Windows SOLD
7" x 5" watercolor
You all probably know that I've loved horses all my life and that they were a huge part of my growing up years. Now that I don't get to be around them as much as I did when I was a girl, I feel an even stronger pull towards them whenever I see them, like a gravitational pull, or tractor beams or something.
I saw this horse last winter in a field I was driving by when out looking for new painting material. I pulled my car over and walked over to the fence. There were a few horses in the field but this one headed in my direction right away, whether she was hungry for human attention or carrots I can't say. Although she did not seem to be too disappointed when my pockets turned up empty of any edible horsey treats.
Or maybe she recognized what I was feeling, that I needed to see her and rub my hand over her velvet nose and fluffy winter coat. The way she calmly gazed at me, so gentle, friendly, and curious ignited all those emotions I'd felt about horses for so many years as a girl.
Her eyes just got to me, they were so kind. It really is true what they say about the eyes. They are the windows to the soul.
P.S. My dear blogger friend (who I also had the good fortune to meet in real life!) Michelle Teacress spotlighted me on her blog the other day. I was honored, flattered, and extremely touched. Thank you so much Michelle. :) Michelle's blog is a great place. You must visit. She is "offering creative encouragement for fellow readers and writers through literature, music, and art."
P.P.S. November means NaNoWriMo (that's National Novel Writing Month in case you didn't know). It means writing an entire 50,000 word novel in thirty days. Thirty. Days. Thirty days and thirty nights of literary abandon. Or, as it seems to be in my case, thirty days and thirty nights of staring at a blinking cursor on my word processing screen and wondering what the heck my characters should do next!
This means that anything witty, funny, or uplifting that I have to say is being written in my novel and probably not here. Just ask my husband about the funny little Hobbit reference line I came up with for my novel that I am absurdly proud of. I've told him about it at least ten times. Which probably means it's not quite as funny as I think it is. But still. Maybe a little funny. I hope.
Until next week my friends! Off I go to add more words to the 13,109 I already have. Clackety-clack.
beautiful ! ..love the intensity of the darks wonderful crystal ..good luck with the book !!!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous horse!
ReplyDeletegood luck with Nano - my friend did it last year and she loved it - and yes, she finished too, as I am sure you will! Go, Crystal *cheering and waving*
woman of many talents, that's some writing challenge you've taken on!
ReplyDeleteLove this piece of our soulful friend. Like you horses were a wonderful part of my growing up. There was nothing quite like resting my head against my horses neck and feel his strength seep into me, they have a way of bringing comfort for ones so strong...
Don't laugh. This post made me cry. I still ride once a week and work with a rescue Thoroughbred. You are right, there is nothing like those knowing eyes and velvet nose or the moment when you've earned their trust. Lovely, lovely memento of your special moment with this beauty.
ReplyDeleteOh my - what a challenge! When I was writing, often things would pop in to my head when I hadn't a pencil to hand to jot it down - and then by the time I had, I would have forgotten! And sometimes I would dream things which I knew were great but the memory of them had gone before I'd had the time to wake up properly! Still, writing is a joy and as with art, you can make anything happen! Do we get to read it? I hope so ;0)
ReplyDeleteThe horse is adorable. I could almost stroke him from here! They are beautiful creatures aren't they? I used to ride too, though I was always more comfortable on a horse than next to one :0)
I know exactly what you mean about horses...I've got that too, although I do get some horse contact with our daughters mare and the ones I work with at the National Trust carriage driving, but even so I love to meet them in passing, like you did - I love their smell. Your painting is gorgeous, so rich with the lights and darks, clever you. Oh, and all the best with the book.
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting; it really captures the trusting, gentle soul of this mare.
ReplyDeleteI love it when horses come over when I walk up to a field or pasture of them - it's "happy therapy" to rub a velvety nose and feel their warm breath while I give them an ear scratch.
Good luck with the writing challenge; 50,000 words sounds like quite a challenge indeed!
Beautiful painting. I know how you feel:)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, gorgeous horse!!! <3!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with NaNo! Woo! go you! I wanted to participate so so badly, but alas. Life sometimes gets in the way of a month of insane writing. I'm hoping to do my own kind of NaNo in Jan. Not the same but I think I've wrangled some writing buddies to join in, so it won't be so lonley :)
Your painting is superb, Crystal. You have caught all the softness, warmth, and generousity of soul of the horse. And good luck with the writing [we will excuse your paucity of verbal excellence on the painting blog!]
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece, Crystal. You have really captured the kindness in her eyes. Now go and get that novel finished!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting Crystal.
ReplyDeleteUniquely a Crystal Cook painting! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI just felt a shiver run through me when I saw that eye.. What else can I say!!
ReplyDeleteI love the composition you chose! It really brings you in to look into his eye. And where on earth do you get the time to paint, write and be mom? You're amazing.
ReplyDeletestunning crystal!!! so beautiful. and good luck with the writing!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, as usual! Have fun with the NaNoWriMo challenge!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful through and through...
ReplyDeleteGorgeous painting, Crystal!!
ReplyDeleteSuch abstract quality to the painting! -perfect for describing emotions. Good luck with the NaNoWriMo challenge --you already have written more than a fifth of the word count :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Beautiful dark colors...I don't know how you do that with watercolor! Her eye is truly beautiful. This makes me want to rub my hand over her nose, too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, I love the dark richness of it!<3
ReplyDeleteTesting, just seeing if blogger is going to let me comment today.
ReplyDeleteOkay, didn't want to write another novel to have blogger eat it and give me an error message. This is amazing!!! So dramatic and beautiful! You can definitely feel that special bond in this piece. Crystal it is truly masterful!
ReplyDeleteI always love your horse watercolors; this one is truly stunning.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful point of view and cropping. Another winner ; ) And good luck on NaNo! A friend of mine did it last year. It boggles my mind : P
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend!
You have mastered the darks so well!And the eye is the perfect focal point.Bravo!
ReplyDeleteA very 'moody' piece. Superb!!
ReplyDeleteSo you write AND paint gorgeous watercolor portraits... amazing. I'm jealous. And I love that feeling you described with the horse - I have them, too, all the time, with animals. Crystal, I will look forward to hearing your 'line'... when your book is finished!
ReplyDeleteJust subscribed to your blog!
ReplyDeleteAnother beauty! Your work is so lovely and serene...one never tires of it!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your novel. I am currently working on
"memoirs" :-) Writing has long been a solace to me.
You're trying NaNo? Wow. Brave.
ReplyDeleteI said, "ooooo" as soon as the horse picture loaded. Very lovely.
Thanks for the shout out. You got me to the magical number, 500!
Love the format of this painting an unusual crop love it, as always beautifully painted!
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