Happy New Year ! Welcome 2013

The years can go by so fast.... 2012 was no exception.  Thinking about the blessings and challenges that whirled around within the past 12 months makes for some introspective moments on this last day of the year.

Hello 2013, glad to meet you head on and with a grateful heart for all the family and friends in my life. 

Posted here is my latest portrait of a wonderful woman with her Tennessee Walker and Australian Shepherd.    She has rescued and worked tirelessly for the welfare of abused horses in our state and surrounding counties. You couldn't find a person with a bigger heart. My favorite thing about doing portraits is meeting people and getting to know them through the process. It was an honor to paint this for her.  It was the last portrait commission that I completed for the year.

As for Lakehill Studio....I'm looking forward to some new opportunities and directions for 2013. Some known and for sure some unknown to me at the moment.....
More on all that as the months start rolling by!  So for now..... Happy New Year !

Check out Laurel Leaf Boutique

Fall is a popular time to visit Leiper's Fork, TN. This picturesque small town is  right near the Natchez Trace Parkway and is a wonderful stop for an afternoon of strolling down it's main street full of  Art, Antiques and good local food.  I just got back from changing out some of my artwork there and here is a view of it hanging at The Laurel Leaf Boutique.  The owner Bethany Reiser has added fashions to it's wonderful mix of art and original handmade jewelry and ceramics.  I love their tag line "Find Something Perfect"....because you will do just that at Laurel Leaf !

Tax Ruling

To fill my promise to post some of the paintings that were at Belle Meade Plantation this summer, here is "TAX RULING" ( with Darren Nagle in the irons ).  This painting was inspired by Tax Ruling's first win at the 2010 Iroquois Steeplechase.  The size is 20 x 24.  Tax Ruling also won the Iroquois in 2011.  In 2010 it was a sunny beautiful day and the light brought out the warmer tones in this beautiful horse's coat.  On cloudier days he appears a much darker bay color....stunning either way !
Mr. Irv Naylor is the owner of this impressive horse among many other successful horses in the steeplechase world.  I also painted "Chess Board", another of Mr. Naylor's horses for last year's solo show.  Mr. Naylor's story is inspiring to say the least and if you'd like to read more about this amazing man, here's a link to a story written about him in the "Pennsylvania Equestrian"  by Terry Conway in 2011.

http://pennsylvaniaequestrian.com/news2011/february/Champion-Owner-Hopes-For-Personal-Triumph.php

Do you love to read about and follow Steeplechasing ?   Here's the link to THE place to find out
all you need to know.... The Steeplechase Times.....http://www.st-publishing.com/cms2/

The second shot here is a look at the space at the Belle Meade Art Gallery in the Visitor's center just before the show opened this June.   I've been informed that I have another spot for my 4th solo show there in 2013....needless to say, I was very happy with that news!

Jump Jocks

Here's another painting that was new this year at the Belle Meade show.  "Jump Jocks" is an 11 x 14 oil painting of steeplechase jockeys waiting for their horses to arrive for the next race at the Percy Warner Park steeplechase grounds in Nashville.  I am constantly amazed at the particular athleticism and talent that the jockeys must have to compete in this sport.

"Two For Lunch"

 Here is an 11 x 14 oil titled "Two For Lunch" that is currently hanging at the Belle Meade Plantation gallery until July 28th.   I snapped the photo reference that inspired the painting at a horse show at the beautiful grounds of Brownland Farm in Franklin, Tn.  I always feel drawn toward those "behind the scenes" kind of images that go on all day long at events and shows.   These three looked relaxed and
happy with a little grazing time.

"R & R"

The fox family that lived outside of our fence a few years ago gave me all kinds of wonderful reference shots to use as inspiration for paintings. I finally got around to painting this view of them all relaxing in the sun in our own backyard.  I love to paint foxes with their flighty personalities and wonderful coloring.  More to come on this subject for sure.  This one greets visitors entering the art gallery area at Belle Meade this year.  It is a 10 x 20 framed oil that is framed in an Italian wormwood frame.

A huge THANKS to everyone that came out to the opening last night at Belle Meade's art gallery. I sure do appreciate the support of each and every one of you who took time out of busy schedules to attend!

I have to share a fun story of what happened in the middle of the evening. Last week I posted the image of the painting titled “Iroquois Rain Gear” which appeared on the show’s postcard invitations that went out to Belle Meade's mailing list. A person who received the card thought she recognized the women and asked her daughter, “Don’t you know these women?” Yes, she did and passed the invitation onto the person in the red dress! So, she in turn decided to gather her two friends and dress in the exact same outfits as they had on at the Steeplechase in 2011, boots and all. We never met each other that rainy day that I snapped the photo reference. Because of the rain I didn't want to make them stop and talk etc...so I had no idea of the identity of my subjects. They arrived as a surprise at the opening last night! And surprise they did.... It was a really fun moment. I can’t stop smiling thinking about it!

 

2012 Solo Show at Belle Meade Plantation

Thursday, June 7th is the opening date for my solo exhibition at the visitor center art gallery at the Belle Meade Plantation here in Nashville, TN.  Come on over for some summer wines provided by West Meade Liquors and some light hors d' oeuvres from 5:30pm. to 7:30 pm.  I'm always excited to show here at Belle Meade.  The people I work with there are a delight and a portion of all sales goes to the ongoing restoration and education projects at this most historic site.  Considering Belle Meade's important place in thoroughbred breeding history here in the US, my equine centered paintings fit well there and I appreciate their support in showing my work now for the third year.  This year there will be paintings inspired by the steeplechase, the event of the Middle Tennessee Pony Club, Foxes, wildlife and various related themes. The show runs through July 28th.  After it opens...I'll start posting selected paintings on this blog so those of you who can't make it down to Nashville in the next two months can see the latest ! 

The painting shown here is called "Iroquois Rain Gear", an 8x10 oil.  When I am shooting reference shots at the Iroquois Steeplechase, I force myself to occasionally turn from the gorgeous horses and stay on the lookout for some of the attendees in their spring finery.  Last year it was a rainy, grey day ...but that never stops true steeplechase fans, they just don their boots and go along like the weather doesn't matter!

"Fog Island"

Just finished a 9 x 12 portrait of the steeplechase horse “Fog Island”, owned and trained by Maryland horsewoman, Michelle Sanger.  Last year at the Iroquois it was exciting to cheer this beautiful horse on as he raced on to win The George Sloan and John Sloan Sr. Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle race at Percy Warner Park here in Nashville on a rainy and overcast Iroquois Day.   Ms. Sanger also owns a portrait of another one of her horses “Birthday Beau”.  I hope to be able to cheer one of them on again this year!

"Taylor and Tig"

I recently completed this painting for a lovely family near Knoxville, TN. We connected at the Webb School Art show (Artxtravaganza) and they commissioned me to do a portrait of their daughter and her horse. It was a joy to paint. A fun aspect was painting Taylor’s red hair and Tig’s chestnut coat. What a great match they make! It warms my heart to see a former racehorse successfully transition to another home and career and best yet, live with a family that loves him so much. With the support of her parents, Taylor trains and works hard with her instructor to bring Tig along showing in the Jr. Hunter division.

Fox Hunting Family Commission

This is a commissioned painting that I completed toward the end of 2011. This lovely family wanted to be reminded of happy times with their son on hunt days and riding through the the hills of Tennessee. Our goal was to bring them happy memories of those days spent together. According to the client...mission accomplished....in her words...." I absolutely love it..... You not only got the physical appearance but much more the spirit."