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Beautiful Horses |
Skippin on Cloud 9 Skippin on Cloud 9 was grazing in a grassy pasture filled with sparkling daisies with a backdrop of tall blue spruce trees. What a cheerful setting for this blue-eyed beauty! Her loving owner writes that this buckskin paint mare "literally takes your breath away when she aims those baby blue mascara eyes at you. She has a way about her of easing the day's tensions and you find yourself smiling. To watch her in motion is a whirlwind of color. She has always been a sweetheart since she first captured my heart at three months of age. Her magic had me walking on Cloud 9 when I first saw her and she still does." What a pretty mare! I hope this painting makes you smile, too.
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Romerito Romerito is an amazing bay Andalusian stallion that I first met a few years ago at the Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio. His owner, Gabi, was leading him to an exercise arena. I'll never forget my first impression of Romerito. He was so big, so strong and so powerful -- I guess the best word to describe him is unforgettable. I just followed behind the two of them as they walked to the arena. I wanted to see more of Romerito! When I started planning the Beautiful Horses of Michigan, I asked Gabi if I could include Romerito, and she agreed even though she was busy planning the first Fiesta Midwest 2008, a celebration of the Andalusian breed held in Ohio last June. I was looking forward to seeing Romerito there, but Gabi had so much to do managing the show, she was not able to bring her wonderful stallion to compete. The show was a huge success, and I'm hoping that there will soon be news about a Fiesta Midwest 2009 which will include Romerito! I did get to visit Gabi and Romerito when I was driving throughout Michigan photographing horses for the Beautiful Horses of Michigan series. He was grazing in a pasture beside his small band of mares with his wonderful babies by their sides! Gabi calls Romerito "her best friend." It was obvious they enjoy a wonderfully close bond as they played together. Romerito's painting is so nontraditional. To me, it conveys the immense power and strength that exudes from this beautiful stallion; that energy seems un compressible -- impossible to constrain within the four sides of a painting. Please take a moment to learn more about Romerito at: Romerito's Website
Romerito and Gabi
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Banner's Royal Delight
"Bandee" is a miracle baby, who has been winning everyone's hearts, not to mention more than her fair share of blue ribbons and championships, since she was born. Her owner Jan wrote, "She won her first blue ribbon when she was 4 weeks old. ...She won the Michigan overall weanling . . . the National Championship in Murfressboro, Tennessee [at perfect spot for Tennessee Walking Horses to compete] . . . and took National Grand Reserve. . . . by the end of the Nationals, Bandee was awarded National High Point Champion." Jan continues, "Bandee is an amazing success story. She is enjoying winter, diving and rolling in snow banks. She is a pure delight to train and play with." One secret to their success must be the time Jan and her husband, Colonel Don, spend with Bandee. They are at the barn for hours each day teaching Bandee. When I visited Bandee was a yearling and cute as can be! She adored being around people and had so much fun racing around the arena. She is delightful!
Janet, Bandee, and Colonel Don |
Baskeeter Baskeeter is, as his owner Lisa wrote, "26 years young." This chesnut gelding is a wonderful example of the Arabian breed with his people-loving personality. He was an excellent model and seemed to enjoy posing like a pro for the camera. Lisa also wrote, "Baskeeter (Skeeter) is an older gentleman, but still very handsome. He has a beautiful head and neck, with a seashell shaped star. His is wonderfully gentle and still incredibly gorgeous. I have owned him since he was 10 months old. He means the world to me." It was so interesting to get to see what a close relationship Lisa and Skeeter have. As an added note: My rescue cat, who chose us at the local humane society, is also named Skeeter!
Skeeter and Lisa
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One Hot Nite (Chrome) is a Pinto Saddlebreed ASHA/PtHA tobiano stallion with the sleekest conformation I've ever seen. He was calmly standing in the barn waiting for Holly, his owner, when I first saw him. I love sleek horses, so I was immediately enthralled. Holly lead him out to the round pen, and it was as if a wild fire cracker was ignited. Chrome took off -- flexing his muscles, twisting with glee. He was zooming around the round pen with tremendous dynamic energy. My camera could hardly keep up! I knew I wanted to do an "action-packed" painting of this beautiful stallion. This painting has a very non-traditional composition, and although it does not picture Chrome's perfect conformation, it does capture his wonderful playfulness, energy and spirit.
Holly plays with an adorable colt
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Gabriel Gabriel is a dreamy palomino whose feathery mane and tail seemed to surround him like a glowing aurora, a pure white shining sunlit cloud, billowing around him -- defying gravity as it flowingly enhances his every move. His opalescent golden body sparkled in the sunlight, as he pranced, then galloped around his pasture. What an angelic horse! Charlee, his owner thinks so too. Here's what she wrote about her Tennessee Walking Horse gelding, "Stunning gold champagne boy with long shoulder length mane and thick tail reaching past the ground, long forelock to his nose, pure white. His golden body gleams in the sunlight. He is perfection, my 'angel' hence his name Gabriel. A true Barbie Doll, dream horse." Gabriel is actually not a palomino, but a champagne horse, carrying a unique gene that gives his coat an amazing metallic sheen. You can learn more about champagne horses at the International Champagne Horse Registry. The site includes photos of stallions from many breeds with this gene. In Gabriel's painting I've purposely used very thin washes of translucent oil paint to create a dreamy atmosphere. The dark blue background represents the heavens and the undefined footing a floating cloud on which Gabriel lightly treads. It's only fitting for this angelic beauty.
Gabriel and Charlee |
Graceful Eagle Sandra's nomination for Graceful Eagle for the Beautiful Horses of Michigan was so wonderfully written, I'd like to share it with you: "Eagle is one of the most beautiful horses in Michigan! His beauty comes from within and it animates him at play in the herd or under saddle. I don't have to ask him to set his head or carry himself properly, he just does what comes naturally with a sense of nobility and adventure. As the herd boss he carries himself with dignity and energy as if no other horse is as top notch as he! "I couldn't be help but be attracted to him when I was looking for a horse because he is colorful, with hints of blue, black, and gray on white. He has a beautiful head and wonderful confirmation. But it was his fun loving temperament that won me over. Eagle lives to play and is confident. In Parelli terms, he's a Left Brain Extravert, characterized by words like playful, smart, exuberant and charismatic. "We have a wonderful partnership based on respect and I am challenged by him as he is easily bored. My favorite times with him are when we are running through the woods, I often feel like I am flying on the wings of an eagle. Then we come to the top of a hill and he punctuates the uphill climb with a twist or jump that makes me laugh. "I believe that Eagle's beauty exemplifies the strength, respect and nobility of the wonderful horse." Graceful Eagle, who is a Tennessee Walking Horse, shares his home with Kenya, whose painting features her wading in the river that meanders through their pasture. I was originally going to do a water painting of Graceful Eagle also, but everyone loved this action shot so much I changed my mind. It will always remind me of the giant dust storm that blew through while I was taking photos of Graceful Eagle which made the photo shoot extra exciting. Think Hidago!
Graceful Eagle and Sandra
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Kenya When I arrived at the farm where Kenya lives, a strong storm was brewing. Bad news since this was Graceful Eagle's home too. I hoped the weather would not ruin two photo shoots in one. Luckily the storm passed, allowing us take lots and lots of photos in the arena. Then Elizabeth, Kenya's owner, and Sandra, Graceful Eagle's owner (also the owner of the farm), asked if I'd like to take some photos in the backyard. I knew I had some great photos from the arena, but said, sure, why not? Well, let me tell you, this was the most beautiful backyard I have ever seen. As you come around the side of the house (beautifully planted with perennials) the land dips down gently through a pasture. At the bottom of the slope giant, GIANT shade trees peacefully stand guard over a wide, WIDE peaceful river. On the far side of the river, wild marsh grasses abound. It is beautiful! We took some photos under the trees, and then Elizabeth offered to wade the horses into the river! Am I the luckiest equine artist, or what??? I got more great pictures of Kenya and Graceful Eagle -- these with them wading in the lazy river. How exciting! Kenya's painting is a study of contrast between the reflections of light on the water and Kenya's wonderful dark tones. Elizabeth's nomination for her dark bay Morgan mare stated, "Her coat is chocolate colored, fading to black socks. Her face is the same dark chocolate color, with a light brown muzzle that contrasts with black nostrils. ..She also has golden-burgundy highlights on the top layer of her forelock, mane and tail." What a wonderful description! I'd barely completed Kenya's painting when I decided to make a YouTube video featuring my paintings. Researching music on the internet, I came across Rick Clarke's "Better Luck Tomorrow" with its wonderful mix of strings and the sounds of nature. Sprinkled through the arrangement were sections with a flowing stream in the background. I knew that Kenya's painting would play an important role in my video. If you'd like to see the video -- with over 40 paintings, here's a link: Horse Paintings by Karen Brenner on YouTube
Kenya and Elizabeth down by the river
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Conversano Marina Tracy wrote that she had a Lipizzan stallion, Conversano Marina, that would be perfect to include in the Beautiful Horses of Michigan project. She said: "'The little stallion' (as I have come to call him) has been wonderful to train and I am looking forward to our future together. He is teaching me to give my heart to my horses again after losing my FEI Dressage horse last year." When I met Conversano Marina, I was mesmerized by the lovely pastel pink, orange, blue and lavender colors that formed intricate patterns on his beautiful face. Oh, I could hardly wait to start painting! Tracy said as Conversano Marina matured the colors would become even more defined! Wow, that's hard to image! This painting was finished at least three times. What does that mean, you might ask. Well, when I complete a painting I move it from the studio to our family room where I can look at casually for a few days -- just to be sure I'm satisfied with it. Well at first I liked the painting. I even photographed it to post online. But then .... no.... Back it went to the studio for more work. I could clearly remember the feeling I had when I looked at Conversano Marina, and the painting was just not right. I had to capture those amazing colors. After more painting -- and again photographing the piece -- Nope -- I still wasn't happy. After another trip back to my studio and some intensive work, finally I felt that I'd captured the beautiful hues that impressed me so! Of course, a tiny photo online is never as good as the real thing. You really need to see the painting - or the horse :-) in person to appreciate these colors! While talking with Tracy, I discovered that her father, James P. Rowe, was very much responsible for introducing Dressage to the northern half of the United States. He taught haute ecole or "Airs above the ground" and trained some great riders, including Tracy! Here's a link, so you can read more about the stable's fascinating history: Rowe Stables History
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Snap E Traveller This is one of my favorite horses ever! Snap E Traveller loved the camera! He was hilarious as he raced around his large pasture with his head cocked ever so slightly, checking to be sure I was capturing his every move. He was having fun! And to top it off, he cantered right up behind me and snorted down my neck -- making my hair fly up in my face. I loved his fun-loving spirit and confidence! Marilyn, his owner wrote, "There is something about this horse that captures the hearts of anyone, man, woman, or child who is in his presence. This horse exudes personality from every inch of his being." That's so true! I will never forget my brief adventure with him! Marilyn added, "He knows over a dozen commands from the ground and actually enjoys being involved in human conversations.... I wish I had a barn full of horses like Snappy. He is truly one in a million." What a character! I have to smile every time I think of Snappy!
Snap E Traveller and Marilyn
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Mr. Skips Geronamo Everyone who's done morning or evening chores (which would include just about every horse owner) knows that sometimes the light coming through an open door or window can be breathtaking. A thin band of brilliant sunlight streaming into the darkness -- falling just right -- can create a a dramatic living work of art. Historically artists use the term Chiaroscuro to describe the strong contrast of light and dark to depict volume in a painting. Artists throughout the centuries have featured this dramatic lighting in their work. Probably the most famous, thanks to a contemporary movie by the same name, is Vermeer's Girl with Pearl Earring. Many of Rembrandt's most dramatic paintings are lit by a strong source of light - candlelight or sunlight from a small window. What's that got to do with me??? I've always love chiaroscuro, and happened to be at the right place at the right time to capture one of the horses in my "Beautiful Horses of Michigan" project as the light streamed into a dark indoor riding arena and fell on his beautiful, volumetric, muscular body. Lucky me! And it was of course the pose I chose for his painting. Here's how it happened. . . We were driving from one barn to the next on course to visit barn number three on my list of five for the day, when we came upon a detour. This of course threw me off target - with my MapQuest directions no longer viable. Usually it's not a problem if the detour signs are clear. Of course, they were not clear, and soon we were lost somewhere in Michigan. Plus, did I mention the pouring rain? Pouring so hard that we could not see two feet in front of the windshield? We were very lost. Luckily I had a phone number for Denise, so I called and her husband gave me directions to the barn. And we found it! When we arrived it was still raining so hard I didn't even want to get out of the car to run five feet to the barn door. But Denise was there motioning me in, so, being on a tight timeline - and not wanting to look like a wimp - I made a quick dash for the door. I was immediately and thoroughly soaked. Oh well . . . when I saw Mr. Skips Geronamo, I knew it was worth it. Here was one beautiful horse! I count that downpour as a blessing in disguise because it forced Skippy's photo shoot indoors, and the lighting near the large open barn door fell wonderfully on his beautiful white coat, accentuating his sleek, muscular body. It was a chiaroscuro moment! Even though the rain let up so Denise and Nikki, could take Skippy outside for some pictures, his photos I took inside that dark arena are among my favorites from my whole Michigan trip. Almost totally white, Skippy, who is a Paint gelding, has buckskin markings around his face and one blue eye. As his owners, Denise and Nikki wrote, "His is very photogentic." So true!
Nikki, Skippy and Denise
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Awe He's Cool Awe He's Cool is such wonderful name for this loud Appaloosa gelding! My eyes were riveted to his splashy coloring as I photographed the young gelding, nicknamed Jyedee, which is Thai for "good hearted." He was cool! The pose I chose to paint will surely dismay a few members of my family (who will remain nameless - but include my mother and lovely daughter) who believe I have painted WAY too many horse butts already, "butt" this pose captures Jyedee's wonderful colors and lively spirit in a way a head shot would never accomplish. I have to admit, I took dozens of photos of his rump! The patterns and form create wonderful compositions, which I may use in the future in for a series of abstract equine paintings. Jyedee's owner, Connie, is also enamored by his beautiful spots. Here's an excerpt from the Beautiful Horses of Michigan nomination form she submitted: "Awe, he's cool! That's the first think I said when I saw him, aged two weeks in two small pictures on the internet. I thought about him all night, obsessed. He became ours the next day. . . .He was leggy, loud colored; dark bay with a blanket and spots, and more spots, and more spots. . . . His registered name? The first words I said when I first saw him . . . Awe He's Cool."
Awe He's Cool with Connie and her daughter Keegan
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Confiado
Confiado is a power house of a horse. A rare copper bay Andalusian stallion, Confiado is big and strong, yet amazingly loving when handled by his petite owner Maureen! Exuding power and strength, Confiado galloped freely through his pasture. He was wonderful to photograph! Why then is his portrait a quiet moment in profile? Maureen told me that what she loves most about Confiado are his expressive eyes. Her adoration for this overwhelming horse, is demonstrated in the firm, consistent way she controlled him. Their mutual respect for one another seemed to be expressed in the way Confiado obediently yielded to her-- not out of fear, but out of well thought out kindness.
Confiado and Maureen |
Tempest The shadow Tempest, a Percheron Paint, cast in the early morning sunshine emphasized his strength and stature. Like a huge tree casting a cool shadow, Tempest seemed like he would be content if we all gathered our lawn chairs under his shade canopy. He'd simply calmly continue munching on the grass. Of course, we'd have to shift our seating arrangements as he moved along to different patches of grass.... And you wouldn't want to be lounging around if he started showing off his cantering and galloping skills. Thundering around the outdoor arena, Tempest demonstrated that bulk plus power can be very impressive! Tempest is owned by Lauren and her two daughters Erin, who trail rides with Tempest, and Gail, who rides dressage with him. Lauren wrote, "Tempest has been a spectacular horse for us and has livened up our barn. He loves to play and he definitely knows how handsome he is."
Tempest with Erin, Gail and Lauren
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Pride Heat of the Night
When I met Heat (Pride Heat of the Night) it was lightly raining and I was holding an umbrella, which he found fascinating. His expressive look immediately caught my attention as he eyeballed my rain gear. I wanted to capture that moment in his painting, and I really like the way the colors in this piece remind me of that misty afternoon in Michigan when I first was introduced to Heat. Heat is lovingly cared for by Susan and her two daughters Gabrielle and Alexandra. All three helped me herd Heat around the pasture and in and out of their large barn so I could take lots of photos! What a nice family. I really enjoyed what Susan wrote on Heat's nomination form, so I'll share it with you: "A friend of mine called late one evening and told me that I needed to save this horse. He is really special, so of course I said yes. Heat was brought to us late one evening in December 2005, and when he arrived he was 200 pounds overweight, loaded with cockle burrs, full of worms, half his tail was rubbed off, he hadn't seen a farrier in quite a while and had no gleam in his eye. I found out that he was left alone in a paddock for about six years and was overfed. "My daughters and I then went to work. Through the following year, we nursed him back into stellar health and what we found was truly a diamond in the rough. Very slowly, the light came back in his eyes. He started playing again., but he started to carry an 'air' about him. It is as if he is completely responsible for everything around him -- he is the emperor "He has traveled all over the country with us, from showing to exhibitions, to pulling wedding carriages. He has obtained many state championships. However, the greatest thing we have discovered about him that makes him beyond special is his wonderful talents with children. He never goes faster than they can handle and he proudly carries them wherever they need to go. He allows them to handle him and forgives them for any of their mistakes. He knows that they too are learning. Between Heat and my children, we all belong to each other and will for many years to come."
Alexandra, Heat, Susan and Gabrielle
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Glo with Mabelene
Glo with Mabelene, the third horse in the Beautiful Horse of Michigan series, is nicknamed Beauty. And that she is! And her owners treat her like a queen! When I was there to photograph her, Jim and Cheryl, her owners who had nominated her for the project, adoringly looked on, lovingly watching Beauty's every move. (Of course part of that was to prevent her from rolling because she was sparkling clean for the photo shoot --- and for a show she was headed for soon after.) Yes, we did leap into action a couple times when she almost to rolled! Here's what her owners wrote: "Beauty is a very sweet horse and she has great markings. She is very willing and really enjoys people. We 'Love' her so very much. Everyone who sees her remarks about how beautiful she looks and when they meet her and find out that her personality is so sweet, they can't help but smile and want to touch her." With a name like "Glo with Mabelene" I had to do something feminine and pretty for her painting, hence the pink background. It sets off her bold white and black markings nicely!
Cheryl and Jim and Glo with Mabelene
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Noble Afire MFA There are some horses that just take my breath away because they are awesomely beautiful. Noble Afire is one of them. This beautiful bay Arabian Stallion was the first Michigan horse we met when we started our trek through the state. He'd been nominated by one of his owners, Ann Hernandez. She and her business partner Kristen Hornby own Weaver Arabians in St. Clair County, Michigan. Here's an excerpt from their nomination: "Our stallion hails from an extremely noble lineage. We, his owners, are enthralled by his wonderful movement and gorgeous thick mane and tail, amused by his playful antics, delighted by his gentle personality and forever grateful because his care was entrusted to us as a gift." Noble was gifted into Kristen’s care when he was a gangly yearling with some health concerns. Watched over and loved by Kristen, he began to flourish and grow into a beautiful young stallion. However, in the fall of 2007, he was found gravely ill in his stall by Ann (who was checking on the horses while Kristen attended her uncle’s funeral). Amazingly this stallion was brought back to health with the aide of the Michigan State University Animal Hospital staff (http://cvm.msu.edu/hospital). The partners now have a treasure to share with all of us who get to meet Noble. Here is a link to the Weaver Arabians website. I gave Ann permission to use some of the photos I took of Noble Afire on her website. It might be interesting to compare the painting with my original photo, which Ann selected to post on their Home page and on their Stallion page.
Noble Afire and Kristen |
Too Sleepy To Paint Too Sleepy to Paint, aka "Justin," is a wonderful hunter style paint horse who was nominated by his owner Jenny for the Beautiful Horses of Michigan projcect. I loved his name! And Jenny's description was great. She wrote, "'Justin' is a stunning 4 year old paint that has lots of eye appeal. He has a bald face with blue eyes, he even has the makeup around his eyes. ... He is the 2007 overall champion hunter halter horse in Michigan Pinto. Nationally he's #2 in the nation hunter halter gelding. I think he'd be a great subject as he's very eye catching." I caught up with them at the Ashland Fairgrounds which is one county over from where I live in Ohio. Boy, Jenny was right about Justin. He was very eye catching! And hard to miss at 17hh and still growing. They were winning lots of ribbons and looked great in competition. Luckily, they had time to pose for some photos, even though Justin was almost Too Sleep to Be Photographed after working so hard at the show!
Justin and Jenny |
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Andalusians
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