So Where *does* the time go?

I'm ridiculously far behind on this blog, with no valid excuse. Yes I've been busy, but what else is new? In the past month I've been to Saratoga for our annual foray, painted a new oil for the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony's fundraiser, gone to said ceremony/fundraiser, and am now painting in preparation for the CTHS yearling sales this coming weekend.


The foals, as you can see, are tormenting their mothers - well, the two chestnut boys definitely are, while Sheldon remains more laid back (with a healthy respect for Twine!). Weaning time is very near! Today they get their vaccination boosters, so that will delay their weaning for a week or two.


I still intend to do separate posts addressing the visit to Saratoga, and the Hall of Fame painting. Naturally there will also be something more about the yearling sales. Fall is a busy time, with the Schomberg Village Street Gallery also coming up, September 17 and 18, and the FASM Milton Studio Tour, October 1&2. If you are in either area, maybe we'll see you out!

Late Plate

I think I might be calling this one done. I began this 8 x 10 oil on Classen's Linen panel (by Signature) last September. At this point I should probably just say it's two unnamed racehorses, but in fact it's the finish of the 2008 Queen's Plate, with Not Bourbon beating out the filly Ginger Brew probably by about the extra length his tongue provided!

Below is the painting in the very early stages, as I worked on it at the CTHS Yearling sales. Now, if I start the painting of the 2009 Queen's Plate soon...when do you think I will have it finished?

Wonders Never Cease

Busy days are the norm around here, and on top of the usual, I was determined to get on Miss Monster today. Much to my amazement, she was great! I don't know what it was...maybe I should have taken her temperature! She was very sweet as I was tacking her up - Monster and sweet aren't generally words that ever make it in the same sentence! Not taking anything for granted, I longed her first...other than a few canter strides, she was a star. I expected her to have something up her sleeve when I got on her...but this good mood of hers continued! I didn't do a whole lot with her, lest I push it...and well, I admit I'm more than a little out of shape. Now, I just have to carry on. It'll be good for both of us! Sorry, no pics - I haven't managed to teach any of the other horses how to work the camera!

Last night I finished the painting of Sealy Hill, and I need to get it framed for this weekend's exhibit at the CTHS Yearling Sales. I've been printing some giclées, and now I need to see how far I can get on that painting of Bear Now. I'm not sure I can do anything about that tonight - I'm running out of hours!

Rush, Rush, Rush

Time was pretty tight again today. I had to get a load of hay, then go back for a load of straw. Then there was the Shop Vac distraction...anyway, I finally started painting around 2pm, and only had till 4pm (feed time) to get something done. As usual, I can see a few issues with this, but I'm not going to tell you what they are if you haven't figured it out!

This is Mute, a four-year old Thoroughbred gelding. He and Gladys were actually both purchased at the 2005 CTHS yearling sale. While Gladys didn't make it to the races, Mute was stakes-placed as a two-year old and made over $100,000. Today's painting is 10 x 8 oil on panel. The limited palette experience is pretty interesting, I'm finding. When I started out I was pretty sure I was going to end up with a bright orange horse; then I seemed to actually remember what I was doing and it turned out okay in the end. Maybe by November 30 I'll have it figured out, but I'm not making any promises!

I'm having a really hard time getting decent photos of these little paintings. Because they're typically wet, and because the thickness of the paint varies over the surface, some funky things happen! Even taking them outdoors doesn't help. Just another chance to remind everyone, there's no comparison to seeing original artwork in person. And now a word from our sponsor.... :-D