"Snowshoe Hare"

Modeling clay, mineral oil, aluminum foil, India ink, wire armature, torn plastic

This piece was an attempt to convey and exaggerate the features of a snowshoe hare in the depths of winter, emerging from its snow-covered burrow. The piece was made with white modeling clay, which was formed onto aluminum foil and steel wire formed into a supportive armature. The den entrance was formed with a torn, shredded plastic bag to create the illusion of the rabbit continuing into a burrow beneath the table's surface. The ears and paws were heavily exaggerated because to me, a hare's ears and paws are their most distinctive and important feature for survival. The hare is meant to appear alert, discerning, sniffing at its environment for safety.

The most difficult part of this project was finding a balance within the design, allowing the ears to feel suspended without overbalancing the sculpture or appearing comical as opposed to simply visually striking. The eyes were also formed separately and painted to add a more natural, organic appearance to the overall whiteness of the piece.