Saturday, November 24, 2012

"Percheron Pals" - oil on linen panel, 10x8

"Percheron Pals", oil on linen panel, 10x8
 
"Colour Commentary", watercolour, 1995
 
 
It was many years ago that I painted these two characters in watercolour.  The title of the painting was "Colour Commentary",  (appx. 30x22 inches).  I've included a photo of that watercolour (above) along with my recent oil painting of the same pair, "Percheron Pals", oil on linen, 10x8.
 
I painted the original watercolour in 1995 during a time that I was showing my work in the Calgary Stampede Art Salon. 
 
In the past year my work came full circle, in a sense, while creating a body of work that is very reflective of my rural roots. It's been a wonderful reconnection; first with my affinity to my prairie roots but more importantly, a continued connection to my father, a true horseman whose gentle presence guides me as I retrace my journey.
 
While I've been painting almost exclusively from life in recent years, the old box containing my reference photos has been gathering dust in a studio cupboard.  Seeing them again is like seeing old friends; a reminder of a very pleasant time in my life.
 
I clearly recall the day I took this photo and remember these two old mates like it was yesterday.  I spent the day with artist Adeline Halvorson at a working horse pull event.  Adeline is, undisputedly, one of the finest equine artists working today. When I see these big beautiful horses, I am pretty much reminded of the day we spent in rural Alberta.  
 
As you can see, I was more of a "colourist" when painting in watercolour.  As an oil painter, I consider myself to be a "tonalist", but I am still strongly inspired by these same stately creatures.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2 comments:

  1. I love the idea of tackling the same subject from in a different medium and time in your life. They're both beautiful, but I'm drawn to the solidity and earthiness of the oil horses.

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  2. Ingrid, it has been more fun that I realized!

    What was surprising to me was that I was inspired by the same visual ideas with this oil painting ... and yet the resulting painting is so different.

    (I am, and was, absolutely smitten with the character of these two horses and while the complementary colours were an additional attraction, much more subdued as a tonalist).

    I'm glad that you prefer the oil :) Me, too.

    A different time in my life and with a few more decades under my belt, a much more mature artist.

    Bobbi

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