Sunday, September 07, 2008

3 Rhymes for a Rabbit


# 1

Out in the garden one fine day,
A little brown rabbit came out to play,
She wanted to do something unique and swell,
So this little rabbit tried hatching a shell!
But all in all.... it didn't go too well!!!





#2

It started as a stick of wood...
A sharpened knife did carve it good...
Appeared a rabbit... as it should
That hopped away as quick as it could.





...I also want to include a little tribute to Henry Gibson, American actor and songwriter... someone I loved from Rowan and Martin's "Laugh-In" where he played "the poet" and always did a little ditty where he would walk on stage, clasp his hands, bow, somberly tell a silly poem, bow again and leave without cracking a smile....

He did one about a "Robin" that for some reason has always stuck with me....
I decided to use it for my rabbit...



#3

"The Rabbit"

I saw a little Rabbit go Hop, Hop, Hop,
I said, little Rabbit, "Won't you Stop, Stop, Stop"....

...but he Wouldn't.





Back a couple lifetimes ago, I carved this little rabbit from a 2" x 2" x 4" piece of pine scrap. It was left over from lumber we were using to make simple square railings for a staircase banister in my first house.

To me it seemed precious ... free materials to create with... I used a hunting knife, as it was the only tool of that sort that I had at the time... it had a nice curve at it's tip... and kept a keen edge...

...so as shavings and sawdust fell away... this little rabbit decided to stay...





She is small and smooth... and feels good in a cupped hand... sort of like a worry stone... maybe I should have called her a "Worry Rabbit".

35 comments:

Anet said...

Your poems make me smile! So light hearted and fun. The rabbit is wonderful... of course you can carve too!
I remember "The Poet" too!

Ruth said...

Oh I remember Henry Gibson on Laugh-in, and your bunny is just as sweet as he and his poems were. I admire anyone who carves. It's something connected to the ages, like the other crafts you do, Gwen. It must feel good. And it's still precious.

Marie Alton said...

Awww...it's so cute! Your list of talents just keeps growing!
OMG ... Laugh In! I loved that show! Henry Gibson was one of my fave characters...but they were all so funny...Goldie Hawn...I can still hear that laugh in my head!
Thanks for the memeory

Gwen Buchanan said...

Anet, Just a bit of fun... and just taking away some unneeded bits of wood.
I'm glad you remember the Poet... That show is a classic...

...

Thank you, Ruth, I think my world revolves around a very small orb... I seem very bound to my piece of earth... For me, no need to travel when everything I need is usually at my fingertips in one disguise or other. I just have to figure it out and that is the mystery.

...

You're very welcome Marie! It was a show for fun and being silly.. something we all need once in a while... so we can be kids again!

Anonymous said...

Once again my friend you have sent us yet another of your 'treasures' and example of your artistry. Wonderful! So look forward to your inspirational thoughts and collections.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thanks Shelley, it is always a pleasure to have you drop by!

It is a simple little posting but Simplicity calls to me...

Guillaume said...

Really nice rabbit. I might say a cliché, but it almost looks alive.

mansuetude said...

Tried hatching a shell? oh what wonder that didn't go very well. :)

I am grinning wildly here. I wub your wabbit berry much indeed.

My beagle bunny might like to chase her around in his dreams. :)

Sweet day; may someone make you smile as much as you made me!

ArtPropelled said...

Gwen, she is lovely! I am also smiling. Japanese netsuke carvings come to mind.

sandy said...

What a whimsical post!! and what a great job you did carving that rabbit...

Enjoyed my visit.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Guillaume.. Funny you should say that as I find even when a tree is cut... the wood form it is still alive, as it reacts with moisture and dryness...

...

mansuetude, where is Elmer Fud when we need him?? That pesky wabbit... Your beagle Bunny would probably be joined by my 4 happy critters Pirate, Toby, Tabitha and Gabi.. Quite a crew they would make... they're pretty fun to watch dreaming too!!! Thanks, you made me happy.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Robyn, I'm so glad you brought my attention to Japanese netsuke carvings.. There are so many things to learn about.. I looked some up and they are beautiful. I appreciate it!!

...

Thanks Sandy, I enjoyed your visit too.. You always make me feel light-hearted...

denise said...

Love it. Smooth wood in hand is indeed a good stress reliever. That is super tiny! I love the rabbit and the poetry. :)

I enjoy carving wood. I always do heads for some reason. I love that you keep and care for things for a long time.

Chris Daly said...

What a sweet rabbit. You really are a master of everything.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Denise, ahhh yes, the feel of wood like in an old stair-railing that has been worn and polished by the oil from our skins and rubbed smooth for many years...

You carve heads!!!.. Oh, this sounds great!... I would love to see your work...

....

Chris...Oh no I'm not a master of anything I think I just like to taste all the sweets on the cart..

Ruth said...

I love what you wrote about the mystery, Gwen. Really love it. I am thinking a lot about the concept of 'home' lately. Hmmm, a post is writing itself . . .

Thanks for contributing to my imagination!

mansuetude said...

i thought i "gleaned" that it was your birthday (from the comments way back maybe)? can't be sure, but will throw this wish and blessing over anyway. It can't hurt. :)

ps. on wabbits, we women will have to be Elmor Fudd for each other! (i'll take wednesday if you do Thursday--but you gotta weally weally wisp when you twalk... ;)

Gwen Buchanan said...

That's really fun mansuetude...and you were right, my birthday was on the 5th.. you must have a magic talent to know that!!! I'm impressed again with you!!! thank you so much!

VioletSky said...

"a worry rabbit" - that's exactly what I was thinking as I looked at him. Seeing him with his ears pressed back just makes you want to fondle him, and I love his nubby tail!

Anonymous said...

I read this a few days ago, but didn't know what to say. I'm always impressed with how many things you do, how you express yourself in so many ways.

Happy Birthday to a favorite Blogging Buddy!

jo horswill said...

Gwen, what a lovely carved bunny.
It brings to mind a wonderful Greek nursery rime my mother used to sing to me, when I was little...Ah Kounelaki, it was about a naughty bunny!!!

Ruth said...

Happy belated birthday, Gwen!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Sanna, "Worry" rabbit thanks you and wants to hop off with those kitties you have on your sidebar!!!

........................

Thank you Mamashift, Sometimes we all need a bit of whimsy to lighten life up. you take care!!!

.................

Oh thanks Jo, naughty bunnies usually have the most fun, don't they!!

.................

Thanks so much Ruth!

rivergardenstudio said...

I love your poem and the wood carving. You are such a natural artist and have such a keen sense of nature...Roxanne

Gwen Buchanan said...

You're kind Roxanne...If anyone knows nature you surely do.. I love your nature paintings...

Arija said...

Gwen, what a darling post...the bunny and the rhymes, a real treat.
About a century or two ago in sculpture we carved 'feelies' that naturally rotated in the hand. I used to hoard bits of offcut oregon
too. I love the feel of wood.
If I forgot to wish you a happy birthday for the 5th. then I hasten to rectify the omission here and now and wish you a year of
hope, joy and dreaming. The accomplishing I feel sure will come quite by itself.
May God whoever she is, bless and keep you.

denise said...

My artwork usually ends up being 'scary', so I don't post it to my blog often... ;) Ha. Haven't done wood in a while although this post inspired me to do a screaming head today from clay - the boys love it! I'm going to find some wood - thanks for the inspiration (as always).

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thank you Arija, I accept your wishes with glee..

It must have been such an enjoyable exercise to create your "feelies"... they sound like so much fun!!!

Hope you had a fine holiday!!!


......................

Denise, this gives me such pleasure to think about you creating a wild screaming head.. You are inspiring me back!!! Thank you!!!

VioletSky said...

Hi Gwen, you've been tagged. Sorry, couldn't resist.

Don said...

What a sweet bunny. I love the warm color he has acquired. It must have absorbed some of yours.

kate said...

Your carved rabbit made me smile Gwen! I think you really captured its bunniness!

herhimnbryn said...

I think this rabbit would welcome stroking. Looks so touchable.

Gwen Buchanan said...

Oh Sanna, I don't know what to say.. I shall have to start thinking...



Thanks Don. I love how age and some oil enriches the honey color of pine.



Thanks Kate, She wanted out!



You're right herhimnbryn, she would love it!

Ruth said...

Checking in, Gwen. Hope all is well up there! Busy chopping firewood?

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Ruth,
You are so sweet!!! Hope all is well with you too!!!
No firewood chopping but we really should be putting it in the shed...

The last while, John and I have been deep in the forming, planning and preparation of a new big project... and it has been taking all of our thoughts and energy... These first designing stages and physical bull work are taxing but we have begun it!!! All the figuring and what if's and why not and too expensive and on and on... exciting and scary at the same time... nothing ventured... nothing gained .. so here we go.... Soon.....