A Glimpse of Mystery Horse and other happenings

Yet to be Unveiled! Mystery Horse, 12x16 oil on canvas

Back in February, I introduced you to a commission of a horse which I titled ‘The Mystery Horse’. Here I am a couple months later with the final product. This is a surprise gift in a small horse world, it will be a couple more weeks before I can share this horse’s official name, show off the artwork in it’s entirety (ie. remove his blaring red disguise) and discuss the details of the project. Let’s not give it away!

Disguises aside, I can tell you where I am at in the realm of oil painting. If you are just joining me, I am formally a coloured pencil artist, who decided in the new year, to put pencils aside and delve fully and committed to learning oil media. (link to ‘Let’s Reminisce’ blog post) Things are going well, I feel I am making better decisions regarding my palette, colour mixing, glazing and brush handling.  Lately, I’ve spent a fair bit of time just mixing greys, which is an important lesson in it’s own.

Capturing the horse in oil doesn’t appear to be my challenge. It is the complexity and possibilities of oil media; capturing light, colour mixing and who am I as an oil painter? Right now, I feel all across the board, from wanting to be loose, colourful and painterly to a detailed perfectionist in a more traditional manner. I’m okay with this, I’m exploring all sides of me..and it will keep you all guessing..you never know who you are going to get !

To encourage me along in this journey, I’ve bought myself a little gift. In less than two weeks, I will be heading to my old stomping grounds of Toronto, Ontario. I’ve enrolled in a one full week painting workshop entitled ‘In the Studio of Sargent’ at the Academy of Realist Art.

Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau), 1883–84, John Singer Sargent

I’ve always loved the work of Sargent and his direct painting method, now I will be immersed in it for one full week. I have to admit, a year ago, I would never have had the confidence as an oil painter to do such a thing.  I’m ready for a challenge now and open to all that I can learn from it. For the first time in my life I will be learning human portraiture (eeeks!) However, what I am most drawn to is learning more about direct painting methods that I can apply to my horse paintings, and just plain being a student for a week! I don’t expect to come home Sargent JR, but I do anticipate to come home a better painter, a more knowledgeable artist and I very much looking forward to more workshops as gifts to myself and my career in the future.

Lastly from the Studio

Commission updates: Now that Mystery Horse is completed, I can work towards completing Po and and Gran Gesto (Gary, I know you are excited to read this ) . These are the next two I will be focusing on, so stay tuned.

Dutch Auction Update: Don’t forget to visit my Dutch Auction Page where I auction my smaller oil studies weekly. Eye Study went all the way to sunny Arizona!

Thanks for reading everyone, drop me a line in the comment bar as I always love to hear from you, please and thanks!!