There is a tradition in British and Celtic lore of a hare gazing up at the moon. Supposedly, when a wild hare does this it symbolizes fertility and abundance, a good harvest, the continuity of life.
Last Christmas I did a small illustration of a moon hare and made it my Christmas card.
I also did a few greeting cards with this motif, beginning with a carved lino block of a leaping rabbit to make prints from, then embellishing each print with paint and ink.
I used the same print to make a small, detailed illustration.
And another one on watercolour paper.
But then I kept seeing other animals gazing at the moon, as many of us tend to do, because that gentle night light in the sky has intrigued us for centuries. We contemplate our place in the universe as we look to its glow, its waxing and waning. So because I also love foxes I did a larger painting of a young fox also gazing at the moon. This one is called Magic Hour. It went to a friend's son and wife for the upcoming birth of their baby.
When my nephew and his wife were expecting their baby I knew their colour scheme was pink and grey so I returned to the image of the moon gazing hare and painted Pink Moon for them.
And for my sister's birthday this year I did this painting for her veterinary clinic called The Night Watch. Two happy friends communing with nature.
The moon appears in a number of my artworks, as does the sun. They define our days and nights, give us rich symbols, myths, legends, and stories, and will be here long after we are gone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgHmOH7VbYw
