I spent part of Labor Day weekend at Franktown Meadows Equestrian Facility in Washoe City, NV. It's a spectacularly beautiful facility nestled at the base of Mt. Rose and was host to the Labor Day Hunter Derby - a fund raiser for the ALS Foundation. I spent a lot of time learning to use some of the more esoteric functions of my new camera and was fortunate enough to get some good shots. The horses were magnificent and I have new found respect for riders who manage to hang on over the very daunting jumps. Horse and rider seemed to be tackling the course as a real team - it was thrilling to see.
Below is a close up of the above painting. Its a little raw around the edges but I am going to leave it that way. Thanks for looking and your comments are always greatly appreciated.
What a talent you have. This is fabulous. Love the under-painting color harmonizing with the flesh and saddle. The shadows of the horse make it all sing. Love it, love it, love it!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks, Julie-I used a canvas toned with burnt sienna and et parts of it show through here and there. It does help harmonize the whole.
DeleteSusan!
ReplyDeleteI love your work. It is full of beauty, color, movement, excitement and so much more. The white of the horse is spectacular. You are very talented and it shows in your work.
I am happy you are enjoying your camera. Good for you.
Bravo.
Thanks for visiting my blog today.
Michael
Hi, Michael - I really appreciate your kind words - they inspire me!
DeleteLove it and especially your raw edges :) There's a real sense of movement and you've captured the secret of painting white...it isn't white it's the reflection of all the colours surrounding it :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Elizabeth - you are so right - white has more color than not and it was fun trying to figure it out. I had to rely on memory a lot as the camera tends to capture white as one big glare!
DeleteSo dynamic - I love it.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Aase - and thank you for stopping by! :)
DeleteI love the rawness of it though - it only adds to the life of it! And this really does have life and movement. Wonderful! :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra - the rawness keeps me from getting overly detailed, I think.
DeleteFabulous, Susan! I think the raw edges give the subject more of a feeling of movement. I am also amazed how horse and rider go over jumps, and I've done it! :)
ReplyDeleteWow - I can't imagine that kind of connection, Kathryn - I try to capture it in paint but have not experienced it.
DeleteSpectacular, Susan.
ReplyDeleteWhite to me is the bit I don't draw on... so white can become a problem to me, but not it seems to you.
The horse really looks like it's concentrating, looking ahead in anticipation. The rider, fearless, see how her hands hold on so softly, the only real contact her feet in the stirrups.
The shadow mimics the fluid movement...
... can you tell I liked this one a bit? :0))
So glad you lke it, John - I think of you and your spectacular drawings and say to myself - "Patience, Susan - have patience"!
DeleteFabulous horse, Susan! Your white is great!
ReplyDeleteThe what was a challenge - so happy that you like it, Judy.
DeleteExtraordinary! I like the jockey's jacket flowing behind.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nora - the jacket adds to the dynamism (is that a word?) of the moment!
DeleteI love the loose strokes behind his behind! It really makes him appear in motion. Lovely. Sounds like it was a great day.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your support, Susan. I love painting horses in motion and always look forward to days like this - when I can see and feel the power and the thunder. It's part of the overall feeling and experience that I am forever trying to capture on canvas.
DeleteIf you EVER get the chance to attend The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana in July, you can get the BEST photos of jumping! They allow you on the course as the competition proceeds and its WONDERFUL. This painting is one of my favorites now!
ReplyDeleteWow - I would love to be on the course taking photos as I really like the vantage point of looking UP at the horse as he jumps. I will keep that event in mind, Debbie - and thank you!
Delete