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?

Nothing Like a Fall Day at the Races

...to get one back to the easel! I seem to have hit a bit of a dry spell of late, and being as I've always been one to say 'just paint,' it's a bit inexcusable in my books. It's a bad sign when even the cadmiums have started to dry out on the palette - definitely means it's been too long! I did pick up the brushes and started a small study for an upcoming commission one day last week, but sadly, that's as far as it's gone!


Yesterday was Canadian International Day at Woodbine, which featured three Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In" races. It was cold and windy, but the sun was shining and that made for some great photos, in my book. The light this time of year is so amazing, definitely inspiring when it comes to potential paintings.

The International was won by Champs Elysees in what was his last start before retirement, so it was nice to see him win. He just oozed confidence in the walking ring before the race. The EP Taylor Stakes for fillies and mares was also on the card, and 40-1 shot Lahaleeb won convincingly. The third "Win and You're In" race was the Nearctic, and Ontario-bred Field Commission finished on top there.

Now, all the dried paint is scraped off my palette, and it's time to lay out a fresh one. Hopefully I'll have something to show for it before it dries out again!

Maybe It Never Rains in California, but it Sure Does in Saratoga!

Well, I pulled off the whirlwind trip to Saratoga and made the most of it. I met up with Juliet Harrison as planned, and we headed right to the track (once we remembered how to get there!). In typical Saratoga fashion it was hot, and the clouds started to roll in as the afternoon went on. It was a "Breeders' Cup Win and You're In" day, so four nice stake races were scheduled. Right before the Go For Wand, the rain hit. Like die-hards, we stood by the rail and waited to watch the race. Taking pictures at this point was kind of difficult because while we were willing to get wet, we weren't willing to let our cameras get soaked! Thanks to the program which I'd earlier been grumbling about (the tops of the pages weren't cut...and most of it is printed on newsprint, so my hands were black) I had a shield for my camera, even if I'd left my rain coat in the truck!

Ginger Punch put in a huge performance to win the Go For Wand - I was really impressed. After spending most of the race locked in on the rail she broke out and emerged victorious. In the post parade she'd looked clearly disgusted by the rain, so I'd thought maybe it wasn't going to be her day...but a bit of rain and race-riding wasn't going to stop this girl! The rain did stop us after that race, admittedly - we didn't stick around to see Commentator win the Whitney, unfortunately!

A visit to Saratoga isn't complete without seeing some galleries and a stop at Mrs. London's for the to-die-for pastries. Sunday we hit the races again and upheld our now-tradition of some Ben&Jerry's (despite the exhorbitant cost of it at the concession stands!), took some more pics, watched some more great racing and yes, got rained on again.

Till next year! :)