When The Year Really Starts

The boys of winter?

New Year's never really seems to hold much meaning for me.  Okay, so I have to remember when I write the date that a year has passed (and I actually still write cheques, as well as keeping a couple of logs and journals for different things, so yes, I write the date often!). Otherwise, for the most part, one day blurs into the next this time of year. Get up, do horses, do more horses, hey, horses again, then a little break before I have to, yes, do horses once more.  I maybe sit down twice a day (not counting driving from one barn to the other), and hopefully eat a couple of times (though not necessarily sitting down!). Evenings are when I paint - not usually for long, but I've been doing a little bit most nights.

When the layups go back to the track, things finally slow down a little. It's that big trade-off, though -– horses leave, income plummets! It would be nice if people decided February was a good time to buy art or commission portraits, but it doesn't tend to work that way. I do have to take advantage of the time, though, and get caught up on, well, everything.  Painting, bookwork, farm maintenance, and so on.

The girls of winter!

We're almost at that time, now.  The layups will be going back very soon – the Woodbine backstretch opens mid-February.  I will be left with a very odd assortment this year.  I sent my one and only in-foal mare to another farm in November because I was supposed to be moving, and didn't want that stress on top of everything.  The move thing fell through (another story altogether!) and for now I have a stay of execution of sorts, but I'm not going to bring that mare back this close to her due date – the whole reason I sent her in November was so that she could be well-settled in her foaling environment.   I have last year's foal, now a yearling, and his mother, who is not in foal.  I have my "old" girl, Monster (officially sixteen!), and two off-track Thoroughbreds looking for new homes. Hopefully they will find homes soon, though that will leave things really sparse around here, until horses start coming back from the track, with one need or another.

Anyway...that's where things are at in my part of the world, right now! This means there should be more frequent updates around here.  I think one day on Facebook, I don't remember exactly where, but I committed to finishing one painting a month.  As the end of January is coming at me quickly right now, I guess I'd better make that happen! Stay tuned!

Happy New Year?

One of the WIPs spending time on the easel.

Self-Improvement

No idea where this came from...don't remember doing it, but it's cool!

I'm trying to keep a bit of a common theme going through these blog posts, with the given prompts.  Today's is to talk about something I think should be improved.  Where better to start than with myself?

When it comes to my horses, I am very much a micromanager.  I like to control every little detail.  I can't, of course - horses have a way of showing you that, no matter how hard you try, no matter how careful you are, things can still go wrong.

But that's another story.  I've often said, I take way better care of the horses than I do myself.  In the morning, I'm up and outside and to the barn to feed and turnout in the morning, before I even think of my own breakfast.  I'm very particular about their feed program, they get chiropractic and body work, and you can bet Gracie is going to get a new blanket before I get a new coat.  ;-)



At the end of the day, it's easy to just say "stuff it" to the rest of the things I should be doing.  I've gone through phases where I'm very disciplined.  After the evening feed, I'd come in, workout, have a shower and a good dinner, then settle down to paint for a while before going out to do late feed.  While that might seem like over-achievement to some people, when when I pull this off, I'm way more satisfied with everything, than when I think, by rights, I've done enough for the day.

So why don't I keep up that schedule?  Why do I buy into the excuses, and settle for less?

I don't need a  current hairstyle, or wardrobe, or anything along those lines, so don't be looking for me to improve in those areas.  I'm quite content to pull my hair back in a ponytail and wear jeans and a t-shirt (or see how many layers it takes to keep warm in January!). I'd rather spend my money on my horses, or books, or camera equipment, or original art from one of my friends...and my time on getting fitter and making myself paint (when I'm not battling yesterday's questions!).

So...what do I think should be improved?  I think I'd better just start with myself.

Round, Round We Go...

January first.  I think I've been here before;  it feels somewhat famliar.  ;-) I have to admit, I'm not one of those who gets all reflective and sentimental at New Year's anymore.  Time goes by so fast, and I am guilty of letting one year run into another, much the way one day runs into another.  When you work seven days a week, pretty much all year, it can be hard to slow down enough to separate things!

This was not the kindest of years, to many people I know.  While I'm also not one of those who expects every day to be unicorns and rainbows, I do think we aren't dealt more than we can handle, so I hope that means 2014 will balance things out.  In my world, there will be fewer horses in the barn, which better mean more painting, or else I'm going to have to face getting a job in the real world!  Driving into Toronto a couple of mornings in the last few months should have been enough to stress the importance of avoiding that!

So here we go...on to 2014! 

Reassessing

If you are a regular visitor to this blog and have been checking up on me, I'm sure you've noticed there has been no new baby girl painting since week twenty-four. The filly herself is alive and well, so no worries there, but I'm admitting I have reassessed my decision to do this project for a year. The last painting marked the six-month point, and I've decided not to continue, because believe it or not, doing a daily painting once a week, for me, is much tougher than doing one every day like I've done with my Thirty Horses Thirty Days projects. I've found it doesn't have the same benefit, artistically, and I haven't been happy with the paintings themselves. I've been fortunate enough to have sold a number of my larger paintings in the last few months, so I'm finding myself in an inventory deficit in that department! This winter I need to do something about that! Never fear, there will be more Baby Girl paintings, and definitely photos. The one above was taken yesterday, when the sun decided to shine! She is very fuzzy and sweet right now.

I think we may have finally decided on a barn name for the little girl. While "Jelly Bean" was contemplated (her mom's nickname, Jubie, is shortened from JubeJube!) and in her tough-girl stage I thought about Zena, Warrior Princess :-D , I think it will be "Polly." That actually came about when she first had to walk across mud and wasn't too impressed with it - I told her it was okay, she would be running at Woodbine and it's Polytrack! I think Polly is a pretty cute name though. They may very well end up calling her Jelly Bean at the track though. Mom's reputation precedes her!

Tomorrow is closing day at Woodbine, and we're holding our breath and hoping good things for the final start of the season for the first UnStable homebred, Peaker. C'mon Peaks! After that the gang will go on holidays for a couple of months. Here on the farm, we'll be counting the days till foaling season. First mare is due in early February, so it's not far away. In the meantime, I have a Christmas commission on the easel, and half a dozen WIPs in the wings. One of my favourite comments? Sleep is over-rated!

In the meantime, if you are looking for any holiday gifts, be sure to check out my Etsy store for some ideas, or visit my online gallery, Red Willow Gallery. And, if you haven't seen it already, I have some of my daily paintings for sale on my Facebook page for very special prices. Tomorrow, December 5, is the last day.

Okay - back to work!

"Firstborn" 14 x 11 Oil on Linen

Well, I signed this painting today - that's supposed to mean it's done! I have enough other paintings on the go which I'm working hard to bring to completion, so that should help me leave this one alone. My final painting session was a few nights ago, when I was at that stage where I was thinking, "Just a couple more touches and it'll be finished" which usually means I should just stop! The specs: 14 x 11 oil on Raphael linen panel.

It's hard to believe this is the same cheeky little ten-week old I have out in the paddock right now. I am feeling sorry for her - she needs a buddy! She reminds me so much of Monster, resorting to racing the birds for entertainment. Oh well...we'll see what we can come up with!

Hopefully I'll be reporting back shortly with another newly signed piece!

New Project! Fifty-Two Weeks

I've been pondering how to incorporate daily paintings into my schedule without committing to doing one a day, if that makes sense. While I really enjoy my Thirty Horses Thirty Days projects, it's tough when I've got the business of the horses on top of painting, so proposing a year-round thing isn't realistic. Yesterday a friend came up with a great idea, though, and I think it will be very cool!

Unless this is the very first time you've read my blog, you know that just over two weeks ago, we had a foal born here on the farm. She's the only one for this year, and already proving to be quite the princess. The new challenge? To document her growing up - once a week for fifty-two weeks, I'll do a painting of her. Yesterday's will be the first, when she was just a day old - and clearly already had mastered "The Look." My plan will be to do the painting every Wednesday, as that's the day she was born. I'm pretty excited about this. Hope you are too! Make sure you check in next Wednesday to see painting number two!

If A Picture Paints a Thousand Words, Does A Painting Really Need a Name?

18 x 14 oil on Raphael Linen Panel

As if we artists don't sweat enough over the actual execution of a painting, we sometimes drive ourselves crazy trying to come up with the perfect name. Sometimes paintings name themselves, even before we start them; other times we so much want the perfect name, we struggle! I find in many cases I end up falling short. A great title can really make a painting, I think - but sometimes I'm also aware the viewer might not be in the same headspace as me, so how much does it really matter?

This is one of those paintings I haven't really named yet. The working title was "Bear Now" just because that's the name of the filly in it. Thoughts? I love the mornings at the track (though I admit I don't necessarily miss getting up at 3:30am to go to work), so I'm always looking for something that will exemplify that feeling - the quiet contrast to the tension of afternoon racing, the hope that pervades of winning that next race, big or small. Bear Now was prepping for a start in the Breeders' Cup Distaff here, one of the pinnacles of the game. I've already called a painting "Dreaming Big" (it was of my own Monster, no less!) or I might be inclined to call this something along the lines of "Dream Big or Go Home!" It's what makes you get out of bed at such a ridiculous hour - this is horse racing, and anything can happen. Might as well happen to you, right?

I'd Rather Be Going Racing!

Grumble grumble...yes, I'm conflicted. I had fully planned to go to the races today, to watch my boy Rupert run (he really needs to overcome his recent second-itis, could today be the day?) as well as catch the Queenston Stakes, which will feature a couple of Plate hopefuls including last year's champion two-year old. But a comedy of errors last Saturday has meant I needed to reschedule an appointment with a saddle fitter for Monster, something I've been waiting on for a while, so I didn't very well feel I could tell them I had to go watch the ponies run instead! Sigh. Sometimes being responsible just isn't any fun at all!


I think I'm due a new painting featuring Rupert, and I actually have one in mind. Today I'm hoping my current commission on the easel is dry enough to start colour, but if not, maybe I'll indulge myself and start a new one. In the meantime, here's one of my goofy chestnut boy. Go Rupert! And happy Preakness Day, everyone! Safe trip for you all!

Trade-Offs

That's often how life goes, isn't it? Our weather of late has been an example of that. It's been so nice, but of course that means mud! Three straight days of rain didn't help matters any. Oh well, I've come to accept that the barn has to flood at least once in the spring!

Painting wise, the trade-off has been putting the "speculative" work on hold in order to complete commissions. One went to Winnipeg last week; another is at the framer's right now; an oil pastel awaits the finishing touches on my drawing table, and I'm perusing photos for the next one on the list. It's good to have the work! I do put in some time here and there on some of the smaller pieces on the go - yesterday I also did my painting for the March pARTy, which I'll show off later in the week.

Playing "hooky" has come in the form of some revision on my long-suffering closet-novel-in-progress. That might well be a lifetime task. It's worse than painting when it comes to actually making the declaration that it's done. I think they'll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands! Maybe then someone will publish it!

Back to work...stalls, painting, and hoping to fit in a ride today, if my crusty mare will indulge me. I'll share those commissions and my pARTy painting soon!

A Sure Cure for the Winter Blahs

Heading out with the camera never seems to fail to cheer me up if the weather is getting to me. I'm going to post some pics of the 'kids' while I'm working away at various WIPs. The commission currently on the easel is coming along well, and hopefully it won't be too long before I show it to the client for input on the progress before moving on to the final stages. I happen to know this particular client likes to see photos of the 'kids' and by the sounds of it, this horse I'm painting would like to hang out with my boys!


I've started working with Gracie, and it's so far been a reminder of why this time of year is not great for breaking horses! We had quite a cold snap last week, and the normally spunky Miss Grace was all the more exuberant! I'm taking it very slowly with her, as that's the whole reason it's me doing the job. She has a growth issue with one of her pasterns so my goal is to get those early lessons done without causing too much stress to the joint. At the training centre, things would proceed more quickly.


Friday was a 'spa' day for Gracie - she got her feet trimmed, and I pulled her unruly mane so she looks more like a Thoroughbred! The vet was also out to float her teeth and remove a couple of wolf teeth - it was the sedation required for that which allowed me to pull her mane (*not* her favourite thing). I'm not sure most would entertain the thought of a visit to the dentist as part of a spa day, but, well, that's just the way it worked out!

The boys are having a lot of fun these days. They're opposites, as potential racehorses: Leo (above) is often quite happy to watch Spider/Batty (my name/owner's name!) tear around, but when he gets going, wow, he can move. So Spider is our sprinter, and Leo will be the one coming from behind! And Leo has a registered name now - officially, he's "Jultagi." First name choice of "Sharp Dressed Man" was rejected because it was deemed to have 'commercial, creative or artistic significance.' I wondered about that, but hoped it might get through. I think Jultagi is rather clever - it's the Korean art of tight-rope walking, and Leo is by Strut the Stage, out of Twine Flies...get it?

Spider's first name choice was rejected for the same reason - it was "Bat Out of Hell" (hence the 'Batty' barn name, because that's the way he tears around!). I'd warned the owners the Jockey Club might not approve it, so we'll see if they've come up with a second choice!

Spider

Busy Day!

Some days things just roll. I started painting early today, putting some work in on my next commission. This particular commission will require a number of layers, so I will be letting what I did today dry before continuing. I took a painting break to go out and do stalls and work a bit with Gracie, then threw all the horses hay before getting back to the studio.

I have a few pieces around that are near completion. It's a funny thing, how putting those last touches and calling it 'done' are often the most difficult part of the process. I could have picked up any one of half a dozen or more paintings to conquer today, but I decided it had been a while since I did a dog painting, so I tackled this little 6 x 8 oil on Raymar panel of an Australian Cattle Dog doing agility. I'm going to call it "Tunnel!" for obvious reasons! I might enter this in the FASM From Heart to Hand show in early March, if it's not sold before then. If you're interested, it's available, unframed, for $280.00US including shipping (in North America). Just email me.


Next I put a bit of polish on a painting I did last June. I don't often touch up my daily paintings like this, but I always loved the composition of this and felt a little more work would be worthwhile. This is 8 x 10 oil on masonite panel, and I'm calling it "Contender." It's available, unframed for $450.00US (shipping included in North America). Once I frame both of these paintings, the price, needless to say, will have to go up!

Tomorrow I'll share my Virtual pARTy painting. Participants have until midnight tonight (in their respective time zones) to submit their work, and then I will post all paintings on the blog. Pop over there if you'd like to see the reference photo we're working from.

Days like this, I hate to go to bed, thinking surely I could accomplish more!

And This, My Friends, is What We Call 'The Uglies'

If you listen to artists long enough, you're going to hear that term - "The Uglies." It's a stage most paintings go through - a necessary one, most of the time - and one we would just as soon no one saw. I really hadn't intended on showing the latest progress on this one, but hey, sometimes it's good to see more than just the finished work. If it turns out the way I want, you'll see it again. If not, then just don't ask!


In order to balance that piece of panel above masquerading as a painting, I'll post a couple more recent photos. I'd really like to show the whole series, or put together the gif, of what led to this one of Rupert and Leo. Leo was trying to entice Rupert to play, and Rupert kept raising his head just out of reach. He seemed to be making a point about Leo's size. Forgive me for saying that it seemed to go over Leo's head!

And now, Leo at a more serious moment. He doesn't have too many of those! He's such a handsome boy.

The next few days will be busy with horses leaving - mares going to Kentucky, layups heading back to work. After that, it will be time to dive into painting again. I have a show deadline for the end of the month - one for which I'd like to have some new pieces. Time to get cracking!

First Painting of 2010

The truth is, the first painting I did this year is one I'm not going to show. I've got a sort of informal challenge on this year with fellow equine artist friend, Elizabeth McCrindle, to work on painting humans. I did my first one on the first day of the month, but I used a photo on the front page of a magazine as it was just for practice. Had it been one of my own photos, I would have showed you - even though it will probably be a while before I think my humans are presentable!

Instead, you get to see something I'm much more comfortable with! I've done a little painting on works in progress in the last week, but today I wanted to do something quick for a greater sense of accomplishment. This, then, is an 8 x 8 oil on panel and the model is Peaker, now a three-year old. That's Gracie behind her. It's not perfect, but it served the purpose. This probably took two and a half hours all told.

I can't say there's really been a dividing line between this year and last, as these past weeks have been a bit of a blur. I guess in the next week I'll do what most people did two weeks ago - sit down and look at the year ahead, and what needs to be accomplished. 2009 was a great year for art for me, which was a blessing when surrounded by all the nay (neigh?)-sayers predicting doomsday with the economy. We had some rough times with the horses, and of course I really didn't need to go through getting two new trucks in one year, but so it goes. Let's see what the new decade has in store.

Seven Days and Counting...

Queen's Plate week was officially launched today with the media barbeque at Woodbine. Eight horses and their connections came over to the walking ring for the event, of a possible field of 14. Included among them was the horse in today's painting, Keino West, and our Unstable prospect, Ziggy. I'll show you some of the others as the week goes on.

Keino West

The painting is 8 x 10 oil on panel, done from a photo I took the day of the Plate Trial where Keino West finished fifth. Keino West is a gelded son of Kissin Kris.

Ziggy

...And Hope For The Best

That's the last part of that saying I mentioned the other day - breed the best to the best. It's a relief when you make it this far - foal safely on the ground, already struggling towards mom's head, and mom nickering softly to her new baby. Hey, only three and a half years to Plate Day!


I used a couple of photos to put together this painting. I've always wanted to do a just-foaled painting, and last year was fortunate enough to have a friend take some photos when I was foaling the mares. This is Twine, and Gracie when she was just minutes old.


After yesterday's struggle...today's painting went about the same way! I was happy with how I was able to map out the drawing fairly quickly (and I did draw today, lines instead of shapes). Then I started, again with the new palette...and it just wasn't happening! I did deviate a bit to get the colour I wanted, and finally admitted the whole wet on wet thing just wasn't happening the way it should. This is 8 x 10 oil on panel, and I did feel like I was fighting the surface a lot, the paint just not staying put. Oh well. Just like surviving breeding season and eleven months of equine gestation....some days it's about the small victories!

Somebody's Watching You...

This is the kind of eye painting I like to do - I like a crop with both eyes and ears, because I feel it makes more of a connection. This is Medz, the Thunder Gulch gelding with the mouthful of a name - Medidocihospisurg! I just call him Rupert...but I know his owner doesn't really like that!

I used another one of the 5 x 7 panels that I'd prepared with a mixture of gesso and marble dust, and once again I really liked how it worked. I got a late start today, and this surface just really helped make it easy to do this basically alla prima - more or less in one sitting, save for the time spent stepping back, taking a progress photo, running upstairs for a brownie..that sort of thing! I'm going to prepare some larger panels with this mixture, I like it that much! This time around I didn't stick strictly to the limited palette - I've also used Viridian Green, Naples Yellow, Cadmium Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow Medium and Flake White.

I had a lot of fun with this one, more than just because I love this horse. I guess after yesterday's income tax marathon (yes, I managed to get it done, cheque written and mailed it today) it was good to do something loose where the brushstrokes are actually visible. If I had my way, I'd paint this way all the time. It's rather interesting that I don't - that I can't just say "I'm going to paint this way from now on." For some reason it doesn't work that way!

I've decided to post a little work in progress montage at the bottom. I'm not sure it's big enough to show just how loosely this starts out, and how much correction happens along the way. The first one may look like nothing, but that's just me starting to map out the drawing - I'm eyeballing proportions.

Hard to believe there are only two days to go! Oh, and for those of you that weighed in on Saturday's eye painting, the horse was Clever, so I'll be finding a little something for the ones that guessed right! The other guess I had was Billy, which is a pretty fair choice, as he is Clever's son, and has a very similar expression!



See you tomorrow!

Working It

Well, finally you get to see Jubie's whole face. She knows how to use it, stretching her neck out and skewing her features to give you the look that normally results in her getting a treat. Jubie's stall is next to Gracie's, and it's kind of funny watching the two of them vie for whatever might be in my pocket. It usually works, too. Can you say, spoiled? While I'll take full responsibility for Gracie, Jubie learned her manipulation techniques at the track.

This is 8 x 6 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel, limited palette. The reference photo was taken by my friend and web designer.

I was up early today to send one of the mares off to be bred, so I think I'm about ready to call it a day! Tomorrow I'll be featuring another guest blogger, so I'll see you then!

And thanks to those who piped up and made their guesses on Friday's painting! Sometimes I guess whining works! If only I had a face like Jubie's I know I'd have it made...

Monday Guest Artist ~ Kimberly Kelly Santini

Kind of a chilly, wet day out there. I'd left Monster outside but she woke me up when the rain started, yelling at me...so I got up a little early to bring her in, fed all the horses and came back to the house for breakfast. The vet is coming out for some work, so most of them would have been in anyway!

I've been excited about all of the guest bloggers, but today's artist played a big part of my decision to try and do a modified daily painting project. Kim has explained about her journey in her post, and be sure to visit her website and blog to enjoy more of her artwork! Comments are always welcome and hopefully this post will inspire some good discussion!

The Ugly (and Not So Ugly) Truths About Daily Painting

Kimberly Kelly Santini

I was especially tickled to follow Linda's daily paintings last fall when she first committed to the routine. I was even happier to hear that she had been bitten by the daily bug and has pledged to paint daily for several chunks of time during 2009. And what an honor when Linda approached me several weeks ago about being a guest blogger.

You see, I am a daily painter as well, having been hooked since October 2006, practically 750 paintings ago. That's a lot of paint, wasted and well-spent, and a lot of blog entries.

Working daily takes diligence and will power, since life insists on getting in the way. The key to a successful daily (or regular) routine is structuring it so that it is not a chore. That can get complicated though, if you are on foal-watch (like Linda has been) or merely have a sick child (like I am occasionally blessed with). It is of primary importance that you set up your daily routine so that you are not penalized when these sorts of things happen (because they will).

It is also key that the daily routine itself provides you with a reward, hence the positive reinforcement you need in order to maintain the pace. For me, the process of making art is mental health time. If I go several days without time at the easel, my mood shifts. I also am the sort of person who thrives under pressure. The process of creating a painting while the world seemingly falls apart outside the studio door (or so my kids often think) builds great confidence. That snowballs into the next painting/the next tough day.

I'll agree that the demand of a daily creation process is not for everyone. Those considering the commitment should do some serious soul searching, and if they are ready, next build a program to fit their personality, their skill set, their work routine, and their lifestyle.

If you think you can hack it, dwell for a minute on the rewards:

1. A greater knowledge of your materials.

2. A greater number of opportunities to work out ideas, merited or not.

3. A greater number of pieces to market to your clients (and potentially a greater number of sales).

4. A greater number of topics to address in your blog (that is, if you blog).

5. A greater ability to discuss your work (that is, if you blog or write in some fashion about your daily works).

6. A greater number of examples to share with potential clients (if you do commission work).

7. A greater confidence when you stand at your easel (or sit at your desk/wherever you work).

8. A greater variety of experiences to draw upon when deciding ideas/compositions for future works.

9. A greater ability to recognize your strengths and weaknesses.

10. The perfect platform to address both strengths and weaknesses.

These are just a few thoughts that come to mind, but the list could go on and on.

I would love to hear your thoughts on daily work and how it has benefitted you personally or someone you know. Or if you have concerns prior to committing, what they might be. Feel free to comment below or send an email to me (ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com). Perhaps Linda will be kind enough to allow for a follow-up post should there be enough interest.

Beginning the dialogue, however, is the first step towards discovering a program that could change your work all for the better.

It has mine.

C'mon, Come Play!

It was such a nice day today, it was kind of hard to come in and start painting. I spent the morning in the barn, doing more horse management - horses in, horses out, grooming, and so on, and started on stalls. It would have been very easy to just hang out with them out there all day. Because of that, I decided to do a painting that I knew would be fun!

This is 7 x 5 oil on masonite, and in order to deal with painting a black horse, I deviated from the limited palette I've been using. This is Broderick, and his photo was provided to me by his owner, Rebecca Lerwill. Rebecca is an author, and her first book, Relocating Mia is my current read. She recently published the sequel, The Acronym, next on the list! Because of all this painting this month, and the new additions to the farm, I'm not as far along in my reading as I'd like. I was also feeling more like writing than painting today, so maybe this is a strange compromise on not really managing any writing of my own - I'm featuring an author's horse, and hoping you'll check out her books.

Broderick has grown up a bit since this photo. He's a Friesian, and has a bit more bone than the Thoroughbreds I've been painting of late. No question he's just as cute, though! I did get to the point where this was too wet to do as much as I'd like, but in keeping with the project, I'm posting it, regardless!

My own fiction work in progress stars a black Thoroughbred filly. I tried to beg off the painting today by saying I'd write 1,000 words instead - you know, the opposite to "a picture paints a thousand words!" Fair trade, right? But no one would let me off the hook. For more fun I decided to find a little excerpt from what I've been writing to tag onto the end of this blog post...one that mentions the black filly, of course! This filly is probably a lot like Gracie, and likewise, I'm fully aware I've made her what she is so far! Now I'm off to watch the end of the hockey game!

He leaned on the top railing, a few of the mares grazing not far away. Chique’s baby sister stood quietly beside Sotisse, looking introspective, Pete thought. The filly made no movement to come over. How different she was – she was of a similar build, and as black as Chique, save for that star that dripped down to a stripe and ended as a snip between her nostrils – but she was decidedly more aloof. A lot of Chique’s in-your-face attitude had to do with his own interaction, he knew. They had made each other, in a lot of ways.

Gracie, Gracie, Gracie!

I thought I might have to play a wildcard today, they way my day was going. Fitting in a painting was going to be a challenge. I did the drawing on the canvas after coming in for some breakfast, then had to take a horse to Mohawk for some x-rays, then run those x-rays up to our friendly neighbourhood surgeons. Then of course there were stalls to do, horses to juggle, and a Studio Tour meeting tonight. I got a bit more work done between finishing stalls and feeding, then when I got home from the meeting, had something to eat, and started painting again! The great thing about doing a painting every day like this is that it does a lot for one's confidence, and almost halfway through the month now, I've hit a reasonable stride. That's not to say I might not fall flat on my face one day soon!

Today's painting is 7 x 5 oil on canvas, and our model is one of my favourites, one of the yearlings, Miss Gracie! I didn't really have the time to do her justice last week, so this, at least, is a better effort. I'm back to the limited palette, which is bound to look a little bland after Donna's great colour yesterday!

Tomorrow is another busy horse day, as everybody is due for trims, but at least I don't have any meetings to go to. I spent last night prepping panels, which is not my favourite pastime, but I'm running low on surfaces to paint on! I have contemplated the walls...a mural might be nice!