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Beautiful Horses
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Pure Dynamics Pure Dynamics is a compact, super black Quarter Horse stallion. When I met him, I thought, I would love to have this horse! He's just the right size -- not to tall -- and so sleek and trim. Plus he had such an expressive face. He's simply a lovely Quarter horse! The goal of my painting was to capture his intent gaze. And I thought I had it just right. So I photographed his painting, even pasted it on this blog page and started writing a post about him. But I just was not pleased with the painting. Pure Dynamics has a pure black color that was not represented in the work.... Sure, as an artist, I love to invent colors. My husband is ALWAYS saying, "Show me the photos of that horse. I'm sure it is not purple [or blue, or whatever color I've chosen.]" But I like to have the imaginative colors enhance the beauty of the horses. That just wasn't happening for Pure Dynamics. Take a look . . .
So, the painting went back to the studio. And it was reworked -- until -- TA-DAAAA.... I like it!!!! That's the finished painting at the top of this column. Does this before-and-after story remind anyone else of those ads in horse magazines for color-rich coat enhancers??? I had to look online to see if I could find a copy of the ad. Black-As-Knight is still around! So now you have a choice in coat color enhancers! Either a supplement called Black-As-Knight or an artist who can paint that horse whatever color you want (on canvas of course). Take a look at Pure Dynamics' website for some photographs of this BLACK beauty!
Pure Dynamics and his owner Lori
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Gator Gator is a red roan Quarter Horse who could easily be a model! What an ideal Quarter Horse! His strawberry roan coloring is a perfect mix of white and sorrel. Gator was nominated by Julie, a friend of his owner Randy. Her story of the pair's special affection for one another convinced me that Gator should be part of the Beautiful Horses of Indiana project. Here's what she wrote: "Gator has been a loyal friend to his owner Randy. Randy was in a terrible riding accident out west that he almost died from. Gator was his usual horse that he took with him, but not this time. The horse he was on threw him then came down on his face. Randy's face had to be rebuilt along with his will to live. When Randy finally got home it was Gator that helped him get back his joy of riding and in life. It was Gator's patience and loyalty to Randy that got Randy back in the saddle. Gator got sick and the vet said to be humane and put him down. Randy refused and has nursed and loved him back to health. They are a team and helped each other survive. Randy has had other beautiful horses and a great mule, but Gator is his boy, his friend for life."
Randy and Gator |
Manly How many horses do you know whose resumes include jobs like pulling chariots filled with tigers or Roman Gladiators? Or serving as a vaulting horse for professional acrobats? Manly, a retired circus horse, whose stage name was Vegas, was a star! And still is a star to his new owner Beth, who rescued him from a circus retirement home. Manly was not having a happy retirement there. Beth wrote, "Apparently, the retired camels, llamas, lions, tigers, bears and monkeys were not what he had in mind for his senior years." Manly made an impression on Beth at their first meeting. After spending some time in his pasture (trying to catch him), Beth rode and lunged him and treated him to a carrot. She adds, "He was given a pat, thanked for his time and I presumed he would head off to graze. He chose not to go, but followed me back to where my spouse and the owner watched, several hundred yards away. This scene repeated itself three times, and included circles and serpentines, back and forth. At one point, pausing to talk to him, he lowered his head to my face and focused one big brown eye into mine. He had to say no more. The next day he came to live with us. He has continued to delight all those who see him." Manly was an angel when we visited. Beth let him wander around the farm, in pastures and fields, so we could take photos. He was a perfect model, and so beautiful. It was easy to imagine gymnasts jumping onto his wide, broad back. And his unruffleable demeanor would have been unfazed by anything that he was asked to pull in the circus chariot. His home with Beth and 11 horses is perfect for his well deserved retirement.
Beth and Manly |
Skylar and Lady Ardola
Kelly lured me to her farm with promises of "9 black Clydesdales with 3 babies due this spring." Those words hooked me immediately! First of all, I didn't even know Clydesdales came in black -- and, secondly, I love babies! Of course once I arrived, Skylar (Renaissance Prince Skylar) won my heart! He was already the apple of Kelly's eye -- with his two blue eyes, bold white face, long white stockings and feisty personality. Just a newbie, he stuck close to his mom, Renaissance Lady Ardola, as they frolicked through the pasture -- herded on by Kelly's husband on a 4-wheeler. Kelly's collection of black Clydesdales included two fantastic stallions and seven mares. While they ranged in age from 19 - 1 year olds, they didn't vary much in size. All were size Large! I really loved Kelly's enthusiasm for her special black Clydesdales!
Kelly and three of her black Clydesdales |
PMU Foals - All Grown Up & Beautiful! Can you believe the horses in this painting started their lives at a PMU farm? The story of how Vicki obtained four PMU foals is amazing.... She tells it best: "There was a herd of 89 mares from a Canadian PMU rancher going to market. They were 15 minutes from loading in the truck [I'll add -- to an unhappy ending] when my girlfriend bought all 89. There were 56 babies to be born shortly after... Bolero being one. I was fortunate to bring four of the yearlings to Indiana the following year." A source for information about obtaining PMU foals is PMU Foal Acquisition Network, Inc. (FANI). Here's what they have to say about PMU: "PMU stands for PREgnant MARe UrINe, which has been harvested from pregnant mares for use in hormone replacement therapy drugs for women since the 1940's. "For approximately six months from fall through spring, the pregnant mares live in the "pee barns," forced to stand in stalls with urine collection devices strapped to them. The stalls are deliberately narrow to prevent pregnant mares from turning around and detaching the collection cups. In the last month of their eleven-month pregnancy, the mares are put out to pasture to have their foals. The mares are put in a herd with a stallion, so they quickly become pregnant again. In September, their foals are taken away from them to be sold, whether or not they are fully weaned. The next month, they're back in the barns and the cycle starts again. Foals not purchased directly from farmers often to auction. Among the bidders are kill buyers, who will take the foals to feedlots to be fattened for slaughter." As you see, the end of the road for PMU foals (and mares who are no longer needed) is often not pleasant. But the four foals who arrived at Vicki's found paradise! Living in a large, airy barn with their own pasture and lake, and loving caretaker, they are four VERY lucky horses! And Vicki would certainly claim she's the one who is lucky! All four of her foals are beautiful! That's why I had to include them all in the painting, although Bolero is the star. He's the one that is second in line, but totally in charge -- exhibiting some alpha behavior as he keeps the horses in line for the photo shoot! Danielle, a fan of Bolero's, also nominated him for the Beautiful Horses of Indiana project. She who wrote, "[Bolero's] eyes hold a softness to them that immediately shows how sweet and understanding this horse is. His forelock is absolutely to die for as it reaches his nose! The rest of his mane is also long and thick. Not only is he simply stunning to look at, his personality is exceedingly charming." You may be wondering what happened to all the other mares and babies that were about to board that truck in Canada. Well, Vicki's friend, who originally rescued the horses, founded The Duchess Sanctuary—owned and operated by The Fund for Animals in partnership with The Human Society of the United States. It is a 1,120-acre facility south of Eugene, Ore., established in 2008 as an oasis for about 200 formerly abused, abandoned, neglected and homeless horses. They got a good home too!
Bolero and Vicki |
Hylke Hylke is one of the most beautiful Friesians I've ever seen. Stunningly statuesque, this seven year old gelding towered over us as he waited to put on a show for his audience of three... his owner Michele, my sister Sharon and me. We were all loving every minute we got to spend watching Hylke transform his fenced arena into a glorious show ring. What a star! Michele imported Hylke from the Netherlands. Since then he as won nine world and national titles. Michele wrote, "The sight of him in the extended trot in the carriage driving class brought me to tears. I was later approached by a USEF judge and several others who also said that his performance and beauty brought them to tears." I can add my testimonial, Hylke is amazing!
Hylke and Michele |
Titan
The largest horse gets the biggest canvas! (Well, piece of masonite, actually) Titan is 18 hands tall and weighs over 2000 pounds. And he fills up this 30 x 24" painting! Jessica, his petite owner, rides and drives Titan in shows. She is a college student who plans to make horses her life work.
Jessica writes, "Horses are my passion. . . . No matter how hot, cold, muddy or labor intensive the situation, when it comes to horses, I take advantage of any opportunity to gain a deeper knowledge, broaden my perspective, and revel in new experiences. . . . I've learned to listen to my horses to help solve their problems, becoming a mix of teacher, dietician, doctor, builder, psychologist, farmer, maintenance worker, laborer, and - most important - partner." Jessica's mother, Charlotte, sent a little background information about Titian: "Titan is very curious. That curiosity and his size were constantly getting him into trouble. His previous owner had him in a 10 x 10 feet stall the majority of his life. The stall was too small and the floor had worn into a bowl shape. Titan didn't have a level surface to stand on and was constantly lame. His previous owner didn't understand the cause of the lameness or the misbehavior and simply confined him more and more to his stall. Titan was lame, bored and resentful when I brought him home. We gave him a bigger stall, regular farrier care, plenty of pasture time, horse friends and work. .. . He loves all the attention and the work ... He is still very mischievous but in a happy, friendly way." Titan was such a joy to photograph. Even with his enormous size and his powerful movement, I never felt scared as he cantered delightfully toward me during his photo session. What a beautiful horse! |
Miss Kit Cat Caylin and her Appendix mare, Miss Kit Cat are regular participants in the 4-H hunter/jumper classes at Indiana's annual Allen County Fair. I'm sure they are tough competitors! The two seemed like a great team when I visited to photograph Miss Kit Cat. Caylin's insightful description of Miss Kit Cat was uncannily detailed. Here are some excerpts: "Miss Kit Cat is an 8 year old gray thoroughbred/quarter horse cross who exhibits grace and elegance whether she is jumping in a lesson or simply running in the pasture with her horse friends. Miss Kit Cat is a strong-minded mare who readily demonstrates a natural intelligence. Her intelligence can both intrigue as well as puzzle a person, but always leaves the person with a greater knowledge of horse behavior as well as the sensed of what an honor it is to have such a majestic and independent creature acquiesce to requests of her human friends. She does not always respond too readily or easily to requests particularly under new circumstances, yet what Cat does is always with the full depth of her heart."
Miss Kit Cat and Caylin |
Abbeyleix Imagination Valerie wrote that her Irish Draught mare, Abbey, had a "'such a look at me' quality." I think this painting captures that darling personality. Abbey liked to pose as I snapped her picture. Then she would gallop beautifully through her pasture. Then she would come up and pose for me again. Over and over she repeated her cycle of running and posing, almost as if she wanted to be sure I got plenty of action AND still shots. She looked so gorgeous bounding through the field -- and many of those photos would have been perfect reference shots for Abbey's painting for the Beautiful Horses of Indiana project. But I could not resist the soulful expression on her face in this pose; I had to use this shot for her painting. Here's more of what Valerie wrote on Abbey's nomination form: "I have had a lifelong dream of having my own little horse breeding farm. Abbey is the 1st step toward realizing this dream. She is a Registered Irish Draught. This breed is on the U.N. Rare Breeds conservancy. (To learn more about the breed go to www.irishdraught.com.) Everywhere Abbey goes, she draws attention. With her big personality and solid, stocky build, people always seem to think she is larger than she actually is -- 15.3 hh. She is also surprising agile and a graceful mover. To me, watching her canter across our pasture summons images of galloping across the Irish countryside, over ditches and stone walls. One day I hoe to take her foxhunting, something which she should have a natural ability. For now she leads a pampered life as the alpha of our little herd." When we were there, Valerie was excited to tell us Abbey was in foal. Hopefully there will be good new soon about a new Irish Draught baby!
Abbey and Valerie |
Nik & Mares Gray dun Norwegian Fjord gelding, Nik (Rokada Nicholas), has to keep three mares in line in his pasture in Auburn, Indiana. In this painting, he has herded two of the mares up to the gate -- that's Nik in the back. I love the breed's unique black striped manes which are clipped to stand straight up! With the three horses lined up, the manes create neat waves curving through this painting. Nik's owners, Susan and Mike, have seven Fjords. Susan writes, that "they are the golden retrievers of the horse world. . . . They have a gentle eye and a wonderful nature." Susan adds, "They are a small stocky draft horse size from 13 to 15 hands but can work right along with the big draft. . . . they also are great trail horses and used for pack horses. Susan and Mike had just returned from an extensive out-of-state trail ride, where their horses excelled in all types of terrain. It is always fun to paint Fjords! I wonder what a Fjord crossed with a zebra would look like? Can you tell I like stripes?
Nik and Mike |
Cherokee Wil-E-Coyote had nothing on Wil-E-Cherokee! This paint mare was outfoxing her owner Jory and Jory's mom Renee when we drove up to take photos. And we were so happy! Why? Because we were running about 45 minutes late, and if Cherokee hadn't been "entertaining" her owners, they might have given up on us! Thank you Cherokee! Cherokee was finally captured from her pasture -- where she'd been dodging between her field full of buddies -- moments after we arrived. Then she put on a wonderful show for us in the arena -- running full steam ahead with her mane and tail flying. She was full of energy! Cherokee uses her speedy-crafty ways in her sports or choice - barrel racing, poles and dash for cash - at the horse shows where she and Jory compete. I bet they win a lot!!
Cherokee and Jory |
CHF Persephone Bey "Beyli" is an equine artist's dream model! She loved showing off -- running, turning, galloping, trotting, twisting -- moving nonstop! Add to that the fact that she's such a beautiful Arabian mare, and you'll know why I could have watched her entertain us all day long! And she probably would have been happy to do so, because she and her owner Lynn are training for endurance rides and Beyli had energy to spare! Lynn's nomination of Beyli for Beautiful Horses of Indiana stated, "Beyli has always been a beauty queen, competing at halter on the national level. I had been looking for an endurance partner and was introduced to her. Not only is she absolutely gorgeous (a dark bay with four white socks and blaze) but she has an absolutely wonderful personality. She is a happy horse that loves people and doing new things." I wanted to paint her boldly with bright colors to match her brilliant personality -- and leave the background in a blur -- just like she does!
Lynn and Beyli |
Cindy 'Tis the season for snow! This has been a great year so far for snow fans, and Cindy's Amish family knows how to have fun in the snow! Phil wrote this about Cindy, his daughter Hannah's pony: "Winter time Cindy gets used to pull sleds and saucers for Hannah in the snow. Also the boys are avid snow boarders going frequently up to Michigan to board. The last two winters they created parks in our pasture with snow hills, curves and jumps with pails of water to help. With Hannah riding, Cindy tows the boys on a 50 foot rope, similar to a boat and water skiers. The boys, Hannah and Cindy spent countless hours out there. Cindy knows to go at a full gallop approaching ramps and curves then slows up for safety." I'm glad I got to meet Phil, Hannah and Cindy. Phil gave me a tour of his garage and a look at his top-of-the-line Amish buggies. Quite impressive! And we got to walk over to his neighbors so Cindy could pose by this manmade lake - which used to be part of a strip mine. The land has been reclaimed and is a beautiful setting for the "English" family who lives there. But best of all was watching Hannah and Cindy together. They really are, as Phil wrote, "best pals."
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Moonlight Kisses and Cloverhill's King Orange Cloverhill's King Orange, "Elwood," the 18-year-old chestnut American Saddlebred gelding in this painting, was nominated for the Beautiful Horses of Indiana project by his owner Nancy. Nancy writes, "Elwood, has been an overall family favorite ever since our son Mike chose him as a 2 year old. He is fiery and yet kind and gentle." Statuesque and regal, Elwood put on a show for us, gliding through the meadow at Nancy's Legacy Farm then pausing to survey his kingdom from the crest of a small hill. Then, Nancy's son, Brian, brought out his Saddlebred, Moonlight Kisses, to race alongside Elwood. The black mare is by their stallion Harlem's Black Diamond and out of Great Lady in Red. Great Lady in Red, once owned by actor William Shatner, is also owned by Brian. After meeting Elwood and Moonlight Kisses, who could not wish to have a Saddlebred of their own?
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Andalusians
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MORE PAINTINGS Home / Commissions / Newsletter / About the Artist / Contact / Blog Copyright 2013. Images cannot be copied or reproduced in any way without permission of the artist.
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