The hare seems to be a mystic animal in many cultures, and I love them, both for their symbolic value and for themselves, as animals. This year we seem to have a lot more hares around than usual, and there is even a pair that seems to live somewhere near the house, which has never happened before. Although I’ve done lots of hare designs over the years, recently I was intrigued to find that a motif involving three hares is not uncommon in some religious decorations. Here, for example, is a roundel of three hares from an old church in Germany
Three hares on a church window
I wasn’t about to pass up an inspiration like that, so I did my own sketch of a roundel of three hares. There’s one difference – in the religious motifs the hares usually “share” ears, so that there are three ears between the three hares. I did try this but it didn’t look quite right so I gave each hare its own pair of ears
Three embroidered hares
There is a strange sequel to this story. Just after I’d finished the hares, we went for a week’s break in the Yorkshire Dales (a beautiful place, by the way) and in the town of Sedbergh we came across a cafe called – guess what – The Three Hares! It’s obviously an old and familiar motif
The window of the Three Hares Cafe, in Sedburgh, Yorkshire
Your hares are delightful! Are they applique and what is the unique stitch to give the fur such depth?
Jane
Je trouve cette composition très réussie, les trois lièvres sont superbes
Hi Mia, Your interpretation of the 3 rabbits is awesome. The varying colors and the stitches that you used for the fur is stunning and so realistic.
Interesting information and beautiful design!The fur is amazing!!
I like what you did with your three hares. I’ve never seen anything like this and find it very pleasing to the eye. How amazing that you’d happen upon another version so soon after creating your own.
Your three hares are lovely! They make me want o reach out and touch their coats, the texture is so inviting. We have lots of rabbits here, haven’t seen any hares. It is fun to watch them when they “play”, chasing each other around in the spring.
Beautiful! I like the individuality you gave each of the three. Thank you for the education/information, too. This is interesting and a pleasure. Thank you
Love the 3 hares thanks for the information about them
Hi Mia, I love your interpretation of the Three Hares. Their fur is so realistic looking, but then you always do a good job with the furs on animals. The do look like they are playing with each other. Thank you so much for sharing.
Mia, love your hares, so realistic. The shading in their fur from the detailing in their eyes to the lighter underside of their tails. So real. You have such an eye for color. Thanks for sharing.