Mixedmedia: Deer Knock

Deer Knock

Studio Note | Leonoor Ruigrok

From Hare to Deer

Deer Knock grew out of the hare, a figure that had appeared in my work for some time. What began as a small, soft creature gradually developed into a strong, independent being. But at a certain point, I felt the hare could no longer carry what I wanted to express. I needed a more powerful figure.

The deer emerged from that feeling. A creature with a strong, human-like body and magnificent antlers. I think of my walks through the dunes, where I sometimes came face to face with deer. The image of a stag standing high on a dune, overlooking the landscape, has stayed with me. Proud, powerful and in control.

Making Deer Knock

Making Deer Knock felt remarkably free. I worked with mixed media, patina and layers on paper, creating an earthy surface. I still can’t quite explain why that earthy quality mattered so much to me at the time. The figure came naturally. I wanted to give that fighting spirit a presence on paper.

Strength, Vulnerability and Femininity

What I love about this figure is its strong, masculine appearance, while I recognise so much of my own femininity in it. This is something I keep exploring in my It’s Nature series. A figure can be powerful and vulnerable at the same time. I don’t feel the need to separate those qualities. Symbols often find their way into my work before I fully understand what they mean. I explore this further in Symbols & Narrative

As I worked, I felt increasingly connected to the figure. Finishing Deer Knock was not an ending. It made me want to create more.

Looking at it now, I recognise how much of my own energy is present in the work. It feels good, and rather bold, to have brought that strength onto paper.

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