Karen Brenner's Blog (57)

Trying Times

A quote for a tough day . . .

This week's To Do List.

Added by Karen Brenner on July 16, 2009 at 9:23pm — No Comments

Will Rogers got it right in this quote, "Do the best you can, and don't take life too serious." Sometimes we forget to take time to enjoy life.

I couldn't be taking life too seriously when I chose to paint this picture of horse rumps, or when I named it "Butts and Bows" -- after that ole time tune, "Buttons and Bows." Do any of you remember that song?…

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Added by Karen Brenner on July 10, 2009 at 6:04am — No Comments

What's your method of instruction?

Watching a mare and foal running together is so fun! It's amazing how the little one can keep up with his or her galloping mother when only days old. The mare seems to encourage her youngster to stretch his/her legs and race through their new world. In this painting, a bay Andalusian mare and her foal are cantering in a grassy pasture.

What is your teaching method -- for teaching your horse, your students, kids or grandkids? I really… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on July 4, 2009 at 7:39pm — 2 Comments

Pathways through Pennsylvania

I have to smile when I read this week's quote, because I just returned from photographing 50 plus Beautiful Horses of Pennsylvania! My sister Sharon traveled with me throughout the state. I had my MapQuest notebook filled with directions, but we relied mostly on my new Garmin nuvi for directions from one farm to the next. And sometime it seemed to be directing us "where there is no path." With our tight schedule, we were not in the mood to… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on June 27, 2009 at 11:13am — No Comments

Take time to enjoy the marvelous!

A couple days ago I got to ride at Rocky River Reservation which is part of the Cleveland Metro Parks. The horse/hiking trail is surrounded by the beauty of nature, with a wide, shallow river sparkling along the trail for most the the ride. The flat, well packed trail is perfect for cantering along as well as walking and trotting. It's one of my favorite spots to ride!

Aristotle's quote, "In all things of nature there is something of the… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on June 18, 2009 at 10:31am — No Comments

Andalusians Illustrate this Week's Quote

"Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars." - Henry Van Dyke

I picked this nighttime painting of two white Andalusians to illustrate Van Dyke's quote. Of course, now I wish I would have added some stars in the night sky!

Looking at the stars always makes me think about how huge the universe must be. If each of those stars is as large as our sun, how vast… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on June 11, 2009 at 6:37am — No Comments

Just Imagine!

Do you have a wild imagination? William James wrote, "Anything you may hold firmly in your imagination can be yours." What can you dream up? Could it be your future?

Print a copy of this quote/painting combo on this week's To Do List..

Added by Karen Brenner on June 4, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Life's Not Fair!

This Oscar Wilde quote is a brain twister. "Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not."

If you're like me, after reading the part of the quote, you mind might have jumped to a situation where you ended up with the short end of the stick. Not fair! But the second part of the quote brings on a new perspective. How many times have we been "lucky" even when we didn't deserve it. Life is not… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on May 28, 2009 at 7:19am — 1 Comment

A Joyful Horse is an Amazing Sight!

This week's quote is about joy. And the painting is of an exuberant buckskin Morgan, running joyfully through his sunny pasture.

May your life be filled with joy and sunshine this coming week!

Click here to download this quote/picture.

Added by Karen Brenner on May 21, 2009 at 4:23pm — No Comments

"A horse is a thing of beauty...."

Xenophon wrote: "A horse is a thing of beauty ... none will tire of looking at him as long as he displays himself in his splendor."

Xenophon's life spanned from 430 - 354 BC. It's amazing to think about life over 2,000 years ago when Xenophon a soldier, muse and historian in what is now Greece. Even then, horses were admired for their beauty.

It seems that though the external conveniences and complications of life have… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on May 14, 2009 at 8:31am — No Comments

The Thinker

The horse in this painting was patiently waiting to be lead to the show ring at the Fiesta Midwest Andalusian show. As her decorative bridle rosette ribbons twirled in the breeze, I had to wonder what was swirling through her mind.

Anyone who owns horses knows they are great thinkers. It seems mine are usually thinking, 'What's for supper" or something food related. But Sorpresa has proven to be a deep thinker and planner. Usually after… Continue

Added by Karen Brenner on May 7, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Dreamers and the Art of Riding

This quote is wonderful for both riders and artists:

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe." - Anatole France

Many great athletes practice mentally picturing themselves performing to perfection. Could this be a form of dreaming -- incorporating planning -- that leads to confidence and believing? Have you tried it with your riding? During my riding lesson yesterday my…

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Added by Karen Brenner on April 30, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

Will Rogers Quote offers Key to Success

This Will Rogers quote is one of my favorites.

"If you want to be successful, it's just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing."

How many of us are fortunate enough to be following these simple steps?

To print this quote along with the Friesian painting, go to my blog:…

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Added by Karen Brenner on April 23, 2009 at 10:00am — No Comments

For Cantering Fans ...

This week's quote/painting combo is for cantering fans.

Here's a link to download and print the "To Do List" with this design at the top. On the calendar be sure to schedule a date with your favorite horse for cantering!

Added by Karen Brenner on April 16, 2009 at 11:30am — 1 Comment

Welcome Spring with a Ride -- or Walk -- Through Nature

As spring unfolds, the wonders of nature seem to be everywhere. You don't need to be in a wilderness, because the beauties of spring can be found in any backyard, neighborhood park, or even sprouting through the cracks of a neglected sidewalk. Where ever you happen to be today, take a moment to soak in some of the wonders of nature!

This week's free To Do List features one of my all time favorite paintings, "Mystic Meadows." An…

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Added by Karen Brenner on April 9, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

How do you define character?

This week's quote from Theodore Roosevelt is about character.

How do you define character?

Click here to print the quote and painting to do list for March 5-11.

Added by Karen Brenner on April 2, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Will Rogers Quote, Three Quarter Horses & A Lesson Learned

This Will Rogers quote makes me chuckle! "There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."

The painting accompanying the quote is one of my favorites of my three Quarter Horses, DJ, Echo and Ollie. Ironically, the three were recent escapees from my electric fence enclosed mini pasture. Yes, a neighbor rang my door bell the…

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Added by Karen Brenner on March 26, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does."

We all make a difference in the lives of others. William James' quote, "Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." points out the fact that our actions can and do make a difference. A smile can brighten a stranger's day. A random act of kindness can bring encouragement to others. Sharing a moment with someone you care about can be the lift that they need.

If your actions make a difference, what actions will you consciously…

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Added by Karen Brenner on March 19, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

"Life is too short to be taken seriously"

This Oscar Wilde quote, "Life is too short to be taken seriously," helps me refocus. While news sources seem to focus on what's going wrong with the economy, shootings, floods, and every little bad thing they can discover and share, it can be a struggle not to spend an inappropriate amount of time dwelling on negativity. We need to make a conscious effort to say, "Hey, I'm going to think about all the good things around me." Remember that…

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Added by Karen Brenner on March 12, 2009 at 7:30am — 1 Comment

Quote - Vote - Wrote

QUOTE . . .

The Chinese Proverb says, "The journey is the reward." It is the quote appearing on my latest painting/quote combo that you can print free from my blog.

It's timely for me, because Thursday I hit the road with the Beautiful Horses of Michigan paintings! I'm so excited about having the opportunity to display the paintings at the Michigan Horse Expo in Lansing, MI. I love…

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Added by Karen Brenner on March 5, 2009 at 7:30am — 1 Comment