Khaarga Romeo Oil Portrait 10x20

Finishing school was a major accomplishment but it feels rather like a major let down.You spend all that time pushing yourself beyond your preconceived limits and then your done.

No fanfare, just the absence of pressure. I got thinking about it and realized I spent an awful lot of time doing things I hated, statistics comes immediately to mind, and while I succeeded and achieved really good marks for my efforts it taught me a great lesson;

If I can spend copious amounts of time working at things I abhor, why not apply that work ethic to things I love? Welcome another from the neglected series. I photographed this colt probably 10 years ago. I always thought the picture would make a good portrait (never was a commission). I half heartedly started him but never completed him until now. I should contact the owner to see if he is even alive. If not, he will remain free at liberty on the wall of my studio.

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.

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!!