Painting the Budweiser Clydesdale's

The Budweiser Hitch made an appearance at Country Thunder in Florence, AZ. I did not want to miss an opportunity to paint these incredible, beloved horses.

These are the two paintings I did from life of the Budweiser Hitch and their handlers. This was an energetic and thrilling morning. The paintings were completely spontaneous and done from a distance to avoid interfering with the tasks of preparing for their public hitch appearance. 

When I arrived, two handlers were each walking four horses around the grounds to allow them exercise. I followed and quickly set my easel up and sketched the gesture as they were returning to the stalls. They had 10 horses on this tour, and 8 were past the point to capture in this pose. I was lucky that another handler took the remaining two for a walk. While they were heading out, I quickly found a place out of the way and set up to paint. When they walked past, I further defined my sketch, then completed the painting from memory.

The second painting, "Bath Time", I was afforded a relatively stationary scene. Editing out everything but the essence, the composition tells the story of getting ready for their public appearance.

The quick gesture sketch.

Getting as much information as I can, then working from memory.

The finished field study.

"Morning Walk"

The quick gesture sketch.

The completed field study.

"Bath Time"

They are incredible horses!

Looking forward to 2019

What a wonderful year 2018 has been! It was full of painting, photography, teaching and travel. My trips included two Mustang Walkabout's, visiting Sand Wash Basin, McCullough Peaks, Great Desert Basin, Cedar Mountain and Assateague Island. I had the opportunity to teach two workshops at Assateague Island this year. Trips to New York with museum visits, hiking and painting were also highlights.

The year ahead includes working on, "Anatomy for Equine Artists", with Meredith Hudes-Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography. Trips to the horse ranges out west as well as spring and fall workshops at Assateague Island.

Here are a few photos from 2018:

Painting a demo at Assateague Island.

Painting at the Great Desert Basin.

Meredith photographing the Sand Wash Basin horses.

Meredith teaching photography elements at Assateague.

The Horse Painting and Anatomy Workshop.

All smiles while visiting the horse ranges.

"The Horse Fair", at The Met.

A large group of horses.

Painting Picasso.

The "Starry Night" with Meredith.

Sand Wash Basin horses.

Assateague Island Painting and Photography Workshop 2018

The 2018 Assateague Island Painting and Photography Workshop  was  wonderful. The workshop sponsored by Assateague Island Alliance is one of two workshops conducted during my Artist-in-Residence. A one day Landscape Painting Workshop and a two day Wild Horse Painting and Photography Workshop.  Meredith Hudes-Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography conducted the photography sessions, giving participants insight into reference photography and editing.

The Horse Painting and Photography class.

Meredith Hudes-Lowder giving photography instruction.

Discussing photography for artist reference.

I'm giving a quick demo before it starts raining.

Meredith playing her harp at sunset.

Enjoying the beauty of Assateague.

"Stallion in Light"

"Morning Nap-young filly"

"Morning Light-Filly"

"Bay-side Sunset with horses"

"Assateague Dunes"

"After the Rain"

Mustang Walkabout 2018 - Photography, Painting and Learning

This summer, I was able to take two wild horse trips. This field experience is an invaluable time for painting and photography. I picked up Meredith and Ben Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography and we traveled to Sand Wash Basin and then to the Great Desert Basin. (Earlier in the summer, we visited Sand Wash Basin and McCullough Peaks).

Horses pass by our camp.

Painting at the Great Desert Basin.

The Great Desert Basin.

Bestie Adventures.

Phenomenal Photographer,  Meredith Hudes-Lowder.

Painting Picasso.

At camp with Meredith and Ben.

The Bears Ears during the full moon.

Ben Lowder in action.

Sand Wash Basin horses.

Painting at Sand Wash Basin.

These extended on-range stays are the best way to learn. Being able to paint field studies, and take photos, while living there, is ultimately communicated through my studio paintings. 

Painting the Great Basin Wild Horses

The Great Basin herd originally captivated me in 2009. They were the beginning of an inspiring and adventurous journey into the world of wild horses. I have traveled across the west and as far as Assateague Island to paint and photograph them. Each time I watch them thundering across the vista or quietly grazing, I see and learn more.

"The Basin Chase" Oil 30x40 $3,000.00

  Sharing the beauty, power and drama of wild horses.