One Subject - Two Mediums

"Head Study #2 At Acadia" , watercolor,  17 x 12"   ©2016

 Two works done recently. One subject. Two Mediums. Why?

This handsome carriage horse was first worked up as a graphite study, in order to get my values figured out in my head. Doing these preliminary sketches helps me a lot; especially when working from photos, and not from life. This horse was one of the horses who was on the American Driving Society's visit years ago to Maine and the carriage roads of Acadia. I captured more than several photos of this handsome guy and I have painted him before. This time I approached the painting a bit differently than other works done of him. His strong face and handsome features attracted me again. And because I have clients asking to purchase my sketches I have included the graphite of this image available on my website.

"Head Study #2 At Acadia", graphite, 14 x 11" ©2016



A Thank You Gift From Sennelier - Thank You, Sennelier!

My thank you gifts from Sennelier France.

A while ago I was contacted by Sennelier of France and asked if I would help them with a blind test of their watercolors. They had seen my website and liked my work.. and so invited me to help them improve their product.

 I have used Sennelier supplies for years and am familiar with their high quality product line. When I lived in Italy I used their pastels ...and loved them! 

 It was a fun test, with several tubes of various watercolor colors to compare..It really made me think about the consistency and fluidity of each tube as I compared and rated them all, then finally picking my favourite from each group. They told me they would sent me a thank you for my time at the end of the testing. The time spent was fun and I had learned someting during it.

When several weeks later a big box from France was delivered to our home I was more than excited about the contents! I have new watercolors to use....new pastels to play with and new oil pastels to try! AND lots of new 300 lb watercolor paper to put to good use, along with some new watercolor brushes!

Thank you Sennelier!!! Believe me, the pleasure was all mine!! Below is one of the paintings that I completed with the test paints which I liked the best!! It is available on my website.

"Lift Off"     watercolor          8 x 13"

Now I am just now heading down to the studio for a bit....going to try those Sennelier oil pastels for sure!



Wizard Kitty

I have a Maine Coon Cat..at least she might be one. When she is walking away from me..which she does a lot....she looks just like a raccoon....and she is from Maine!

Mittens was born in our barn when we lived in North Pownal, Maine. She and her litter mates were born in the loft in a cozy den that her mom had found under all the bales of hay. When a friend and I finally were able to catch the little 'wildcats' , I kept Mittens and tamed her to become my lap-kitty. She can sing a pretty powerful song when she feels like it. Paula, my friend , kept two others from the litter. This was years ago and Mittens is still my lap kitty and resident mouser.

But this photo tells it all. That lofty imperial look definitely shows her attitude.....and see her wizard lighting bolt on her forehead? This cat is a wizard cat there is no denying it!!

OK..........now back to the drawing board!! I am doing a watercolor of my wizard cat!

The Sun After The Storm

For two days we have had weather that seemed more like August than June. I mean this is spring, we shouldn't have temps in the 90's here in Maine!!! When it is that hot outside ..my loft studio gets heated like a oven. Not a fun place to be. But today started with cooling fog and then cleared and a lovely breeze blows through the house. So why was I out working in my gardens?? And taking pictures??? Why indeed! It is too nice to be in the studio!! I think I will take paint and paper out into the gardens to work.
Boy, this is a hard job!!

My poppies have started opening at last....I can't wait for their brilliant bobbing heads to add excitement to the very green landscape. So out I go to capture their brilliance!!

Feet Don't Fail Me Now

There are a lot of times when I feel my feet aren't listening to my brain....yesterday was one of those days. I was wearing my Wellies to do barn chores and I slipped on the frost covered grass and sort of did a split and roll...is there such a maneuver? Anyway...my feet were not listening me to for sure!!

But this is a good way to segue into the title of the above painting , 'Feet Don't Fail Me Now".
This a a 12 x 12 " casein that I 'whipped' out on canvas on board. Not much detail, but I liked the composition of this and went into it with lots of color. I can hear the pounding of the hooves and the roar of the crowds................

I need to get back into my watercolor paints and I already have a few works started. I always have at least two going at once so that I can keep working and not have to wait for paint to dry. It is always a welcome change to get back into another medium............I am looking forward to it.

The Morgan-In Harness

Last fall at the Skyline Farm's Maine Carriage Day I was able to get some lovely photos to use for reference material for paintings to be done over the winter time. I just finished this graphite study of a beautiful head study of a Morgan in harness. The watercolor will follow as time allows. If this winter continues as it has for the past month.....then I will be forced to stay working in my studio. Maybe that is a good thing as I have several works in the making and ideas galore of what to do next!

I been invited to participate in the prestigious annual Grand National Art Show & Sale at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, CA. ..... where more than 500 pieces of western & equestrian themed art will be displayed showcasing over 100 artists from around the World, I have to get my artwork packed and shipped. Show dates are April 4th through April 12th 2008. You can get more information at the Cow Palace website.

And then work packed and shipped to the Invitational "2008 Horse in Fine Art" Exhibition that is being presented by The American Academy of Equine Art to be held at The Columbia Art League, Columbia, MO and The Wildlife Experience Museum, Parker,CO.

I am headed out to clean stalls now.............. no glory there..but a labor of love.

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.

Coming Three Filly

Yesterday I took the day off and had lunch and visited with artist friends. We had a Chinese food feast and then talked, talked and talked. How wonderful to have such good friends who share the same interests and tastes....if was a enjoyable way to past the day. One friend brought her Golden Retriever with her, and "Koda" and my Corgi, Addie, had their own party. Actually Koda spent most of the time retrieving slippers and various things from about the house, bringing her booty to us for "our" enjoyment! Addie did what Corgi's do best.......kept a vigil for food droppings under the table.

Today I am back working in my studio, and just finished up this watercolor that I am calling "Coming Three Filly". I had posted the graphite study for this in an earlier post. Now that this watercolor is done, I can work on the caseins that have been drying and are now ready for the finishing glazes.

Media Mixed

I have been playing with mixed- media for the past few weeks, and I just finished this piece, a watercolor, casein and pen and ink work....done sort of quickly and loosely. I like the finished product, done on 300 lb cold press watercolor paper. This four-in-hand had stopped for a lunch break with the coaching crowd that met at Acadia each year to enjoy the fall scenery. I was part of this group, as a groom for a gentleman who drove a four-in-hand of Welsh Cobs.
This team depicted here are Kladruby horses. The Kladruby, a handsome coach horse similar to the Lipizzan, originated in the Czech Republic 1579. It was derived from the Spanish Horse and the Old Neopolitan Horse from Italy. There is also other breeds like the Holstein, Andalusian, and Oldenburg horses, mixed in. This breed was produced as a heavy and beautiful carriage horse, and I enjoyed watching them trot down the road, or even standing under a shade three at lunch.
I also enjoyed working with transparent watercolors mixed with opaque casein and then throwing in some pen and ink..........I am sure I will do some more of this!!