Tuesday, September 28, 2010

"Belgian Paint" or Is It "Paint a Belgian"

 I grew up an avid equestrian involved in 4-H and then proceeded to take my horse to college to major in Equestrian Studies as well as Art.  After graduating from the University of Findlay I was able to work in the quarter horse industry training pleasure horses for three years.  After some life changing decisions I found the need to get a job that offered benefits and a regular salary and ended up working as a school photographer, which in turn led me to yearbook sales.  My saddle found permanent residence in my spare bedroom where I could occasionally catch the scent of the leather while dusting it.  I miss the smell of the barn and the companionship of my horse, who I had to sell to help pay for college.

Now horseless, I still hold the passion for riding close to my heart.  Last week my son's Cub Scout troop was given the opportunity to visit a barn to learn about horses.  Needless to say, I was ecstatic and quickly dusted off my boots.  Knowing I was an experienced rider, the Cub Scout pack leader allowed me choice of mounts.  I didn't care, as long as I could get back in the saddle again (no pun intended).  I ended up riding this Belgian/Paint who was truly a joy.  I was in my element.  My 8 year old son was kind enough to take pictures of me while I rode.  It was truly heaven.  

After my visit to the barn, I've been inspired to get back into painting horses again.  I primarily worked with oils in college, but watercolors have been my painting passion lately, so equines in watercolors it is.

I plan to continue painting horses this week....my own challenge to myself.  It's all coming back to me...the anatomy of the horse, the gentle slopes of the withers and back, the depressions above the eyes.

Someday I plan to have a horse again.  For now, I will paint them.






15 comments:

  1. Beautiful horse- and how fun that you got to ride again!
    Sheryl

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  2. Thank you Sheryl.....still not the end result I wanted entirely, but satisfying for a fresh start. I'm getting ready to wet the brush again and have a go at another. Practice makes perfect, right?

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  3. Beautiful horse and great painting! Looking forward to more :) You should come down to Lexington to the World Equine Games going on now!!

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  4. Oh how I'd love to be there. I bet you're close. We have the annual Quarter Horse Congress coming next month here in Ohio. I may have to visit a day or two with camera in hand.

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  5. Excellent! I knew that the paintings will be great. Beautiful horse and wonderful watercolor painting. Nicely captured proportions of the horse head, especially the second one. I still have some problems with this... But practise makes perfect, as you said above. :)

    Congratulations, Gretchen. I'm impressed. :)

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  6. Akwarelia...yes, my second attempt of the paint was much better. The position/detail of the eye in the first didn't come through as had expected. To me, the eyes are key as well as proportion as you had mentioned. Thank you for the compliment.

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  7. Its been a long time since I did some serious riding. I still have my breeches which have not been washed for years for fear of loosing the smell!! The painting is fantastic. Congrats.

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  8. I love the horse heads! I am not an accomplished horsewoman, but I enjoy being around horses. I like to watch horse racing. My family goes to Keeneland (in Lexington, KY) each fall and spring meets. I have painted horses three times over the years. My first was in college of Seattle Slew. It is my favorite. I look forward to seeing the many fabulous paintings you will produce from your challenge.

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  9. Two beautiful sketches - and a lovely photo of you riding. Your passion for horses comes through in the watercolours xx

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  10. Yahooo! Gretchen, me, too, love horses.
    Your watercolor horse heads are so cute and lovely. Please pass my best wishes to your "friends."
    Kind regards, Sadami

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  11. AK..it's amazing how the scent of a horse can take you back. Thank you.
    Gaylynn...funny you mentioned...Seattle Slew is my favorite race horse (after Secretariat of course).
    Pat..thank you for your kind comment. It truly is a passion and I'm glad it shows through in my painting. I so enjoy riding and miss it very much. Hopefully I'll be offered more opportunities to ride.
    Sadami...thank you and I will pass your wishes on to my "friends". I love your work!

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  12. your paintings are lovely, so glad that you returned to the horses...look forward to seeing more.

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  13. I've always loved horses too. The scent of horse is intoxicating.
    I'm sure you must have read Jame Smiley's horse books, which are a pleasure.
    Your paintings are wonderful.

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  14. Mary....thank you. Yes, the scent of horse is very intoxicating. I had another opportunity to ride recently and told my boys I couldn't wash my hands for awhile so I could enjoy the aroma of horse.

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  15. Hey!!! Is this painting on the wall in my family room worth a lot yet? Grethcn, you are truely gifted and I'm glad to see you using that talent. Get your butt up here and we'll put you one some horses.

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