"You Go First"

Here's "You Go First"...the last painting that I finished a few weeks ago. These two Montana paint horses were happily grazing away near Anaconda, Montana last summer when I interrupted their privacy with my skulking around the fence line. Hubby was endlessly finding places to pull the car over every time I spotted horses grazing in that beautiful Montana scenery.
I'd never been out there until last summer when we made a whirlwind trip to a friend's wedding. It was incredible. I totally understand why people fall in love with the west. We live in a beautiful country and to travel around experiencing the nuances of all the regions.....it's a blessing.

Canadian Warmblood Association

Sometimes good news comes right when you need it. The Canadian Warmblood Association
has chosen "First Class Flight" as it's 2009 poster art , brochure and advertising image for their Fall Breeder's Classic. I almost didn't submit this painting because of it being a horizontal image and most all of the past images have been vertical. But obviously I submitted anyway and I'm glad I did. I can be pretty good at talking myself OUT of things .......but I'm working on it. :-)
The painting itself is a 24 x 36 oil on canvas. They will auction the original off to start the Breeder's auction in Alberta this fall. Here's the link to the website for the Auction:

http://www.fallclassicsale.com/

Pets of Putnam County Art Show and Sale

This weekend is "The Best is Yet to Come Art show and Sale" benefiting the Pets of Putnam County Humane Society in Cookeville, Tn. I'll be there with some of my work and hoping for a good turnout for a worthy cause. The patron
party is on Saturday evening June 6th and the show continues on Sunday 2 p.m. thru 6 p.m.
call 931-858-2228 for ticket information.

Beautiful Rolex Weekend!

I am so glad to have gotten the chance to go up to Lexington this past weekend to revel in the wonderful world that is the Rolex CCI**** Kentucky 3 day event ! I almost missed going this year and I know that I just can't let that happen again. Seeing the olympic caliber horses and riders who you know have worked so hard to make it to this level of the sport...it's just exhilarating to say the least. Following the Eventing USA blog has helped me keep up with who was going to be competing this year...and only added to the excitement and anticipation. The photo that I posted here is of Syd Kent, ridden by Jan Byyny from the USA.
I certainly filled up my flash cards full of references for future artwork for sure. Each year my photography skills get just a little better and more and more of the photos are keepers. I never claimed to be a sports photographer, I really have to respect the work that those people do! I work from my own reference shots and so between all of them...I can get the info that I need.
My husband went with me for the first time and he was enthusiastic learning about the sport. To see him also appreciate something that I feel so passionate about warmed my heart :-). We had a great time enjoying the crystal clear spring days. 364 days and counting until next year's Rolex....... :-) :-).

Art in Bloom Fine Art Show and Sale

This weekend will be my second year exhibiting with the Art in Bloom Fine Art Sale & Show presented by the Junior Service League of Gallatin, Tn. This show is a fundraiser in support of charities supporting the women and children of the community. It will be held at the Bluegrass Yacht and Country Club at 550 Johnny Cash Parkway in Hendersonville. The Preview Party is on Friday March 27th from 6:30 p.m (reservations required...call Cindi Givens at 615-452-1431 for tickets). The show is open to the public on Saturday, March 28th from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Although I have about 7 larger equine themed paintings in process in my studio right now....I concentrated on including smaller works for this show. I've included a sneak peak of a few of my 5 x 7 studies that I'll have at the show this year. The first is a 5 x 7 ,"Gray Hunter Study". The second is a 5 x 7, "The Hunt is on". The third is an 8 x 10,"Female Elk, Yellowtone study"

It's spring in full swing here in Tennessee and hopefully our community will be out and about and ready to see all kinds of artwork from over 40 artists. Stop by and say hello at Art in Bloom !

Horses in Art Magazine

Good news ! I was thrilled to find out this weekend that I have been awarded an honorable mention for my painting "Beech Grove Blessing" in the 2009 Horses in Art magazine's cover contest. Knowing the volume of entries that they receive, I'm happy and honored with this recognition. They'll be following up with an editorial in a future edition.

This painting was done from a combination of my references shot while attending the BGH's opening hunt. The jt MFH is Elese Alsup who is pictured here on her beautiful bay thoroughbred "JB". They make quite a team for sure. The blessing of the hounds, horses and riders is a tradition of the opening day of the hunt season.

I have become fascinated with the entire fox hunting tradition and love painting the subject. My younger days were filled with riding in junior hunter shows and training for eventing, etc. but I never had the opportunity to ride with a hunt. I'm not entirely sure I would have had the nerve required anyway.....but that's beside the point! Experiencing all the tradition, excitement and atmosphere of the hunt is exhilarating even if it is from the outside looking in. I really appreciate Beech Grove Hunt's willingness to allow me to visit and learn from everyone. They are patient with my endless questions and reference shots. A few years ago, the Masters of the Foxhounds Assoc. had its centennial traveling art show and I was proud to be one of the artists included. To encourage artists to consider the subject, the MFHA urged it's members to open up opportunities for artists to experience the hunt and the members of BGH were willing to do just that very thing! I look forward to many fox hunt-themed paintings to come.

Hartsville Horse

A good thing happened to round out 2008 ! My painting, "Hartsville Horse", has been chosen to be on the cover of the 2009 north/central Florida edition of "The Barn Book". This publication is a regionally targeted resource book for the horse industry that is circulated in 6 different regions of the eastern United States. They are associated with Sidelines Magazine. My ad will also be in there somewhere...so check it out if you see a Barn Book at your local tack shop , barn, horseshow etc. Here is the link in case you want to read more about it: http://www.thebarnbook.com/