New Year's Eve At Cob Cottage

Well, another year is about over...and the new year begins tonight...I have made my goal list for the new year...and this year is going to be about "commitment"....in other words..."git 'er done"!!
The evening skyline yesterday was gorgeous...and I see this view out of my studio window. Love it!
And I am so very thankful to be blessed with this work place!

Our little Nell is becoming the subject of many future paintings.......
if she would only stand still longer!

Mittens spends a lot of time watching the whirling dervish JRT
from the safety of the stairs to the loft.


And life goes on at Cob Cottage Farm.
All of us here wish you and yours a very Happy New Year!!!
and "Git 'er done!!!!"

Start Of A New Day

This is a new work in progress. This new casein is 18 x 18" and it Titled "Start Of A New Day". It has the square format that I really love to work with and note that my works are getting bigger. I will be moving some of my painting out of the loft and taking over the house! The needed work space is growing!!

2009 is almost upon us all. I personally will take this week to format my plans for the new year. New shows have opened up for me and it is time to break out of the mold....stay tuned! For you who have signed up for my newsletter on my website....you will receive all news via email...so thanks for signing up there!!

Now...down to the do stalls [my daily exercise workout ! ] and then up to the loft to get decide what happens for 2009 and Cob Cottage Studio!

After the Storm

This past Monday was spent digging out from too much snow. Even with a snow-blower it was an all day affaire. Nothing was done in the studio....it was all about the snow.

But today is sunny and not too cold out. I am back in the studio....and getting things done..sort of.

Our Cobs want hay...just keep them fed and they are happy. Look at the chest on our little Maggie. She will be 5 this year! How time flies! She is really ready to be worked!!

Back to my painting.....because time is flying.....and my casein paint hasn't been lately!

Thinking about Summer?

I am sitting in my studio putting off doing barn chores. The outside temperature reads 6 F.. It is much more comfortable here in the studio loft, with good music playing and the pups sleeping...but I know I need to get the chores done. They are saying we might get up to 20" inches of the white stuff starting the afternoon?? Our horses are way out in their fields digging through the snow for grass. It is as if they know that after tonight there won't be as easy a dig to find those few green blades buried under the heavy new snow.

The above watercolor "Heading To The Pull" reminds me of summertime.........a long way off it seems now. I love going to the Maine fairs ...with all the noise and commotion...the smells of dough boys and popcorn...of hot dogs cooking and of sweet candy floss. This painted scene is one that you could see at any fair. It is a framed and matted watercolor ...the image is about 9 x 14" ...and it is can be seen on my website too.

Now down to the barn I guess and get chores done before the storm hits...........

And How Long Til Spring?

Lil' Nell isn't so sure that winter in Maine is the way life should be!!?? Even if you are decked out in a stylish frock.........Now Addie, our Corgi, LOVES snow!!!

It is so interesting watching the two personalities and how they cope with life. Terrier versus Corgi.

Now back to the drawing board.

Have to work to make $$$$ so the little girl can have warm winter sweaters!!!

People's Choice Winner! !

It is my pleasure announce that "Just Sitting Here" [ my painting donation to help fund CorgiAid 100%] received second place for the People's Choice award in the Helping Paws show! So that means so far Corgi Aid gets $50.00 from the Canine Art Guild's virtual art show titled "Helping Paws".

They would like to process the donation to Corgi Aid before the end of the year - wouldn't be great if someone bought the small painting to further help CorgiAid? You can buy it directly from the Canine Art Guild's website....it would be a neat present for someone for the holidays??...and would help CorgiAid 100%...I have donated the entire amount to help CorgiAid on behalf of my PWC, Sweet Adeline and us all at Cob Cottage Farm in Maine!

All the "Helping Paws" People's Choice recipients are:

$100 Almost Home New Mexico for "Innocent" by Christine Ford

$50 Corgi Aid for "Just Sitting Here" by Kathi Peters

$50 Monica's Rescue for "Atlas" by Catherin McMillan

$50 Yancy County Humane Society in Burnsville NC for "Afternoon Nap" bySusan Garriques

A round of applause for each of the participants and for the shelters!!So please enjoy the virtual art show and help a rescue fund that is dear to my heart...CORGIAID!

Today the snow is falling in fluffy flakes covering the farm with a white mantel. It all looks so very Christmas-y. I am cozy in my studio with two dogs who have a good life. I hope we can help some other pooches have good homes too...maybe their forever homes... at this time of year!

After the Storm

The last few days on Cob Cottage Farm have been very intense. It was all about survival…keeping warm and hauling water from the flowing brook for house use and for the horses. Actually we had it better than many folks in Maine. We have a generator…and used it to keep warm in the cottage, keep the wine chilled in the fridge [J] and to keep the cell phones charged so we could keep in touch with the outside world. Our two canines had it tough…..they huddled together on the couch. Wish we had it so good!!

Here are some photos of our farm on Friday morning………..we didn’t get our power back until Saturday evening. Today life is back to normal…sort of...and hopefully I can get back to the studio and work.

The ice was coating my Christmas lights and on the deck stars that hang all year round.The birch lining our driveway back to the barn were bending with the weight of the ice.

My yellow barn door really stood out with the blue gray ice decorating the trees. The brave horses slept under the run-out sheds. [while we hauled water for them! ] Guess they have us trained!!!

How beautifully the ice hung from the upside down bird bath like a giant mushroom! And I have been waiting to see the twisted branches of my Harry Lander's Walking Stick Bush when stripped of his leaves for winter. How neat it is with the twists and spirals of the branches. Needs to be captured in a painting..no? I have a feeling it will!!

My Web Christmas Card to Everyone

Wishing You
The Merriest of Christmases
& A Joyful New Year

from
Kathi Peters

Cob Cottage Studio & Farm

Little Nell

This is the little girl who has stolen our hearts here at Cob Cottage and is filling our days with fun and frolic! Even our Addie has taken to this pup and is mothering her...teaching her how to tend to business and how to herd the cat.

So I am posting this to show everyone what I am 'doing" these days! I am painting when Nell and Addie sleep...so needless to say..I am not getting much painting done...but this a wonderful vacation from the same old...same old...........

But I am getting commissions done and have started a new casein..........

opps...got to rescue the cat!!!.......................

From My Window

Thanksgiving has come and gone and life is getting back to normal [ a bit] at Cob Cottage. We picked up a 10 week old Jack Russell Terrier [or is that terrorist?] on Thanksgiving day to extend our family. Little Xiaolin Nell has won our hearts and even Addie , our 8 year old Welsh Corgi has accepted the new baby. I can't speak for our cat, Mittens.
So because I am having to 'mind the store" so to speak while Little Nell acts like a bull in a china shop....I am having to do my artwork on the first floor living space..and so I am doing pen and ink sketches ...something easy to pick up and lay down at a moments notice! Nell's given name is Xiaolin ...a Chinese name meaning bamboo forest...we have added Nell to her name as it is easier for me to say and remember. And she looks like a Nell.

This pen and ink sketch is 13 by 10 and is done on Strathmore paper. I am putting it up on my website in the Landscapes and Still Lifes Collection.

I will get some pics up on my blog of Miss Nell....but right now I need to rescue the cat!

Fence To The Pond

"Fence To The Pond " is done and the two small pen and inks [ 8 x 9"] will be put on my website in the Sketches and Studies Collection.....

Today the rain is falling and the wind blowing something fierce, so I am headed out to clean stalls and put the horses in. They are not happy campers at this point.

The Tree Line

Our pastures are surrounded by forest...spruce, pine, cedar and fir..and tamarack trees..and some hard wood too. But it is the tall spruce and pine that captures my muse ..tall like sentinels they stand protecting our farm. They dance and sway in the wind, are clothed in white robes when it snows...and the air smells of their sweetness on damp days.

This is one of two pen and ink I have done of the fortress around our farm. They are both sized at 8 x 9" and are on watercolor board. I love doing pen and ink. I used to do a lot of them, mostly landscapes ore figurative works...and am thinking I will do more in the future.

They will be on my website in my Sketches and Studies Collection.

Caught With A Mouthful

I just finished up this little watercolor of my Duster [Tennessee Walking Horse] caught with his mouth full....always eating. It is small...quick and it is done! It is 10 x 4" on watercolor board and though it is for sale...I won't be putting it up on my website.

It was a good day to stay in the studio...very cold and windy here. I had ordered a bunch of art supplies and today part of the order came....I can't wait to get started!! New canvas and new ideas!!

Grays Though the Park

This new 10 x 10" casein on gallery wrapped canvas, is an Acadia inspired work. This pair are actually the leaders of a four-in-hand coaching visitor at Wildwood. I loved the way the light hit them as they trotted through the pine lined carriage roads on the Rockefeller's roads behind Little Long Pond. That part of the Acadia Carriage Roads is my favourite part.

I went in loose and abstract with this painting and just finished up with a hint of detail. I have put it up on my website.

Now I need to clean out the studio to make room for new supplies that I ordered ...then back to work.

Icelandic-Head Study

I have been captivated by Icelandic horses since a friend introduced me to them..she raises them. I actually first saw them at Equine Affaire years ago.....the awesome drill team and their thrilling exhibition of the Icelandics gaits! Mind you, I ride Tenn. Walkers........a very comfortable ride..but the Icelandics have it over them in spades as far as thrill!!!
This handsome "guy" was at Equine Affaire....I loved his mane and eye. I captured him in a 11 x 8 1/2" watercolor and am putting it up on my website.

Table For Two

I finished this 9 x 12" sketch the other evening, but we have had a busy two days and evenings and I have not had time to work in my studio or catch up on projects. I love doing pen and inks..line and shadow. As a child I would read Charles Dickens' novels and was in love with the etchings portraying the stories. Simple, clean and how they drew you into the story. A big crunchy apple..a Dickens' novel on a rainy day and I was off into a world of my own for an entire afternoon. Anyway..this sketch was fun and different from what I do every other day . But it does show bit of my life and surroundings here at Cob Cottage.

Now to get back to commissions..............

Table for Two

I sketched it out in pencil lightly and have started a 9 x 12" pen and ink..I need to get more shading and prospective into it....but I am having fun. I might just keep it a pen and ink drawing. I am working on some watercolors that I need to get done. There are only so many hours in a day.
I have to pick my battles!
But I am enjoying this interior landscape and it's small detour from doing equine work.

Table and Chairs OR Interior Landscape #1

It doesn't sound very exciting but I feel like trying an indoor "landscape"....so I have chosen our table and chairs. This is our cottage interior..all blue white and yellow...and much red that is out of the frame here...Such is home. So this is what I am working on today...between mucking stalls, hauling hay and walking the dog.

It's a lovely sunny November day. A bit brisk this morning, but that's great for waking one up!

So to the easel I go...........stay tuned...........

Tah-Dah

With great "fan-fair" I produce for you my barn door!!! [Did I spell that right?? fan-fair??] This view of the barn is a favourite of mine and the double garden seat is where we sit and ponder and discuss on summer evenings around the fire pit. A glass on wine...some cheese and crackers...the crackling fire and the peaceful scene of the horses nibbling on grass. I will remember this all when the snow flies and the winds howl this winter!

The loft door will be painted too, probably next spring...for now I need to finish up cleaning my gardens, put the garden pond to bed for the winter and set the Japanese Iris into the ground before frost.

And then I am ready to concentrate on studio work and commissions. It is that time of year!!

But so many had asked about a view of the barn door ...here it is. A side note...our Maggie filly was sporting a yellow mustache on the day I did the back barn door...I am sure she was saying to the other horses "And I helped!!!"

Focused

Corgis...Corgis..........Cardigan Corgis!

This is a 7 1/2 x 11" watercolor on watercolor board from a sketch of a Cardigan herding cattle......what captured me about this shot was the intense stare of the Cardigan on the eye of his subject. His human mom sent it to me. It is as if he is saying [ with his eye] "You better go where I want you to go!" and you know...I think the cow has got the message! Of course the shadows and movement of the moment captured me too. I am a sucker for a shot with great shadow and movement.

I am putting this watercolor up on my website............

Also I want to mention that I am a member of the Canine Art Guild...and am one of the artists in an online art show called "Helping Paws" , where a portion of the sales go to the canine rescue group of our choice. I have a small casein of a Pembroke hanging in the show and all of the money fro the sale of this cute PWC painting goes to CorgiAid. Take a stroll over and check out the great show ...and be sure to help out CorgiAid. CorgiAid is a nonprofit organization founded to provide> financial assistance to corgis and corgi mixes. They help rescue Corgis from dog shelters or other non-permanent homes, then foster them until a new forever home is found. Medical and other expenses for these dogs can become high. That is why I wanted to donate the sale of this Corgi painting 100 percent to CorgiAid. My painting is titled "Just Sitting There" [ 4 x 6"]

And now I need to get focused on the job at hand..........more on that later!

The Filly Coming Five

Yesterday I painted the barn doors...and I also finished up this 12 x 8" watercolor of the filly. She has been the subject of my work a lot in her four short years. I was with her when she was born...and she is my helpmate when I am down doing barn chores. Maggie is always willing and curious to have her picture taken. A willing subject...but sometimes a little too willing and up close for long shots! But I LOVE HER EYE..... and so will be painting it often...and willingly!

My barn now sports a bright yellow door....as does Les' work shed. I have started the back barn door and prepped the potting shed door...all to be painted yellow. When I finished up the front barn door and was watching Maggie watching me painting the door.....I saw the lovely red in her bay coat against the yellow door...........yup! This will be a new painting I am sure!

Today dawns a bit cloudy. But I need to get the barn doors done before the weather changes...I know it will turn cold and wintry soon. So the watercolor I am working on now of a Cardigan Corgi herding cattle will have to wait a bit.

Acadia Again

It might seem as though I am fixated with Acadia...........I am. I miss the old days when the four-in-hand drivers were coming up to Wildwood each fall to picnic and drive, all duded up with their grooms in full livery and their passengers with their fancy hats. It was a taste of a other time. A time when things were slower and full of tradition. I liked that.
This 11 x 14 casein is a scene often seen at the Wildwood barn as the grooms readied their charges..this time it is a Kladruby being groomed...what a lovely team they were stepping out on the carriage roads.
This work is being added onto my website.

Another coupe for me...I finally sent off an 'email newsletter' ...it was a learning experience for me...full of typos I am sure......but done, nevertheless. This is another way you can hear my news and you can sign up for it on my new website. Check it out!!


Now I am headed out to the barn while the warm weather stays...going down to paint the barn doors.....yellow to match the Tamarack trees that dot our forest line.

A BIT OF COLOR , HEH!!?

Sketch of Victoria

I was thinking that maybe I could post another version of our Trevallion Victoria. This charcoal sketch was done in 2006 ...I can't get over her eyes.......and sometimes I am sure she is looking at me with disdain. After all she is a queen or at least is named after one!

Now back to the painting of two grays from Acadia!

Trevallion Victoria , our Welsh Cob mare, imported from Great Britain as a yearling, is 22 years old now. It is hard to realize that some many years have gone by...I first met Ms Vicky when she was a 3 year old, fresh and not very well behaved. She and her sister, Trevallion Fergie, where paired and then put together in a four in hand driven by Mr Stacy Lloyd of Berryville, VA. I groomed for the Lloyd's each summer as they drove their Cobs on the Carriage Roads of Acadia National Park. The horses were boarded at Wildwood Stable. We drove every day...and Stacy [as he asked me to call him] taught me the intricacies of carriage driving and Auchenbach.....the German discipline of handling the reins of driving horses. That era is past.

Victoria now lives on our small Maine farm and teaches her daughter, Thistle Mead Margaret, how to behave.......in her queenly manner. For me lately , the ages of our horses [ one at 28 yrs, two at 22 years and the youngster coming 5] have made me sad. Time goes so fast..too quickly... but oh, the good memories we have!

When I haven't been thinking so much about the past, I have been busy in the studio...working on updating my website and trying to get an email newsletter written. I have new works done, but haven't uploaded them to my site........... I have started another watercolor of our Ms Maggie. She always inspires me to paint!

Today was cold and windy out..clouds raced across the dark sky and the sun peeked in and out....a taste of what is to come....winter in full gear.....and I spent time painting our barn doors. I know I should have done it earlier when the weather was warm and sunny. The story of my life I guess!!!

Being an Artist

Today I heard about a new film titled "Who Does She Think She Is ?" , that has just come out about being a woman in the arts. I am hoping that I can actually see the film some time soon, but for now I just wanted to alert my blogging visitors about the new film and how it might explain a bit how I feel being a woman artist. In my artistic life I can attest to the fact that there is a different standard for male and female artists. [I guess as there is in all aspects of career endeavor.]

I am not a feminist ...but where art is concerned ...now and throughout history...women have had a hard row to hoe to make it to the top in what is seemingly a man's world.



OK.......that being said.....take a gander at the film's website........and I would be interested in hearing how others feel about this subject?!




On another note:

My sister has been with me for two awesome weeks of bonding and talking about old times. She lives in California..and we haven't been together for two years. When she came over two years ago to spend time with me ...I had a stroke......and so Sonia, my sister, spent her vacation here in Maine taking care of my house and pets while I was in hospital in Portland, Maine. It wasn't a very good time for either of us! But this time we have spent time driving around Maine and reveling in the fall colors and eating lobster and talking, talking, talking!

I haven't been working in the studio at all...but that's good too....Now I am looking forward to getting back to the paint and canvas. I have a refreshened "brain".

Can It Get Any Better Than This??

This is one of the nicest days weather wise .......the fall colors are a blaze and the sun is shinning. I just ate my lunch by the garden fish pond, listing to the running water and the rustling of the leaves as the squirrels and Corgi play in the woods. I am delaying going up to the studio..because some hornets took up house-keeping in the studio while I had the deck sliding-doors open to let in the warm fresh air. Good excuse, huh?

But I do have to post that this watercolor is done...........12 x 12" on watercolor board....it was fun painting it and I had a neat photo as reference from a Peruvian Horse Farm in Texas. JyW Coyote Creek Ranch. They breed the beautiful Peruvian Paso Horse on their farm.... and this is a painting of Three Peruvian Paso Horses.. full of 'brio' !!! Love doing portraits like this! I am calling it "Trio Brio"...neat huh?

I guess I have to get to work today. My sister arrives this week and I will be having fun and visiting with her over the next weeks.....But it won't be all playtime...I am sure I will get some work done!!! Not!

Here Today Gone Tomorrow

The area of Maine that we live in is very rural. It is still a part of Maine that has open space and working farms. We drive on a back country road to get to Belfast...Belfast is where we go to shop, get our horse supplies, visit doctors,etc. We have been living here going on 6 years now, and we were drawn to this area because of the rural-ness...the dirt roads to ride horses on, and carriage drive. Now we see more houses being built...more farms being divided for development. We laugh that maybe it is time to move more north!
The old barn in this landscape graced some fields that we pass on our way to Belfast. We used to get some of our horses' hay out of this old barn from a local farmer who stored his crop in it. We watched as the old barn and out buildings crumbled....the silo leaned as the boards rotted. It was like watching an old man change with time. A reminder that we aren't getting any younger either!
And then one day we were saddened to see the old barn down....the outbuilding torned down and the huge support beams being hauled away. It was gone so fast ...Here today and then gone tomorrow.
I had started this casein while the barn was standing.....then I put it away and forgot about it.
I got it out a while ago...and now I call it done. It sort of reminds me that I need to do things now...before there is no tomorrow.

This painting is casein on board , sized at 14 x 18"......

Morning Excercises

I have to admit I am not into morning exercises..or doing exercises anytime during the day! But when I was at Keeneland Race track I got some great shots of the horses being exercised and I did this study today from a reference shot that I might want to paint again but bigger. This painting is 9 x 12" on Colorfix paper done in casein.
I picked up my caseins today for a break from watercolor work. I think every once in a while it is good to take a break....and I am happy with what I came up with!

Papercut Done And Rain Pounds down

What a grey day! My studio is cozy and dry... and I am glad to say that the latest cutting is done.

It is a scene that depicts what the American Saddllebred is bred to do...go on pleasure rides with style! The idea for this cutting came during my Kentucky trip and the Show of Breeds at the Kentucky Horse Park. The image measures 8 1/2" x 10" and is cut from one piece of paper. A labor of love. It is already up on my website.

Kyle is supposed to kiss us today in Downeast Maine with high winds and rain. The rain is coming down now...the winds come later tonight, I guess. I just finished taking down our summer awning that shades our back deck. Six years ago today we moved into our cottage here in Morrill. A few days later we had a big storm with high winds and rain. The awning that was on the house when we bought it, ripped and shredding ..I don't want a rerun of that, thank you. So down comes the awning today before the storm. The slant of the sun is lower now anyway so we don't really need the awning to shade the house...now we need the sun to spill into the living room to warm the house on cooler days.

After Work - Keeneland

Here in Morrill the tree colors are starting to change.....the red maple leaves and the yellow birch..and my favourite of all... the larch or tamarack trees. Today is promising rain...I am working in the studio...finished this watercolor and am working on the papercut. There is another watercolor almost done, drying before I go into it with more detail and color.

The papercut is of a Saddlebred. I think this is the first cutting of a Saddlebred, under saddle, that I have done. I have done cuttings of them being driven. I should get it done soon, if I don't get sidetracked,which seems to be the problem these days. I have too many ideas going and need more hours.

The above watercolor [ sized 8 x 12 1/2" ] is of a scene behind scenes at Keeneland race track seen last summer. I was so taken with the guys who are the real care givers to the race horses....the grooms and exercise riders. This is a sort of study for a bigger work that I plan on doing at some point.

Now back to the cutting...............

But first....

Here is a shot of my gardens with the last of color........as seen from my studio!

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning

Friday morning I got up before the sun had spilled into our farm......and I caught this shot from our deck, at that magical moment as the sun started creeping across the pastures , into the pond behind the barn ,through the barn doors and hitting the night mist as it rose above the stand of spruce that reach up skyward from the very back of our pastures. Fall color has not yet begun, but will soon. The morning chill of the past few mornings tell me that it is time to get out my sweaters and warm socks.....summer is done.

The horses have all started getting their winter coats already. The bay Cobs are dappled with red in their coats. The Corgi has thrown 3 coats of shedding hair all through the house.....even Mittens, the wizard kitty, has blown her summer coat and is sporting her winter fur. And I can tell that my indoor allergies are in full blossom........ And that is ONE reason that I paint in casein!!

I am finishing up another papercut of a Saddlebred, inspired from my Lexington, Kentucky outing of last summer.
And new work needs to be shipped to Chisholm Gallery in New York...........and I have started a watercolor of three Peruvian Pasos.

...........and then there are the gardens that need to be put to bed.

Side-Saddle Watercolor

It has been a while since my last post...The Skyline Farm art exhibit went off well last week. It is always so gratifying to see the works all hung and then stand back and take in all the beautiful artwork that is year's Maine artists sent for the show "Fertile Ground". The work was mostly landscapes.....but all off Maine. My co-curator for this show, Karen Pettengill, and I hung it all in record time. I guess we have had enough practise over the years...and have always worked well together. We have worked together in a green house, as grooms for a four-in-hand driver and now this!


I managed to get works shipped out last week and then my husband and our Corgi and I headed over to New Hampshire to see my brother and his family. It was a long week for me...but fun and I survived it!!!


Today I finished this watercolor and then I attacked my studio mess.....I feel like I deserve a break now, so I am headed out to mow lawn. This grass must stop growing soon...??!! but I think I I like mowing over shovelling snow!


"Kentucky Side Saddle" is 15 x 10" and is a watercolor on watercolor board. The rider looked so comfortable on her horse, as she sat talking to folks. I HAD to paint her. The watercolor is more about her than her horse, though he was a handsome fellow.

Fenced In Up Close

Again I have been asked for a bigger up close shot of this painting. I hope this works as being up close enough. This painting is varnished and will be going down to Lexington's Gallery B.

Today I am busy getting works labeled and wrapped to head down to Skyline Farm 's "Fertile Ground " Art Show 2008 that opens next Friday night. Sept. 12 th, from 5 to 7 pm to meet the artists!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone there!!

Fenced In - Literally

Another 10 x 10 casein is done and joins the ranks of works in casein...from the KY trip and as seen by "Moi".

This gray was standing in a paddock at the Kentucky Horse Park and what caught my eye was the sunshine reflecting on the fence boards, the horse's back and the design the shadows made on the ground. I saw it very abstract and very colorful. That is how I attacked this painting. I think I have captured it?

Literally. :-)

Rescued Italian Grey

The Italian Grayhound breed fascinates me. These dogs are like high fashion models ..all lines and curves. This little 'Italiano' greeted me at our local tack shop....I asked if I could photograph the little one and this is one of the shots that interested me....the shadow and lines and curves again.
This is a small casein on canvas on board. [5 x 7"] A joy to paint.

This Labor Day is a glorious day weather wise for us here in Morrill, Maine...we are blessed. My thoughts have been with all the folks...and animals .. affected by Gustav as he pushs his way into their lives today. God bless them all.

Full Circle

With another beautiful August day stretched out before me, I have just finished a new papercut, I have already cleaned the stalls, mowed the orchard and then weeded a bit in the veggie garden. I have also started sketching out a new cutting and I am watering the front gardens with the dragonfly sprinkler. [It cuts a wide swath of water over the thirsty flowers....but a different type of cut than my cutting paper!]

This circle isn't actually round, but it is hard to cut a perfect round. I feel I have done a good job when the final image does not leave a horse with one leg missing or no ears!

"Full Circle" is sized about 9 x 9" ........ a good size, and it depicts a sidesaddle rider and her mount.This image was inspired by one of the exhibitions at the Kentucky Horse Park when I went to KY. A lot of my new works will be coming from inspirations from that trip!

Almost Ready

As we rode the roads in Lexington and Versailles, KY., farm after farm had horses, mares with foals, mares alone, and frankly some mares were ready to pop! This lovely gray was one of the ones who caught my eye..........in the huge fields she had to roam with trees in the far distance.

I love mares and I miss our having a mare in foal. But I think our breeding days are done with our Cobs. At least for now. our Maggie is only 4 so has time to wait.

This painting is a casein on gallery wrapped canvas, sized at 10x10". I love square compositions and the puzzle of getting the balance and design right. I think I got it.

I am doing a series of these Kentucky paintings ,all sized the same and all in casein.

Friesian Drill Team

This scene, depicting the Northeast Friesian Horse Club drill team practising at the Post's farm in New Hampshire, reminded me so much of Lucy Kemp Welch's painting of women exercising the horses [titled "The Straw Ride: Russley Park,Depot, Wiltshire"]. This casein on board is sized at 8 x 16". The Northeast Friesian team was photographed back it 2004. It has taken me this long to get this painting done. But I guess life does sometimes get in the way.

Today the farrier comes to trim the horses..........my afternoon will be spent with him and the horses. Our hay man is starting to put hay into the barn..........I am happy about that! It always makes me nervous when the hay isn't all tucked away for the winter. I think it makes the horses happy too to know their hay is stashed before the snow comes!!!

And then the lawn needs mowing...........and the fields need bush-hogging.......yep, life gets in the way!!!

Talk About Wildlife

This is not a very good photo.........but a Blue Heron had taken a perch on our back arbor right outside of our living room sliding glass doors last week. I was getting ready to head out for Belfast when something caught my eye and I turned to see this huge bird sitting there. Mind you usually the arbor is the perch of the hummingbirds that we have living near our deck. This fellow [?] is a bit bigger than the hummers!!! He stayed there quite a while and I did get the chance to capture some better shots of him that I will use for future paintings. This shot also captures my bougainvillea in blossom.It is so in your face with color right now.

Between the bird photos......the deer in our yard and my huge goldfish in our garden pond........I will be doing some works other than horses this winter......when time allows.

But for today the weather is so brilliant out how can I stay in the studio? I think I will get out and paint! Maybe the fish??

Paintings From Kentucky

My trip to Kentucky will afford me many scenes that will be painted and cut. Bobbye and I drove the back roads outside of Lexington and idyllic scenes such as this were everywhere... Miles of board fencing as far as the eye could see and pastures with grazing horses and mares heavy with foal lined the roadside. Everywhere I looked I saw a painting begging to be done!!! This 10 x 8" watercolor is the first of many watercolors from this trip.

Bobbye took this shot of me taking a shot at Keeneland...

I am working on a casein painting from that great photo-op too. My studio is a mess....papers and photos everywhere......the gardens outside the studio need work, and a garden edging job I started this morning on our back gardens is strewn across the lawn.....I am feeling the need to paint and that takes president over anything else at this point!!

So I am back to the easel.......! Driven!!