Friday, February 12, 2010

The Birthday Boy

It was a year ago Tuesday that Leo was born - hard to believe that tiny, sleek baby is the same horse as the fuzzy young man out in my paddock today! On Monday I was over at a nearby farm to take some photos of some of this year's babies, and one always forgets just how tiny they are in those early days. Leo and Spider look small to me because the two-year-old Gracie is so tall and leggy...but they're nothing like the new little ones!

I've been working on commissions and larger paintings this week, so I thought today I was due a smaller, looser one. I was flipping through some of the reference photos I've got printed out, and came across this one of Leo when he was still tiny! This painting is 8 x 6 oil on shellacked masonite.


And now a couple of photos of Leo as he is today - one of him hamming it up, and another of him playing 'fighting stallions' with his buddy. These two have a long way to go before they can match the prowess of those that have battled before in these paddocks! And interestingly, the most noteworthy may very well have been a mare. Rest assured Gladzilla will never be forgotten around here.

4 comments:

Elizabeth McCrindle said...

Lovely full of innocence...now it's cheek lol

Linda Shantz said...

Yes, that's about right, Elizabeth!

Juliet said...

Look at my boy. He sure has grown from those baby days. Lovely quick painting of all that sweetness.

Linda Shantz said...

I thought we needed a Leo break today, Juliet. ;-)