Sneak Preview, Equine Sculpture

Here is a first preview of a sculpture (equine ecorche) in the planning stages. It's been a long time coming, but finally the timing is right. I've worked out the skeletal system, cervical region. I've studied the muscles, origins and insertions as well as the proper bend at the poll. Yes, this is going to be the "This is how your horse should look" sculpture, the first in a series comparing correct versus incorrect riding. It is very exciting to finally have arrived here, and I've got a sample of the porcelain I'll think I'll be working in.

At the moment, the other side of the head and neck will be aesthetically realistic. I'm thinking this will be the size of a bookend, and can be used as a teaching tool and/or as art. Cannot wait to get sculpting!

"In The Master's Hand" Oil on Canvas

In The Master's Hand

Been working diligently on this commissioned piece, and starting to get it to the stage where I'm satisfied. The light has been a challenge but I'm starting to like the warmest color on the horse's hind end, as well as the tail highlights. I've also emphasized the little "flip" at the bottom of the tail that emphasizes the cadence of this dressage movement.

I love the attempts by this young warmblood gelding to piaffe by lifting his left hind as high as his right front foot. That, and the fact that the trainer patiently waits for the response to his aids. There is nothing quick and easy about dressage, but patience certainly helps and this image shows that.

Piaffe in Hand

Piaffe in Hand

Since late August, my family has been in unexpected, unwanted yet very instructive crisis. My husband was diagnosed with kidney cancer while being checked for a minor intestinal upset. That led to surgery, which was unbelievably successful, and now a peaceful recovery.

In the meantime, I have been working on this commission of a master German dressage teacher in the initial stages of teaching a gorgeous warmblood to piaffe. I love the intimacy between the two as well as the light cast over the hard working pair. This work was a wonderful distraction during a very difficult time.

I am slowly coming to some conclusions and insights about what we just went thru, but that will make a later blog post. For now, I hope you enjoy this painting and the mysterious connection between humans and animals.

Goodbye, Mr. Killian

Goodbye, Mr. Killian. Thank you for bringing such joy into so many lives, especially Lizzie's. Thanks for patiently letting me learn how to ride, and to finally learn a soft hand and quiet mind. You were the best horse in the entire world, and you are already sorely missed. I will remember us best cantering thru the fields of wheat without a worry in the world, free and as one. And I'm really glad I didn't name you Fabio: for you were always a Killian's Red, a true Irish thoroughbred.

Red Horse Barn Snow Storm Virginia

Red Horse Barn Snow Storm Virginia

The recent spring snow storm brought great destruction and with great beauty. This lean-to barn is in my back yard. It only looked this way for a couple of hours until the heavy wet snow began to melt, but it was stunning until then.

Snowstorm Dappled Gray Horse

Went dog walking (leaping) through the snow yesterday. I'm lucky enough to have a horse farm in the back yard, and I came across this guy who just struck me as insanely beautiful against the snow heavy trees and pond. I loved how he just kept looking at me; I can never get horses to do that when I want them to....

To order prints of this and other work, please visit here.

DaVinci Horse Print Sale

I am running a little more than half price off sale at:

http://catherine-twomey.artistwebsites.com/

on the "Da Vinci Piaffe" horse print, for a dear horse friend, until August 30, 2012. If you'd like an unprecedented "deal", this is it.

Look under the "Horses" link to the right. There are available a variety of sizes of prints framed on canvas, simple single sheet prints, even greeting cards.

Background:

Description:

Commissioned for the cover of the "United States Dressage Federation" magazine Connections, it was inspired by "The Vitruvian Man" by Leaonardo da Vinci circa 1487. This could be considered the "Canon of Proportions" for the horse performing the dressage movement piaffe. It is based on the correlations of ideal horse proportions with geometry. It exemplifies the blend of art and science during the Renaissance. 

Winning painting/illustration of the American Horse Publications Annual Awards, First Place in Illustration for "Da Vinci Horse", 2007. This print shows an anatomically accurate transparent horse and skeleton

Wickers The Warmblood Finished & Framed

Finally finished up the portrait of the lovely Wickers the Warmblood. Wicker's owner is very pleased with how the portrait turned out, which makes it all worthwhile. I've included the very early wash-in phase of the painting on the right. The basic elements of light and dark followed through to the finish.

It would have been very easy to take the detail too far. I primarily wanted to capture her beautiful, soft eye in the sun.

A Horse of a Difference Color

The portrait of Wickers is coming along. I'm starting to be satisfied with the masses that have been built up. On the right the labels show where I have concerns and more work to do.

I've grayed some of the areas away from Wicker's face, such as the mane area and lower shoulders and leg. I'm going to add more color into the face to draw more attention.
It's fun to look at the progress:
/catherinetwomeyart/2012/06/wickers-portrait-building-volume.html

Notice also that I've taken the liberty to reduce the size of Wicker's eyelashes. They really are long and beautiful, but cast in the sunlight they made her look like she was sleeping. Artistic license.