"Sydney & Tildra II"

"Sydney & Tildra II", oil on 11 x14 board

 This was a commission for Sydney Horas of Onice Horse Farm in Caledon., The horse is an Icelandic pony called Tildra II. Sydney wrote:

"Her name is Tildra II from OnIce Horse Farm she is an 11 year old 5 gaited Icelandic mare, that I have been riding for 6 years, she is very energetic and spunky with a big personality. The photo was taken last September at Flugnirkeppni, in Eagle Wisconsin, it was a great horse show with two judges from Iceland. It was Tildra's first show and she did well."

It was quite a challenge for me this painting on the one hand lots of detail on horse and rider and that contrasting with the "impressionistic" landscape, but I am happy with the result
Babs


OnIce Horse Farm can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/OnIceHorseFarm

"Erling, an Icelandic pony"

"Erling" oil on 11x14 board

Kai-Liis is an Artist with a love of animals special ones she is the proud owner of Erling and Birker Icelandic ponies and a donkey for company called Casper.  Her boys are housed at the moment in their winter quarters at Onice.

Erling and Birkir came from Iceland together at the ages of 5 &6, & they've always been at the same stable (owned by 2 artists!).  So now they're together at my farm, with mini-donkey Casper.  Birkir is the talkative one, when he sees me approaching with a carrot.  Erling will look, then stand back & wait.  He's a bit more feisty than Birkir, but they're both in their twenties now, but you wouldn't know it! Erling used to be shown & compete - & I gather he did pretty well. I have a couple of lovely photos of him tolting!"  Kai-Liis

Kai-Lee is an artist and her work can be seen here:http://www.kai-liis.com/

"Hope" the Spotted Draft Horse

"Hope" oil on 11x14 board

Her rider Marie Beard tells us " Hope or Faring Farm Hope...her registered name. Was born and bred in Indiana. and is owned by Donna  and Robert Stock of Alymer Ont. She had a foal by her side and they bought them both home. Then they discovered she was in fill again as the stud had gotten loose before they brought her home. 

Hope began to loose weight...they pulled her foal off of her early but she still continued to loose weight no matter all their efforts and endless food. 

It was then discovered she had a massive sinus infection. The only choice was to save her(4 years old) and risk looking her foal. 

She foaled 20 days early but the foal lived for a few hours and then passed. I don't think she was ever really gotten over that.

I came to ride her about 5 years ago...after the birth of my first son.  i was nervous and much confidence was gone. So Donna and Robert offered Hope up for me to ride. The instant trust and connection was obvious. And I was eager to show how wonderful she was and is to everyone..

So I could not wait to go to Canam with her! This mare owns a special piece of my heart, and she is now 16 years old!"

"Hope" is a "Spotted Draft Horse" and she was a joy to paint, she is a very special creature, and we enjoyed Marie and Hope performing at the Can Am.

Babs

Hope & Marie at the Can Am in Orangeville in March