New Year's Eve At Cob Cottage

Well, another year is about over...and the new year begins tonight...I have made my goal list for the new year...and this year is going to be about "commitment"....in other words..."git 'er done"!!

The evening skyline yesterday was gorgeous...and I see this view out of my studio window. Love it!

And I am so very thankful to be blessed with this work place!

Our little Nell is becoming the subject of many future paintings.......

if she would only stand still longer!

Mittens spends a lot of time watching the whirling dervish JRT

from the safety of the stairs to the loft.

and life goes on at Cob Cottage Farm.

All of us here wish you and yours a very Happy New Year!!!

and "Git 'er done!!!!"

Snowing again!

Snowing again this morning and for a change not in the minus twenties (or thirties) so I felt the need to run south of the city to get some more snow shots of my favorite herd while the getting was good. I never know for sure what I'll be offered by these horses when I go out there. Often as not they will be clustered around the rather unscenic fences and shelters which don't make for good backgrounds. The mare herd was exactly in that situation this morning, but the large group of youngsters in the north pasture was out in the field and sheltering in the trees, perfect for my purposes.

Of course as soon as they spotted me they started coming my way, since being youngsters they are pretty curious in general. Even the occasional one that exhibits a bit of "worried" body language still seems inexorably drawn to the intruder in their space, to get close enough for at least a sniff. I have to get my "incoming" shots quickly as in no time at all I'll be engulfed by the herd, and with my big lens on the camera, that just doesn't work for me. 

Overall it was a good shoot. Fingers got chilled a bit but not the searing pain I usually experience when I'm out in the colder weather. There was enough snow coming down that it was occasionally a bit confusing for the camera to figure out what I was focussing on, but I'm happy with the morning's outcome. More snow is possible in the next few days, and as long as the temperature doesn't take a dive on us, I'll head back out for another go-round. No such thing as too many "horses in snow" shots--or horses in any other circumstances, for that matter. As addictions go, this one is relatively harmless!

All my photos are for sale. Contact me to inquire further. More photos can be seen at my home blog

Start Of A New Day

This is a new work in progress. This new casein is 18 x 18" and it Titled "Start Of A New Day". It has the square format that I really love to work with and note that my works are getting bigger. I will be moving some of my painting out of the loft and taking over the house! The needed work space is growing!!

2009 is almost upon us all. I personally will take this week to format my plans for the new year. New shows have opened up for me and it is time to break out of the mold....stay tuned! For you who have signed up for my newsletter on my website....you will receive all news via email...so thanks for signing up there!!

Now...down to the do stalls [my daily exercise workout ! ] and then up to the loft to get decide what happens for 2009 and Cob Cottage Studio!

Draft Horses in Oils, 12 x 18 on panel

This was one of my favorite Christmas horse portrait commissions. I met the owners of these horses last year while painting my mural of a team of life sized Amish work horses at Lehman's in Kidron, Ohio. They were visiting from Michigan and we got to talk horses. I love how horse people can connect instantly! I was able to stay in touch with my new friends and had the pleasure of doing this commission which became a Christmas present from one half of the couple to the other. I am pleased to introduce to you the team 'Slim and Harvey', a beautiful pair of belgian draft horses. They spent many weekends leading up to Christmas pulling sleds or wagons filled with happy people!

To see more of my work or for information on commissions go to http://www.suesteiner.com/

Thank you and Happy New Year!

Sue Steiner

Joy!

Thanks to everyone for making 2008 a great year.

Linda

Painted Ponies

This painting is a metaphor for leaving the carousel of modern life, where we all run around in circles, faster and faster, never getting anywhere, our expressions frozen on our faces. These ponies have traded their jeweled bridles and saddles for war paint. They’ve broken away from the safety and boredom of the carousel, into the uncertainty and exhilaration of freedom.

See more paintings by Kate Dardine

Warm Christmas Greetings

Thinking About Summer?

I am sitting in my studio putting off doing barn chores. The outside temperature reads 6 F.. It is much more comfortable here in the studio loft, with good music playing and the pups sleeping...but I know I need to get the chores done. They are saying we might get up to 20" inches of the white stuff starting the afternoon?? Our horses are way out in their fields digging through the snow for grass. It is as if they know that after tonight there won't be as easy a dig to find those few green blades buried under the heavy new snow.

The above watercolor "Heading To The Pull" reminds me of summertime.........a long way off it seems now. I love going to the Maine fairs ...with all the noise and commotion...the smells of dough boys and popcorn...of hot dogs cooking and of sweet candy floss. This painted scene is one that you could see at any fair. It is a framed and matted watercolor ...the image is about 9 x 14" ...and it is can be seen on my website too.

Now down to the barn I guess and get chores done before the storm hits...........

Sitka

Sitka is a 2 year old Siberian Husky male and he is ready to get out in the snow and have some fun. His beautiful strawberry blonde highlighted coat will protect him. He is available from the Kalamazoo County Animal Control Services at

2500 Lake St
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 383-8775
www.kalcounty.com

I believe he will still need to be neutered.

This 5x7 matted watercolor painting is available for $95 plus $5 S&H to the first emailer to lojomjnc@charter.net
A portion of the proceeds will go to help Animal Control in their adoption efforts.
Please share this blog address with other animal lovers who might be interested in helping animals through art, the more people who look the better for everyone.

Warmest Holiday Greetings!

New Daily Riding Essentials Paintings

Okay, as promised! Here are three new little paintings. These make awesome little groupings for tack rooms or trainer/client gifts. These cute little gems will also become available as notecards and prints in the new year. So sign up for my newsletter for updates. Epona Studio Newsletter
This is a great opportunity to own an ORIGINAL ArtOfTheHorse.net painting at a super affordable price! I, also, wanted to mention that on several occasions I have had buyers miss out on purchasing a particular painting because someon got to it first. If this happens I can recreate a very similar painting, remember , these ARE originals to complete a vignette. So let me know if one of the paintings is gone and you would like the similar one and I would be happy to paint another one!
The first painting is titled Pony Brush (pictured above). This is my son's little, well used P'ferde brush for his pony, Ruby. Thats the cute little lady with my son a few years back at their first horse show!



This little gem of a painting measures 6 x 8 and is ready to pop into a frame. Acrylic on canvas panel so no glass needed! $12 + $4.65 for Priority Mail shipping guarantees holiday delivery. I can fit several of these into one envelope so I am more than happy to combine shipping!
Just click on the Buy Now button and you will be directed to Paypal for safe, secure shopping.

The second offering is titled Hoof Pick. This is familiar item for us horse people. At least it better be! ;-) This measures 6 x 8, acrylic on canvas panel. Offered for $12 + $4.65 Priority Mail shipping.

This final original painting titled Bucket& Scraper is, surprisingly :-), of a bath bucket and sweat scraper on a bright,sunny day. You can almost smell the Vetrolin! I really love the colors in this one. This is painted on a 6 x 8 inch canvas panel with acrylics. Offered for $12 plus $4.65 Priority Mail shipping.

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The final order of the day are gift certificates. I have gotten several requests for portraits but I cannot fit in anymore portraits in time for holiday delivery. I CAN offer Gift certificates. These will,also, be available on my website. The Certificates offered here are for an 11 x 14 acrylic on canvas, single horse or dog (head/neck) portrait from your photo. Price is $380 and include shipping and insurance. If you need a different size, samples and/or more info please contact me at deborah@artofthehorse.net

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!!!

Gypsy Vanner Pieces

Here are two new 12" x 9" paintings. They are original acrylic on panel and currently listed on ebay under the ID artjenifer9999 for 29.99 each. They would look great together or on their own. Perfect little pieces to give as last minute gifts to the horse lover in the family!!

See more of my work at www.colorfulequine.com.

Happy Holidays,

Jenifer Trottier

"Inquiring Minds:" An Online Show and Sale

As promised, I have put together an online show of my 30 day challenge paintings. I've created a new blog to do this: Thirty Horses, Thirty Days. Here you will find PayPal buttons that will enable you to purchase the paintings that are available for sale. I hope you'll have a look, and relive the experience with me! A portion of all sales will go to LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement, so not only is this a chance to invest in an original oil painting, you will be helping racehorses find new homes.


Please note, the paintings will only be available until December 12, 2008, and Christmas delivery cannot be guaranteed at this point in time.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me. You can read more on the 30 day project on my blog, and see more of my work on my website. Thanks again for your support!

Linda Shantz

Golden day

As a newly "born again" photographer (using photography as my main art medium now, after years of it being in a "supporting" role in my work) I have come to a new appreciation of the qualities of light that I am presented with at varying times of year. I  live in the Canadian prairies, and this year has been uncharacteristically warm and snowless, so the light I can capture is different to what would be the norm for late November and early December. Days end early up here (sunset is shortly after 4:30) but with a beautifully mellow golden character which would be absent if we had our usual snow cover. 

Last week I was driving home from an outing in the countryside when I came across these two young Belgians in a field. They had beautiful plush coats, all ready for the cold weather that will doubtless appear one of these days. I got a series of shots of them as they checked me out to see what I was up to. I have reworked the original in Photoshop to make it look a bit softer and more painterly, and have enhanced the tones of the warm light. There are quite a few other things I would like to do to enhance this photo, but I am working between two computers for the moment and the new one (that this shot is downloaded into) doesn't have my graphics tablet attached to it, so I don't have the ability to "fine-tune" the image the way I would like to. Be that as it may, I'm happy with this version the way it is. 

All my photo images are for sale. You can email me  judywood@sasktel.net  with any inquiries or to order. Prices are $40 for an 8" x 10" matted to 11" x 14", and $60 for an 11" x 14" photo matted to 16" x 20". You can see more photos on my home blog http://judywoodartphotography.blogspot.com 

Candy Cane

These little paintings are selling like hotcakes and I have had a few requests for Daily Riding Essential paintings. I am happy to oblige! Don't hesitate to contact me if there is a little painting you would like to see done. I was planning to post two paintings this evening but I have a sick child that needs tending to. So I am a mom first! I will get two more paintings up tomorrow.Be sure to check back! Remember, images are clickable for an enlarged view!

I do have as promised another little holiday themed painting available tonight. This is Candy Cane and measures 5 x 7 and is painted on gessoed hardboard.It would make a great little stocking stuffer. I am also bumping up Bubbles which is still available. Each painting is priced at $12 + 4.65 for Priority Mail shipping. I can combine orders to save on shipping.
To purchase Candy Cane click on the button and you will be directed to Paypal for safe and secure shopping. Contact me for international rates.

Bubbles depicts a young Friesan having a bath.This delightful painting depicts a young horse having a bath. This painting conjures up the image of the water running UP your arms while trying to get the bath done! :-) It is 10 x 8,acrylic on canvas panel. I am offering it for $12 plus $4.65 Priority Mail shipping to the U.S. International orders, please, contact me for shipping rates.

To purchase just click the Buy Now bottom for a secure, shopping experience!
Enjoy!

SOLD

Desert Horse

I began this painting as part of my daily paintings I post on my blog at http://www.amulti-coloredlife.blogspot.com/ I must confess though I did take more than one sitting to finished this. I began with the idea that this horse would be in a pasture with trees in the background but as it developed I began to see it as a desert setting because I was really enjoying the warm ground and cool colors reflected in the horses coat so it evolved into what it is now.

I have been doing daily oil paintings for several weeks now and am enjoying allowing myself to follow my artistic whims. I do commissioned work along with selling my daily paintings. for more information go to http://www.suesteiner.com/ or http://www.amulti-coloredlife.blogspot.com/

Thank you!

Sue Steiner

French Snaffle

Next up is French Snaffle ....this painting depicts my most favorite bit for re-training Thoroughbreds. This is a loose ring french snaffle bit. French Snaffle is third in the Daily Riding Essentials collection. This little painting measures 6 x 8, acrylic on canvas panel. Be sure to check in for tomorrow's little gems! Another Riding Essentials painting and a second holiday themed painting will be up for grabs! This painting is $12 plus $4.65 for shipping in the U.S. Please, contact me for international shipping rates. I am more than happy to combine shipping so contact me first if you intend to make more than one purchase and I can send an invoice to reflect the discount. Enjoy!
SOLD!

Run!

I went to photograph my favorite herd a few weeks ago, late in the afternoon when the fall light was a beautiful golden hue as the sun prepared for its ever earlier departure. This group of yearlings were all standing around eating one second, then gone in a cloud of dust the next. I was lucky to be able to snag a whole series of the sequence of the action as they sped out of sight. One other version can be seen on my home blogsite if you look back a couple of weeks, and I have a lot more that I can play with when I get the time. Now the ground is covered in white as we've had the first snow of the season. It's a whole new ballgame for photography once we have snow, and I'll have to get out to this herd again before it gets too darn cold. 

Caught With A Mouthful

I just finished up this little watercolor of my Duster [Tennessee Walking Horse] caught with his mouth full....always eating. It is small...quick and it is done! It is 10 x 4" on watercolor board and though it is for sale...I won't be putting it up on my website.

It was a good day to stay in the studio...very cold and windy here. I had ordered a bunch of art supplies and today part of the order came....I can't wait to get started!! New canvas and new ideas!!

German Body Brush

This is the first painting of a vignette. It is titled German Brush. This was my horse's (and my most favorite brush)....a beautiful, well used leather back German body brush! This is part of a small series of paintings titles daily riding essentials. I will be posting the others during the week. They would make a great grouping hung together in a tack room! This measure 6 x 8 inches and is priced to go at $12 + $4.65 Priority Mail shipping in the U.S.
International orders please, contact me for rates. Check out the other little gems offered! These make super Christmas gifts! Just click on the Paypal Buy Now button for a safe, secure shopping experience! Don't forget I can combine orders for reduced shipping. Images are clickable for larger view.

SOLD!

Grays Through The Park

This new 10 x 10" casein on gallery wrapped canvas, is an Acadia inspired work. This pair are actually the leaders of a four-in-hand coaching visitor at Wildwood. I loved the way the light hit them as they trotted through the pine lined carriage roads on the Rockefeller's roads behind Little Long Pond. That part of the Acadia Carriage Roads is my favourite part.
I went in loose and abstract with this painting and just finished up with a hint of detail. I have put it up on my website.
Now I need to clean out the studio to make room for new supplies that I ordered ...then back to work.

Icelandic- Head Study

I have been captivated by Icelandic horses since a friend introduced me to them..she raises them. I actually first saw them at Equine Affaire years ago.....the awesome drill team and their thrilling exhibition of the Icelandics gaits! Mind you, I ride Tenn. Walkers........a very comfortable ride..but the Icelandics have it over them in spades as far as thrill!!! This handsome "guy" was at Equine Affaire....I loved his mane and eye. I captured him in a 11 x 8 1/2" watercolor and am putting it up on my website.

Santa's Little Helper

Offered today is a fun holiday themed painting. This is the ORIGINAL image for this year's Artofthehorse.net holiday greeting cards. A lot of fun and bit of a departure from my usual style. Today's little gem is titled Santa's Little Helper. Okay, I know we have all done this! Slapped that Santa hat on our horses..much to their embarrasment and our amusement! This is acrylic on canvas panel and measures 7 x 5 inches. This one would make a super stocking stuffer!
Offers start at $10.00 plus $4.65 for Priority Mail shipping in the U.S. Now for the fun part! The paintings will go to the highest bid offered by email.If you are interested in purchasing a painting simply send me an email with the word "Offer" in the subject line and your offered amount and title of painting in the email body. You are free to raise your bid at any time. The painting can be paid for with Paypal. Deadline for Santa's Little Helper is Wednesday evening. Good luck!!! Send offers to deborah@artofthehorse.net

SOLD!

New miniature paintings

I'm not able to find the photo of this hound in his frame, but he is one of the minis also.



Hello! I've been doing some miniature paintings for quite a while, but lately I have really been enjoying them. The ones here are equine related, of course! I am working on some landscapes as well. These are all 5x5 inch, oil paintings, mounted into hunky 4 inch frames. I like to think of them as little jewels. I have also changed my personal blog site, and keep it more up-todate than the old one: www.themuseandbeyond.wordpress.com. My website is being updated, as its address is: www.elainehurst.com. I am going to try to be a better communicator with the EAG site this year!

Holiday Fun!

Each day or so I will post a small, original horse painting for sale. Each painting will start at $10.00 plus $4.65 for Priority Mail shipping in the U.S. Now for the fun part! The paintings will go to the highest bid offered by email.If you are interested in purchasing a painting simply send me an email with the word "Offer" in the subject line and your offered amount and title of painting in the email body. You are free to raise your bid at any time. The painting can be paid for with Paypal.

In these tough economic times these little gems are a wonderful, happy way to brighten the walls of any horse lover while being easy on the wallet!
This is a super and affordable way to collect original horse art for yourself or to give as a gift! It,also, helps to make room in my studio for more paintings!
The first painting being offered is called Bubbles! This delightful painting depicts a young horse having a bath. This painting conjures up the image of the water running UP your arms while trying to get the bath done! :-) It is 10 x 8,acrylic on canvas panel. Your offer needs to be in by Tuesday evening! Send offers to me at deborah@artofthehorse.net

Enjoy & Good Luck!

Elin Pendleton Finishes the Pack Mules in Aspens

Finally finished this one, and I am so pleased with it. Although a struggle to keep the pack horses and rider as a secondary focal point, I think I managed to pull it off, and actually, the end result was easier than I expected. Had I painted this image even one year ago, I would have put those animals in full sunlight, and the aspens would have played second fiddle. I'm much more pleased with these paintings, some of which are scheduled for entry into the Saks Gallery Show in Denver--the Women Artists of the West membership show, opening in January.

One reason I was away from the easel was because of a too-short visit from Jennie Scott from Australia who blew through on her way from Northern California to Houston, Texas. Jennie is a well-known sculptor of horses, and here's an image of her at my dining room table working on one of her raku sculptures--and right beside her are two of the driftwood and ceramic pieces. WOW, to see them "for real" was quite a treat. And Jennie is a lively, wonderful lady who is welcome to visit any time! In the early morning she was out walking and seeing the coyotes. And you just know I loved to hear her talk with that "Aussie" accent!
Yes, please forward this on to your friends, and thank you!

You can see the rest of my blog here.

My Color System information can be found HERE.

If you need to email me directly, please click here.

Day Eight: A Horse a Day for 30 Days

Around here, we don't buy into that belief that chestnut mares and fillies are evil. I've done the three chestnut boys this week - Jay, Mute, and Medz - so it's time for a girl! Miss Peaks, a yearling Thoroughbred filly, isn't on the farm right now, as she's started her under-saddle racehorse education, but I wasn't about to leave her out of my project - she's much too special! I welcomed Peaker into the world one very cold February morning in 2007.


I realised this morning that I'd forgotten to tone a panel last night. While I could have done it first thing this morning and given it time to dry, that's what I did yesterday and the tone was lifting off too easily, so I found a piece of masonite that I had prepared with shellac instead of gesso. As you can see from the in-progress shot, this means I'm starting with a ground that is dark. The surface is also very slick, and very non-absorbent. That's why this piece is more blended that some of the ones I've done this week on gessoed panel. The smoothness and the fact that the paint dried more slowly make it very different to work with.

So here we have our Miss Peaks, 10 x 8 oil on shellacked masonite, using the usual limited palette. I also forgot to clean my brushes last night, which is borderline disastrous. There's no better way to shorten the life of your brushes! What am I going to go do now? Tone a couple of panels so I'm covered for the next few days, then clean those brushes!

Please be sure to check out the other horses that I've been painting as part of my project this week. They're on my blog: www.lindashantz.blogspot.com Thanks!

"Above the Bit", graphite drawing by Sheona Hamilton-Grant

Here is "Above the Bit.", my latest soluble graphite study.

A study of the drama that goes on before the fence

The title is somewhat obvious forming a nice contrast, I feel, with the crop I chose to illustrate.

"Above the Bit"

23x22 cm. Graphite on paper

300 Euros ( 390$)

If you are interested and would like to see how this drawing came to life, you are very welcome to pop over my studio blog Black on Grey on White where the six main steps are illustrated and explained.

Annual Art Issue focuses on 'Connection'

I have just received news that one of my wire sculptures, "Power Steering", has been included in the 23rd Annual Polo and Equestrian Sporting Art issue of POLO Players' Edition magazine.

It is an honor to be in the company of such amazing talent, and it is also a great success for the medium of wire in the fine art world!

The theme for this year's Call for Artists was 'connection', which was particularly relevant to my work. I create each of my sculptures from a single, continuous strand of wire...horse and rider are connected by the energy flowing through the wire. The two move and work as one, as they must in the sporting world.

You can view other artwork representing this theme online at POLO Players' Editon.

Angela Hook
www.wireinspire.com