Raku

I must admit, I have a soft spot for the Old Guys. The horses with the gray on their muzzles and the wisdom of time reflected in their eyes...

They have a history. They will tell you the stories of their youth if you open your heart to them. Spend some quiet time with an old horse. They will tell you their tales and it is an honor they bestow on us if we are still enough to simply listen.

Just be, and listen...Oh, the things you will learn from an old horse! Trust me, this knowledge is very special and holds infinite wisdom. Ancient instincts combined with an unfaltering partnership with humans-- it holds many answers and shares many secrets.

Then, look into the eyes of an old horse.

The eyes may grow milky as old age approaches, but the clouds do not cover the nobility. Horses are born into nobility--each and every one. Nobility is not taught. It just is.

Here is my old friend, Raku. His talents for launching himself into the air could rival a Lipizzaner from Vienna.

His head was the first one poking out looking for breakfast. He would nicker at his best friend, G, as she called "GOOOOBER"!

Always happy.

Always with a glint of mischief in his eye.

Purple polo wraps.

An etiquette instructor and babysitter for the young ones.

A good friend to all; a wise teacher to the riding student and stable hand.

But most of all, he is the best friend of a wonderful person, G, who loves him very, very much. They are both blessed. Friendships like this come along once in a lifetime.

It was good to groom you again, Raku. You keep those youngsters in line, ya hear?

See Cavan in the Equine Art Guild online art exhibit!

I entered my portrait of Cavan in the Equine Art Guild's "Artist's Horse As Muse" exhibit. The link is here:

Cavan in the Equine Art Guild show

Another prelim study...

Working on it! Getting closer to the final pose...

Stay tuned...

COLD in Connecticut

Hi all,

BOY has it been COLD here in the woods of Connecticut!

I have been spending a lot of time in my warm studio as I have three commissions to finish....Wonderful! The latest is a clydesdale/QH mare with a kind and gentle face. Her portrait will be done in charcoal. I haven't done a charcoal portrait in a while, and I am thrilled to work in my fave medium again. Smudging away!

The large watercolor of UC Ringmaster has been outlined, and given its first sweep of color. This stallion is gorgeous in his rich chestnut coat. He looks regal--like the two time world champion he is. I am painting him on a delicious sheet of Arches paper, and I have had many chances to use the incredible da Vinci cat's tongue brush Brandy Gale gave to me last August.

Skeeter, my siamese tortie point studio assistant, has been very helpful with the creative process, and Celtic traditional tunes have been the music of choice these days. Jigs really light the creative spark...

Springtime and an Open Studio are just around the corner...Watch this space...


Pictured above is a study sketch for a commissioned portrait. I do many of these before choosing a prelimary outline for a final portrait. I do not trace or project photos--I experiment with pose, expression and composition in order to achieve an original artistic interpretation of the subject. This is where over thirty years of studying and drawing horses comes in real handy. It's also a lot of fun!