Childhood is a time of magic and mystery; so much to learn and we seem more able in our youth to believe in the unbelievable.
The Easter bunny is such a concept, how did this story come to be? With the coming of spring the days become longer, there is warmth to the sun, plants show new growth, flowers bloom and after the long, cold winter it seems as though anything is possible.
On one such spring day, our family were all outside enjoying the warm sun. The children were exploring and watching the animals playing, fresh out of their winter hutch. We had an American Eskimo at the time who I had nick-named Mr. Magoo because he was just like the cartoon character: always getting himself in trouble, and this afternoon was no different.
He was watching Fudge, my gentle bunny, wondering what would happen if he chased her a bit. If only we could read their minds! So he stuck his nose in her business until she ran, and then he chased her, thinking this was a great game and wasn’t he so superior! However, when she’d had enough she let him catch up, turned her body and threw her back legs out knocking him over sideways. He rolled once and then got up, confusion on his beautiful face as Fudge leisurely hopped over to the next batch of clover completely in control of her space. A two pound bunny trumping a twenty pound dog!
Hawk learned a valuable lesson in humility and respect that day from one so small. Me? I just had the best belly laugh, actually we all did.
To me there is no better subject for my Easter card than the incomparable Fudge. She was a perfect poster bunny for the Easter myth still popular today. I know I still want to believe in such magic, and although my childhood did not allow for such beauty, I love the idea and let myself drift into the possibility…
**When I drew Fudge, it was from memory as I did not have the photos to refer to. I was surprised at how much darker her nose and ears were, but overall I felt I captured her spirit which was the important aspect of the drawing for me.
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