Bailey & Sapphin Wicklow Cottontail Rabbit Portrait Study

Every year, just as the wakerobins are pressing through the snow, Bailey and Sapphin Wicklow Eastern Cottontail Rabbit get to work.  While some migrate, many hibernate; rabbits do neither and can measure the days of food stores to the ever-changing length of the season.  Knowing many wouldn't have the provisions needed to make it through if there was one last squall - or worse, one after that - Bailey and Sapphin determined to do something about it. 

Crafting treats so delectably knee-weakening that one needs to sit down to eat them, the duo's confections just as equally provide nourishment from the healthy fats, medicinal herbs, and nutrients they'd harvested during the fall.  They press the ingredients into little egg-shaped moulds, then wrap the bonbons in pastel-hued foil.  Eggs are the perfect conveyance, they thought; a symbol of spring, renewal, and healing. 

Their Aunt Florence Williamena Snowshoe Hare, the town post-mistress was willing - under cover of the night as it was considered moonlighting - to deliver the bunnies' homemade gifts to the families in town.  She leaves a little package at each doorstep and invariably, in her haste, scatters the contents across the snow.

The whole thing quickly became a game, with Florence becoming an unwitting urban legend.  The kids of the community look so forward to waking from their long winter's nap to go hunt for the eggs, maybe catching a glimpse of a tail disappearing into the woods, or finding a footprint or two in the drifts.  Bailey and Sapphin even created a rabbit-shaped locum to throw the youngsters off the trail.   Of course, it has also developed into a wonderful tradition for the two.  Happily tasting as they go, they are thankful that the sugar rush doesn't leave them with any ill effects...except that one rogue photo of them gleefully dancing the bunny hop with their confectionary doppelgangers.

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Portrait Study, 8x10” or 9x12” in protective cello. Each Portrait Study is accompanied by a whimsical tale of the animal featured. Entirely collectible, the stories intertwine, creating a much-loved community of characters. We print on a luxurious 318 gsm, 100% cotton paper. Soft and durable, this paper showcases crisp detail and vibrant colour.

We donate a portion of gross sales to animal welfare.