The Brumby Whisperer .. work in progress by Catherin McMillan

The Brumby Whisperer - work in progress

I have a soft spot for brumbies not just because I learnt to ride on one as a small child that my grandfather owned or the fact that I now own my own brumby boy Star..


They are a breed of horse unlike any other I have ever met, intelligent, funny and loyal.. I wanted to show the bond that can be created between man and a wild spirit..
Hence the Brumby Whisperer was born.


The Brumby Whisperer will be 10" x 14" and is in watercolour


It will be part of my exhibition pieces for the exhibition I will be part of in Sedona Arizona in August 2011


Catherin McMillan
http://www.animalarthouse.com/
email: catherin@animalarthouse.com



Original work for sale
Commissions welcome


Lay byes and gift vouchers available


Pay Pal accepted

Online Equine Art to Benefit Horse Rescues- Save A Face project

Orange Tabby in Vibrant Color!

Grazing Horse, a favorite late summer scene with coats so sleek the light glistens off their backs!

'Soft Eye' from the Southwest Art Series framed in rustic barn siding

I started Save A Face project this summer as a way to help the vast number of slaughter bound horses.  Of course this lead to wanting to help the vast numbers of shelter dogs and cats.  So many adorable faces flash before every day by way of social media ( 'Save a Face' Facebook page and Twitter ) that I needed some outlet other than becoming an animal hoarder myself!  I decided Save A Face could be a way for people like me who want to collect all those adorable faces to do so but not really.  :)  By collecting the animal portraits a portion of the sale goes to various animal related rescues and charities so that they can be supporting and continue their good work.  A win-win situation!  Many of the pieces are smaller desk or shelf size which also makes for a nice conversation piece at work as to why you support rescues.  They also make a great gift for a fellow animal lover friend!

I have ongoing auctions on eBay which can be found here or by searching Save A Face on the eBay site.  I try to do a variety of animals- dogs, cats, horses, farm animals and such... even auctioned off a cute mini guinea pig oil painting a few weeks ago!   You can nominate a worthy (aren't they all??) rescue animal or charity on my facebook page or web site .  Post a photo on our 'wall' on facebook so I have an easy way to find my next top model!   

Sue Steiner
animal and equine artist
http://www.suesteiner.com



 

Inspiration, meet brick wall. Problem.

Every artist goes through this.  Heck, EVERYONE, artist or not, hits this point once in awhile - where nothing seems to work and the creativity batteries are exhausted.  One of the benefits of a professional education in the visual arts is that, as a student, you learn to push through those blocks.  Don't feel like drawing?  Too bad.  Your job is to show up, sit down and produce credible work.  It may not be a masterpiece (or it might) but it will at least be passable.  Plus, (insert artist here, as everyone seems to have "heard" this from a different source!  I thought it was Picasso, but, alas, no verification) once famously said that every artist has 10,000 bad drawings in them.  So, even if what you are creating is fit only for the bottom of the bird cage, at least you are slogging your way towards drawing #10,001.
I know this.  I realize it.  I embrace it and expect it and know that if I just grit my teeth and push through, I will eventually be rewarded by a return to some sort of spark of inspiration. But in the meantime, and it IS a MEAN time,  I have half finished artworks watching me from all corners of my studio and precious little desire or desire to work on them.
The only consolation (small one, to be sure) is that I have spoken to a few friends (and fellow artists) recently who have all confided to having the same "lack of momentum" problem.  One of them is a bestselling novelist who stated simply that the book in her head wasn't "ready to be disgorged on the page yet." She finished with one word, which I think sums it up nicely: "Problem."

Fellow artists, how do you keep your motivation on days (or weeks) when things just aren't happening?

Here is where Tempest stands at the moment.  Notice the ink wash(es) and then the scratching out... ad infinitum.

"Tempest" WIP ©Joanna Zeller Quentin 2010.  All Rights Reserved.  www.MoosePantsStudio.com

and here is a new little portrait, just playing with color, also a work in progress. 

"Poised" WIP © Joanna Zeller Quentin 2010.  All Rights Reserved.  www.MoosePantsStudio.com

A Tender Moment, oils by Sue Steiner

I painted this slightly abstract horse painting with a palette knife and thick impasto oil paint.  There is lots of texture and interest as the brush strokes reveal underlying colors.  I liked the pose of this mare and foal and as we head into spring think of the new babies that will soon be hitting the ground!

I have been revamping my blogs and web sites so if you would like to see more of my work or purchase this piece you can go to my main web site at http://www.suesteiner.com/  I also have a blog devoted to the subject of horses and healing in a humorus slant at http://www.amulti-coloredlife.blogspot.com/  Abstract Horse Art for sale online is here and another devoted to info and tributes to pets and horses here.

I also have a gallery/studio called White Horse Studio in the arts district of Canton Ohio at 324 Cleveland Ave. NW to see or discuss Original Artwork and pet portrait commissions.