Border Fine Arts have just announced their 2012/2013 Society figurines. These include In Ermine and New Neighbour both sculpted by the incredible Ray Ayres.

Pictured left:  In Ermine (B1459) Border Fine Arts Symbol of Membership 2012/2013 – The stoat (Mustela ermine ) is the most widespread of the mustelidae family, which includes weasels, otters and badgers. Excellent foragers, they have incredible speed and agility which allows them to skilfully catch their prey unawares, be it in a nest or down a burrow. The stoat’s coat is normally a chocolate brown colour with a black tip to its tail, but in winter, to help it to blend in with its surroundings, it goes white, although the black tip remains. It is this winter coat, called ‘Ermine’, that has been prized for centuries as a trimming on regal robes.

Pictured right: New Neighbour (B1419) Border Fine Art Society Members Only Model – ‘I am constantly asked by members for pieces with Border Collies on,’ said Ray ‘and so, finally bowing to pressure — after all, it wouldn’t do to produce collies every year for the Member-only pieces! — I set about trying to come up with a design with an original theme.’ 

The result of his deliberative creative skills is New Neighbour, which depicts a mother watching over her boisterous young pups as they delightfully tumble down the farmhouse garden steps eagerly exploring their surroundings. ‘As a pup, there is so much to learn about life on the farm: how to behave, what jobs you are expected to do, and, today’s lesson — who’s who. As they reach the gate that marks the edge of their exploration to date, they come across a creature that they have never seen before. As the lamb and the pups become acquainted through the barrier their mother introduces them to a ‘new neighbour’ whom they will become very accustomed to in the years to come.’

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