Spirit Horse in Charcoal

"Spirit Horse"
charcoal
11x14

For the first time in a while, I drew something bigger than my tiny little sketchbook that fits in my bag and comes along to work with me. I was inspired to revisit one of my favorite sketches so far and try it out in a larger size. Using charcoal has a much different effect than mechanical pencil or pen. Here it lends a softer, more whimsical feel to the piece than did my previously uploaded mechanical pencil edition. I wasn't originally going to shade the drawing, but I took a phone call during the creative process and absently began cross-hatching the right hind leg. This isn't what a fine artist would call a "finished" drawing, but I was happy with myself that I went outside of my normal zone. Progress should be celebrated, even as a critical eye notes what could be done better.

5/31/15 Mini-Stirrup Changewater Schooling Show: Colby

How to order photos: 

Please email or call me with the name of the division and the number of the picture(s) you would like, in the dimensions desired.  Pricing will include the cost of the print, shipping, and labor.  I print through CVS, which is more affordable but lesser quality, or through Simply Color Lab, which is higher quality but higher price.  If you also ride at Changewater Stables, I can arrange to have the photos dropped off there since I lesson with Maren- this will negate the shipping charge.  Payment can be mailed in check form to my home address (which I will provide you with upon placing an order), or with cash if I am dropping the photos off at Changewater.

Enjoy!

Pony Scribble

"Pony Scribble"
pen sketch

In order to encourage myself to draw something today, I simply took a pen and began scribbling in my sketchbook.  As happens so often, the scribbles began to take on an equine form, and a quick drawing was built from there.  I gave myself permission to be messy, to not have perfect proportions, and allow my creativity to come to the fore.  All too often, my creativity is swallowed by other demands on my mental energy, and when I do sit down to create, I am hindered by fear of not being good enough.  I am learning how to push through that reluctance and anxiety about beginning, and accepting the changes and flaws that occur both in art and in life.  Trying is better than not taking any risks, and if I can encourage myself to draw outside of my comfort zone, wonderful things might happen- such as this little drawing!

Saguaro Spirit

"Saguaro Spirit"
pencil sketch

 I'm back!  I have done a few sketches in my (online) absence, and these are the most recent ones.  Today begins the renewal of my goal of drawing every day.  "Saguaro Spirit" is a free-hand, no reference sketch.  I was thinking of my horse, Lola, and how she often peers out of her stall down towards the pasture and the pond at the bottom.  My spirit horses seem to be the most unique and fun expression of my style, so I will probably be spending a lot more time on them.  I will eventually translate this from quick sketches to large paintings.  This style and subject would have great presence in a larger format.

"Thinking of Dali's Elephants"
pen sketch

I'd like to say that the disproportionate conformation of this horse was intentional, but it was purely accident.  My brain was probably shocked that I was asking it to draw again.  As you can see, head, neck, and body are all proportionate to one another- but something disconnected when it came to drawing the legs.  They became elongated and large, a grown horse with foal's legs.  However, it is not an unpleasant effect, and perhaps even benefits the drawing with artistic license.  I may try to replicate the style on purpose in the near future.

Carrots

"Carrots"
pencil sketch

I have been eating more vegetables lately in my quest to reduce my consumption of meat, and had the good fortune of eating some carrots from a CSA.  These farm fresh carrots still had a bit of dirt on them and their luscious green tops intact.  I used the tops in a home-made vegetable stock which turned out fabulous; the carrots complemented my vegan potato cabbage soup.  Take the taste of carrot and add a little more sharpness and sweetness- they were wonderful.  So wonderful, in fact, that they inspired me to do a quick sketch of their earthly form.  I enjoyed the whimsical composition of this piece, as if someone had joyously tossed these glorious roots into the air.  I'm thinking of doing a series of work with the subject matter focused on humble, simple things of everyday life- the things in life that truly matter to me.  I've been spending a lot of time trying to figure out what I want in life, and have discovered that I already have it.  My new goal is to actively appreciate my wonderful, simple life, and to not overcomplicate things by worrying so much.

Ghost horse

"Wraith"
charcoal
9x13

This was a free-hand drawing that had been kicking around in my mind for a while, and I finally had the opportunity to sit in my home office and bring the thought to life.  The critic in me says that this is certainly not a finished drawing, but the artist in me asks if it has to be a finished drawing for it to be good.  It is interesting, though, that my style of drawing and my preferred subject matter is not always the sort of art I would like hanging in my home.  I suppose that our innermost thoughts are not often meant to be displayed.

Butterfly and Coneflower

"Butterfly and Coneflower"
pencil sketch

In the search for direction in life (a master's degree, maybe?) and in the process of re-reading Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, I have let my art blog fall to the wayside.  It is past time that I return to the dedication of my art.

I did this sketch a few weeks ago now.  The coneflowers (echinacea) in my garden are in full bloom as we speak.  We planted the flower bed late in the season last year in our new house- in August, if I recall correctly.  Most of our perennials came back bigger, better, and stronger.  Only my fancy rudbeckia did not return.  I have only a little more room in the front bed, but I do love rudbeckia so.  It's sort of my namesake, after all.  This time, I think I will only get the simple and hardy wild type- just the bright yellow petals and the velvety centers which give them their common name, Black-eyed Susan.