The Landing, and some thoughts on my direction in life

"The Landing"
ballpoint pen- about twenty minutes of sketching
small leather sketchbook

I've been remiss in posting, largely because my time and energy has been eaten up by preparing for an interview for a job that I didn't get, and also by my re-entry into the horse world.  It's probably better that I didn't get the job, despite what would have been a significant pay raise.  An administrative position, while lucrative, isn't truly what I want.  To be honest, what I really wanted was more money to play with ponies, especially now that I'm riding and leasing again.

I did my first horse show photography since the WEG trials at Gladstone nearly five years ago in mid-April, which you can take a look at here.  This quick sketch is based off of one of my photos from that day.  It was a laid-back and very fun event.  I took my Nikon D100 with the 135mm lens, which telescopes.  The multiple frame feature wasn't as effective as I had hoped, so I really had to focus on each horse and rider, count strides to the jumps, and try to time the photo so the horse was in the position favored in most jumping photos- knees up and forelegs tucked underneath the body.  Since I am a rider, I had pretty good luck with that.  I unfortunately had some issues with blurriness in the more distant shots.  

The folks at the schooling show seemed pretty happy with my work though, and I even sold a few photos.  My price was much cheaper than what the professionals at the big shows charge- according to my trainer, $75 for a small photo.  I'm not a full-time photographer in the least, and I want people to buy my work- so I suppose I could consider this an introductory phase.  Were this a full time gig, I would charge much more.  I have to live, after all, and roughly $70 for six hours of work (plus editing, uploading, and printing photos) doesn't cover the labor.  For now, this is for fun.  I think I would enjoy specializing in schooling shows and lessons.  I'm not very comfortable with the tense atmosphere at rated shows, and I do think that people would love to have photos of the hard work and fun put into their horses.

Part of me still longs to drop the full-time job and jump into full-time artist status, lack of a steady paycheck notwithstanding.  Or at least go to a part-time job, to alleviate things like having to eat and keep a roof over my head, and devote the rest of my time to what I really love.  It may be worth the sacrifices required.

This was shared with me recently, and is making me rethink what I'm doing right now.

Bunny

"Bunny"
graphite
small leather sketchbook

It's a little late for Easter, but in keeping with the blossoming of spring.  I'll soon have a little more time for in-depth drawing; this was another thirty-minute sketch.

At Dusk

"At Dusk"
graphite and camera filter
small leather sketchbook

I've been very busy lately, mainly because I've begun riding and working with horses again, but I took thirty minutes to do this sketch.  It's been staying lighter and lighter out when I leave work, and I love to watch the changing atmosphere as I drive to the barn and then to home.  Sunset (and sunrise) never loses its magic for me.  I especially like tree limbs silhouetted against the gloaming sky.  This piece ended up with a slightly melancholy feel to it- the barren branches, the thin horse- but it could also be hopeful, as the growing season finally begins.  Things could look up for this pair yet, and I guess that's really what I'm getting at.  I'm working on an old rescue horse, hoping that we can fill her out again and make her suitable for light riding, and while I'm sometimes looked at askance for not choosing a fancier, younger, stronger animal- I believe in this horse, and I believe that we can develop a good relationship and improve both of our qualities of life.

Burro Foal

"Burrito"
pen and graphite
small leather sketchbook

Lehigh River on the second day of spring

"Right Bank"
Nikon D300

On the second day of spring, I decided that I would go up to the highest point I could find to take a picture of Easton in the snow.  I got those photos, but while crossing the Lehigh River to drive up the mountain, I was struck by the calm beauty of the snow-laden trees reflected in the water.  For the first time in a while, I was driven by impulse to find a place to park and walked back onto the bridge for these shots.  It was cloudy, cold, and serene, even with traffic whizzing behind me.  I think that I will be listening to my intuition more frequently from now on.

"View from the Bridge"
Nikon D300

"Cory Catfish"- pen and pencil sketch

"Cory Catfish"
pen and pencil
small leather sketchbook

Now for something different- a cory catfish.  These are great aquarium fish that do best in groups no smaller than six; we have eight in our own tank, which is just starting out.  They are very active and enjoy schooling together.  This sketch is in honor of these cheery little guys.

"Gray Lusitano" graphite sketch

"Gray Lusitano"
graphite
small leather sketchbook

I've been on a Lusitano kick lately; these especially beautiful horses are similar to the Andalusian horse and possess large quantities of fire, grace, and spirit.  Their movement is high-stepping and smooth.  This is a movie-star breed.

I had a little bit of difficulty with foreshortening in the left hindquarter as he steps forward, and the right foreleg is just a little too long.  However, I did well in capturing the feeling of motion, the horse's proudly arched neck, and the degree of collection that he possesses.