Loose Ends

Zippy, Lounging ~ 5 x 7 oil on panel.

I've been spending a lot of time glaring at my easel of late - knowing there is work to be done, but feeling as if I'm just going to make a mess of anything I touch...kind of a reverse-Midas thing, where everything turns to muck.  The oil pastel commission I've been working on is in a good place (by which I mean more than not in my studio, haha), and just getting a rest from my eyes before I put the final touches on it, so I felt I needed to at least be making an attempt with the paints.

My solution has been to finish up some studies that were abandoned somewhere along the road. Some of them were just done during one of my daily painting projects, so they got a day's work but I always wanted to go back to them.  One I actually started from scratch (how brave, haha).  One just involved cutting down and stretching over new stretcher bars.  All I figured I could play with, and if I turned them to muck, nothing much would be lost except a bit more of my self-esteem!  ;-)

At the top is Zippy as a baby - he still has that look of owning the world!  Another study from the same time frame has found a new home, with artist friend Elizabeth McCrindle – it's always an extra honour when another artist likes my work enough to want it!  I have one of Elizabeth's paintings hanging on my studio wall. You can see the paintings in a blog post she wrote when she received them - thanks again, Elizabeth!

Einstein ~ 10 x 8 oil on canvas.

Milwaukee Brew ~ 8 x 10 oil on canvas.

Two of the paintings I was playing with a palette I haven't used much, favoured by artist Anders Zorn.  It's a limited palette of ivory black, cad red, yellow ochre and titanium white.  Admittedly I didn't push it much, but it was interesting just the same.  Both are studies of Thoroughbred stallions – Einstein (BRZ), sire of Sheldon, and Milwaukee Brew.

The last one is the restretch - I did this one as part of my daily painting projects, from a photo taken at Saratoga.  Now, I need to get these up on my website, in hopes that they, too, will find new homes!

Ready ~ 10 x 8 oil on linen.

 Oh, wait - one more!  This is Victor, a little study I started last year and finished up while I still had the Zorn palette open.  Catching a breeze on a warm spring day - which I hope we will see again, eventually!

Victor, Catching a Breeze  ~ 6 x 4 oil on canvas.

Just a PS - it's interesting to note the difference between my usual limited palette, which was used on the racehorse painting, compared with the stallion and Victor studies.  Which do you like better? I'm a time and place kind of person - I have to shake things up now and again, and studies are a great way to try out new things.

You've Come A Long Way, Baby....

They all look so sweet when they're sleeping!  5 x 7 oil on panel, sold.

Maybe it all started the day he was conceived - I took Twine up to be bred to Strut the Stage (standing at Colebrook at the time), baby Gracie at her side.  They didn't heed my warnings that she could be tough, not taking proper precautions, and she double-barreled him in the chest.  Poor Strut! I'm sure that did nothing for his self-esteem!  Anyway...about 338 days later, she had a cute little bay baby boy.  This colt had the slickest coat I've ever seen on a foal - clearly he thought he was landing in Florida, not Southwestern Ontario. He made me drag the vet out to tube him his first meal, because he couldn't figure out how to nurse in an acceptable time frame. And so began our series of adventures, which included a black eye for me.  Well, at least he didn't break my nose, like Hugo!

Lean, mean...well he wasn't mean...and fell a little short of being a racing machine! At Woodbine in 2013.

Close...but not quite (he's the one on the outside).

At the track, Leo started off showing promise...though he turned in to a wildman as a three-year-old.  More exploits were added to his list of accomplishments, like running off with his trainer, who gallops her own (the clockers even got a time on him!  No question he was fast!), escaping from his stall and running off down the shedrow, and antics behind the gate on race day which included dropping his rider and taking off, through the barrier and onto the harness racing track.  His best effort was a second place finish where he just missed winning, but then he hurt himself, and was retired.  And for some crazy reason, I said I'd take him.

That was a year and a half ago.  This is Leo today:



First day jumping from a canter!  Just goes to show you - never say never!

Birthdays Are Overrated, Right?

"Reciprocal," 8 x 16 oil on panel

Today is Peaker's birthday - Peaker being the first foal that was born on my little farm that wasn't mine (cough*Monster*cough). She was born one very cold February morning, eight years ago, first foal of her mom, Too Clever.  I remember it was cold enough I went and bought a foal blanket for her...and when I put it on her, Clever decided she was an alien, so I had to take it off.  Poor little Peaker!  She grew up tough!  Last I heard Peaker was in Minnesota.  I hope she is doing well, and that she shows up on my radar again.

After remembering Peaker's birthday, it occurred to me that I had completely let Leo's birthday slip by!  Yesterday marked five years since my goofy boy arrived, and he's been causing trouble ever since.  He even broke his halter yesterday.  In hindsight, it was almost as if he was trying to get my attention. Haha! 

Both Peaker and Leo have been models for my paintings.  Above is the most recent one featuring Leo (and his buddy growing up, Spider), an 8 x 16 oil on Raymar panel called "Reciprocal."  Below is on of my favourites of Peaker, galloping through the snow with her friend Maria, both of them yearlings.  This one is 11 x 14 oil on Raphael panel.  Both paintings are still available; if you're interested, let me know!

The next birthday is one I never forget.  Anyone want to hazard a guess whose that might be?  ;-)

"Fresh Snow," 11 x 14 oil on linen

Paddock School Study #1

With "Hush" on its way to Australia, I managed to get back to the easel today. As previously noted, studio time has been less than productive of late, and this week I've been more or less bumping into myself, trying to get back to things. I tidied up a couple of little foal studies, started a few small pieces, but have mostly felt as if I couldn't get out of my own way. Not a good feeling! Today, I decided I had to stop thinking so much, pulled out an 8 x 10 panel that had been prepped with shellac, and set to work, determined to complete something in a single day - or better yet, a single session.

While as a groom I admit I hated schooling horses in the paddock, I love the imagery of it. When I get there early enough on the card (typically permission to school is given before the first race or two), I always stop and watch, and snap a few pics. This is just another example of the work that goes on behind the scenes to prepare a horse for the races.

I'm actually (gasp!) happy with the result. I'm going to choose not to dwell on what's wrong with it, and instead go off and prep more panels with shellac, because it really lends itself to nice loose studies, and I find I'm craving those right now. Given that I've numbered this study, I'm hoping to produce more!

Keeping It Simple

Life has been less than simple of late, leaving limited time for painting. In a vain attempt to accomplish something at the easel, I did this little oil sketch today. This is 5 x 7 oil on masonite panel, and the horse is Society's Chairman, from a photo I took in the paddock on International Day at Woodbine last October. I had intended it to be a more complete colour piece, but I decided I like it just the way it is. Now if my life would just follow suit.... :-)

"Sheldon Sleeping," 5 x 7 oil on linen

I put the final touches on this little study tonight - I do love to do these loose, sketchy studies to balance out the more complex, detailed pieces I do.

Still Painting!

Eleven days into the month, and one way or another I've picked up a brush and applied paint every day, though some days more effectively than others! The horses are still keeping me hopping with various issues, and some sleep has been sacrificed, but that's just the way it goes.

I started this little 5 x 7 oil on linen on panel yesterday. This is Twine's colt, who I'm calling Sheldon unless I find out the owners have a problem with that! While he's the oldest of the foals this year, he's no longer the biggest. I think both the chestnuts are taller than he is! Above is day two of work - below the initial 'drawing' on the panel. There is something about sleeping babies, isn't there?

Billy's Brother

I decided to call this one done tonight - to the point of signing it, even. Not perfect, but a fun little warm-up for what the rest of the month has in store, I hope!

This is 6 x 4 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel, using my favourite limited palette. Clever's foal this year, with his big star, reminds us all of a chestnut version of her 2008 foal, Billy, so my trainer friend (who has the first three at Woodbine right now) immediately dubbed him "Billy's brother." I'm hoping he ends up being a little easier to deal with than Billy was! And we'll find him a name of his own, too, don't worry!

Two Days In A Row!

Yes that's right...I have managed to paint two days in a row. That shouldn't really be an accomplishment, but after last month, it is! Not long, and not with particular skill, but hey, I'll just take what I can get right now! My day didn't go exactly as planned so it was 9pm before I got to the easel, and did a bit more work on this tiny little painting of Clever's boy.

Leo, the racehorse!

I neglected to mention that Leo is home for a rest right now. He spent some time in at Woodbine when the backstretch opened, and quickly made himself a favourite. I'm happy to see his personality is intact, though certain other parts of him are not! ;-) Yes, he is a gelding now! Hard to believe two years ago he was the new little foal!

Leo, the baby!

No Foolin'!

Soooo tired!

March was kind of an insane month around here, in a very rollercoaster kind of way. The horses have kept me very busy! I've been frustrated about not getting any quality time at the easel, but realistically, there wasn't much I could do. I've decided to do my best to paint every day in April. In the past two years I've done a Thirty Horses, Thirty Days for this month, but I'm not going to attempt that this time around, because I know I will still be at the mercy of the horses. All I'm saying is I will do *something* every day, even if it's a single brushstroke at five minutes to midnight! Hopefully I'll be back on track soon and get some of these longsuffering WIPs finished up. I'm feeling a little rusty!


Today I started a little painting of our latest arrival. This is 4 x 6 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel. So far just the quick sketch in burnt umber. I know the key to these little paintings is not thinking too much or letting them sit, so I think I'll jump back into it tomorrow and see if I can finish it. Hopefully that will warm me up for some of the larger pieces that have been patiently waiting! Thanks for your patience, too!

Home Again!

Well yesterday I brought home Hummer and her boy, which was both a relief and a stress! He's looking great and the attendants at OVC assured me he was feeling great and had come out of the surgery well. He sure is a feisty, outgoing boy, which is going to make the post-op care a challenge! He has a fair-sized incision on his belly, and has to be on stall rest for the next month, with hand walking. Have you ever tried to hand walk a foal who is too young to lead? Yes, it's going to be a long month. He had a couple little sessions today, and he was actually really good...as much as he would just like to explode! Hummer followed along devotedly behind, and seemed happy to get some exercise herself. We just stayed in the barn aisle, because it's muddy and horrible outside. Maybe I can bring him in the house and put him on the treadmill!


We're also into breeding season, and the first mare will probably go to be bred this week. That means regular vet visits, so there's lots going on around the farm right now, and for the moment, not a whole lot going on in the studio! I will work it all in - it's just a bit of a challenge right now. Below is a little 5 x 5 oil on Ampersand Artist's panel that I started last week. One of these days I'll get back to it!

Week Twenty-Four: Kinda Sweet

Late again - bet that's not a shock! This week's filly painting is 4 x 6 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel. I used only three colours: burnt umber, gold ochre, and titanium white. Just a quick little head study of our girl. She can be quite the little sweetheart right now, but when turned out she reverts to her well-known wild woman status! Where does a baby learn to rear like that? It's the most impressive part of her freestyle repertoire!

Week Twenty-Two: Who Said Life Was Fair?

Yes that's right, it's not even Wednesday yet! Here's the painting I meant to do for last Wednesday. This is the hairy eyeball Baby Girl gave me when I took her momma away from her! She was not a happy camper, to say the least, to graduate to weanling status.

This painting is 4 x 6 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel.

Week Twenty-Three (Yes, this is out of order!)

Better late again this week, though technically this one is early (and week twenty-two is very late!). A few weeks ago, Gracie was my excuse for lateness when she injured her eye and required a couple of vet visits and treatment; last week she managed to cut the back of her pastern somewhat significantly and the vet was out to visit her again! Either she was missing the vet, or perhaps the Baby Girl is hogging the limelight these days. Rest assured, Gracie, you have my attention! So this week's painting feature's Gracie in her official capacity as babysitter/weaning buddy, a job she is not fulfilling at the moment because she has to stay in her stall for a few days with her injury!

This painting is 8 x 10 oil on panel, prepped with Gamblin's oil ground. I admit I sketched the horses quickly over the weekend, hoping I'd get some time to do this, but didn't manage that till today. The colour work took about an hour. I tried not to think too much or obsess over the inaccuracy of my sketch! Just a little early fall morning scene.

All right....let's see if I can get *last* Wednesday's assignment done *this* Wednesday!

Week Twenty-One: Weedeater

Better late than....well, you know. I dashed this one off very quickly! Wednesday is coming around yet again and I really wanted to get this done before then. This is 6 x 8 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel. Just a little nibble at the remaining bit of grass in the paddock, and the odd sampling of weeds!

Week Twelve: Good Doer

You don't hear that expression much these days - a 'good doer' is a horse that eats well! It may sound like an obvious thing to the non-horsey, thanks to that stupid expression, "hungry as a horse," but in fact horses are pretty finicky. Jubie's Baby Girl is quite the good eater. Usually the foals start to want to stick their noses into Mom's tub at 2-3 weeks of age; this filly was less than a week old! No wonder she's such a good size!

This is 5 x 7 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel. Unfortunately I haven't really finished it yet, as I had a pretty crazy day, doing some prep for an upcoming show and getting a load of hay, on top of my usual barn duties. Considering I wasn't sure I'd be able to post anything at all today, I'm hoping you'll overlook that! I will finish it, and post it again when it's done.

Twelve weeks! That's three months! Where does the time go?

"Boy Meets Girl," 8 x 16 oil

This is one of those paintings that has gone through a complete change in scenery, so to speak! I loved the photo from the moment I shot it, but debated painting it because, well, let's face it, it's cutesy. When it came down to it though, I guess I couldn't help myself.

Gracie and Billy are about five or six weeks old here. Being February babies, I had lots of beautiful snow shots of the two of them. In March, however, we got a thaw, and in the reference photo, these two are of course standing in a very muddy spot! My first inclination was to make it a snow scene, but after consideration, I decided I needed to go green. Maybe that was influenced by this year's baby, a May foal who has had to deal with neither snow nor mud, lucky girl!.

Their feet were of course covered in the photo, but in order to ground them, I needed to paint their feet, even though I knew I would be more or less covering them with grass. Foal feet are hard to paint, especially out of your head!

I think I've mentioned Gracie is back home from her adventure at the track. I was reminded how tiny she was, working on this painting. Look at her now! She's probably 16-2hh and still growing. And what a lovely girl she is.

The above painting is 8 x 16 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel.

Going Green - 8 weeks old

I did this week's filly painting a day early, because tomorrow I'm off to Saratoga for a few days. I feel better about this one that last week's, and I already have some great pics for next week, thanks to they baby girl showing off for the camera yesterday!

This is 6 x 8 oil on Raphael linen panel. I went back to my old limited palette - still love how those colours come together. If this would dry in time I'd take it with me, but that's not going to happen. As it is, there will be a few of my smaller paintings at the Beresford Gallery, across from the track on Union Avenue. Make sure you pop in if you're there! They have a beautiful collection of paintings for sale from a variety of International artists.

Back to work - lots to do before I go to bed tonight - I'll be leaving at 5AM so I get there in time for the races!

Gremlin!

I really really didn't want to post this painting! I haven't had time to fix it, and it's really bothering me. Maybe I just shouldn't say anything! There are things I like about it...but the end result, just not working for me.

Anyway...this is week seven of my filly paintings. 5 x 7 oil on panel. Looking forward to redeeming myself!

Baby Girl Strikes a Pose - Week 5

Here's our girl at five weeks old. The interesting thing I'm finding in these paintings is while in real life she's grown and changed, when I look at photos of her, and do the paintings, she isn't appearing a whole lot different! I don't feel I entirely captured her likeness here, either.

This is 7 x 5 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel.