Painting That Is "In Harmony"

"In Harmony"  , mixed media, 12 x 12"  ©2017

A four-in-hand team of Kladruber horses trotted by me on the carriage roads of Acadia. It was during a week of coaching on a bright fall day. The lead horses came down the road, right towards me, and the horses behind them could not be seen , nor could the carriage with its passengers be seen, as they all held onto their hats, when a low hanging branch threated their loosing their hats.  As I went to paint these handsome carriage horses, the woods background, with the sparkling back light, suggested such an abstract statement....I went a bit abstract....using contemporary colors. I'm pleased with how it all comes together and how the colors complement the more realistic equine." In Harmony" is available on my website.

Two's Company, Four's A Team

"Two's Company, Four's A Team, oil on board , 12 x 24"

A four in hand of Kladruber horses and their grooms ....unhitching after the drive.

This is a scene from Acadia, a scene captured years ago at Wildwood Stables, but painted recently.

 

This painting is offered framed in a black and gold and shipping is included in its price.

The New Year Has Started Without Me It Seems

"A Lady And Her Horse"  , casein on Raymar board,  16 x 12" ©2015

The year started with me full of good intentions............ and then my muse was captured by the vision of a beautiful lady riding side saddle on a handsome gray PRE .....the proverbial white horse. I was hooked................

But now the January 2015 winter storm of ‘Historic Proportions ‘ has swirled around outside my studio walls. We readied the farm and cottage for high winds and epic snow amounts. What we had is a usual Nor’easter….! But better to be safe than sorry. We were safe. Our horses were safe in their cozy stalls munching hay,...........  and I even managed some studio time. I started a new casein equine painting.

I have also finished the casein above, done of a lovely lady riding sidesaddle, the image provided by the owner of the handsome Pre horse. The horse and his lady and the owner of the PRE all live in Italy. I really enjoyed doing another sidesaddle painting. I have done several in the past, but I never tire of portraying this classic equestrian discipline….. It is so sophisticated and ladylike. I have always wanted to learn to ride side saddle, but never did get around to doing it. Now, at this point in my life I will stick with driving. The painting “A Lady and Her Horse” is now up on my website and available unframed.

I have been doing some drawing too……and after receiving a box of beautiful blood oranges from a friend, I had to sit down and draw them before I ate them. I am doing a great job of eating them! I do want to paint some before they are all gone!

The snow still blows around our cottage, banking our outside walls with white.

I will continue painting!

Losing the War...The Fight Has Been Fought

This is what is left of my string beans on their tepee poles.

I have given up. I have fought 'the battle' with our resident deer population all summer and they have won. I have harvested what I could out of our veggie garden and have left the rest for the deer, the squirrels, the birds.......let the gleaners come. Actually we did get produce to last us into the winter months, while eating fresh veggies all summer. I have frozen tomatoes galore for winter soups and sauces.Our winter squash are piled in my studio, and I have apples, grapes and pears harvested from our orchard and arbor for pies and juicing. The Lord provides!   So I have decided to let the deer win....but they BETTER stay away from my clematis and grapevines!!!!!

Our arbor is laden with purple grapes now.

I have been enjoying my walk from the studio down to our horse barn of late. I love the fall light, the cool cave of the grapevines covering our arbor, the bench waiting by the fire pit for cool evening fires to sit by.... while contemplating the world's dilemma or just" chillin".

I am busy daily on seasonal commissions, and original work. Working on my family series and some new oils on copper. But one of the fun paintings I have going, is a casein [so far] of a lady whip and her Cardigan Corgi! I must admit I jumped on this one while I was so taken with the Corgi, the basket, the driver's turnout! I love doing driving paintings....I really do!

One of the casein "Works In Progress" a 12 x 12" fun painting!

Yes.......Gray fall days spent in the studio are very enjoyable. And not having to fight the deer for veggies is even better. Life is good on Cob Cottage Farm!

New Dressage Casein - "Shades Of Gray #3"

 

"Shades Of Gray #3"            casein on paper               9 x 12"

 Even though the day started a bit gray, the sun came out and Spring called to me as I worked in my studio, saying "Come and play...the winter was cold and deep, but now it is time to come out and enjoy the warmth of spring and promises of things to come." I listened but kept painting, finishing this one casein of a gray/white dressage horse for my "Shades of Gray" series. This is number 3....there are more to come...all playing with the discovery of colors in a gray horse brought out by the light and shadows. This painting as already been put up onto my website.........

Now I am headed out for a bit to rake leaves from winter weary gardens while, the pups play.

Another White Horse

I have been working on this 11 3/4 x 13 3/4" casein for a few days now, on and off. Yes, another white foreshortened horse. This is a subject that I can not get tired of exploring. And I will be doing more white horses over time...a series of sorts. [Like my 'Shades of Black' series that can be seen on my website.] This is a stallion from the Darley Farm in Lexington KY., a wonderful Thoroughbred Stud Farm that I was privileged to visit last spring.You don't see many farms like this here in Maine!

It is quiet today at Cob Cottage Studio...Nellie, our non-stop Jack Russell Terrier, is at the vet's, where she will spend the night, recuperating after having been spade this morning. She is doing well..or so I was told when I called a bit ago to check on her progress. Addie, our Corgi, is enjoying her reprieve from her nemesis and napping and taking leisurely strolls around the farm. How Nell has changed our life...for the better....since she came into it a year ago. But for today we are enjoying a quiet time.

Driven in Process

I have been working on this 16 x 20" casein on board most of the day between walking dogs,cleaning stalls, laundry and writing press releases. A woman's work is never done....especially this woman! I have a hard time understanding people who say they are bored with their lives....walk a mile in my shoes!

While walking the pups in the backyard I noticed that my Egyptian Onions are up and growing in my circle veggie garden! How I love the surprises that spring brings...all the bulbs and perennials popping up...new birds at the feeders and singing from the trees surrounding our cottage.

Heh.......LIFE IS GOOD!

...........and this casein painting of the white horse is almost done!