Back to the Barn

Back to the Barn, 2010. 36" x 40" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas. (top: whole painting, bottom: detail of head)

This painting is a little bit different for me: this was my first paint horse, my first blue eyed horse AND the first time I decided to try a glowing outline to make the horse pop off the canvas.

I love expressionism and creating texture and going BAM POW with color. I also can see why Jackson Pollack liked to drip paint. Boy, it's FUN. But, I digress...

I do not copy, trace or project photos, I use my imagination and memory to conjure an image, and I freehand draw right on the canvas. As I draw, I step back and check my perspective and proportions. Then, I paint. I use all of my senses when I paint. I do not use strict realism, instead, I let my subject "tell" me what it wants as I go. Sound weird? It's hard to explain, but this horse kinda told me he wanted a green glowing outline with lots of cobalt blue. And for the spots on his coat--my brush just went to random places and formed the patterns as I saw fit. Even weirder--(but a really kinda cool experience!)---every time I look at this painting, I can hear this horse's hooves clip clop on the ground in a relaxed, slow, post-trail ride rhythm as he walks.

Creating art, for me, is a celebration of the senses. And I love it!

Back to the Barn is a "request" painting; meaning, I asked some of my collectors, friends and supporters what they would like to see me paint. One longtime collector and friend suggested I do a bay/white paint horse with a black and white mane, on an emerald green background. Niiiiiice. She speaks my language!

Back to the Barn is the final result. I added some cobalt and bright green to complement the emerald. I also added that bright glowy green to make the horse jump out a bit. This was SO much fun to do, and I hope it shows! I need to get a better photo of this, however. I just got a new camera and I am still learning it. The whites should be pure white with no blue undertones, and the muzzle is nice warm pink. The green also glows like a firefly!
(click on the painting to see a close-up, maybe you can see some of the cool drips and textures that were formed as the painting progressed) ("back to the barn" is also scribbled into the cobalt blue right under his lead rope).

This happy horse is headed back to the barn after a nice, long trail ride. He is devotedly following his rider after giving her a relaxing, magical ride through a pine forest, (or maybe they galloped across an open field) (or maybe they went through a cool stream before heading home)...The lead rope is slack and shows the trust that is forged between horse and rider.

The horse will follow his rider, anywhere. He will safely carry her home, every time.

Back to the Barn is for sale, e-mail me at soundthebuglestudio (at) charter.net to inquire.

In other studio news for 2010:

WOWIE! Many thanks to Tanya Lama from the University of Connecticut for conducting a great in-home interview with me. What fun! I love blabbing non-stop about art and horses! Anyway, Tanya's interview will be featured on UConn's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website; I will be a featured alumna. How freaking cool is it to be recognized by one's alma mater? Well, it's REALLY freaking cool. I'll put the link up when it is featured.

Saturday, Sept 11: Look for my vendor tent at the Lebanon Farmers' Market! I haven't been there since June, I miss it! The market is located on the GORGEOUS Lebanon Green in beautiful, historic Lebanon, Connecticut, 9am-12noon.

Saturday, Oct. 2: I return to the Lebanon Farmers' Market for Artisan Day, 9am-12noon.

Sunday, Oct. 3: no rest for this artist! I will have a vendor booth at the Willimantic Food Co-op's Country Fair, 91 Valley St., Willimantic, Connecticut. That event will be 11am-5pm.

Then watch for a Fall Open Studio announcement!

(and, get your Holiday Commissions in early!!! e-mail me today!)

Whew!

Thanks to everyone for your support. You make me smile. :-)