Today's Project - Morgan Horse

A Morgan horse in saddle seat garb. This piece is oil pencil and conte, about 8 x 10" on black charcoal paper. It's another project to benefit Forever Morgans Rescue.

Here's the eBay link.

Merry Christmas!

Today's Project - Forever Morgans

This is a fundraiser for Forever Morgans, a rescue group that is trying to save some Morgan/Part Morgan horses from going to slaughter. This piece is about 8 x 10" on black pastel board. It's oil pencil/pastel and conte. Below are the eBay links:

*http://tinyurl.com/7kcjoe
*(For those that prefer the eBay item number instead of a link:
180315450915 )

Today's Watercolor

This is Hank, a foxhound. This piece is about 8 x 10". Hank unfortunately died this year. Many thanks to Lynn Brown for referring Sharon, the wonderful lady who commissioned me to paint him!

Today's Project

"Cruiser" is a German shepherd bred by my friend Susan Sanchez, Sander-Haus German Shepherds in Virginia. Susan raises beautiful dogs from imported German bloodlines.

This piece is pastel and conte, about 9 x 12".

Today's Watercolor

Here are Peyton and Cinder, two German shepherds in a bean field. Cinder died earlier this year -- he had cancer. Peyton at twelve is still going strong! This painting is one of my larger ones; about 18 x 24".

It's a Wrap!

Ms. Rip finished her scenes for the Wayne State film, MY DOG RANIA last night in Detroit. Here she poses with her director, Marija.

We had a bit of a challenge because Jess, the leading lady, is supposed to chase Rip away with a broom when Rip shows up at the door. We did take after take, and finally Rip had a serious aversion to that broom! I tried to suggest better ways to accomplish the shots that wouldn't scare her, but I've been learning that nobody really listens to the dog trainer. ;-)

A dog like Cajun wouldn't have had a problem with this -- he woulda thought it all great fun and tried to eat the broom. But Ms. Rip is a little softer.

There was a scene where Rania noses through her owner's handbag and knocks a vial out. The vial falls on the floor, and Rania consumes the sample. It required a behavior chain of Rip hopping off the couch, grabbing the sample and licking or picking it up.

It sounds pretty simple, but it was very complicated getting the thing to fall in just the right spot, get her off the couch and nosing the thing all in sync and so that it looked good.

I had to work with her for a bit with the clicker, but we finally got the shot Marija wanted. Unfortunately it was the last scene we did, but Marija finally understood that if she could just wait a few minutes for rehearsals, she would get the best result possible.

It made me wonder what the Hollywood animal trainers have to go through in order to get the best results. I was working with actors who just were not dog savvy in the slightest, but still had to interact with her, and she had to look comfortable throughout.

I marvel at Rip's courage and tenacity. She really hung in there and tried to do what I asked. And despite moments where she wasn't sure of herself, she really seemed to have fun.

It was a great experience for both of us!

MY DOG RANIA is to be screened for the public in January -- I should be getting more information on it later.

Nancy

International Equine Art Competition

I was surprised to receive notification today that my pastel drawing of Sophie, a Morgan mare, won eighth place in the Ex Arte Equinus International Competition. The drawing will be published in the Ex Arte Equinus II Book, which will be available this coming January.

Boy, when I see some of the work that was entered, I feel really honored!

Isabella on the Stem Cell Trail

Isabella is a 20 year old donkey belonging to my friend Rita. She had foundered so badly that she couldn't stand. Rita put her on the StemEquine, and had her shoes reset with new pads.

Isabella got back on her feet. I went to visit her about six weeks ago and she was in the stall. She had bed sores from lying down, but when I saw her she was standing. I could tell, though, that she was hurting by the way her feet were planted. She didn't want to move. She was nothing like the feisty donkey I had known for years.

"Gosh," I said to Rita. "She looks bad."

"You should have seen her BEFORE!" Rita said. "She's a lot better!"

When I went to visit a week ago, Isabella was walking around outside eating grass. She was still going a little gingerly, but it was amazing to me that she was moving around. She has to wear a grazing muzzle to keep from overeating.

Rita attributes Isabella's improvement to the StemEquine and said she is going to keep her on it.

Today's Project - German Shepherd

This is Killian, a sable male who unfortunately died this year. His portrait is done on black in oil pencil and conte. This is about 12 x 18".