Santa and the Stick Pony

acrylic on canvas, 5x7
purchase here

I still remember the stick pony I had as a child! I remember the shiny coating over his black and white spots, and the glossy black reins - all atop a wooden stick akin to a broomstick!  I would run around with the wind in my hair, as if I were really riding that pony!  Tonight, I am painting this nostalgic scene with all those wonderful memories in mind.  Santa has brought ashiny new pony to set by the Christmas tree!  This painting makes 1425 in 1425 days :)

Inspecting the Pony

Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas , 4x4
Sold

I am reveling in the simple drama of black and white paint tonight!  I normally object to the texture of canvas, but for this vintage technique - I love it.  Using the white of the canvas for my white, I am only applying Mars black, and manipulating it to bend to my will. Super fun!  I can sleep peacefully with my "creative fix" met for the day! Painting number 1420 in 1420 days. 

Prancy Pony

Prancy Pony
Acrylic on masonite, 5x5
purchase here

What is more nostalgic than a well loved antique toy?  This fabulous Prancy Pony pull toy is another of the great ones by Fisher Price.  Wonderful, warm expressions grace each one of their faces.  The eyes on this pony are so like the eyes of the Buzzy Bee - so full of life!  I am still painting with a limited palette, with a small addition of permanent green for the very primary color of the green bridle.  I also found myself using the ivory black here, instead of the mars black.  Very often, the painting subject just calls for what it needs - and I always listen!  Always good to go with your intuition!  Painting number 1099 in 1099 days.

Suzie and the Pony

Suzie and the Pony
Tinted graphite on bristol - vellum
not for sale

I drew this from an old photograph given to me by my husband's parents.  It is of his older sister, Suzie, and their pony named Stony.  With this drawing, I am playing with tinted graphite.  They come in a handful of colors, all weakened as they are simply tinting the graphite. I normally use mainly 8B, and these are definitely harder.  I love the soft color they give the subjects, vintage in a way.  The tinted graphites are very tight in their application - and have quite a bit of color, where the tinted charcoals are loose and the natural darkness of the charcoal overpowers the little bit of tint in the color.  They are both fun to play with - sometimes you just have to shake things up.  I have another painting half done, and a second sketched out.  Maybe this week I can get ahead a little (instead of finishing at the 11th hour every day!).  I've picked out a portrait of one of my grandsons to paint tomorrow.......unless I change my mind over night!  This makes 185 days of artwork.

Pony Rides

Pony Rides
Oil on panel, 11x14

I have only just arrived home from a very busy day.  First, I was out at the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead to paint this painting of the pony rides, then to the Arboretum, home in time to get ready for dinner out, finishing with a four course meal at the Melting Pot on the plaza!  So, I am posting this first painting, even though I have some work yet to do.  Let me tell you, painting these ponies en plein air is certainly a challenge!  The move constantly, and they are being taken out for rides for long periods of time.  I had blocked in the front pony (Annie), when she was removed - not to return until my last 15 minutes of painting!  So, I moved to the next one, and the furthest one, and then all of the background landscape - until she returned!  The line of children formed right behind me - so close that I was bumped into, and I could not stand back from my work.  I need to strengthen my darks here - and my highlights, before calling this one done.  This one makes 140 paintings in 140 days.  I hope to get this one tweaked and repost the finish tomorrow :)