Beauty - Andalusian horse - SOLD

'Beauty - Andalusian horse'  SOLD

5 x 7 inch oil on panel

Admittedly, 'Beauty', isn't that much of an original title for a painting of a horse, but that's the thought that kept coming back to me as I was painting him. He  is a beauty. Absolutely beautiful. 

Sometimes when I'm painting I get in the zone and once I'm done I don't remember much of the actual process. I don't know if this is a result of painting a lot, much like driving a car,  how you forget about mundane things like turning on your blinker, and pushing the gas to go, or if it's something else, something deeper. That I'm lost in the creative act so much that I tune everything else out maybe? 

In any case, I do remember the painting process of this one very vividly. I remember it being so enjoyable, so fun. And I remember being absolutely amazed at seeing this beautiful horse's face emerge from a blank piece of masonite board.  Amazed that I actually did that!

This convinces me that I SHOULD keep oil painting in addition to my watercolors. There was so much joy in discovery while painting this and I want to experience that again. And I'm also really happy with the realism I achieved here, which has proved pretty elusive at times with oils for me. 

I feel like this 30 day challenge has made me realize some things about myself and my art. It's been really good for me. But I'll save what I've learned for another blog post. I've rambled on enough for today, just one more thing. . . 

Me and my little family went for a drive in the country the other day. I brought my camera, hoping to find something that caught my eye, and heart, to paint. I saw this guy, crouched in a field, tearing at his dinner still clutched in his talons (blegh). When I got out of the car he flew away but I managed to take this pic before he left. I don't know if I'll paint him or not, but it was a pretty awesome sight to see. :) 

This is painting 17/30 in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

Reference photo by Just Chaos, thank you!