Artistic Possibilities

Did you know that I was an Art Major? Shocker, right? Yes, I love the artistic side of things. I really like drawing, painting, pottery, even sculpture sometimes. I get down with jewelry making, collage, woodworking. and pretty much anything else that I can get my hands on.

I adored my high school art teacher. She is one hell of a lady. Most beautiful green eyes I have ever seen on a real live human being. She inspired a lot of people to go with their art. She made us do a lot of contour drawing, which, at the time, I didn't understand, but once I committed myself to really learning to do it well - WOW. I started to really get into it. I don't think that I can begin ANY drawing without starting it as a contour anymore.
After I got through high school, I took every art class that the local community college offered. Before it was over, I was on my way to becoming an art teacher. I had the blessings of my High School teacher, and my college art profs. Then reality hit me.
Every single school in the state was cutting their art programs. I was pursuing a job that by the time I got out of school would likely be non existent.
It killed the art in me for a while.
but, I have rallied, with the help of some damn good meds for depression, herbals, and a supportive hubby. I still plan on having a horse back riding school, but until I can afford the land, buildings, and insurance, I'm thinking of starting up by teaching art classes, or organizing art groups at the very least.
That is what I'm doing today. I'm going through my supplies trying to figure out what I should bring tomorrow morning for our first art soiree. We're meeting at a lovely darling dear friend's house to have coffee, nums and make some art. I am SO looking forward to it.
Already, my Mom is saying she's planning on coming along. This is great. She hasn't really made any art in quite some time, and that is quite sad since she is one hell of an artist. But, I'm trying to kick start her. I'm thinking drawing supplies & watercolors. hard to go wrong with that. :D Wish us luck! We're having fun either way!!!

Prepping for the Weekend

Almost a month ago, I went to a local fun show to snap some pics, get my name out & have a little larf. The feedback I got from the kids & adults I snapped pics of was very encouraging, so - I'm headed back this weeked to do it all over again! My plan is basically to take pics for nearly ALL of the 4th of July weekend. Between snapping pics of my kiddos, the horse kids, and the fireworks, I should have puh-lenty to edit come monday.

Last month, I showed up a hair late for the beginning of the festivities, but did manage to get a few good pictures of the kids doing showmanship, and some of the pleasure classes. Some of my favorites from that part of the day were the ones waiting to show - like this girl here....

She looked so intent on what was going on in the arena. So serious.
At some point, there were a couple horses being ridden by kids that I know, who apparently wanted to say hello to me - so I snapped their pics too. Check out the eyelashes. what fun!!


And the glassy-glossy reflection - you can see my flannel shirt, and another horse in this one's eye. Wild.

Of course, some were just plain tired of all of it. This boy cracked me up. I swear to you, when I crept up to snap a few pics, I did NOT wake him up. I'm somewhat sure he was snoring as I left. Yes, horses snore .... some of them.


I got a much better pic of this little girl and her horse (the one ON the horse, that is) but already, I'm getting picture heavy here.

Some were a little anxious from time to time....


No good reason to put this one in here, other than to say that this boy was a stud not too long ago. Not just any stud. The daddy to the two foals I raised here on the farm. I am particulary fond of him. Hims a good boy.

And, of course, there were lots of pics to be taken in the speed classes. This girl was one of my favorites of the day .... she turned the barrels right, didn't look too aggressive or scared during the run, didn't whip her horse (that I saw), and the color scheme she chose flowed well with both her & her horse's coloring. You don't think that matters? Oh, it does. To me anyhow. Look at the important parts of the picture. Really. Her expression is concentration. She is sitting well in the seat, not leaning too far one way or the other, good loose rein, and as a result - a willing, ready to please horse. Look at his ears. They are bright, and attentive, one locked on to her looking for her cues. Great.

There were actually, quite a few good shots that day. Just about every rider I snapped gave up at least one good shot.

Anyhow, I'm getting ready to do it all over again.

Stay tuned for more!!!

My Lovely Lady Memorial Project

Quite a while back, I talked about my crazy psycho redhead horse that eventually had to be put down. If you missed it, and have no idea what I'm talking about now - here's a link for ya. Just be sure you have time to read all 5 parts - or stop at 4 and forget number 5 ever happened. That's fine too. Bring a tissue if you're into horse operas. http://qtswede.blogspot.com/2009/08/lady-part-one.html

Anyhow, the truth is - I finished my rough sketch quite a while ago. Check out the date in the corner of the last photo, near her neck.
Yeah. It's been a little while.
I thought I should share these here, and mention that I have yet to decide if this should be watercolor or oil paint, or if I should transfer this contour/line drawing to a nicer sheet of paper and just finish it out as a drawing. If you have an opinion, chuck it at me! I am kind of stuck!

I made her eye a little softer than it was in real life. I like to imagine she's not stressed out in the hereafter/heaven/whatever you believe in.

I focused on that dang crooked blaze for all of about 15 minutes. I can't express it's weirdness in a line drawing anymore than I have. You can't tell, but the inside of that nostril is black.

I kind of left the mane out at this point, short of it's general shape - mostly because, well.... she wasn't chestnut as I was taught. Chestnut is kind of the same color mane, body & tail, and she had just about every color in the horsey rainbow in her mane & tail. That, I was told, was Sorrel. Sorrel is kind of hard to paint/draw because you want to find the definition between the different colors - but you can't, because they aren't clumped up. It's kind of irritating when you're in that super-focused-need-to-get-it-just-right mode.

Overall, I think I have a solid start, but do I go with the laid back near translucent glow that comes from watercolors, or the deep, radiating warmth that only oil paints can exude?

Or should I scrap the idea of either in favor of a black & while highly intensive contour/line drawing shaded from here to Tecumseh? I feel the need for color. Ugh. This stinks.