 

Lord Buddha was traveling, incognito, and met a fellow traveller, a hare. The hare, recognizing the Buddha, was ashamed he had no food to offer. He jumped in the stew pot, sacrificing himself, to feed the Buddha. The Buddha in thanks for this offering, placed the hare in the moon for recognition of his gift, and for eternal  safekeeping. Versions of this myth alternately place the Hindu god Indra and the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl in the tale. The common threads of an archetype - across cultures - is so inspiring to me!

Thanks to Terri Windling for her article "Symbolism of Rabbits and Hares" for bringing so many threads of inspiration together. Its a great article if you are interested in reading more. Here are a few images and aTreasury for your viewing pleasure and inspiration. 

An Etsy Treasury of hares in many mediums. 

My lunar hare mixing with raven and hare totem pendants. 

My mixed media piece: copper, enamel, faux bone, gems.

Thanks for tuning in to Folklore Friday! Until next time... 
Jenny

ww.jdaviesreazor.com