Black and White Sunday | Laura and Lyric

A Little Horse Play

I got to visit HyTyme Equine Rescue/HyTyme Enterprise Drum Horses on yesterday and was able to catch a some action shots. Here are the highlights. 

These are two geldings that I've met a couple times before and this is the first time I've seen them spar. I thought it was pretty cool and even cooler that I was able to capture it.

Don't worry, neither of them got hurt. They were just playing. :-)

Dyson | Christmas Ornament

Dyson

Who doesn't love this fluffy, scruffy face? This was done as a post-Christmas custom ornament since I got booked up for Christmas. Yes, I can paint these any time of the year for you!

Tahoe and Tonto | Watercolor

"Tahoe and Tonto" 

2015 

Watercolor 8" x 10" 

Here is the finished painting of Tahoe and Tonto, two ranch horses in Arizona. The in progress photos and original photo by Calie Vannet of Vannet Photography can be seen HERE.

Enjoy!

Tahoe and Tonto | In Progress

Here are some shots of my latest piece in progress. I'm using a photo from Instagram taken by the talented Calie Vannet of Vannet Photography (www.vannetphotography.com). She was kind enough to grant me permission to use her photo as reference. Thanks again, Calie!

I'll work more on this one later this week. Happy Tuesday! 

Artist Reception | Concordia University Library

Today was the artist reception for An International Mélange at Concordia University Library in Portland, Oregon. My husband, John, and my family were able to attend. The show is up until April 28, 2015. My art is on the third floor near the restrooms on the west side of the building. 

Inspired Sketches

Last night I was inspired by one of my favorite artist's latest drawings. Contour line drawings done in ballpoint pen and she'd had done some line drawings and thin washes of acrylic paints over it. So I did a couple of my own. I used my Faber-Castell ink artist pens for the line work on three different papers: cold press watercolor, watercolor (hot press) sketch book, and Reeves BFK. Each one has its perks. 

I hope you enjoy looking at these and feel free to share this blog post. Thanks and happy Friday!

JL | Watercolor

"JL"

2015 

Watercolor 14" x 20" 

I met John and his wife, Celia, at the St. Paul Rodeo last year. Celia had her photography booth setup kitty corner from my booth and we became friends. I learned about the mule riding, cowboying team and later requested some photos of her husband to use for a portrait painting class. I started this painting last October and just finished it the other day.

He is chalk full of character and I hope this painting projects that.

Lady of the West | Watercolor

"Lady of the West" 

2015 

Watercolor 11" x 14" 

I took the reference photos of this one at a horse riding clinic in my hometown of Junction City, Oregon. I actually used two photos as reference because the horse was looking a different direction than the cowgirl. I also gave the cowgirl a giant braid to add a more feminine look than just a ponytail which would have been hidden by the horse.

I've done a couple paintings in the past with no background and I wanted the same for this because then the focus would solely be on them. The bond between cowgirl and her steed.

I hope you like it!