 |
|
|
Beautiful Horses of Pennsylvania |
Shining Eye Lynda What is it about draft horses that are so amazing? I think, for me at least, it's a combination of their gentle nature and gigantic size that I find awesome. What are they thinking when they gaze down on us from their great horse height? That is the feeling I've tried to capture in this painting of Shining Eye Lynda. Lynda's a pure white Percheron mare, 19 years old. And she was nominated by her owner Kris, who first met Lynda in 1992. They've been best friends since! Kris wrote that together they've won many draft classes in Pennsylvania and Maryland. And in 2006 they competed in the Percheron World Congress and won! So Lynda is a World Champion! Kris also wrote, "Lynda is a wonderful brave mare - one that I have entrusted my life to during our wedding/carriage ride business. We read each others' minds it seems. She never let me down, and still she is full of herself --telling anyone who'll listen how grand she is. "She has helped me in so many ways, always right there when needed, being kind to her 'students' she n' I taught to drive. "Now she n' I are getting older and slowing down a little -- but shhhhh -- don't tell my best friend. She's not getting older, she is getting Better!" You'll find Kris's story about Lynda and one particular wedding published in Chicken Soup for the Horse Lover's Soul.
Shining Eye Lynda and Kris |
Manastash Nation Manastash Nation is an elegant Thoroughbred who ran in the Penn National as a youngster. To quote his owner, Doug, "...he has a traditionally English conformation, conjuring the images of George Stubb's paintings." Of course that caught my attention -- I love those old paintings of Thoroughbreds. Doug also wrote about his 10 year old gelding: "To be around him is to be pacified. To see him at liberty is to marvel at flexibility, half kangaroo, half swan. Under saddle he is might." Manastash's long graceful limbs reminded me of a lanky, nimble dancer. So graceful. So beautiful.
Doug and Manastash Nation |
Tolgar Tolgar, Norwegian Fjord stallion, was very fun to photograph. He seemed to really enjoy racing around his apple tree filled hillside pasture. It was a fast moving game of hide and seek! My goal was to capture him with my camera when he was not partially hidden by the trees. It was fun because Tolgar was really getting into it! I wanted to paint him in full action mode. His athleticism and determination and animated energy were impressive! Here is a photograph of Tolgar.
On his back is James, Tolgar's owner Joe's son. I putting it in to show you, despite the energy exhibited in his painting, Tolgar really is gentle -- see no bridle! Joe hopped on Tolgar and rode him around the property bareback and with no bridle. And then, at my request, they posed on the hillside driveway with the most beautiful parts of Pennsylvania as a backdrop. It was a valley filled --- as far as I could see -- with geometric patterns of fields of lushly growing crops and shinning white barns and houses, gleaming like jewels. What beautiful country. I also got to meet the families' white Fjord mares and foals. So cute! I had not realized the breed had more than one color. A white Fjord is very unique! Here's what Joe wrote about Tolgar: "Tolgar is a beautiful gray Norwegian Fjord stallion that attracts a lot of attention everywhere he goes. Recently he was at the Horse World Expo in Harrisburg, PA. He had his own stall beside our booth where people could see and pet him. Many people commented on his gentle disposition. "In 2008 he was evaluated by the Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry and received an excellent score of 81 (out of a perfect score of 100) in conformation and movement. "Tolgar is trained to ride and drive. He spends his spare time in the pasture with his mares and offspring, where he is such a gentleman." |
Tough Cookie Tough Cookie's story is one of my all time favorites, so I'm just going let you read what her owner Kathy wrote: "My dream started out about twenty years ago. I had a vision to breed a Draft Horse with a Thoroughbred. A friend at work said he'd go halves on a work horse mare. We found a mare and, after two bad pregnancies, we thought we were good with the third till the mare twisted her uterus. "The vet said he'd untwisted cow uterus but never a horse, but after five rolls we untwisted the uterus but expected to lose still another foal. But when the vet reached in the next day expecting to find a dead foal, he got bit! That's where she got her name 'Tough Cookie.' "She was such a cute foal and grew up to be a beautiful mare even tho my husband thinks differently. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. She is the smoothest riding horse I've ever ridden. I originally wanted to show her jumper, but she ended up being my best fox hunter ever. "I decided to breed her and got two great foals out of her, but the only problem was that with the second foal, her uterus came out. It was touch and go, but the vet successfully got it pushed back in. This is the same vet that saved her life 14 years ago. He said she probably wouldn't live. He talked to other vets and no one knew of a mare that lived through an ordeal like that. Well again she lived up to her name and even raised the foal. "She's given me such pleasure and has a tough exterior, but deep down inside she's a softy."
Tough Cookie with Kathy |
S.C. Island Silverado S.C. Island Silverado is a rare gray Morgan stallion. His owner Helga wrote, "He is correct, and the first words out of everyone's mouth when the see him is 'He's beautiful!'" Of course I thought so too! I loved his coloring and dapples. He's a special horse. Helga also wrote, "He has even been used by Peter Stone of Stone model horses as an example at one point at Equine Affaire. He is friendly and has made a lot friends over the years."
Helga and SC Island Silverado |
To Koda and Friends To Koda was nominated by an family friend, Faith. She wrote that he was a Nokota, a breed that represent the Native American culture. She wrote, "He has the nobility and spirit that one would expect from that heritgage. I am always intrigued to see uncommon breeds, so I was excited to include To Koda in my Beautiful Horses of Pennsylvania project. When I arrived, at Tracy and Mike's (his oweners) farm, I found not only To Koda, but also three of his buddies! They were all beautiful, so they all had to be included in the painting! But To Koda - third from the left, is the obvious focus of the portrait. To Koda's Spanish profile and prolific mane hint at perhaps some Andalusian blood in his history. What else might be in the mix? The history of the Nokota horse is fascinating! Very few remain. Nokota horses are descendents of the Wild West, with a history filled with adventure. They are survivors of a tough environment and human determination to rid the West of wild horses. The original Nokota herd, who now is under the watch of the National Park Service, live in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park was created near Medora, North Dakota. Their caretakers are breeding for a more modern look, and many of the more wild "looking" horses have been auctioned off. Those Nokotas are being cared for by individuals who are working to preserve the breed. Here are two links with much more information about the Nokota breed: Equiworld's Brief History of the Nokota Horse
To Koda and Tracy |
Xylireau Charmaine calls her 26-year-old mare Xylireau "the welcome wagon at my farm." Both Charmaine and Xylireau were there to welcome us on our trip through Pennsylvania. It was easy to see Charmaine's deep commitment to Xylireau. Charmaine wrote, "She is the love of my life.... She has that look of, 'Yes, my friend, what can I do for you today.' I could ask her to climb a tree for me and she would give it a try without hesitation." It was wonderful to see such a loving bond!
Xylireau and Charmaine
|
Meadowcreek Jake Carole nominated her friend Carolyn's Percheron 20-year-old gelding, Meadowcreek Jake, for the Beautiful Horses of Pennsylvania project, writing, "Jake is an all around horse. He goes English, Western, drives, jumps, runs barrels, does reining, etc. You name it - Jake has probably done it." I don't know about you, but I'm always amazed when I see someone riding a draft horse. Yes, I wish I could try it someday! But to imagine a draft horse doing all the things Carole listed, that's just mind boggling. I had to meet Meadowcreek Jake. When we first arrived, Jake's buddy Black Jack was cross tied inside the barn. My sister and I were star struck by Black Jack - the largest horse we'd ever met! We both rushed to have our photos taken beside Black Jack (which you can see on my July 2, 2009 Blog)! Wow, was this horse BIG. Then Carole and Carolyn redirected our attention, telling us all about Meadowcreek Jake -- the reason for our visit. Jake was quietly standing in his stall, looking beautiful in the wonderful soft lighting. I knew immediately I wanted to do a painting of him in his stall. Pure white, big and beautiful, he just looked so peaceful standing in the rustic barn. Carole and Carolyn lead Meadowcreek Jake out back to his grassy field and turned him loose. Sharon, my sister, shook our little rattle to get his attention, and LOOK OUT ----it was like watching a tremendously powerful rocket suddenly taking off -- zooming around, zig zagging here and there, galloping around and around. Meadowcreek Jake was kicking up his heels, twisting and turning, running faster than I could never imagine a horse his size could muster. This was so neat! I had to capture this power and energy coupled with strength and might in Meadowcreek Jake's painting. As I studied Jake's painting, I was happy with the composition and colors, but this painting had a different feeling than most of my work. Then I realized that it was a heavy feeling and was perfect for this heavy horse! I'd incorporated his solid build and substance into his painting without even planning to do so. I really like the results.
Meadowcreek Jake with Carolyn and Adrien, who also rides Jake |
Forest DMF Forest is Doug's Andalusian stallion -- and is Manastash's barn mate (see right). If you know me you know I would never miss the opportunity to visit an Andalusian! And I was so entranced by Forest! He's such a pretty color - (which of course will change as he matures to pure white). I would be tempted to call his present color "apricot" - but he's not a poodle, so I'll stick with Doug's descriptive "buckskin." Forest reminded me so much of my mare, Sorpresa, especially when he moved around the pasture. Absolutely people focused, he wanted to stick with Doug! But when Forest moved out he did a special step I call the "rototiller" -- and I tried to capture the movement in his painting -- with his far foreleg flaring out in that special Andalusian way. Here's what Doug wrote about Forest: "Forest embodies a journey from the Arabian influence on Iberian horses to their importation to colonial Mexico and their modern versatility. He has the deliberate brio of his breed which means lightness tempered by obedience. His look is baroque, crested and balanced on the fore. He has classic Spanish almond eyes, wealth of mane & tail and small ears. There is extra action to his step creating a dancing way of going with flair. A charming young man eager to know the world."
Doug and Forest |
Nile Roze When Angela nominated her Straight Egyptian Arabian mare, Nile Roze, I was excited because Arabians are such beautiful horses! Nile Roze is a great example of the breed and is quite the spirited Arabian. She raced around her pasture as I did my best to follow her movements with my camera as she flew by. Angela had written, "Roze is the true ugly duckling of the horse world. She came to me as a green four year old who was less than stunning. She has since blossomed into a beautiful and talented athlete and she is without a doubt my heat horse. She's a beautiful princess and she knows it, especially in the show ring, which makes her such a blast." I wanted to capture her princess attitude, with her proud headset, sleek movement and flying tail. And with her "rosy" name, I thought a bit of pink would be appropriate too.
Nile Roze and Angela |
||||||
|
Andalusians
|
||||||||||||||||
|
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.
|
||||||||||||||||
