Topper

Here's the sweet Topper, Alice's appaloosa, done in charcoal on acid free archival charcoal paper.


I love delivering equine portraits and smiles.

:)

I finished "Topper"

Topper is a sweet appaloosa who belongs to Alice.
I did his portrait in charcoal and I had to do little appaloosa "freckles" around his muzzle and his eyes. VERY cute!
Topper lives with Daquiri and Otto. Remember Daquiri? I did her portrait last year--she is the Ultimate Alpha Mare. Dig through my archives to find her story and portrait...
I won't post my portrait of Topper here until Alice sees it. :)
In the meantime, here's one of the snapshots I took of him. I decided to do his portrait complete with his fuzzy winter coat and long whiskers.

Cute!

Young Horse Study

Angels Heard Me Today...

This is what I did today. Good Friday, indeed.

My first ride of the season was today--and it was PERFECT. The angels heard my plea for a perfect day and a perfect ride. I needed this day so much.

A beautiful day, beautiful horses, no flies to speak of, open fields and woody trails--and going on this adventure with my great friend, K, is just the BEST THING EVER!

Look at my smile. This is a real honest-to-goodness blissed out smile. And look at my Mighty Black Stallion, Obi. He is my hero.

I feel centered, healed and happy.

Thanks Obi, Timmy and K!

*mwah*

Stocking Thief

here is the Scanlon Holiday card, 2005. Why am I posting this in April?

Why not? :)

Every year, my husband and I design a Holiday card for family, friends and colleagues. This year, I did this watercolor/ink illustration of "The Stocking Thief."

My husband, graphic designer extraordinaire, added the snowflakes and the holly border.

This was done with my old, now broken Rapidograph pen. *snif* (get over it, Helen--you have three new ones now!)

The stocking thief shows a playful and naughty horse who has just run off with a Christmas stocking.

I have met horses who do this. Anything not bolted down and within their reach was snagged, dragged or stepped on. Brushes, buckets and even very expensive sadddles. Ouch.

They sure know how to get attention, huh?

Spring Fever!

I've got one commission on the table, and another next in line...And after I finish those, I want to start my BIG watercolor of the three founding Arabian sires.

(Waiting for my new Rapidograph pens to arrive-- I broke my former Rapidograph pen on Friday. Ugh. Woe and misery. Let's just say I'm a klutz!But, turning lemons into lemonade, I got online and ordered a sweet deal---three pens, three tips, a carrying case and a bottle of ink.) (All better!)

Waiting for Mr. Postman to bring me my delightful new purchase...

I feel like I want to do something large and colorful... and I have a huge sheet of Arches watercolor paper just itching to get on the table.

I have started the studies, so now it's time to get serious about it. I think the warmer weather has motivated me.

A special note of thanks to Brandy Gale---she is a true professional with endless amounts of great advice and warm encouragement. She is one heck of a talented expressionist, too.

Check out her work at www.singlemaltcove.com

and take a look at her portrait of my Tom Tom: http://www.kittengale.com/pages/ptgtomtom.html

Her use of color is amazing. I'm a fan!

Brandy, thanks for everything. You are an inspiration to this artist.

And thanks to the Windham Theatre Guild for displaying some of my artwork during your production of Smokey Joe's Cafe. Your dedication to promoting local art is admirable...I thank you!

Noble turns into a dark bay in less than two minutes...

What a talented guy!

Sigh. *Noble*

Here's my Dream Horse, Noble, getting in a nice, dusty roll. Oh my, I can't wait to ride this guy again...

That's BJ in the background--maybe I will be able to actually *do* a bit of an extension on him this time. This guy's trot is kinda, well, BIG. After riding a Tennessee Walker all season (my darling Obi), and a nice medium sized Trakehener before that (sweet Misty), I wasn't *quite* ready for the L A R G E warmblood trot that BJ offered. Holy Moley! It's fantastic!

Spring is here, dust off the saddle! ...and wear a dust mask when you groom...*cough cough*