Fresh off my Easel... Bay My Hero and William Fox Pitt

I was able to finish this painting before Rolex after all!  It is a 16 x 20 Oil on linen. It was inspired by seeing this winning team compete at Rolex in 2014. 

Carol Gee of Fernhill Sport Horses introduced me to Catherine Witt a few years ago after Parklane Hawke's win at Rolex. This was a painting that I wanted so much to complete as I'm a big fan of Catherine Witt's horses ( in this case Bay My Hero) and William Fox Pitt. I am hoping this painting acts as a big shout out for his continued success as he comes back into competition after his injury last year. 

Eventers are T O U G H and resilient athletes and an inspiration to us all for working through life's ups and downs. Best of luck and safe trips to all our competitors this year!

More Wise words...this time from Richard Schmid.....

"If what you choose to paint comes from the heart, and you are skillful enough, it will resonate somehow within someone else.  It is absurd to imagine that the magnitude of a work is somehow connected to the accepted importance of its subject (or the artist)...  Let your subject come from within you and be a simple act of sharing .  In a sense, every work you do is a self-portrait because your paintings always reveal more about you than about your subject.  Your experience of something, not the something itself, is the true underlying subject of every work you do.  Ultimately, that is how your work, or that of any other artist, will be judged."   

Richard Schmid

Wise words from artist William Wendt

This past week I found myself feeling introspective concerning my art and how it fits into a business model.  As so often happens, words appear before us that really resonate with what is going on in our minds.  For me it was a quote from William Wendt, an early california impressionist painter (1865-1946).

" The true artist does not paint to please the public...but he holds the interest of all who think, for a work of art expresses the mind of the workman."

The LIpscomb Art Event 2016

Happy new year!  There is something about January that I really love, a whole year looming ahead, fresh starts and that sort of thing. Right now I'm at work getting all new pieces ready for the Lipscomb Academy Art Event in Nashville coming up on the weekend of February 12 - 14, 2016.
Come on out and say hello!

The painting shown here is one I'll have there this year...titled "Gaucho Leading the Leader", a 16 x 20 oil on linen.  It was inspired by a recent trip to Argentina with the Criollo horses and the Gauchos outside of Buenos Aires. This is the first of a series I'd like to do with that theme.

A few small paintings currently at Midtown Gallery in Nashville

 Are you looking for small gift sized oil paintings priced under $200 (including frame) for some last minute Christmas gifts for that special art loving person in your life?  Hop on down to Midtown Gallery in Nashville and you'll find these paintings, all 5"x7" original oils ready to find a place under someone's tree.

"Chula Homa Hound Study"

"Fawn Study"

"Sweet Baby Bells"

"Woodpecker Study"

"Softness of a Rose"

Portrait of Khuryia

The most recent painting off of my easel....a portrait of "Khuryia", a much loved Arabian commissioned by her owner Tracey Kujawa, director of Angel Heart Farm in Tennessee.

Two more weeks until....THE MUSIC COUNTRY GRAND PRIX !

The $40,000 2015 Music Country Grand Prix is in just two weeks!  What a fun afternoon full of activities for all ages at Brownland Farm in Franklin, Tn.  Nashville folks...mark your calendars and plan to be there!

Shown here is the oil painting that I completed for the advertising image for this year's event.  It was inspired by a photograph taken by Lili Weik and shows last year's winners of the Grand Prix, "Quattro" and Daniel Bedoya.

The gates open along with the silent auction and "People Prix" at 3:30 pm on Saturday May 30.  The Grand Prix itself starts at 5p.m. Rain or shine.  It's a great way to have a wonderful afternoon with friends and family while supporting Nashville's premier therapeutic Riding program, "SADDLE UP!"

For more information call 615-794-1150