Ohio bound!

Years ago (pre The Fantastic Mr Fox movie) I made a sculpture 

based on this drawing...

 I loved its whimsy and the fact that foxes and rabbits could be chums.

It came from an old children's book circa 1918...

Meanwhile back in Lancaster, Ohio, a woman was perusing my past sales on Etsy and

asked if I could recreate the sculpture for her.

I was more than happy to since this was definitely one of my favourite sculptures to make.

...and so 'Fox piggybacking Rabbit' was reborn!

AKA 'Knox and Polly'...

Whiskers courtesy of the local horses tail...

 Because the sculpture is so light I added the gumboots for stability.

They are made out of a clay (Sculpey) which is fired in a household oven.

 There's something so beautiful and magical about foxes.

We don't have them here on the Island but I've always been fascinated with

their colour, sleekness, slyness, sense of smell, fluffy tail and the

eerie call they make at night.

Rabbits, hare's and bunnies...well who can resist them in all of their compact sweetness

 The woman who ordered the sculpture also holds a special place in her heart for foxes and 

purchased 'Jack'...

...as well as ordering a sitting fox!

( stay tuned for pictures of him as well)

 I would love to see her collection.

So off they go on their merry way to Ohio...

So long Knox and Polly!

Safe journey!

Thoughts on foxes and a movie review...

There's something about foxes that I love.

Maybe it's those lovely black stockings they have...

perhaps it's the slyness of their character...

those little perky ears and gorgeous copper eyes...

The fact that we don't have them here may be of some appeal.

No need to worry about them in the hen house.

I suppose the image of a fluffy, black tipped fox tale, bouncing through the countryside can be part of the romance..although the only time I have seen one was, unfortunately, dead on an Irish motorway.

I've even needle felted them to get a closer feel..

Given them a friend to hang out with...

Loved the movie 'The Fantastic Mr Fox'.

I have just ordered this precious necklace from http://myselvagedlife.etsy.com on etsy...

It reminded me of the door knocker on my great grandmothers house...hmmm...maybe that's where it all began...? I loved walking up to her door and lifting the heavy fox head, letting it's dark patina weight knock down on the door, announcing our visit.

So when I saw this movie that my nieces had picked out for their sleepover, I was intrigued.

It's the most beautifully filmed movie about a young girl, who's backyard is the hills, woods, creeks and mountains. Her obsession?

Wild foxes.

Some parts of the film can be a bit difficult for the young and weak at heart, BUT it is rated for general audiences and has some valuable lessons.

The scenery is breath taking.

Like I said, it is rated general and a lovely tale for young and old.

So here's to those gorgeous red heads.