Dusty's Portrait

I am working on Dusty's portrait. It is coming along slowly.

Layer upon layer, the colors go on.

Learning to paint horses

I have been volunteering and riding at a wonderful stable, Forward Stride. They have amazing horses that are used for Equine Therapy for disabled riders and riding lessons. It was just a matter of time before I started to attempt to paint them. These are my first attempts.
Dusty, an Appolusa

Blesi and Bear. I ride the lighter one, Blesi for my lessons.

I am hoping to spend more time with my painting and artwork.

Chinese Brush Painting Practice

I am learning to think more like the Chinse Artists in their practice of painting.
In traditional watercolor, the object is to try to paint a close representation of the subject.
The Chinese attempt feel what their subject is feeling and paint with that emotion, more spontanious and free.
This was my result of "letting go" and being spontanious.
Joni, trust me, my chickadees will get rounder and fluffier. The shape of this one is more like a robbin!

The Deer Pair

This is the newest painting that I have been working on.  It is a pair from a wildlife refuge in Alaska. I am pretty sure they are Mule Deer.

Slow but Steady Progress

As you can see, the progess can be slow.
At this stage, pretty much every brushstroke counts.
I am working on the shadows and muscle details.

The Forrest and the Trees

Making progress on painting the trees. I don't know why the tree to the far right in the second photo appears to be leaning.

The deer family are beginning to have more landscape to enjoy.

I hope you are enjoying the journey of this creation. I am enjoying sharing the journey with you.

Focusing on Mama Deer

As in most families, the father figure is strong, the children are just beautiful and mom, well she is so busy pouring herself into the family and unfortunately so often taken for granted.

And so it is with the deer family, the buck and fawns came together but the doe, I hadn't given a lot of thought to her. I am working layer by layer to make her beautiful, graceful, nurturing and peaceful.

The background is also challenging. I am learning how to make realistic trees which takes time and attention to detail.