Free as a Bird

School is finally done and I am enjoying a return to normalcy. Spending more time in the studio than I have in years but still pushing to extend it! Several paintings that had been long neglected are now receiving attention. Plus it is tremendously fun!

Soaring Eagle 7x5 oil

Done done done done done done

"Life of Crime" oil portrait

I have finally finished school. Not just the semester but the program. Next Spring I will walk down the Graduation Stage, receive my BSc and dance a little jig across the stage!

 It has been a long number of years but I do not regret it. Having said that I have wasted no time returning to the Studio to paint. Many long neglected canvas, partially completed have been receiving copious amounts of attention. My creative spirit is singing loudly for it has been somewhat trod upon during my recent scholastic endeavors. Creative speech and thought is rather frowned upon in the scientific community. Even if it is correct, backed up by peer reviewed papers you are encouraged to avoid  using  phrases like "Shining star of Agriculture".  Excitement must be described in boring multi syllable words that hurt the melodic soul. I like science, enjoy the whole process but returning to the Studio was like a balm to my soul and I might not come out for a very long time!

This painting is one based ona photo I took a few years back at our local racetrack. I go to the track because I am a horse nut and I photograph interesting and beautiful equines. Occasionally I get the time to change them into a painting. I did not know it at the time but when I posted the photo on Facebook a friend told me it was her partners horse. Here it is a year later, a finished painting. Hope you enjoy it.

The Glorious Race

Number 8 5"x7" Oil portrait

 

I managed to sneak a little time from my studies to finish up this piece. Actually I was rewarding myself for not losing all my marbles during this final semester of University. I am not finished yet but the end is in sight and I feel just like my muse, going around the final turn and racing for that finish line.

 

 Of course once one crosses the line there is always another race to prepare for. If one more Proff asks me when/who/what graduate school I will be studying with I just may lose what tenuous grip I have on those pretty little marbles!  December 5th is this glorious date I have fixated on. It is the date of my last ever exam. I have been passing in papers early, completing tasks ahead of schedule and and literally tying up any loose end in sight.  

 

It has been a long 3 years but I do not regret it (excluding the financial disaster education creates). It has given me a unique insight to the educational system my children are presently in and what challenges they will face during and after post secondary schooling. Learning is a lifelong passion that leads to its own rewards and as Sean Connery stated "I got my biggest break when I was 5. That was when I learned to read."  

 

It all starts with your ABCs.

 

The painting is a portrait of Frostys Cavello who races at the local track here. I am like a racehorse paparazzi who likes to photograph all horses and the nice ones get painted. My friend Ben is a local driver and trainer who knows all the horses and now it is a game to see if he can identify the horses I paint. I figured I had him stumped on this one as this is only a head and neck shot, but he is batting 100%! Must try harder next time. December 6th sounds like a good day to start!!

Cowboys Barn - Oil portrait

The summer has cruised by so smoothly I was stunned to realize that classes actually start tomorrow. I had promised myself lots of studio time this summer and was always saying "I will later". Well later arrived and many canvas' remained in the same unfinished state pre summer as post summer. I was able to finish the above painting and feel semblance of satisfaction at completing a piece before summer officially ended.

I started to berate myself and then I realized what a foolish thing to do to oneself. I decided to spend the majority of the summer with my family. After spending almost 3 years working 3 jobs and going to school I was burnt out. Reconnecting with my family was wonderful and realizing that if I don't give my family attention (kids especially) someone else would. I never regretted it. A life lived with no regrets is a life well lived.

This became very poignant for me when one of my dearest friends announced she has breast cancer. She was anxious about sharing the news with anyone, fearing rumours or speculation. This friend is not the first of my companions to become victim to this disease.  Sadly many other woman have had to endure the pain and recovery of treatment but they were kind enough to share their stories and when this friend told me of the diagnosis I did not feel an urge to run and avoid her. I am not uncomfortable, just sad and concerned for my friend. I know this is a beatable illness and I know she will be among the survivors who will inspire others to live without regret.

Atlantic Grand Circuit Week at Truro Raceway

 Night Race

 Grey Ghost at night

 Racing in the Rain- Trotters

Trotters on Tuesday

Atlantic Grand Circuit week just wrapped up here at the track. With all the recent upheaval it was great to see the event take place. Unfortunately Mother Nature was having a "moment" and it rained so hard on Tuesday I am pretty sure it washed the L'Oreal right out of my hair!

There were large crowds each day I was there and it was good to hear the conversations of the new people who came to the track to watch the best of the best race.

On Tuesday Night  they had a live band singing and I was rather in favour of that until they started to sing "I love a rainy night." No longer a  fan of that particular little ditty!

Photographing racehorses in the rain is a bit challenging at the best of times but add to that the black looming rain clouds that occasionally burst upon the poor humans below and then you are left wondering just how water proof your camera seals are! I got some great shots and hopefully you will see something that inspires you to go to your local track.

The Last Race

 CTV came and experienced the thrill of being in the bike!

 Monster stride on this mare who is motoring those sexy bike wheels!

 The start of the race is always thrilling

I love photographing the horses from the infield

Yes this is at the track between races

My last post was quite somber. My heart was heavy with the fear that the local racetrack was closing. My daughter and I went on Sunday for what was to be the last race.

Then something wonderful happened. A group of local business men, people who are horsemen themselves, stepped up to the plate to help support, organize and manage the track. It is not a guaranteed success story but it lightens the load and the heart. They haven't asked for a government bailout, they are handling it themselves and it is actions such as this that give me hope for my home province. For too long we have allowed others to control our futures and whether it was intentional or not, left matters in complete disrepair. Here's hoping that more people will take a "hand up" vs the "hand out" approach to keeping our community vibrant and alive.

I hope you enjoy the photography from last weeks races. It is not the last day!

Truro Raceway Closure

It is with a heavy heart that I make this post. For years I have been visiting the local Truro Raceway. It has been a great place for me to immerse myself in all things horse. The smells, sounds and touch of these lovely animals allowed me to destress as I clicked away with my camera. The people who worked here humoured me in all sorts of weather and many of them became friends.

It has been announced that Sundays race will be the last one ever. 138 years of tradition gone due to finances and crippling debt. 300 horses will need new homes and 150 people will be out of work. I am glad that I had the chance to capture this glorious sport both with camera and paint brush.

The horsemen are trying to create some sort of workable solution that will save their track but it is still up in the air as to the future. I keep my fingers crossed that they are successful.

This is an unfinished painting, rather like the track.  Perhaps when it is finished there will be horsemen at the track to see it.