Today's Project - Palomino Morgan

"Dapples", a Morgan mare. This is oil pencil and conte on black, about 11 x 6".

This is on eBay.

The Ultimate Dog Lover

Chicken Soup for the Soul publishers are coming out with a new dog book called The Ultimate Dog Lover, and I just found out that not one, but two of my stories have made it into the final round of submissions.

One story is about Cavar, my police dog, and the second is about Scorch.

I will have final word on their acceptance by May 30th. Keep fingers crossed!

Clifford

We took a little ride this evening. The red winged blackbirds serenaded us as we clopped up the road.

Clifford was happy to go; in fact he stopped me from taking his halter off. He mashed his lips against mine and stood there for a long time, gently flipping his upper lip against mine. He had a glazed over look. I half expected him to slip me the tongue.

Finally I convinced him it was time to quit kissing and get the bridle on. I kept a loose rein, allowing him to drop his head and plod along. He did not have the usual spring in his step, but wasn't limping either.

We went a couple of miles down the road and then came back. As we approached home, he got a little frisky and wanted to pick up the pace. I let him trot a little, then he slowed to a canter. I wondered if a canter is easier, less jarring on the knee.

I haven't treated him with anything yet besides supplements. But I had a call from my friend, longtime Morgan trainer Sandy Crechiolo, who gave me lots of encouragement and referred me to a local vet that she said was very good with joints.

On to the next phase!

Today's Watercolor - Leopard Appaloosa

I have a funny story about this painting. (Well, at the time it wasn't so funny.)

I used masking fluid as usual to keep the white areas white. I had highlighted the edge of the horse's face on the right, with a dark green background. I painted all around the mask, which took a couple of hours, and then I pulled the mask up.

The mask, as it came up, took the top layer of paper with it! The tear spread far into the green area and ruined the profile of the horse.

I attempted to remain calm, looked at it for a minute, then took it to my paper cutter and simply trimmed the green part off. The funny thing is, I think this looks better! It was a happy accident.

It's in my Yessy gallery here:

From a distance, with the lilac highlights, I think it almost resembles a floral.

Today's Project - Clydesdale

This was done in charcoal/conte. He's listed on eBay.

Kerry Airatude

Today is Airatude's birthday! She's fifteen. It's hard to believe I've had her twelve years. As I wrote in "Clifford", I first saw her when she was just a baby, trotting by her dam's side. I was smitten then, but had to wait three years to get her. She and I have taken an incredible journey together. She has been a total joy and has added so much to my life. Here she is begging for mints with her brother!
Happy Birthday, 'Tude.

Today's Equine Art

This is Gayle, a Morgan mare who has lived with my friend Pearl for 22 years. The portrait is done in oil pencil on black charcoal paper, about 9 x 12".

Today's Project - Sophie

A chestnut Morgan mare owned and loved by Lori Lambie. This is primarily conte crayon (with a bit of oil pencil) on black paper, approx. 9 x 12".

Today's Project - Friesian

My friend Kristi and I saw some Friesians at the Expo in Lansing last weekend. They were stunning. I'd sure love to see one performing some upper level dressage maneuvers.

Anyway, I have soundness and dressage on the brain these days -- I am sure looking forward to the day when Clifford is up to doing some more ring work. We did just basic stuff but he could sidepass and did a beautiful collected canter. He was very supple.

But I digress. This piece is about 9 x 12", highlighted in blue and purple. It's listed on eBay as I continue with my experiments of color and textures and techniques in equine art.