Saturday, July 25, 2009

Kentucky Horse Park


Kentucky Horse Park_8x10"_oil on canvas

The horse park has been owned by the state since the mid-seventies and has a wide variety of horses to see and also a wide variety of horse shows. People will bring their horses from across the US and the world next year for the World Equestrian Games in 2010. When I was in my early 20's we had a stable of horses in race training here, stabled in the big barn. The stalls are 16x16 feet lined with class I sand, which is basically ground up limestone. It was a real job getting the manure basket up over the top of the manure truck. Melanie and I would have to do this job together with a one-two-three heave! effort. There were many days that we would crack up laughing. Silly girls! But we were tired most of the time, and had an excuse to be silly. I remember a black quarter horse colt we had for a client who learned he could get away from us on the way to his paddock every day. We put two chains on him one under his lip, one over his nose, and he still could do it. There are so many memories for me, but most of all, was the fun my sister and I had out there, before the state bought it. It was utopia, and still is, just shared with the world, now.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Trees by a Pond 2


Trees by a Pond 2_9x12"_oil on panel

A study from an instructional book.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Trees by a Pond


Trees by a Pond 1_9x12"_oil on panel

It seems I have a theme to explore lately, sitting by a pond, minus mosquitos is a very pleasant afternoon. It's even nicer to have a nice book from which to do a study. Today we have a record low temperature since 1901, which was 75 degrees. My thermometer reads 68 and my fingers go numb at the end of this study.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Evening at the farm


Evening at the Farm_oil on panel

Friday, July 10, 2009

Shakertown Hill


Shakertown Hill_12x9"_oil on panel

After a day of painting at Shakertown, we went to find a more remote location to paint. Just a smidgeon away was a creek bed (dry) where I did a small study, then found this just around the group of trees. It was a hot day, with the grass that crunchy sounding crackle when you walk on it. The hay had been cut, leaving swathes of grass lying in neat rows, leading the eye up the hill.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Terce and Bear


Terce' and Baruka_5x6"_oil on panel

In honor of Baruka, who came home yesterday, I am posting this study of him and his mom when he was just a baby. I had almost forgotten what he looked like while thinking of his life today, so this is a great reminder of his high-stepping style.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Summertime


Summer Field_9x12"_oil on panel

It ia that time of year when the hay is baled and up off the fields, you can see across the pasture now, the horses haven't foundered, the breezes are lazy, and the fourth of July is day after tomorrow! Watermelon and burgers are in the offing, the smell of charcoal wafts into the air, what could be nicer than family and friends around to laugh and play, maybe fish, paint, or ride the horses?