moderneden:

Jackalope

Ryan Gannon

• 10 x 10 inches
• © 2012
• Acrylic on Canvas

Jackalope is a mythical animal of North American folklore (a so-called “fearsome critter”) described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns or deer antlers and sometimes a pheasant’s tail (and often hind legs). It is possible that the tales of jackalopes were inspired by sightings of rabbits infected with the Shope papilloma virus, which causes the growth of horn- and antler-like tumors in various places on the rabbit’s head and body. This can occur in cottontail rabbits under natural conditions and in domestic rabbits under experimental conditions. However, the concept of an animal hybrid occurs in many cultures, for example as the griffin and the chimera.

Artist Site: Ryan Gannon

My dude’s latest painting for the upcoming Myth show at Modern Eden this Saturday. Cute little critter.