C'mon, Keep Up!

Apparently, that's something I haven't been doing.  I *do* have updates....really.  Everything seems to be keeping me busy enough not to get to them, however.  Some people do New Year's resolutions, but I find fall as appropriate a time as any to form new habits (haha...or attempt to).  Maybe it's all those years of going to school.  Seems as good a time as any to start something new!  Like, perhaps, posting regularly again?

Horses have been coming and going - yearlings off to the training centre for the next stage of their lives, two-year olds back for a rest after a bit of time at the track. Fall seems to be settling in a little too comfortably, but I guess that's inevitable.  It's dark when I get up to feed the horses.  Dark too soon after they come in for dinner. 

The two April foals, Moxy and Stella, were weaned last week, and are adjusting to their new life as individuals.  Well, mostly.  They still have each other, and soon they will get a formal introduction to Victor, so that the latest version of widgets can begin to entertain!

Fall will be a busy time for art as well.  The Milton Studio Tour is less than two weeks away, and the way the trees are changing colour, it should be a beautiful time for a drive in the country!  I'm back at my home location for the tour this year, so come out and see some artwork and get a glimpse of those 'kids' out in the paddock that provide my never-ending inspiration!  Dates are October 5&6 from 10am-5pm both days.

The following weekend, which is the Thanksgiving long weekend here in Canada, I'm joining a group of artist friends to show work at the Erin Fall Fair.  If you're visiting, look for us!  There are five of us involved, and I guess you could call us the founding members of the Canadian Equine Artists Society.  So far we just have a Facebook page.  Join us there to keep up to date on developments!

Busy days ahead.  Hope you can make it out to one of the upcoming events to see my new work!

So Where *does* the time go?

I'm ridiculously far behind on this blog, with no valid excuse. Yes I've been busy, but what else is new? In the past month I've been to Saratoga for our annual foray, painted a new oil for the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame induction ceremony's fundraiser, gone to said ceremony/fundraiser, and am now painting in preparation for the CTHS yearling sales this coming weekend.


The foals, as you can see, are tormenting their mothers - well, the two chestnut boys definitely are, while Sheldon remains more laid back (with a healthy respect for Twine!). Weaning time is very near! Today they get their vaccination boosters, so that will delay their weaning for a week or two.


I still intend to do separate posts addressing the visit to Saratoga, and the Hall of Fame painting. Naturally there will also be something more about the yearling sales. Fall is a busy time, with the Schomberg Village Street Gallery also coming up, September 17 and 18, and the FASM Milton Studio Tour, October 1&2. If you are in either area, maybe we'll see you out!

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: Last Call!

I've actually had to put off Baby Girl's weaning because her weaning buddy-to-be, Gracie, has had a bit of an issue with one of her eyes that has required a couple of vet visits. Until I'm satisfied Gracie's eye is right - and I don't have to pull her out of the pasture for such vet visits - Baby Girl gets to stay with Jubie. Each time I see her nurse, however, I think, "Enjoy it while it lasts, Baby Girl!"

This is 11 x 14 oil on canvas.

Making New Friends

In a few weeks it will be time to wean Jubie's Baby Girl - hard to believe, isn't it? Only foals are tough for obvious reasons. They need a buddy to keep them company once Mom's taken away. Monster's weaning buddy was a track layup named Storybound. For Peaker, I borrowed a pony mare, and then the owners bought Maria from the mixed sale, so she had a friend her own age. As much as I would love to have another baby, I personally don't need another horse right now! When Gracie came back from the track, I had my answer. Gracie has been on small paddock turnout in the space beside Jubie and the baby since she came home, which I find works well for pre-introduction, but I'm always a little tense on that first day.


I needn't have been, this time! I threw hay out in the big paddock, and Jubie went right to it. Next I slipped Gracie in, expecting Jubie to quite quickly switch into protective momma mode. Uh....Jubie? Jubie didn't even lift her head from the hay! Baby Girl observed from a distance as Gracie scoped out the paddock, sniffing every pile, nibbling weeds. When Baby Girl started to run around, Gracie ran a bit....but nothing alarming. Within a couple of hours the two fillies were off on their own, while Jubie ignored them. It wasn't until Gracie tried to nibble on Jubie's hay pile that Jubie exploded!


I think Baby Girl was a little concerned about her mother's indifference. She kept coming back to nurse - more frequently than normal. It was rather sweet when the three of them started hanging together, and Baby Girl seemed to be looking for reassurance that Jubie did still love her!