The Power and Strength , A New Oil Painting

"The Wheelers"  oil , 14 x 16" ©2015 www.kathipeters.com

Driving a team of four horses pulling a carriage is a sport of gentlemen. There is an old saying that a gentleman doesn't drive more than four. For me, seeing the power and strength of a smartly turned-out four in hand is a thing of beauty. I appreciate the scene in its entirety, but sometimes by looking at the whole, you can miss a piece of it that is special. That is what I did with my latest oil painting done. I honed in on a piece of the whole.  A four-in-hand team is made up of two pair of horses; the strong wheelers who are closest to the carriage and actually do the majority of pulling of the carriage, and the leaders who are usually the flashier pair, finer and brave to be out front.  I have taken a view of the wheelers, up close and in the draft, pulling their carriage. The driving lines to the leaders cut across the wheelers profiles, cutting the composition and providing movement across the painting. It was an interesting and exciting element and fun to paint and develop.  “The Wheelers” is now on my website and available.

 

Our Maine weather has been so hot and muggy this August. Perfect "stay in the studio and paint" weather. I am taking advantage of it and have more paintings in the works. It is a joy awakening every day to work that I love to do…… and so I paint!!

A Small Painting Of Acadia - August's Asticou Gardens

 

"Passing Asticou Gardens, North East Harbor"  , Oil on gessobord, 6 x 6" ©2014 www.kathipeters.com

 

Still trying to play catch up on work done in my blog posts, while trying to manage gardens, put up new horse fence and do all the everyday things that need doing on this small mid-coast Maine farm. August has giving us some stellar weather… and it is so hard to stay in the studio working on commissions and new original work when it is clear that this weather is not going to last and that fall will soon be here , with winter not far behind.
I did this small oil painting of a favourite scene we passed everyday on our way to Acadia during the month of July. It is beautiful in July. June is when it is heavenly with all the rhododendrons and azaleas are in blossom. But I also love the more subdued landscape of the July Asticou Gardens. I hope this small gem touches the heart of some other admirer of Maine landscapes.
Now I am headed back out to enjoy this hot sun filled August day. I have been painting.

Our gardens......

 

Working The Farm and Painting -That Is My Day

The garden's early blooming daffodils,so sweet.

My goodness, how times flies.  I have been busy…and a bit distracted. Spring has found its way into our neighborhood and our gardens still need tended…horses beg for attention. Some of my days, though, have found me in the studio. I have painted a few new works, shipped some of my work out to new collectors and to galleries and shows. I have delivered some art work River Arts Gallery in Damariscotta,Maine.  With spring comes walks with Nell, time to breath in the smell of our woods wet with melting snow, cedar, pine and spruce perfume the air, and birds are singing the age old 'rites of spring' songs. Life is good and sweet on the farm. I am starting to pack my pochade with the idea of getting out side and doing some painting of beautiful Maine……but for the most part, now my time is spent doing studio work.

 

 'Barn With The Yellow Door"  , Casein on paper,  8.5 x 13"

 "Barn With The Yellow Door" is a scene depicting our barn and my old  Tennessee Walker Duster, who I sadly lost last year... just about this time of year too. I miss the old boy, and as he was always my muse....when I went to paint our barn, my old Duster had to be in the painting too.

Our two Morgan boys, my 'Ginger Boys' , are now my muses....and this next work is of Devon. He prompted a mixed media piece in graphite and gold leaf. His face, chiseled and handsome, his large soft eye always gives my heart joy. Hopefully " Sweet Man' will touch someone else's heart too. I love the way the small gold leaf parts of the drawing highlight his face.

"Sweet Man" , Mixed media on claybord, 12 x 12"

 I am ready to start a new work now...in watercolor. So it is time to paint!!

More Than A Day Late-Dancing With Horses!!

I guess over a week has past since my last blog post.....need I say I have been busy? I have not posted since I announced the art show opening reception of "Women In Motion" at  Couleur Collection Gallery in Falmouth, Maine. I got some lovely shots of The Portland Ballet's performance that was staged at the reception to every one's delight.......and as we stood watching the dancing that was staged in front of my artwork, a friend [and collector of my work] remarked "Dancing With Horses"!! YES!! It was!!....and it gave an entirely different and wonderful meaning to this exhibit for me!

The Portland Ballet performed in front of my art work!

 The reception was packed and the gallery put on a wonderful show for all.

                  

    So Wonderful to see dancing with horses all around!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



After the reception on our way back to our car we met two fur kids who were looking for some attention too!!We had to stop and talk with them.They are some wise words to say about art and the state of affairs in the world today.
All in all, the day was stellar.

Thank you, Couleur Collection!!!

The show is up until mid November.....if you are in the area and have a chance check out the show....it is all about "Women In Motion"..........

Spruce Head,Maine New Painting In February



The start of the Mill Cove painting.

I  often get questions on how I work....and I must admit working in oil on a copper panel is very different than working in casein on board. For one thing the oil on copper goes on slippery and slick. Casein on a toned board or paper goes down gritty and matte. The difference between the two is one of the major reasons I enjoy them both.

With the oil I start with a full color block-in which leaves me with a sort of abstract image. Once I have established the composition I go in to the "embellishment" ....deciding what I want to detail and what I can leave out.I don't want too much detail.I personally prefer less detail, more nuance, and that is the song I want to sing. The oil I just finished is pictured here, in this blog post, in the beginning stage and then as the finished work. I think you can get an idea of how I went with it.

I do use the same color palette with oil as I do with my casein work. My watercolor work is a whole different palette and is approached from a complete different direction. But that is another story!

I am having fun with my oil on copper while doing these past small Maine landscapes. I plan on doing 2 more, but the next 2 will be more inland scenes,not costal. But they are all what I love about Maine! We love living here.

"Mill Cove-Spruce Head,Maine"      Oil on copper      6x6"   ©2012 kathipeters.com

New Art Work, Great News!

  "Fetching The Horse"      casein on board    5 x7"

 A small casein is off the easel, so to speak. A new ParsonJack Russell at play....aren't they always playing!? Our JRT,Nell is also looking for a play fellow, someone to throw her 'baby' for her to fetch, or to take the opposite end of baling twine to play Tug of War. I never get tired of painting dogs....and our JRT and our Corgi are often the canine subjects I portray. But this painting is of a cute little Jack in Lexington that I saw last year. So when I go to Lexington, it isn't just to capture images of horses! Dogs too!!!!

These days I am busy working on new paintings for my September show... back at Gallery B again. That is always a fun trip with neat horses to see and time spent with good friends.

 Yesterday I learned that I was one of the top ten finalists in the voting for favorites in the Bold Brush Painting Competition for the month of June. I actually didn't even know they did a People's Choice vote and I am really excited to see my work in that first line of artists... in a very popular online show.In June, I had entered a painting done a bit ago, a watercolor of three Peruvian Paso horses.Who knew it would get 6th place in popular vote in The Fav's part of the competition in a show that attracts some very brilliant professional artists. So I am painting and smiling today! And gee...thanks to all the friends and folks who voted for my painting!! Thumbs Up!!

 "Trio Brio"   watercolor on board          12 x 12"

These horses are from a Peruvian Horse Farm in Texas. JyW Coyote Creek Ranch , breeders of the beautiful Peruvian Paso Horse. They now have this painting in their collection.

 

What a beautiful day we are experiencing here in Maine....

Here's to a Happy Forth of July weekend for Mainers and those from away!! Enjoy! I will be!!!

Limited Editions Running Out

'Head Study, Acadia' 10.5 x 7 " Giclee Reproduction

I have two giclee prints available on my website and this year of 2010, the price is going up on them, as I am running out of these fine art print reproductions. They are sold in a package and are signed and numbered, printed on archival watercolor paper,ready to be matted and framed. The above giclee was done in a Limited Edition of 120. Shipping in the USA is $12.00. Inquire about shipping outside the USA.
"Head Study/ Acadia " and "Lady In Waiting" have proven to be very collectible and grace the walls of horse lovers world wide!

This week a bit of my time will be taken in preparation for the Augusta Invitational Art Show Jan. 16th and 17th at the Augusta Civic Center. Hope to see you there! It's all about the HORSE!

And then there is the same, old same old, of walking the dogs, mucking stalls and dealing with Maine's lovely winter. And I am doing it all, thinking about spring. Riding come spring and hopefully driving too! Come spring!!

Visiting Freeport Visiting Maine

Several months ago I learned that I had received a grant from the Maine Arts Commissions, along with some other members of The Freeport Creative Arts Organization. We were charged with portraying life in Freeport, Maine.

My family and I used to live in Freeport YEARS ago.... then moved to Pownal , Maine where we lived for over 25 years..raised our sons and started into farming and raising horses there. For several years of those years so long ago.. I belonged to a Freeport art club. I was into tapestry weaving and block printing at that point in my creative endeavors. I wasn't doing a lot of equine art...I just liked to depict animals of any "denomination"!

It has been years now that I have been painting the horse...painting what I love and know so well. As my husband and I got more involved in carriage driving, I also was drawn to depicting the driven horse and carriage turnouts. Today I do do some figurative work...some canine work and an occasional landscape. But it is so true that most artists paint what they love, what fires their artistic flame....and for me that is the horse. SO it was with some hesitation that I took part in the FAC project. My best friend and a fellow FAC member, Karen, pushed me along. I am so glad she got me out of my comfort zone.......

I ended up doing a 4 x 4' casein portraying the Freeport Firemen of the 1930's. It is displayed above..... and in an attempt to honour the Freeport firemen, titled it "Freeport Heroes". Our eldest son is a fireman, one of the first responders in Portland, Maine. He helped me get my information to create the painting.....and I will tell more about that another time.

I just am so honored and exciting about taking part in this MAC adventure!
The reception for "Experiencing Freeport - Showing Our Town Through Art" will be held at The Freeport Village Station in Freeport, Maine on Friday, September 4th from 5-6:30 pm with entertainment and refreshments. I would love to see you there!!!

Loft Series Part Two

With a small break from working on this painting...I am back at it. The weather here in Morrill, Maine has been very cold...and frankly I don't do cold well. I also see a slowing down of my working time...just taking care of the horses and walking the dogs takes so much time and effort. And then there are all the clothes I have to put on to stay warm..........zheesh....Tuscany here I come!

So , I have gone in and refined the lines of the horse with charcoal and planned where I want the hay piles and some more shadows. The lines need to be correct as the proportions are so skewed from this angle. I went in with more of my purple and blue for the shadows. And yes, I went in with Black! I use black........more on that later.




I will let this now sit and dry for 24 hours and get back working on a commission that I want to get done.

I will do that after I get dressed and clean stalls...........and walk the dogs ...etc etc...........

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!!!

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.

How You Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm?

I don't really know where these works are coming from....other than I am feeling a need to document my family's roots and the folks that came out of the Pennsylvanian farms where my mother grew up and formed her persona. They say we become our mother as we age..........boy, when I look in the mirror these days I see my Mom!

This painting is a 6 x 8" mixed media...a small step out of my comfort zone as far as media goes. But I must admit I am having fun with this detour and have several other works on the easel that also deal with the family and the farms. I call this painting "How You Gonna Keep 'Em Down on the Farm?" ....after that same song which asked the question about how they would kept on the farm after they saw Paris! [or "Par-ie"?].

This past weekend we celebrated birthdays on our Morrill farm...some being celebrated a bit late, but better late than never, I always say. I watched our grandchildren playing on our farm........running through the field and orchard. It is so good that even though our farm is small and not at all self sufficient, that our kids can still have a farm type of environment to experience in this day and age of computers and quick fixes. Nothing quick about mucking stalls and throwing hay bales! There is a gentle rhythm about the days here on Cob Cottage Farm.

That is why I love it.

GREAT NEWS FROM GERMANY!!!!!!

I just received an update from Germany, where a good friend of ours is competing in the 2008 FEI World Championship for Drivers with Disabilities. Mary Gary is in 3rd place … but all three girls from the USA are “over the moon," and with great reason.
Both Mary and Meghan are driving horses they have only driven 3 times before!! Their ponies [Welsh!] are leased from England. This is exciting for us, as Mary is the driver who has our colt out of our Cob mare ,Victoria. Mary competes here in America with Thistle Mead Lloyds Legacy……Legs was born into my arms on our North Pownal Farm called Thistle Mead Farm. He is full brother to our Maggie. My goodness it is all in the family!!!!

Meghan Benge [ from N.C.] is in 1st Place after dressage with a 41, Diane Kastama [CA] is in 2nd with a 42 and Mary Gray [ME] is in 3rd, putting The TEAM USA in 1st overall.

Go TEAM USA!!!!

This is a photo of Victoria and Fergie ...our Welsh Cob mares...on our old farm in North Pownal.

Trevallion Victoria is on left. What a corker of a pair they were... and they were given to us by a lovely friend years ago!! Seems like yesterday.

Show Opening In Belfast Maine- May 22, 2008

I have been working..both in and out of the studio.

My gardens are starting to look good. I think that June is when they are at their prime. I am looking forward to that! Both our sons gave me plants for the gardens for Mother's Day [and dinner out to boot!!]. Such good men they are!!!

On The art front: The 2008 Festival of Art presented at The Hutchinson Center in Belfast opens on Thursday, May 22nd with a Reception for the artists and public. I will be there... and so will my casein "She Rode A Purple Horse". My painting "In Your Face" is hanging in the Gothic Building storefront window in Belfast on Maine Street , along with some other local artists' works, to celebrate this show. There is a Biblical saying "A prophet is not recognised in his own country"....so it is with me. This is almost my first local showing...new for the Belfast arena, not Maine. I look forward to getting more involved with the art scene here.

"The Horses In Art" show at the Columbia Art League has closed and is now being moved to the Wildlife Experience Museum in Parker, CO. My two casein paintings [ "Shades of Black # 8" and
"Shades of Black # 9" ] hanging in that show, will be traveling to the museum for the Opening Reception on June 6th, 2008. I will not be able to go to that opening.....

From The Loft 1 And 2

This idea came to life a while ago.

First I finished the casein and acrylic painting above and liked it. The concept excited me...so back I went up into our barn hayloft this winter and came up with the design for a second painting, same size [16 x 20"] and medium. The composition called for a vertical format for the second painting. I just finished it today and was able to shoot it with the digital before I varnish it. I can get a better photo of it before it is varnished . Casein is a lovely paint to get prints from, as the paint has a matte and velvety finish. But I wanted to protect these works with varnish, as they will not be framed by me. Having been done on gallery wrapped canvas, they are ready to hang without a frame.

The above painting is titled "From The Loft-Summer". The black horse depicted is my special man , Imperial Dominator D., a now 28 year old man, turning gray...but still the head of the herd on our farm and our resident grouch. Dom and I have logged about 1000 competitive miles over his [and my] lifetime. And as I said, he is my 'main man'. He and I have a very special relationship that has grown over the many miles of trail we have covered in the past. I know him so well.



"From The Loft-Winter" depicts my black Tennessee Walker gelding , Duster. Duster is 22 this year. I find it is hard to believe how fast time has gone. It seems like yesterday that Duster was born on our Pownal farm and I was there with his mother "Ebony" when he arrived. He has been a good boy all his life ...even if a bit too to eager to do his job at times. He and his buddy Dom are my models for all my "Shades of Black" series.

It seems I have a non-ending source of inspiration here on Cob Cottage Farm.

And So, Where Is Spring?

According to the calendar it is officially spring. Tell that to the robins who are looking for worms hidden under 3 more inches of the white stuff! And now the wind is starting to blow.

Poor birds!

The above is a quick casein with watercolor and pen and ink thrown in for good measure. I just grabbed what seemed right at the moment. I call it "Part Cob". It is a painting of a driving horse who lived near our farm when we lived in Pownal, Maine. It is available for purchase, but it will not be put on my website.

Down the Pen and Ink Road

All the landscape around our farm .. and all the mountains and hills that surround us in Morrill, Maine.. are blanketed with snow. Maybe it is because of this that I have been drawing these little landscapes with pen and ink on paper...all depicting winding roads and trees and grasses. These little "dreamscapes" have been a bit of an escape for me, allowing me to get out from my paint and down from my loft and to sit in my big easy chair with my Corgi and my cat cuddled around me, as I create dream landscapes far different from the world around our little cottage.

Maybe too they are a bit of a metaphor for what has been happening in my life over the past year and a half. A lot of winding roads and up hill climbs............but nothing that I will not be able to conquer in time.

More about that later.......maybe.

The question now is "Will There Be A Harvest? Metaphorically speaking that is!??

Black and White

It has been a while since I have done a paper cutting, but this one was finished a week or so ago. It is called " Riding Like A Lady", and it already has a home to go to. In this scene the hunt stops as a very lady-like equestrian joins the field, in her side-saddle and fancy attire. Even the hounds are interested in this rider.

I have always liked the challenge of composing a work in just black and white, where you can capture depth and motion, all simple... and direct. I think I have achieved it here.

Now...... back to a watercolor of a Standard Poodle for a client! This is such a nice to day to be working in my loft.My barn chores are done for now and the snow piles up outside, while the horses nap in their stalls in the warm barn.

Winter blankets Morrill, Maine.

Early this year I did a watercolor of this Belfast building that I love looking at. It is on Main Street and when you drive into the town Belfast, Maine, you can’t miss this corner building, as it is right in your face.

This painting is a 10 x 8” casein on canvas board. I am working on some other scenes from this area of my world, as I venture forth and document my impressions of Waldo County, Maine. The earlier watercolor of this scene is already on my blog and on the watercolor page of my website. It is interesting to compare them………………..one spring and one summer…….?