AFTERNOON GLOW

I think I can make a case for the genetic inheritance of love for horses. My older sister was just a toddler when my parents visited a large stable where racing horses were kept. Many of these were high strung horses whose handlers even had difficulty controlling at times. As my parents were being shown around the facility, they lost track of my sister, who had wandered into a barn and into the stall of one particularly bad-tempered stallion. When they found her, she was underneath the belly of this stallion that was standing absolutely still as she patted him. Everyone who knew this horse was astounded that my sister had not been trampled to death by him. To this day, she still loves horses.

My dad enjoyed all horse races, and particularly the ones where the jockey is in the little cart that is attached to the horse (harness racing). Saturdays meant the T.V. was tuned to horse racing and/or hockey. I preferred the horses over the hockey, and I distinctly remember my excitement the first and only time my dad took me to a live horserace. It was a whole new world of sounds, smells, and levels of excitement I had not experienced before! As the horses were paraded before the race, my dad would talk about their build, their racing history, and a whole lot of other details that faded from my hearing. I simply wanted to watch them walk, canter, gallop. I wanted to touch them and even ride them myself.

As a teenager, I was able to get drives to the outskirts of the city where I lived to a farm/stable that had horses to ride. All of my hard earned money went toward paying to saddle and ride those majestic creatures, then brush them afterward. I'm sure the horses were old and worn out, but to me they were as commanding of respect as if they were in their prime and from a top line of breeding.

My granddaughter has an affinity and deep love for horses which has been evident from the time she could first talk and walk. When she was only 4 or 5 years old, she was taking riding lessons - a tiny little girl on top of a huge animal. Horses LOVE her, whinny to call her, puff over the top of her head on her hair, and allow her to ride them when they won't tolerate others! 

So, all of this to say, is it any wonder when I saw this beautiful horse standing in the late afternoon sun, with his coat "on fire" with color, I had to get a photo that captured his beauty. The look in his eyes, the turn of his head, his mane...it all was just so perfect and struck such a chord in my heart! 

As I painted this creature, I found myself reflecting on how the love of horses has been a part of my family for several generations. Both my sister and my granddaughter were too young to have been influenced by external teaching when they showed their connection to horses. I think it is in the genes. I am so glad I got to paint this majestic guy...my first horse painting, filled with a lot of meaning and even "history" for me. 

AFTERNOON GLOW
30" x 40"
oil on gallery wrap canvas

AMAZING STUDENT WORK

Have I ever told you how rewarding I find teaching art? It is like a rush of adrenaline when I see the student's work begin to come alive, to become 3 dimensional and "leave the page". I love it when I see the person I am teaching begin to believe that he or she actually has the ability and talent to create what they never dreamed was possible.
A short while ago I taught a high school aged young man who had an interest in drawing, but had no teaching which enabled him to know how to go about doing a drawing. He did every exercise I asked of him, as well as his homework, and by the end of the 6 lessons (spread over 6 weeks), he produced this rendering of a hand...not just any hand, but my best model's hand (my husband!). He did a fantastic job of capturing the lights and darks, the lost edges and the blurring of shadows. I love the reflected lights and the way you see the fleshy part of the thumb folding into the palm.
I am so pleased for Jaron, and for the results he achieved during our time together. I hope he continues to draw, and to improve through practise. But most of all, I hope he feels joy in the process, knowing he can do so much more than he dreamed was possible.

Jaron's drawing of a hand

SPRING NEWSLETTER COMING SOON

Some of you may not know that I send out quarterly newsletters with information on new pieces I have finished, art tips and techniques, upcoming workshops and classes I will be giving, and other art related information. I will be sending my spring newsletter in the next couple of weeks, so you can click on this link to sign up so that you don't miss your copy. :-) 
JOANNE'S NEWSLETTER

HORSING AROUND

work in progress
30" x 40" oil on canvas

I love working big. I don't know if it is because the painting makes such an impact statement from across the room, or whether it is because there is so much color and light when the canvas is large. Whatever the reason, it begins to fill my heart when the painting is about half way finished. From  the half way point to the three-quarters point, the dancing heart and joy continues. Then, from the three-quarter point until the end, comes the period of doubt..."why did you do such a large canvas? when will this one ever be done? even when you spend 6 hours on details, it still has such a long way to go". Blah, blah, blah. On and on the voice in my head scolds me for painting large. When I think about this scenario which usually plays out at some point in each of my paintings, it kind of reflects the way life is...do I play small and safe, or do I go big and bold, taking risks and living an adventure? I can honestly say , right now I am living an adventure, taking risks, and going big. I am working hard, and am excited about the future. I am giving you just a glimpse of what I am working on...both in my business, and in this painting of a horse. Soon I will be able to reveal the finished work of this painting, and what I am working on in my art business. By the way, I will be sending out my newsletter in just over a week. If you haven't signed up for it yet, follow this link and fill in your information.  You'll be the first to see this piece completed, as well as other works I have just finished. 
Here is the link:
joanne's newsletter

LITTLE GEMS #3

Here is the third in my "Little Gems" series. Close to being completed...just a few more details and it will be done. Yay!