News ..I Am Added To A New Art Gallery In Red Hook, N.Y.

2014 started with a weather pattern that is more or less erratic. But I don’t think I am telling you something you aren’t aware of. With an ice storm that left us without power…or heat... in below freezing temperatures ,  our farm is covered with a coating of ice which is making it hard to walk ...but oh so easy to slide…often unintentionally. So I walk carefully into the New Year with cleats on my winter boots and trying to grab time in the studio.  The cold weather means more work on the farm and less artistic time for me.

The good news is that I have been invited into a new art gallery in Red Hook, NY. So this week I packaged up 7 paintings to go to Equis Art Gallery, in Red Hook…..and I look forward to a great working relationship with them. This gallery that is representing some of the best international equine artists, and it is the dream incarnate of equine photographer Juliet Harrison. How appropriate that her "stable of artists" includes some amazing equine artists! I am so flattered to be part of that dream.

"Four In Hand From Above"  casein on paper  12 x 9"  ©2012 www.kathipeters.com

 One of my works that will be exhibited in Equis Art Gallery is my casein painting “Four In Hand From Above”, a painting that was inspired from a loft view of a coaching turnout that was up at Acadia’s Wildwood Stables years ago. I am always inspired to paint carriage driving scenes and the lofty view of any subject is also a view I have painted throughout the years. Equis Art Gallery is interested in my carriage driving art work. I will strive to create some more works with just that subject.

BACK TO THE STUDIO I GO…….There are paintings that need doing!

Happy Valentine's Day Gone to the Dogs

"Be My Valentine"    Casein on board   8 x 6" ©2012 kathi peters  SOLD

It is that time of year already.Seems the past weeks have flown by, even if plagued a bit by a case of cabin fever. But last week was productive and full of fun and adventure,literally and artistically. With more great JRT reference photos the above painting was a perfect work to do for today's celebration......SO a big old grateful Happy Valentine's Day to all my blog followers , the collectors of my artwork, friends and fellow artists!!  This Jack with attitude is a wonderful subject...and his owners are very special people.....Thank you so much Dia and Sydney!!! and of course The Wonderful Forrest Gump!!!! 

Not to be out done by Mr Gump, our Nell posed for our Valentine's Day

greeting to everyone!!!  Hugs all around!!!

©2012 kathi peters

A Fjord Pair

"Fjord Pair"   Watercolor      11.5 x 16"    ©2012  kathi peters 

The watercolor of the Fjords is done and before the snow came, I was able to capture a good photo of it. I have put it up on my website purchase, unframed.
Now,with NO snow outside, I am finished up a 9 x 12" casein of an American Saddlebred horse and rider. A lovely studio day for sure!       

Playing Out - Painting Out

Asticou Gardens in bloom.

Yesterday we took off on a road trip to Acadia National Park on Mount Dessert Island in Down East, Maine. We got up, packed the car, filled Nellie's Ditty Bag with goodies,and off we went to play. I had also packed a bag with my plein air painting supplies, including my new lightly used thumbbox pochade that artist friend Renee Lammers had just gifted me.We ended not having time for me to paint, but I did get oodles of photos for future paintings.The gardens at Asticou were brilliant with their June splendor of azaleas mirrored on glass like waters. We picnic-ed in Acadia shade. Nellie got a walk in the woods to smell the not yet ready blueberry bushes and sweet cedar and pine. Acadia is my favourite place to be....ever.



The eagle  would not look at us.

We saw a eagle sweep and grab his lunch from Hadlock Pond.I tried to get a better picture of him but he would not turn his head towards us.But another feathered friend, whom we met in Ellsworth, was more than happy to come visit in our face.....Mr Crow was very truculent,looking for handouts and had no problem posing for photos.

This crow will be painted!

So though we had a lovely break from the farm and studio, today we are back to the same old and I am in the studio.....Les is mowing the lawns and orchard.....and it is summer in Maine!

Here is a quick little casein plein air painting I did ....sitting in my garden and trying out the Guerrilla thumb-box....what a neat little unit it is! I have gone back into this painting after I shot it here. You can see the current paintng on my website . I will be doing more paintings outside....I am ready!

"Sweet Spring Colors"     casein on canvas on board    6 x 8"

Girl In The Hood

Nellie styling it in her new sweatshirt.

Today a package arrived in the mail....surprises for me ...for Les ...and for Nellie!  Nellie now has a new spring sweatshirt and she has been proudly wearing it around the farm. She has the whole New York hood swagger down pat....she is the 'girl in the Hood'!! She is BIG and she is BAD!! Be afraid!!!

The snow is slowly melting,  leaving bits of green and mud. But I am not complaining. Spring is officially here and with it the promise of gardening. I am so ready this year. I am actually excited about it this year! We have started cleaning up the back arbor that the deer ruined this winter as they pulled down our grape vines and clematis vines. I see day-lily leaves spiking through the ground. My curly garlic is green and growing. Birds are singing ,calling for new mates, singing their hearts out,  filling the air with music.

Spring melt on the farm.

I have had time to work on new paintings and the painting below is one of new works which are slated for galleries for the summer season. This is one of my Tennessee Walking geldings, Dom. Dom is 30 years young this year. He has been my "man" for over 25 years. "He... the man!!" Dom and his pasture buddy, Duster have been the models for my "Shades of Black" series. Both are black TWH geldings.

"Spring Green"   Casein on board         6 x 6"

Now down to the studio. I have work to get done before the gardening time catches up to me!

All We Need Is Love

Nellie wishes everyone Happy St.Valentine's Day!

And we have lots of it here at Cob Cottage! ...hugs and kisses from dog,cat,horses,even hubby!

We are in the middle of February and today it feels a bit warm at 44 degrees F. The snow and ice built up upon our roof is melting, making riverlets producing icicles that hang like swords along the front of our house. Rites of spring. It must be getting near!!

I have painted two small works.....casein on board.....a Jack Russell in snow is one......"Follow The Path".....a quick depiction of our Nell .

"Follow The Path"        Casein    6 x 6"         copyright 2011

And the second painting is of a handsome rooster gent who I met a while ago on a local farm where they raise organic eggs and goat cheese. He was a handsome rooster and he knew it!  I hope I did him justice!

"Randy Rooster"     casein        6x6"          copyright 2011

I titled  this rooster portait "Randy Rooster"....I don't know if this strutting guy had a name, [Randolph maybe?]....but he fits that name, I think!!  Both these small paintings are available om my website.

It is time for our afternoon walk..... Nell and I wish you a day with Love......!!!!

New Year, New Painting

The new year blew into Morrill with a major snow storm, high winds and over a foot of snow. My loft studio was a good place to stay and get some paperwork done and to start several new works on canvas. I am planning a year of artistic growth and exploration. I am pushing the envelope a bit with my casein work and working a bit in tempera and in oil. The newest painting is a 24 x 48" canvas of a driving scene...a lovely welsh pony hitched to a governess cart. So stay on for the ride....it might get a bit bumpy!!

Belted Cows

Two small works of Belted Galloway's will be added to my website. Above is "Belted Cow #1" and below is the second, appropriately titled "Belted Cow # 2." Done in casein on board, they are being framed in neat thick stressed white frames...ready to go! You can see them on my website in the Small Works Collection.

The weather holds fair on the farm...but they say a touch of fall is in the works for the end of the week. I, for one, will be busy working on a bigger Belted Cow casein in the studio.....but will be taking breaks and deadheaded and trimming back perennials in my gardens. I also want to get some use out of my new riding helmet. In a sense.....getting my life back!

The Equestrian

I am painting today when I should be getting things together 'better' for my solo show with Gallery B in Lexington, KY. in May. But I really believe one [ meaning me!] needs to paint while the muse is hot. So I finished this mixed media painting [ 10 x 10 1/4"] of my mother as "The Equestrian". As I explained before in an early post on my blog, and will explain again.....I am working on a series of works depicting my family and times in their lives. I feel a need at this point in my life to make a statement about my family's past. I am hoping that someone will connect with this statement and understand what I am trying to say. At times I don't really know What I am saying?!! So good luck to us all!!

The wind has kicked up a notch here on the farm and gray clouds have replaced the sun that shone earlier. Spring is being it usual fickle self. I don't mind though as the promise of bulbs bursting and flowers blooming is so evident! So while the weather brews a storm, I will take care of things that need being done for the May show and think about what I plan on doing in the gardens when weather permits. It will at some point! It always does!

Commission of an Old Friend

Yesterday I spent a good portion of my afternoon at the my framer's getting frames picked for works going to shows and for finished commissions. One work was the above watercolor of 'Tootie'..what a wonderful loving and happy fellow he was ...he always had a hearty hello whenever I visited his home and "parents". A perfect furkid! He is much missed...and I only hope this watercolor does him justice.

The two casein works below are the ones that are going down to the American Academy Of Equine Art's show at the Rolex in April,and are being framed and made good to go! I only wish I was going with them...but my trip to Lexington, KY. is planned for later in May. For now my two works will have to represent me on their own!

Two In The Snow

After a weekend of snow, yesterday was spent shoveling [yes, yet again] and digging out. I was left with the job as my husband had to head to work. At least that is what he said!

Our JRT and PWC pups are really dwarfed by the walls of snow left by our plow guy. But they are having fun looking for squirrel holes and deer tracks in the paths we have especially plowed for the pooches.

I did get some time to get some sketches done between shoveling events and back and forth's to the barn and horses. A graphite of a young buck seen in our back woods is almost done...and will be a painting at some point! I have also started a BIG casein for my "From The Loft" series. These paintings are being done with a mixed media of casein, acrylic, and charcoal. I guess I will post "In Progress" shots of the new one as I go. You asked for it...I always want to keep you happy!!
And then I am also working on works to be shown this summer in Saratoga, NY..at Equidae Gallery.I have been asked to do a casein demonstration there too during the show...and I have a show coming up in Lexington too in May...more on that later!

This day is a special day...my radio will be tuned into the inauguration of our new president Obama. I am sure every one will be watching this historic event.

Start Of A New Day Done - Really

Here is a close up of the subject of the finished casein "Start Of A New Day", 18 x 18" on canvas. I put the last brush strokes on it today. [ I promised myself that I did!!] And the rest of the day was spent trying to fix my router for my DSL. It seems to be working now. I will keep my fingers crossed.

I also have several sketches I have worked up for a couple of new paintings.

But I do want to get back to doing some more of my family images / mixed media work. Some of the work done so far can be seen on my website in the Figurative Collection. It is a stretch from doing equine art, but I am feeling the pull to get back to that. This work has me playing with acrylics and casein mixed with some collage thrown in for good measure.

In the meantime I will be getting my thoughts together about what is happening to me this year, artistically and career wise. Good things are happening.....but I still have a hard time getting all my "ducks in a row".......paddling like crazy under the water....but skimming along it seems on the top!!

Heh...I am still afloat!!! and that is great!

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!!?

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!

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. :-)

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!!!

Poor Girl's Pony

My mother always liked the photo of her riding one of the pigs on the farm down in PA. and I have always been enthralled by it since I was a kid. This one is for you, Mom.............

I do have a photo of Mom riding a pony, and will probably paint that one too soon....but this one was so much fun. I did it with mixed media - with casein,acrylic, photocopy and pen and ink. I call it "Poor Girl's Pony" and it is sized 12 x 12" on board. Someday I will get more into the process, but need to get started on a papercut while the weather cooperates.

More later!

Sunday Go To Meeting Clothes

This painting is done. It has ended up being a casein.....sized at 12 x 9" on illustration board. I am calling it "Sunday Go To Meeting Clothes" I know my mother used to hide under their library table in an attempt to not have to get dressed up.This outfit would not have been one of her favourites.Like mother ..like daughter. I left some of the ink lines in the work....

I really like the angle of this piece, the ladies on the porch and the cat wandering through the picture too... all added up to an interesting composition.

Now if the weather would just break and allow me to get back into some papercuts, that would really make me happy!!

Where To Go Next?

Yesterday afternoon I went back into this work done on illustration board with my casein paints and I am at a point now that either I get focused in on my subjects, or let it go and leave it as it is. Open and loose and undefined. I need to think about this for a while.

And while I wait [thinking] , I am getting started on horse art works from my KY trip......good stuff. New stuff. I will be working on watercolor paintings to get started on these pieces.

At the same time I am working on some very different for me, new work, mixed media and collage...hmmmmmmmm.... and where will I go with these??

I will leave you guessing??!!