A new one on the easel

Starting a new painting! Using a photo I had taken in OKC at the NRHA Futurity for reference, this was a yearling filly on the lunge line....she was a gorgeous blood bay and she was full of spit and vinegar! Bucking and playing, really fun to watch! I have her drawn onto a 48" tall by 24" wide canvas, am still trying to decide what color my background is going to be. With the temp outside pushing 70 today...I think I will tack my mare up and maybe get inspired!

I'm Listening

I have definately gotten away from the habit of taking photos of my paintings as they take shape (and blogging about them) on a regular basis. I suppose it was because most of what I worked on leading up to Christmas were gifts and I didn't want anyone to happen upon their surprise before that special day!
But now that the holidays are a memory, I will do my best to get back in the "groove"! It will have to be on the next project though, because this one is very nearly finished!
While in OKC for the Reining in the Arts show and sale, I had the opportunity to photograph some of the competitors working their horses. It has given me a good selection of subjects to choose from. This painting I am calling "I'm Listening", the horse's ears are back listening intently to what the rider is asking, I had taken several photos of this horse and rider combo and chose this one because of the challenge it represented...as the horse is moving straight ahead the rider has lifted the left rein and asked for the horse to flex at the poll to the left, which puts the horse's head at an angle that allows me to paint the "underside" of the head, the space between the cheeks where the throatlatch ties in as well as the chin. Just a different view than your standard side or front!