Taking the Chamisa High Path

30”X40”

Original Painting, Oil on Canvas

What do I see? What makes me have to paint a horse and rider? One thing I always feel when I see a photo I want to work is how light makes the muscles of the horse seem tense or relaxed. How does the sun throw tack patterned shadows across the muscles. Is there silver on the tack and can I catch the glint? Can I catch the power of the horse which is something I have experienced while riding, grooming or forcing a horse to stay walking at 3 AM because it has colic! Or when you accidentally leave your foot in the wrong place to be stepped on by that 1000 pound animal. I am thinking of all this when I put that first paint on the canvas. And loving every minute of it!