Horse Paintings Blog - Spring Summer 2011

BLM - Wild Horse Roundup!
Posted August 31, 2011

This post has it's own page! So many photos to see! Click here to read all about my adventure with Wild Horses on the High Desert in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

- Karen

 

Cash's World
Posted August 11, 2011

(From my August newsletter)

This painting features Alpha horse, Cash, as he herds his pasture mates to the lone shade tree at the far end of the field. As I was working on this painting, I continually thought about the Andrew Wyeth painting, Christina's World. The grassy hill, the close image of the subject of the painting in the bottom left, and the destination in the upper right all seemed similar. That is why I named the painting Cash's World.

posted by Karen Brenner

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Summertime Experiment
Posted August 9, 2011

This summer I experimented with a different painting technique. Usually I gradually build up colors using pure hues. For this painting of Beyli, an Arabian from Indiana, I quickly painted the whole surface dark earthy tones. Then I used pure, opaque, lighter colors -- and a horse emerged!

Here's a close up that gives you a better look at the colors.

posted by Karen Brenner

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Photos from New York!
Posted July 5, 2011

I'm back from New York! What a fun trip! I've posted some of my favorite FUN photos in my July newsletter -- including the one above of Duncan and "Harley". Check out the photos in July Newsletter.

The newsletter also has an invitation to my upcoming Studio Open House. It's Sunday! The invitation is also on my home page. I hope you can attend!

posted by Karen Brenner

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Running, 52 x 26", oil on masonite

Running
Posted June 8, 2011

Bettin on a Storm (the horse on the far right in this painting) is one of the horses in my Beautiful Horses of Indiana series. While I was taking photographs, Stormy's owners offered to let me photograph all of their four horses AND offered to get them running through the pasture! Oh yes! Of course I jumped at the opportunity!

Here's the painting based on Stormy and his three buddies. It is larger than my usual paintings -- 52" wide x 26" high. It was fun to work on a painting this size!

This painting will be on display at my upcoming Studio Open House, Sunday, July 10. Come see it up close! [Details about the open house can be found below in the May 17 blog entry.]

posted by Karen Brenner

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Pennsylvania Farm Country, 20x36", oil on masonite

Pennsylvania Farm Country in the Spring
Posted June 3, 2011

Two horses graze in this farmland pasture near Lebanon, Pennsylvania, with gentle rolling hills as a backdrop. It's the last day of spring and the sunlight playfully rolls along the countryside, streaming through the puffy clouds. Its a perfect day.

This painting will be on display at my upcoming Studio Open House, Sunday, July 10. Come see it up close! [Details about the open house can be found below in the May 17 blog entry.]

posted by Karen Brenner

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WEG - The Push, 24x20", oil on masonite

WEG - Splash, 29x24", oil on masonite

Two Carriage Marathon Paintings
Posted May 27, 2011

These two new paintings are based on four-in-hand teams that competed in the World Equestrian Games Carriage Marathon in 2010 in Lexington, KY. It was one of the most exciting sporting events I've ever attended! My blog from October 12, 2010 gives lots of details and photos about the actual event. If you ever have the opportunity to watch a carriage marathon don't miss it!

The paintings show two different teams manuevering through the last obstacle on the Kentucky Horse Park's AMAZING course. This obstacle (#8) had water, tight turns plus hills -- perfect for spectators to see the teams showing off their superb driving talent!

In the top painting the white horse seems to have anticipated NOT going through the "C" gate. The chestnut horse elbows his way through.

In the second painting a different team splashes through the water, getting ready to do a complete turn around a giant sculpted jumping fish anchored in the middle of the water but not shown in the painting. (You can see a photo of a team making the turn -- with a great view of the sculpture -- in the last photo on my WEG blog.)

These two paintings will be on display at my upcoming Studio Open House (see blog below). Please plan to come!

Click here to see more sporting art paintings.

posted by Karen Brenner

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Studio Open House - Coming July 10, 2011
Posted May 17, 2011

If you'd like to peek inside my studio and see my newest paintings close up and personal - mark your calendars! I'm planning a Studio Open House on Sunday, July 10 from 1 -4 pm. I'll have most of the Beautiful Horses of Indiana paintings on display and some of the Beautiful Horses of Pennsylvania too.

My last Studio Open House was way back in September 2009 so I'll be including some other paintings in the exhibit that I've completed since then -- you might see a few dogs (i.e. canines) and a my "Summer Star" daylily painting. Speaking of daylilies, I'm hoping my daylilies will be blooming and you'll have a chance to see some of my 100's of seedlings. (Bring your friends who like gardening along!)

Please plan to come!

posted by Karen Brenner

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Titan is Winner of Beautiful Horses of Indiana Contest!
Posted May 9, 2011

Congratulations to Titan, the winner of the Beautiful Horses of Indiana contest! He  received almost 25% of the votes, which is amazing since there were over 50 paintings to choose.

As the winner, Titan now has his  own Café Press shop! Imagine Titan earrings! Titan note cards. A Titan thermos or iPad case. Who wouldn’t enjoy snuggling up in Titan PJs?

I’ve recently updated my other shops. If you need a gift for a horse-loving friend, take a look.

The winner of the drawing for $25 worth of merchandise from one of my shops is Lisa from Spencer, Indiana. Congrats!

Thank you to everyone who voted!

Here are the other paintings in the Top 5.

Tuscani Dundee

TuSpotz

Miss Scarlet

Miss Mary

See all the "Beautiful Horses of Indiana" paintings and read about these horses and ALL the 50 horses whose paintings are in the series.

posted by Karen Brenner

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Evolution of Eight Paintings - Movie now online!
Posted April 20, 2011

On January 1, 2011 I started a new project: Creating eight paintings and video taping their progress to give people a look at the process I use for my paintings. Since the process takes about three months, this video is not exactly "action-packed." If you are curious about my painting process, take a look.

 

The paintings feature horses I met on my trip through Indiana last summer. I've created a special page with the finished paintings. Here's a link.

posted by Karen Brenner

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New York Horses Chosen!
Posted April 15, 2011

The Beautiful Horses of New York horses have been chosen! See the list of 50 horses -- well, actually a few more if you count the group shots I'm planning -- on the New York Horses page. It's going to be an exciting trip!

posted by Karen Brenner

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Zeke
Posted April 14, 2011

Zeke is a red roan Quarter Horse stallion who belongs to Nadia, the owner, trainer and instructor at Double H Horse Farm. Zeke, whose registered name is Chute I’m Good, is an excellent Western Pleasure contender. He has such a laid back personality he is even relaxed when being chased around his pasture during a photo shoot!

Nadia is an experienced trainer and competitor. She’s done barrels, poles, team penning, and Western and English pleasure. She also was one of the specially selected trainers chosen for the Midwest Mustang Challenge — gentling a wild mustang in 100 days.

Zeke's painting is the final painting in the "Beautiful Horses of Indiana" series. All 50+ paintings from the series are now online. To see them just click here. Enjoy!

P.S. Remember to vote for your favorite before April 30! VOTE

posted by Karen Brenner

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Oil Painting Afficanados - Take Note!
Posted April 7, 2011

Andrea Erins, whose "Masters in Education" blog features news about education-related topics, has just posted this topic: Inspiration Meets Canvas: The Top 15 Oil Painting Blogs. And guess what! You are right now reading one of the Top 15!

Thank you Andrea for including the Horse Paintings Blog!

The oil painting blog includes many wonderful painters -- some who do a painting a day! And you'll find art instruction, oil painting techniques and even art history blogs on her top 15 list. What a great assortment! I'm sure art teachers AND oil painting afficanados will appreciate the collectio.!

Take a moment to check it out! And educators, you might be interested in some of Andrea's other posts, such as:

What Taxes Can You Deduct From Schooling Costs?

50 Blog Posts On School Bullying That Every Teacher Should Read

posted by Karen Brenner

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Hearts Commander
Posted April 7, 2011

Hearts Commander is a buckskin bay Morgan gelding with a mischievous personality. Aubrey, his owner, can tell you lots of stories about his antics, but my favorite was the one about how one night Hearts Commander decided to unlatch the tack room door and bring all the saddles out into the barn aisle way. I’d like to think that, given enough time, he would have given them each a good cleaning with saddle soap, but who knows!

 Aubrey reports that Hearts Commander “has served the community in many capacities. He was a search and rescue horse and was deputized. He is also a great companion and competitor. . . . His name defiantly rings true to his personality. He will steal your heart if you let him.”

Hearts Commander's painting is part of the "Beautiful Horses of Indiana" series. Check out that special section of my website which showcases 50+ paintings from the series.

posted by Karen Brenner

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April Newsletter is Online!
Posted April 1, 2011

Today's blog is just a gateway to my April newsletter. You'll get to read about my new Mustang painting and also about VOTING for your favorite Beautiful Horses of Indiana painting.

Gotta click the link!

posted by Karen Brenner

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