THE STORY OF
Run Rabbit Run
ART BY RHIANNON
Where we started...
In 2014, I was a regular 22-year-old – fresh out of university ready to be a Primary School teacher and take on the world. Little did I know just 6 months later my life would change forever.
I was struck with some strange symptoms: pain in my fingers, (which spread to my other joints), fatigue, odd blood work and a general feeling of malaise. The trivialities of youth were replaced with physical pain, tests, and a lot of unanswered questions. It took around 8 years to receive an accurate diagnosis, and I am currently working with Lupus (SLE), Fibromyalgia and Psoriatic Arthritis.
These health challenges altered my physical capacity to work and perform basic everyday tasks, yet I still needed something to occupy my mind. I experimented with what my body could handle.
Drawing.
Painting.
Creating.
I was raised in a home which valued creativity and encouraged me to try what piqued my interest. I began sharing my journey online and to my surprise other people enjoyed what I was creating. Not only that, but they even asked me to create pieces for them and their loved ones.
In 2015 I started an Etsy shop called “Violets and Poppies”, where I painted wooden beads to create unique necklaces, key rings and earrings. I was interviewed for some magazines, participated in markets and stocked my pieces in others small businesses - from Adelaide to the Canary Islands, even to New York!
My health still proved problematic an as my autoimmune issues were not accurately diagnosed or treated. I took a break from creating for a time, but in 2023 I felt the niggles of art calling me back home.
Why "Run Rabbit, Run"?
With a newfound passion, I decided to take a risk and follow my heart. I always enjoyed art, but never formally pursued anything. I was and remain self-taught. I like to play around with different mediums to see what I can create.
I felt a name change appropriate for this change in focus and I picked a name to merge something old and something new.
The something new is represented by including my name in the title, “art by Rhiannon”. This allows me the flexibility to explore whatever art captures my heart: painting, drawing, photography, poetry – the possibilities are endless!
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When I was young there was an ad on television with the tune “Run Rabbit Run” and my Nan and I used to sing it to each other often.
We also have an photograph of her (from approximately 1954) when her family went on a trip to a zoo. They were quite poor, so such an outing was a treat. She is beaming whilst holding one of the largest rabbits I have ever seen.
Before starting up my business again a rabbit run across the road in front of our car when coming home from a particularly traumatic hospital visit. I looked up their meaning and seeing a rabbit can signify new beginnings and the possibility that things are changing for the better.
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The something old is shown through the “Run Rabbit Run”, a nod to my grandmother. We shared a very close bond, and I unfortunately lost her in 2005 when she was just 54. I can attribute many of my creative talents to her - she had a natural aptitude for creating and a “just try” attitude.
Rabbits remind me of my Nan for a few reasons.
When I was young there was an ad on television to the tune “Run Rabbit Run” and my Nan and I used to sing it to each other often.
We also have an photograph of her (from around 1954) when her family went on a trip to a zoo. They were quite poor, so such an outing was a treat. She is beaming whilst holding one of the largest rabbits I have ever seen.
Before deciding to start up my business again, I was on the way home from a particularly stressful hospital visit when a rabbit ran across the road in front of our car. I looked up the meaning and found that seeing a rabbit can signify a new beginning and the possibility that things are changing for the better.
Where we we are now...
I am so happy to finally be sharing my journey and creations with you all! It has taken a lot of work to arrive here, and a sprinkle of bravery as I continue to learn that I deserve a place here amongst other vastly talented creatives.
When asked to describe what my art is like, I keep returning to these 3 words: colour, whimsy and self-love.
I love experimenting with different colour combinations, using bright, bold colours as well as playing with light and shade. My penchant for bright colours is particularly evident in my abstract pieces.
The whimsical aspects are depicted through my subject matter. Currently, my art is influenced by flora fauna, with a preference for woodland animals (such as deer, rabbits, ducks, and mice).
I also love flowers, (in art and in my garden) and I like to grow plants from seed. They are wonderful year-round inspiration, showing the cycle of the seasons, and the need to rest before we grow. And they are pretty as heck.
I am currently working on my ability to draw people, as it’s something I avoided for many years. I am learning about proportions and playing with different ways of depicting faces as I uncover my own style.
Finally, self-love is a lifelong practice many of us are terrible at (myself included). I like to create pieces with encouraging quotes, to promote positivity and build self-confidence. I am particularly passionate about women supporting women, in the realms of business and through our mental and physical health. I have dealt with many issues in the health care system as a young woman begging for my voice to be heard, as well as dealing with the socio-cultural paradigms that often leave women a few steps behind men. I am pro sisterhood and connection and would love to connect and hear your stories!
I adore handmade goods and shop small business where I can, which I believe is even more important the current mass market and the surge of AI created art. I love being a part of the handmade process both as a creator and receiver! There is something beautiful in holding a piece in my hands that someone has spent their time, energy and skill into crafting, and I believe these practices need to be kept alive as much as possible!
In the next few years, I hope to collaborate with other like-minded individuals, work on my health to become well enough to attend markets (because I love meeting people in person and hearing their stories) and continue learning all I can.
I am excited to see what the future hold for Run Rabbit Run and I aim to continue learning and experimenting with new mediums and techniques as I find my style.
Much love,
Rhiannon xx
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