The Judges Choice On Line

It's August 1st and this is the month where I am the featured artist on the website for "The Judges Choice Equine Classifieds". It was nice of them to ask and I was happy to oblige :-).
Here's the link: www.thejudgeschoice.com
I have shown here my painting entitled "Breaktime" which is one of the images that they show on the website. I painted this one because I was really attracted by the rider in shadow and the horse in the light. They also show that common activity between classes.....just taking a break and resting up for the next activity. The way the rider kept her hand on the horses muzzle just reminded me of that special bond between these two teamates. This painting is in the collection of Ms. Ellen Johnson of New Jersey.

Wolves

Had a great time this week doing some studies of wolves. After painting a few smaller studies I came up with this 8 x 10 called "Edge of The Woods". I think I'd like to do a larger much more detailed painting of wolves sometime soon...they are really beautiful animals with the greys,warm browns and whites, not to mention gorgeous eyes! Back to my horses next week....a dressage painting is calling my name.

Closing Day at Churchill Downs

This horse seemed dressed appropriately for the 4th of July Closing weekend at Churchill Downs.
My family all made the three hour drive to Louisville for a day at the races. No , I didn't win anything.....but that hardly matters because the photo ops were fantastic. We all had a great day full of a lot of laughs and beautiful horses. We were happy to have the chance to see Calvin Borel that day and my impression of him as being a genuinely nice person is only reinforced after seeing him interact with his fans after the races. When the day was done and he wasn't in a hurry to get on to preparing for the next race, he stopped and gave all of his goggles to some kids awaiting a chance for an autograph..... they were thrilled. It was just one of those great days all around.

"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....... :-) :-).