The Big Boys 24"x12" Oil portrait

Another snow storm in a series of miserable weather events here in Nova Scotia. Huge fluctuations in temperature interspersed with snow storms make me a hermit! I guess the studio is a pretty good place to hide out while I wait for summer.

This is another painting from the neglected group.  Several years ago I went to watch the hitching up of a huge group of harness horses that participated in a  wagon caravan tour from our county to another. It was great to see so many different breeds and outfits. Lots of fodder for an artist! It was sketched onto the canvas pretty quickly and occassional dabs of paint were added but it was mainly unfinished until recently. Nice to finish these pieces that have been mocking me for way too long. ;)

"...And in first..." Oil Portrait 18x36

There is nothing like a blizzard to make a person productive in the studio! Yesterday had Mother Nature delivering a dandy good old Nor'easter to the Maritimes and we are now shovelling ourselves out. The morning was spent shovelling the barns and paths for the sheep before I even got in the barns!! The critters are all outside reveling in the soft snow today. I however am looking at it with loathing. Maybe I will go back to the studio to work on a few more of the "neglected" canvas'!

This painting is one I started several years ago. It is a mix of realism and impressionism but I like the way it turned out. It is from a photo I took during Atlantic Grand Circuit Week at the local racetrack.

Happy New Year

Percheron with Green Halter 14"x11" Oil Portrait

I have been enjoying the return to the studio to the extent that it feels cathartic. Several paintings that loomed abjectly along my walls have been tackled and the fear of ruining them is gone. That negative is replaced by the joy I used to have at trying new things. I have a large piece on the easel now that is an odd mix of realistic and impressionistic. So far it works. Time will tell for sure but until then I am going to enjoy the process.

 

Todays painting is another one of the "Neglected Ones" that had to wait for school to finish. A few years back I went to watch the departure of a Wagon Caravan that left my county and travelled to another. For a horse lover it was fantastic, literally tonnes of horses, mountains of harness and a bevy of wagons to photograph. So many breeds were present but for some reason this fellow caught my eye. He stood with that gentle giant patience in full harness minus his bridle and calmly took in all the surroundings. He stuck with me for quite a while. I sketched him on the canvas, ignored him for over a year, then did a base coat when time allowed but there was always a paper, project or test to prepare for. I am glad school is finished.