A Year for the Fillies?

There may be two fillies in this year's Plate - Oaks winner Milwaukee Appeal, and the runner-up, Tasty Temptation. Last time I saw Tasty Temptation she was just a few days old, romping around her mother at nearby Persley Den Farm. Her mother is a very beautiful grey mare named Parisia, and dad is none other than Medaglia d'Or, sire of Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra.

The painting is 8 x 10 oil on panel.

Now Just a Memory....

We are officially on to rain and mud now. It rained again today - just a light rain, but persistent enough to keep me from getting straw. It better clear up tomorrow, because with them being in more than usual right now, I've gone through more straw than I would normally!

I was determined to get some serious work done on my painting of the two yearlings running through the snow. How nice and clean my paddock looked, not to mention the fillies! When I reached the point I thought I might well get this one finished, I persevered. It will hang around unsigned until it's dry (again with the Titanium White because of the snow, that will take a while) so if I see anything more that should be done, I can take care of it before it gets that final proclamation of abandonment! Paintings always look better in person - there's no way a jpeg viewed online has a chance of doing justice - but with this one it's especially true. The working title on this one has been "Fresh Snow" so we'll see if that sticks as it dries as well! Once again, this is 11 x 14 oil on Raphael linen panel.


I even started a new painting this afternoon. Other than the EAG pARTies, I tend to paint exclusively from my own photos. This one, however, shared by fellow EAG member Kat Moore, I found really appealing. Kat has some gorgeous Shire horses. I've always loved Shires, did a head study of one a couple of years ago, but this looked like a great opportunity to do another. This is just a little one, 5 x 7 on Raphael again, and if it turns out well enough it might be headed for a miniature art show in Kansas. So far, I've done just a very rough underpainting using Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Umber and Titanium White. The joy of working small, it came together very quickly!

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!