I received confirmation today that both of my photographic entries have been accepted to Art at the Classic, held in conjunction with the 26th Annual Draft Horse Classic in Grass Valley, California, September 20 - 23, 2012.
Now to get them framed!
"Days Gone Bye"
"Jeremy and Phil"
"Percheron Foal"
Spring may be months away yet here in Western New York, but it has not stopped me from dreaming of frolicking foals and green grass. This winter in particular has found me counting the days until warmer weather arrives; it has been unseasonably cold this year, and seemingly greyer than usual.
So, as I sit nestled in my studio until the grass reappears and that new crop of foals arrive, I thought I would share one of my favorite foal pics with you ~ a darling percheron colt dozing in the lush Spring grass and this month's featured art:
Open edition, unstretched canvas print, lustre finish. Image size: 24" x 16", $225.00. To purchase, click here.
Brush stroke finish, Gallery and Museum wrap also available.
Additional sizes, papers and frame options on request.
It is with great sadness that we said goodbye to Chief yesterday. I am grateful for the time he was with us, and that he went quietly in the end; though I'm not sure knowing that it would be soon was of any solace when the time came, just relief.
The day is grey and quiet, reflecting the mood on the farm, as if it knows we mourn. Manny and Choyce, Jordan and Caleb are all accutely aware of the absence and loss of their friend. There is a void in my heart this morning as big as his empty stall. How long before I will stop anticipating his greeting each morning I arrive at the barn?
Michaela and I will be planting a butterfly garden on his grave as a memorial; whenever he got out he would inevitably meander through the one by the pond - much to my dismay - completely obliterating it, as though Belgians hold some grudge against butterflies.
I am also setting up a fund that will benefit aged draft horses through sales of "Sentinel", a portrait of Chief, and September's featured art. At this time, I am not sure which organization(s) that will be. If you know of a worthy recipient, please let me know.
"Sentinel"
Open edition Fuji Crystal Archive print, 10" x 15", $50.00. To purchase, click here. Additional sizes, papers and frame options available.
Open edition unstretched canvas print, lustre finish, 12" x 18", $175.00. To purchase, click here. Brush stroke finish, Gallery and Museum Wrap also available.
"Sentinel"
Very often when I am outside working I will glance up to find Chief, our Belgian gelding, silently observing me. There is a wisdom in the depth of his gaze; a look of gentleness and knowing, perhaps earned through a life of service and labor in younger years. His days are now spent leisurely meandering about, as here, I assume the role of resident workhorse. Affectionately known as my "big dawg", it took time for us to become friends, this toady old belgian and me. But like many a crotchety old man, he has a softer side - and he has found that underneath it all I do, too. Our daily interactions have inevitably taught us much about one another, and slowly understanding has turned to acceptance, caring and most of all, the friendship we now share.
At nearly twenty-nine, Chief's aged body struggles at times, and there have been some rough days these past few weeks. Days when his old legs do not have strength to support his massive frame and we sit quietly together, taking comfort in the presence of one another. Days of watching and waiting for him to tell me he is ready to journey elsewhere, secretly hoping that he will instead just drift quietly away in his slumber, as I thought he had the first morning I came to know that he'd be leaving us before long. Peaceful. And without suffering.
I am thankful for each day he remains with us, knowing that he will tell me when it is time to say goodbye. Yet I am dreading that final call to the vet, or of finding him ... Every morning I am greeted by his gentle nicker is the sound of another precious day. I will take them as they come, and rejoice in their number ~ as I am not quite ready yet, either, dear friend.
Sales from this work currently go toward Chief's care. In the future, a portion of the continued sale of this work will be donated in his honor to support other aged draft horses. If you know of a worthy organization, please contact me.
Open edition unstretched canvas print, lustre finish. Image size: 12" x 18", $175.00. To purchase, click here.
"Grandpa's Team"
"Grandpa's Team" won first place in the photography division at the Art at the Classic exhibit at the Draft Horse Classic in Grass Valley, California. This award was a special honor for me, as the judge was one of my favorite artists whose work I greatly admire, Lesley Harrison.
Open edition photographic print on Fuji Crystal Archive paper. Image size, 15 x 10", $50.00. To purchase, click here.
Framed print, finished size 21 x 16", $275.00. To purchase, click here.
Additional sizes, papers and canvas prints available.
Below are the photographic entries accepted to the 2008 Art at the Classic exhibit at the Draft Horse Classic, September 18th - 21st in Grass Valley, California. "Braiding Ben", a pen and ink drawing, has also been accepted. Image of "Braiding Ben" currently unavailable.
"Grandpa's Team"
"Kentucky Morn"
Untitled, Belgian Portrait
"Grandpa's Team"
"Untitled"
A trio of Belgian draft horses plow under the remains of last years harvest, preparing the field for Spring planting.
Perhaps it is because one of the first equines I was introduced to as a child was an aged Clydesdale my friends family kept as a companion to their riding horse, that I have felt this affinity toward the gentle giants - the draft horses. Two of my own are drafts - Chief, an aged Belgian gelding and Manny, a Percheron/TB. Our featured art for the month is a new release featuring three beautiful Belgians demonstrating at the annual old fashioned days put on by our local draft horse club.
Open Edition. Unstretched canvas print, Premier Gloss finish. Image 16 x 10.6". Museum and Gallery wrap also available. $125.00. To purchase, click here.
"Signs of Spring"
A pair of Belgian mares and their foals...one of the many signs that Spring has arrived.
Open edition Fuji Crystal Archive print, double matted. Image: 17 x 11" $65.00 To purchase, click here.
Additional sizes, papers and canvas prints available. Framed print 21 x 17" (14 x 10" image) , $285.00. Click here to purchase.
