"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/

"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

"Flour Child"

"Flour Child" oil on 11x14 board

A floury bake day!     

This photo is on display in Sheena's Kitchen, a cafe in Schomberg. Sometime ago Sheena went to Scotland her country of Origin to meet her relatives. I don't know the whole story,but, the photo is to me a classic of a little girl trying hard to copy Mum.

I don't think many mothers today would let her kitchen be taken over by her little one. The abundance of flour and her look of concentration on her face you can tell she's another world of play and taking it seriously. The wooden spoon is almost as big as she is!

At first painting the picture was more than a little crazy I had so many strong colours to compete with. I was concerned painting wet on wet as the picture started to come through I felt more confident and I hope captured her moment of joy.

I think She has a lot of Sheena's knowledge and will become a great pastry and cake maker to carry on a tradition as Sheena says "you have to be consistent, baking is something special'!

Babs