About the animals
Years ago I made a bunch of sketches of female figures with a hare. And the hare was always this little character, and you can also see it there on that painting: a female figure with a hare.
Self-invented fables about Drasper the Hare
Drasper the Hare, that was a character my father always told bedtime stories about. I must have been about ten or twelve at the time. We lived close to the dunes. My father grew up in the dunes and he had these wonderful, self-invented fables about Drasper the Hare.
Drasper the Hare could always solve everything with cleverness and resourcefulness. As a result, I thought that was magnificent of course, because I was a little girl and not the strongest, but I found it so inspiring. Years later, when I was around forty, those stories resurfaced. Consequently, I started making sketches of a woman with a little hare doll, dragging it along.
And gradually that hare transformed into a sturdy, tough hare. But strangely enough, that wasn’t enough for me, because then came the deer, and the deer was even tougher and stronger. In fact, it became a new symbol of resilience. Indeed, in my imagination, it proudly stands shining on top of a beautiful dune. Ultimately, that image reflects both strength and transformation.
Those stories resurfaced. I started making sketches of a woman with a little hare doll, dragging it along.
1.that wasn’t enough for me, because then came the deer
And gradually that hare transformed into a sturdy, tough hare. But strangely enough, that wasn’t enough for me, because then came the deer. Indeed, the deer was even tougher and stronger. Moreover, in my imagination, it proudly stands shining on top of a beautiful dune.
2. Finally the deer was even tougher and stronger.
I shifted from oil paint to mixed media and back to oil paint. Eventually, this movement allowed me to explore new layers of expression.
And yes, so the deer actually took the place of the hare. Quite masculine, strong, solid.
And secretly I think that was also a reflection of me realizing that I myself am actually enormously strong and grounded, and that came to the surface. Moreover, in mixed media too—I shifted from oil paint to mixed media and back to oil paint.
And yes, made very much from my feelings. In fact, I must honestly say, only later I realized why I had chosen a deer. So it’s not that I think, oh, let me just come up with something different. It emerges, while doing, during the whole process.
Discover the story behind Drasper the Hare and the deer in Lace Ruig’s art. Indeed, from childhood fables to mixed media paintings, a journey of strength, imagination, and transformation unfolds in this video.
Visit My Studio
Art truly comes to life when you experience it in person. That is why I warmly invite you to visit my studio. Here you can not only see the paintings up close, but also discover the stories behind the series.
Moreover, a studio visit gives you the chance to feel the atmosphere where the work is created and to ask me anything about my artistic process. In addition, it is a unique opportunity to explore how inspiration turns into colour and form on the canvas.
Most importantly, studio visits are always by appointment. Therefore, if you would like to stop by, simply get in touch