Warming Up

We can't complain about the weather here in Southern Ontario right now - after our first real snow last week, we've had some very spring-like weather lately. Two of the commissions I've been working on are complete - one is all framed and I will take it to the post office tomorrow; the other we're looking at framing options. My next portrait is an oil pastel, and it's been like visiting old friends to go back to that medium!

I was determined to paint something today, and it was this evening before I got to it. I've decided, crazy though I might be, to do another Thirty Horses, Thirty Days in April, so consider this one a warm-up of sorts. This is an 8 x 10 oil on canvas, using my old faithful limited palette of ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red medium, titanium white and a touch of yellow ochre. The subject is a very pretty filly named Van Lear Rose, Canada's champion two-year old filly in 2008.

On a sad note, I learned today that an old "friend" died. Millie was an older Thoroughbred broodmare, and actully my Monster's "aunt" - she was a half-sister to Monster's sire, Tejabo. I actually did a painting of Millie and one of her foals a few years ago, which I called "Signs of Spring." I worked with many of Millie's babies during the time I worked at the farm she called home. She was a very pretty, sweet mare. Long may she run.

Is That...Sunshine?

Okay, so sometimes winter here in Canada can be a little grey. We've had more than our fair share of late in Southern Ontario, so it's nice to see the sun. Today, then, I'm going to post some pics of the kids instead of artwork!


Anyone who knows what Jay has been through will appreciate these first two photos. Jay underwent colic surgery on December 14th at Milton Equine Hospital. He's had a few bumps along the road but got a good report on his one-month recheck, and the okay for some turnout. He's quite happy about that, and as you can see, the girls are dutifully keeping him company! Gladys spends the most time with him.


The mares are inside the 30-day mark to their due date, both looking appropriately large! I'm praying for a relatively uneventful foaling season, after the stress of Jay!


The 2007 models are doing there thing, playing and eating and occasionally being bratty (what, yearling fillies? Never!). Good thing the "barn manager", Miss Bettycat, keeps them all in line!


The painting continues, of course, and it won't be long until I have more updates in that department. I've got some new racing and backstretch oils in the works, and I plan to do a couple more "quickies". I've also finally added a subscription feature to my blog so if you're interested in hearing about updates as they occur, just enter your email address and it will be delivered right to your inbox. If you'd rather subscribe to the feed, let me know. While I've burned the feed, I haven't sorted out the finer points of making it available! Just call me technically challenged!

First Painting of 2008

Well, but for a few tweaks, I think I finished my second entry for this year's Art Show at the Dog Show. I had a lot of fun with this. It's simple, but I think it works! Felt good to start the year off right, too.

All the horses had a very happy birthday yesterday, from the new yearlings (!!) to the crabby mares! Twine is the oldest in the barn at nine, with Monster and Clever coming in next at eight. My Monster is eight! Where has the time gone?

We've been hit with a cold snap here in Southern Ontario -- my ears are still burning. Forecast for next week has temps in the mid-teens though! What's that? I'm not a big fan of the cold, but it's January, and I'd rather have snow than MUD! We'll see if they're right or not!

Happy New Year!


(ACEO coloured pencil of Javamonster as a baby)