"Two Friends"

"Two Friends"  Oil on  8x8 board

Last week  we delivered a painting 8x8 oil on board it was of two horses close together. Our neighbour asked if I could paint it for a close friend who was upset her horse had died suddenly. She had him for 33 years and they were very close.

The picture has a story and made me think how much intelligence horses have.

It seems the horse in the back of the picture is younger a close friend to the older one. It seems if the older horse decided to rest and sit down the younger one stayed close by his side if any other horse came near he would make sure it moved away in short shrift  they were true friends!

My thoughts are we don't know half about animals and their obvious abilities to help and care for their own kind.

Babs

PS thank you Marianne giving me the opportunity to pick up the brushes again! 

Percherons

Percherons oil on 11x14 board

I really enjoyed painting these two horses close up, mainly because of the different subtle colours in their coats varying from blues to blacks Browns and orange and because they were both standing so close together it took time to make sure they looked separate!

It was a challenge which encouraged me to squint a lot!

My thanks to you Barry for such great photos
They can be seen here:
http://cameraonking.blogspot.ca/2015/07/percherons-at-windy-hill-farm.html

Babs

"Hay! Something happening at Onice Farm today!

"Horse at Onice Farm oil on 11x14 board

http://onicehorsefarm.ca/OnIce_Horse_Farm/Welcome_to_OnIce.html

Headwaters Stable tour today!
https://www.facebook.com/OnIceHorseFarm

"Dandelion a Welsh cross filly with Mom"

"Dandelion a Welsh cross filly with Mom", oil on 11 x1 14 board

A story about Dandelion .

A friend Marie Beard who owns horses posted a photo of Dandelion a Welsh cross filly with Mom on Face book a few weeks ago, I really liked the look of the photo and decided to paint it.

Dandelion was born at Foresthaven Farms Ltd Puslinch Ont they breed and sell Westphalian horses.
Marie luckily knows the owner and sent a message mentioning I had painted the picture and sent a copy of it to Melanie Michael to see of she liked the painting. Melanie was quite enthusiastic and really liked what she saw and was interested in purchasing, which really pleased me.

We have received an invitation to visit the Farm a great opportunity to deliver the painting and see the real deal! we are looking forward to meeting  Melanie Et al and enjoy seeing the horses, of course we will take the Camera!

It should be an interesting experience meeting another breed of horse and a day trip out!

Foresthaven Farm can be seen here: http://www.foresthavenfarm.com/

Babs

"Princess Pink and Redneck Rich"

"Princess Pink" Oil on 8x10 board

Princess Pink and Redneck Rich.

This American bulldog is part of a young family who happen to be my grandson Mitchell and his partner Courtney they live in the country on 9 acres of land which is ideal for three rambunctious dogs 2 American Bulldogs and Toby a great friendly  water dog,who has his own pond!


Courtney has a  love for her babies and Toby Mitchell's dog. They have a busy life with jobs, nine acres of land 2 trucks one a Ford and the other Courtney's a Chevy.


Even started a business Redneck Rich to add to an interesting mix of a very busy happy life.


They keep us in touch through Instagram pictures which gave me an idea after seeing this picture she posted.I thought it was a good opportunity to paint 'Princess Pink for Courtney
as a surprise, just hope she gets a kick out of it.


Babs

Redneck Rich can be seen here:

http://redneckrich.ca/

"Hay, What do you want?"

"Hay, what do you want?" Oil on 11x14 board

Dog Tales & Rescue Sanctuary.
They are located in King Township, a very interesting animal rescue place.

This latest painting of two retired horses attracted me, again  borrowing the picture from Barry Wallace our roving pro photographer of King Township. This year Barry has braved the exceptional  icy weather and taken some incredible photo's one of which has given me the opportunity to paint just one of them. He gives a story of our area in pictures from the past and what we were and what is happening for the future. We are fortunate to live in this area combining History and the future and some fun ones too.

I enjoyed the working on this painting (11 x 14) although it was a challenge
Thank you Barry for sharing.
Babs

Barry Wallace has a blog here:
http://cameraonking.blogspot.ca/

"I'm Watching You!"

"I'm Watching You!"" oil on 11x14 board

This Icelandic horse seems to be a little distracted so I managed to realize horses do seem to have some communication with each other, and figured out she obviously is talking to someone about the state of her mane and definitely needs a shampoo and a trim!

Icelandic horses are becoming very popular, their gate makes it easy to ride them and although small have a lot of stamina. This picture was taken at Onice Farm in Caledon it is surrounded  in lovely Countryside when the weather is cold they have a beautiful Arena where they give classes. In summer there is always a lot going on and worth a trip to meet the owners who will show you around and introduce you to these lovely horses up close, they own quite a large herd and know every one by name.

Owners Brian, Wendy ,Sydney ( she is the trainer) Horas are busy people but,they always have time to talk when it's about their passion for Icelandic horse.

This year is an exciting time because the PanAm games are going on close by at the Caledon Equine Centre.

Babs

OnIce Horse Farm

Pine Farms Orchard. after the storm.

Oil on 8x8 board

Pine Farms Orchard. after the storm.
This summer has given us some incredible storms,
one of which made gave a spectacular sky over
the Apple Orchard. I found this picture on Facebook
as I loved the colours and decided to try and paint
it. It's on 8 x 8 board. which for me proved to
be a little difficult painting wet on wet and working
all the array of lights and darks but, the effect
I think came through,maybe better on a bigger board
next time.?

Babs

"Early Spring at Onice Farm"

"Early Spring at Onice Farm" oil on 11x14 board

The picture was taken early spring this year, it was a lovely mild sunny day at Onice Farm where these Icelandic horses live, they enjoy beautiful surroundings of hills and dales which the horses love to graze.

The grass had only just begun to sprout so the pickings were a bit lean, which they didn't seem to mind. 

Painting this picture I tried to give the grass and the Hills behind the feeling of warmth for the beginning of this year after such a long cold winter was behind us!

Babs

Casper the Donkey

Casper, oil on 11 x14 board

This is Casper the miniature donkey owned by Kai-Liis Mcinnes an animal lover and artist:

See her at http://www.kai-liis.com/

Kai-Liis says of Casper: "I bought him as a 4-year-old in 2006 - he was living with a potter.   He looks adorable, like Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh - so he came here, to be a companion to my llama, Everest.  But Everest didn't like him, so, as Birkir and Erling were here, Casper went in with them, and Erling acted as a protector for him for the first while."

Bikir and Erling are Icelandic horses that I painted for Kai-Liis recently.

Casper was another challenge he was actually running away from John when the photo was taken, he was rushing to join the two horses. His fur is in between winter and summer so a bit disheveled!

Babs

"Orgulhoso" has Passed

Orgulhoso with owner Frank Grelo 

We just received this sad news:

"Dear friends,

Unfortunately I have some sad news to share. Our Orgulhoso unexpectedly died this morning. I know how much of a shock this is as I haven't even processed it myself. He was being his usual, war horse self and my dad had to work him before passing him off to Taylor as he was particularly ornery. After a near attempt at showing the other horses in the arena he was still the boss of the barn (you can just guess what that looked like ;) he took a sudden fall with Taylor on his back and passed shortly after from, what my dad suspects, was a heart attack.

It is the end of another era losing Corsario and Orgulhoso so close together. Thankfully Orgulhoso has passed on his ever strong genetics to many of his offspring and we're lucky to have a few of them in reproductive standing. The loss is what we sign up for along with all the joy when we choose relationships with these majestic beasts. We will surely miss the brute.

Most tenderly,

Rosanna"

I had just finished a commissioned painting of him for a good friend Rachel Corbett. Orgulhoso was also the sire of two of the horses at Winsong farm: Zelador and Zeloso

Babs

Zeloso

Zelador

"December Dusk"

"December dusk" oil on 14 x 18 canvas

First painting I've done in ages, due to multiple repairs around the house, but hopefully I can get stuck in again.
This is from a photo taken just north of Nobleton  on the 15th line just east of the 8th, we had just left a clinic at Winsong Farm and this quiet view was on display.

Now ready to do a couple of commissions of a steam train and then a huge one of horses and riders, but the grass needs cutting first!

John

Orgulhoso

"Orgulhoso" Oil on 8x01canvas

Rachel Corbett, a rider, writes: "His name is Orgulhoso. In Portugese, it means "arrogant":
He is a 19 year old Lusitano stallion owned by Frank Grelo of Grelo farms. He is trained in the art of high school classical dressage. 
While being one of his master's best mounts,as well as being father to many a successful progeny, he also teaches riders from novice to expert how it's done. (Including me) 
He is fearless, high spirited, and mean as hell:) Frank calls him "the beast". He is one of my all time favorite horses in the world and has taught me many things. I hope he will be Nova's baby daddy next spring! "

He certainly gave me a good work out. Boy he has an attitude! I wanted to get that feeling of  his energy come through the picture. So I tried to catch the feeling of his pride and strength.

Babs

Grelo Farms can be seen here: http://www.grelofarms.com/

"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/

"To the Square Dance"

"To the Square Dance" oil on 16x20 canvas

This was (and is) quite a challenge: leaves on the trees, leaves on the ground, three horses. three people, three faces, and Fall colours!

Took a while and most of the time I enjoyed it!

The original photo was taken at Winsong farm last fall, Bill and Winnie and the other rider are entering the arena for the Grande Finale of the Annual Autumn show, a wonderful afternoon.

The Farm can be seen here:
http://winsongfarm.ca

John

Zeloso at Winsong Farm

 Zeloso  is close a relative to Zelador

This is a study of Zeloso 8x10 oil on board. He had been having his daily training in the Arena with Bill. He looks slightly startled due to me standing to the side near him, I quite liked his look although surprised to see me he looked amazing with big eyes and his ears up made me laugh a little.

I find white horses take on reflections all around them with the windows in the background slightly purple it was reflected on to him quite clearly, he was standing in the Arena and looking out so his face picked up the yellow tinge which made him quite colourful.

 He is a bit younger than Zelador and full of energy.

Babs

"Lady in White"

"Kria" oil on 11x14 boaed

Lady in white.

This young lady is in training getting ready for Spring and the warm weather, after this winter I think even Iceland ponies are looking forward to some warmth from the sun.

Her name is Kria and she has the most magnificent white mane, it's amazing how many colours there are in these horses at Onice Farm. I think it was her mane that attracted us to photo. she seemed to stand out in the crowd.

https://www.facebook.com/OnIceHorseFarm

Unfortunately we missed out on a clinic run by Sydney the daughter and trainer she introduced some of the ponies for riding it was a first time for each rider to ride an iceland pony and get to know each other. I think it must have been busy for Sydney and a lot of fun   needing plenty of energy!

Here's to a Great Season guys.

A "Stone Barn"

"Stone Barn" Oil on 8x10 board

A unique Stone Barn in Norland Ont

The Stephens Family were the original owners of this unique barn, two feet walls all built of rock and stone in the early 1930's Ed Valentine a stone mason built it. It is indestructible, an earth quake in 1930 failed to dislodge even one stone.
I believe it is one of a kind and a piece of history still looking strong and solid.
More info here: http://www.monckslanding.com/barn.html

I really like the idea of painting landscapes but I find them a little tricky especially with perspective. making buildings look authentic. The colour of the stone and the history of this barn was important to give it justice on a 8 x 10 board. It was a little awkward to get it looking right, windows and doors are so tiny, but over all I did my best, I need a couple more practice pieces!
I enjoyed the picture enough to take a chance and have it on the Blog.

Photo by daughter Lisa. thank you for sharing.   Mum.

"The Two of Us"

"The Two of Us" Oil on 11x14 board

Onice  Farm.  https://www.facebook.com/OnIceHorseFarm

A few weeks ago the ponies were moved to different fields so they were all excited with the change but, these two decided to pay us a visit to check out if there might have been a treat. They stayed near by for a while John was able to get a shot as they waited looking a little contemplative, one of their Favourite snacks is black sun flower seeds, apparently very good for them better than carrots or apples. Luckily Wendy one of the owners had something for them. There is nothing sadder than a horse waiting for a treat!

P.S.  Treats for horses:   always ask an owner if you can give a treat  We were told that black sun flower seeds are good for the horses hair and they enjoy them a lot.
 
Babs

Here's Looking at You!

"Here's Looking at You!" oil on 11x14 board

A start to 2014

This picture is an experiment for a really good close up of An Icelandic pony in winter. The purpose was giving me the opportunity to work on horses eyes and dabble in working on their thick fur in the winter. They almost have a look of a cave man drawing.

Knowing a little about the Iceland ponies they are lucky their top coat is water proof and a thick underlay of soft fur protects them from severe winter weather, even so I will be relieved when the weather gets a little warmer.

I must admit right now being well below zero degrees and today a bone numbing freezing cold minus 26 degrees which has triggered Ice quakes over  the last few day's I have been thinking a lot about all animals outside in this weather.

This year we sure are having one heck of a winter!

The original photo was taken at Onice Horse Farm:

https://www.facebook.com/OnIceHorseFarm

Friday January 3rd

Babs