Spring Open Studio has been scheduled!

Saturday, May 1 (Derby Day!) and Sunday May 2 from 11am-4ish-pm at Sound the Bugle Studio, 6 Kenyon Rd., Hampton, Connecticut.

New art for sale!

Watch me paint!

Also, my friend Marie will be selling her AMAZING hand-made soaps.

Come on by, would love to see you.

(Hint: Mother's Day AND Father's Day are coming up--give the gift of art!)(I also have gift certificates)

Legend VI, on the way!

Received a pre-order this weekend...

"PLEASE do the Darley Arabian," pleaded my faithful customer. "He needs to go on my wall next to your Godolphin Arabian."

OOH! Twist my arm! *wink*

Anyway, the Darley Arabian was an astoundingly beautiful bay horse with socks and blaze. Be still my heart... I just go all to mush for a bright bay with socks and a blaze...

Stay tuned! Legend VI: The Darley Arabian will make his appearance soon.

above image: The Darley Arabian as painted by John Wootton.

...continue to keep Courtney King-Dye in your prayers...

here she is riding her late, great Olympic mount, Mythilus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_mQXiTFQ9g

On March 5, Dressage Olympian Courtney King-Dye was working a young horse when the horse slipped. Courtney suffered severe head trauma as a result of the accident, and she is still in the UCU in a coma.

Courtney is poetry in the saddle. Perfect position, beautiful, quiet hands, and supreme balance. Whatever your faith may be, keep her in your prayers.

The question many wanted to know was: was she wearing a helmet? Unfortunately, she was not. Accidents happen no matter your discipline, no matter your skill level. Since Courtney's horrible injury, many in the dressage world gathered in solidarity to show off their spiffy helmets when mounted; to show their support and love of this wonderful rider and teammate.

Dressage Olympian, Robert Dover, posts frequent Courtney updates on his website: www.doversworld.com

Feel free to join Robert's powerful prayer circle by adding a comment on his page: I believe in a miracle for Courtney!

Stay strong, Courtney! We are looking forward to giving you a standing ovation when you return to the arena...

Z E N Y A T T A ! ! ! !

15 for 15.

Undefeated.

Comes up from dead last, again. Finds a gap, powers through and blows their doors off. Finishes with ears pricked, pleased as punch.

Her trainer, John Shirreffs, says the 17hh Zenyatta is sweet as pie in her stall and is a perfect lady to handle. But, when that saddle goes on--it's dance, dance, dance and get outta my way! What a competitive powerhouse she is out on the racetrack. She just muscles her way through the field to win, win, win!

This mare is a masterpiece:

NOW it's done!

The Gentleman, 2010. 19" x 19", charocal and pastel on cream Canson Mi-Teintes.

I worked on this piece just a tad more---I wasn't happy with his ears the first time around. Ears are sometimes really hard to get right---even after drawing them for so many years! Horses use their ears for their expression, and getting their position correct is vital. So, I went back, changed the ears, made his gentle eye bigger and softer, and added a smidge of color. Now, he's done.

The Gentleman's muse was a big, proud baroque stallion. He's a perfect gentleman, passing his nobility, beauty, talent and sweet personality to his progeny. And I think he's a big cutie. *smile*

To add this new drawing to your collection, please e-mail me at soundthebuglestudio (at) charter.net