"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."

Portrait of Tex

Yesterday I shipped my latest commission off to it's owners in Wisconsin. It was a joy to paint a paint! (Okay... my little attempt at humor.) The clients sent good references from which I could work. I never did have the opportunity to meet this horse in life....but he sure does look like he's got personality plus. In the perfect world I get to meet all of my subjects in life...but sometimes that's not possible and a combination of various photo references can work well to achieve the final painting. So, here's to "Tex" and his new home.

Morning Surprise at Lakehill

This morning I had a visitor just outside my studio window......this sweet deer seemed to be
saying "who me?....I'm not eating your hostas". ( I'm thinking this will have to be a painting at some point !) For many years we never saw deer in our backyard...until hubby started gardening.....then here they are visiting and looking for those nice green tomatoes. A friend suggested that you simply plant a big enough garden to feed yourselves and the animals ! Good advice I think except that it's going to have to be a very big garden.

American Academy of Equine Art 2011 Fall Open Show

I've posted this image of "Hartsville Horses" before on this blog when it got into the Scottsdale Artist's School Best and Brightest 2011 show earlier this year. Now it's been juried into the American Academy of Equine Art's Fall open show for 2011. The show will be held at the Scott County Arts and Cultural Center/Gallery in Georgetown,KY from September 16th to October 15th. I feel very happy and excited to be part of this very well respected equine art show. If you are in the area...stop by and check it out. The show is usually put up on line on the AAEA website after the opening of the show in September. Here's the link to their website: http://www.aaea.net/

My favorite Nashville Historical Site....

It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that Belle Meade Plantation is my favorite
Nashville historical site. It being steeped in thoroughbred history....well what's not to like? The photo shown here is from the 2011 Derby Day Party centerpiece at the carriage house. The grounds are dripping with beautiful southern charm. If you live in the greater Nashville area and haven't taken the tour of Belle Meade, add it to your list so you can appreciate the gem that is in our midst.

Happily I can say that last week the manager of the Belle Meade art gallery asked me to have another solo show in May of 2012. I'm thrilled to look forward to that opportunity again. A year can go way faster than we ever expect....so I'm already planning my Steeplechase and foxhunting themed paintings....on that note, I'd better get off the computer and back in the studio.

Steeplechase Horse of the Year 2010, "Slip Away"

Shown here is the Steeplechase Horse of the Year for 2010, “Slip Away” owned by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Ramsey with Paddy Young riding. Although this painting ( 20 x 24 Oil ) was not finished in time for my recent show at Belle Meade Plantation’s opening night…I did have it hanging there for much of the month of May. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ramsey and his son Jeff and grandson William at the Iroquois races this year. You could search the world of horses far and wide and never meet a nicer person than Ken Ramsey. In the words of his secretary……”he’s never met a stranger”. How lucky I was to meet him and have a chance to work with him on a commission.