Lady Belle

 

Lady Belle is VERY interested in what I'm painting, and offering her suggestions as I work!  She's trying to figure out what I'm doing when I'm NOT there specifically to grain her, pet her, offer her treats or clean out the fence line.  She sniffed and tried to nibble on the paper, but I was too quick for her!  She's real nosy, and it's been fun getting to know her and her antics! I'm so happy Teddy wanted to rehome her with us!  Painting number 4792 in 4792 days. 

Lady Belle

First sketch of Lady Belle at sunset in her new pasture and she's such a pretty girl!  She comes to us through my dear painting friend, Teddy Jackson.  Arriving Sunday afternoon, she is getting used to our family and the new space.  She watched me paint her today, as I stood in the middle of the field, without coming closer. As soon as I finished and started walking away, her head popped up and she followed me all the way to the gate.  She likes sweet talk, and might have been looking for a treat, but I didn't have one today.  I'll have one next time! Painting number 4761 in 4761 days. 

 

Libby

 I love getting to paint special requests for others - especially when it is for one of my best friends from high school!  Commissioned by her husband, this portrait is of her horse, Libby, an equine therapy horse. This one was a bit of a challenge, as the reference photo had a lot going on in it.  I simplified the masses to bring the focus back to Libby, and painted this one in acrylic.  I've been doing acrylic paintings lately, stretching my boundaries again.  I use it full strength now with no water, almost in a dry brush technique way, and am enjoying that process. The best part is the quick dry time - allowing me to add layers the same day.  I hope this this painting will be a treasure for all the years to come. 

Keegan

Once in a while, I'm asked to paint something very special. I have a lifelong love of painting horses, and we had our own special foxtrotter when the kids were young.  Asked by a dear childhood friend to paint this special horse for it's owner, I loved the opportunity.  No longer on this earth, I wanted to breathe life into this painting, paying tribute to all this horse was to all those who were near. Painting number 3976 in 3976 days. 

Morning at the Barn

How could I possibly resist painting such an amazing old barn with a vista view behind it?  Complete with a sweet horse, this place was a "must paint" as soon as i saw it!  Down a long, winding, narrow road, this place was definitely worth the almost a mile back-up drive I had to make when i came head on to a large rv in that single lane drive!  Thank goodness for my vast back up experience - because those ditches were too steep to pull in to.  One never knows what may be at the end of such roads, and this scene was my reward!  Love these Missouri backroads! Painting number 3832 in 3832 days. 

Gesa

Sometimes I get the chance to paint the coolest animals!!  In response to another painting I posted, the friend who owns this beauty sent me a couple of gorgeous pics of her!  I simply could not decide which I liked best, so I am painting them both!  I love this artist life!!  Painting number 2628 in 2628 days.

Gesa at the Fence

What a treat to paint such a gorgeous horse in her natural surroundings!  As I composed this scene I knew I wanted to go for a square format.  With two choices, I chose the new 8x8 Shizen paper that I had just picked up at a new favorite local shop (Artists and Craftsman Supplies).  This paper was the hot pressed one, which is different than my normal paper.  Oh my!  Was it ever different!  I had to work and work to get the paint to move like I wanted it to!  This paper was fine for my inks, but oh how different it was for the watercolors!  The very best thing about a challenge is how it drives me to power through until I succeed!  Haha - I guess that is my secret competitive nature shining through!  I ended up very happy with this piece after the struggle - but I will save this paper for ink only in the future!  Painting number 2623 in 2623 days.

Tender Care

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Love capturing the tender care of a beloved horse in front of our old milk barn.  I have long had a passion for horses, but have only started to take pen and ink to this subject.  The pen and ink feels so organic in the field - and my watercolor half pans are perfect for adding color on the fly.  I just ordered 5 more sets in different palettes today.  Yes, I may be a paint addict...! Painting number 2566 in 2566 days. 

Best Friends

sold

I have always loved horses - and the special relationship between this girl and her horse has been a joy to paint!  With so much on my plate recently, it took me a while to find the quiet I needed to really focus on this work.  Even settling down with my oils took discipline.  Once I started, the rhythm came naturally, albeit slowly.  As I worked, I found myself leaving more brushwork loose.  Is it too loose?  When in doubt, I walk away, to return with fresh eyes tomorrow. A special painting with a special story deserves only my best.  Painting number 2529 in 2529 days. 

JC Nichols Drama

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The plaza is my "go to" place for sketching fountains!  With over 400 to choose from, there is no end to the paintings I can do!  On this one, I've gone old school with my pen and ink, no fancy water and brush work here.  Just good old hatching and line work for shading.  Drawing is very therapeutic, like a balm to the soul.  Painting number 2271 in 2271 days.

Armor for Man and Horse

It feels so good to be sketching again with the Art Mob, and in one of my favorite places, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.  The horse and men in armor are very striking at first sight.  I set up immediately to get them drawn.  A challenging subject with all that detail, I actually started at the back and worked forward.  Drawing each angle and line as it related to what was beside it, the drawing came together.  I think I'll draw this again, only using watercolor.  No paints allowed in the museum, I'm afraid.  Painting number 2248 in 2248 days.

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Presto

Tonight finds me painting this beautiful horse for a dear friend.  Something about this image had me reaching for my acrylics, which I've not used for a while.  Starting with a fresh and limited palette, I started the layering of paint.  To sketch out the composition, I thin down the paint to a watery consistency.  While wet, I can easily adjust and remove lines with a damp paper towel.  I do start with a white surface when I work in acrylics, something I never do in oils.  My time with watercolors has me saving the lights even in acrylics.  The translucency of the medium calls for it.  I find it very hard to regain bright lights once a darker layer is beneath them.  It has been a joy to paint this gorgeous horse, they have been a favorite subject since elementary school!  Painting number 2144 in 2144 days.

sold

Rearing Horse in Fountain

The JC Nichol's fountain is one of my favorite Kansas City icons to render.  Each time, I try to approach the fountain in a different way, looking for the drama. This fountain is certainly fill of the drama!  With rearing horses, creatures underfoot and riders fully involved - there is no shortage of drama!  I am using my fancy new glass dip pen - and the inking is effortless. I dip the glass nib in halfway, and the ink flows smoothly down the glass spiral as I draw.  It holds an amazing amount of ink, and I can complete the drawing in 3 dips.  Next comes a little water, and this particular black ink does not flow as readily as the others I have tried.  This paper is also a little more resistant, so I have to work a little harder.  Totally worth the effort - this is a magical place.  Painting number 1774 in 1774 days.

Mare and Colt

So today I am exploring this new animal, water mixable oils.  They are oil paints, squeeze out like oil, and go down like oil from the brush straight, but add a little water and everything changes.  They behave more like acrylics when thinned with water, and a very thin glaze can be achieved.  I can spray a painted mass with water as the while area separates and runs, if upright.  I can wipe away areas with a cloth, something I've never been able to do with oils because I'm highly allergic to turpentine.  I'd like to get big and sloppy with this medium, but those of you who know me know I can't get sloppy with anything.  Perhaps a little wine is in order...! It is going to be fun exploring the depths of this medium, and I wonder where it will take me!  Painting number 1695 in 1695..... I think.  How's a girl to keep tract?  

oil on panel, 10x8
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JC Nichol's Fountain at Night

I've sketched this historic Kansas City icon multiple times, but this is only my second attempt at capturing it in paint.  Finishing It up last week, I am only now getting around to posting it.  SO much has happened since then, it seems like ages ago!  It is on display now at the Bank of Blue Valley on the third floor as part of the "Now Showing" program, organized by Arts KC.  I need to do more of these nocturne fountain paintings - the color is amazing, and I know there is so much more to learn!  I'm already thinking of trying one of these fountains in the water mixable oils with the drippy effect..... SO many paintings to do, so little time!  Painting number 1687 in 1687 days.

oil on panel, 24x20
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Nichols Fountain Inked

Getting back to the ink tonight is like returning to an old friend.  It is easy to slip right into the rhythm of drawing, almost without thought, just letting the pen take over.  This paper is thinner than my usual, so the ink does not move as readily, and takes a little coaxing.  The paper retains that same water, continuing it's movement when I think it will stop!  Because of this, I blot areas to keep them in check, or let them go if I want that area loose.  So fun to play in the ink again!  Painting number 1671 in 1671 days.

ink on paper, 6x6
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Horse - Da Vinci Style

i have a journal that I reserve for studying master works.  The pages have an aged look, and the hard cover is meant for a drawing of it's own.  Here, I am working in the style of Da Vinci, loosely trying to keep my marks within his bounds. I am using an India ink pen for this, no pencil or fountain pen, just the line to shade and turn the form. I can learn so much by working from a master's piece - I don't dio this nearly enough.  Perhaps I need to give it one day out of 30? I really LOVE working from life, but drawing from Da Vinci could only improve my skills.  Painting number 1623 in 1623 days. 

JC Nichols Fountain in Ink

There is nothing as invigorating as first strokes on a new,  decadent paper!   This special paper just arrived from the UK - and I am going to reserve it for Kansas City's historic fountains!  This paper is thick, rough textured, and feels velvety to the touch!  If I leave my pen touching the surface,  the ink absorbs to a deep,  rich black.  I wonder how it will behave with watercolor.....dare I try it?  The edges are so beautiful,  it really should be framed floating,  for all to see the handmade artistry of this paper.  There are times when pinching pennies may be practical,  but skimping on paper is not one of them.  You definitely get what you pay for.  I love these 100% cotton khadis from India!  Drawing number 1541 in 1541 days.  So many fountains,  and only 20 sheets of paper.....

sold

Trotter Farm

What a gorgeous day it was for painting en plein air!   The last full day of the event found me painting like crazy!   This amazing trotter farm was a beautiful place to spend the day painting.  Clay and Buddy Simpson were gracious hosts - even letting us use their gator for hauling our gear and scoutingthe property!  Fairfield rant does have the most friendly people!  This painting is the 1369th in 1369 days, and it sold tonight at the art sale  :)

Upon the Horse

Upon the Horse
Pen and Ink on paper, 6x7

I have recently had a longing to draw in the western theme, and my civil war reenactment photos were the perfect aid!  Using my favorite superfine black Pitt pen, I have drawn this completely.  I have so many of these pens, in so many colors, but I continue to return to my one favorite!  It is the same way I am with brushes.  I must have hundreds, and I end up using just a few. Different ones for different mediums, but just a few in each.  I have only started to draw people in ink, and the trick is to leave them loose.  I will probably have to do a great many of them before I am truly comfortable with the process!  Drawing number 1325 in 1325 days :)