I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse!
Revelations 11:19 ESV
I'm always asked why I choose to paint horses. I paint horses because they are magnificent creatures! When I paint horses, I aspire to paint the soul and spirit of the horse which is quite different than just painting the physical horse. Horses are as individual as people with personalities to match!
My professional art career began painting Jazz musicians because of my love of music and the stories on musicians' faces as they played. I particularly enjoyed the energy and emotion the Jazz artists exuded as they got lost in their music. Capturing that "soul" inspired me to begin a journey focusing on paintings of Emotion Realism. You see, when I paint, I paint with a palette of emotion as well as a full palette of color to capture the spirit of my subject.
I've always loved Western T.V. shows and movies; from the time when I was a young boy with my twin brother. These westerns inspired me as an adult to capture the essence of some real cowboys on canvas. I'm a bit of a photography buff, so I'd use any excuse to go on photo shoots with urban cowboys to get just the right pose for a painting. I snapped countless photos randomly until I shot one that I believed best captured the essence of the cowboy's spirit. Again, painting more than the mere image of them was always my ultimate goal. I wanted to paint the twinkle of enthusiasm in their eyes, the rugged facial features that developed over time, as well as they energy between a rider and their horse-in essence their relationship with each other. I have always been intrigued with the special bond between rider and horse and I found it so interesting to watch. That bond reminded me of something deep inside me that I shared with my twin brother. Painting commissions organically grew and I was asked to paint spouses, children and even beloved family pets as gifts of portraiture - not just any hanging on the wall, but a gift cherished and passed down through generations.
As my appreciation for the majesty of horses grew, I began photographing horses to paint paying particular attention to the unbridled freedom they felt in the open country. I'm always amazed how the application of color from tubes of paint can create something that allows the eyes to be a conduit to the heart and mind. I began painting on board, rather than canvas, as I felt it provided a stronger foundation for my paintings of these majestic animals and it was a more natural complement to fine oil paints. To capture a more modern feel, I began experimenting with resin and resin treatments, as well as custom framing by introducing other strong elements to enhance the overall presentation such as rope and steel.
Painting for me is a gift from God which I am grateful for. Like any proud parent of a child, I am merely the instrument that God uses so that others may enjoy a glimpse into the souls of his great creations.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. Proverbs 21:31 ESV