Photographing Wild Horses, Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Equis Art Gallery

Near the end of my Artist in residence at Assateague Island, I was joined by Meredith Hudes-Lowder from Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography. We photographed the horses at Assateague and Chincoteague Island.

After photographing the horses, we traveled to New York to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was exciting to see paintings by artists that I have studied. Rembrandt, Van Gogh,  Cezanne, Sargent, Manet, Vermeer, Zorn and many others.

We also traveled to Red Hook to visit Equis Art Gallery who represents my work. 

This was an incredible end to an awesome opportunity and trip!

Home from my Assateague Island Artist in Residence

My Artist in Residence at Assateague Island National Seashore was amazing. I spend two weeks painting and photographing the horses and the island. During that time I gave two workshops on Painting Wild Horses from Life and one presentation to a middle school art class.

The ocean was wonderful and I never tired of watching the sunlight on the waves. I was also treated to the beauty of changing leaves.

Painting an area that is so different from the desert was an excellent opportunity to see and learn. The mist and atmosphere were full of soft edges and diffused light.

I want to thank the Assateague Island Alliance for sponsoring my residency and the staff at the Assateague Island National Seashore. Every one was very kind and helpful. I look forward to returning!  

Many thanks to Rachael Parcella for the excellent online and print articles about my A.I.R.

Artist in Residence at Assateague Island

My bags are packed, my boxes shipped last week and I am ready for my trip to Assateague Island. My two week Residency is sponsored by Assateague Island Alliance, the group that supports the Assateague Island National Seashore with conservation and fundraising efforts. During my stay, I will be teaching two Introductory Workshops on Painting Wild Horses from Life.

While I am there, I will be joined by Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get photos of the fall light, changing leaves and the winter coats.

I look forward to updating with photos and paintings during my stay. 

Plein Air Painting - Wild Horses

Over the past several years, I have developed my painting gear that is specific to the specialty of painting wild horses from life. Considering that I will be walking an unknown distance, I want my gear as light as I can make it, and not take anything into the field that might cause extra curiosity or be a concern for the horses. (Plastic grocery bags that I typically use for trash is one of the items I leave home when I paint horses.) My gear is compact and sets up quickly. I also have my palette set and ready to go, which eliminates the need for carrying tubes of paint.

1. Carbon fiber tripod. (I have the same mounts attached to my camera and easel)
2. Brushes, (Rosemary and Co. are my favorite brushes), palette knife, small chip brush from the hardware store and a paint scraper.
3. Strada Easel
4. Sun block, spf gloves, pen, pencil, small sketch book, and extra SD card.
5. Panels and panel carrier. (PanelPak).
6. Odorless mineral spirits, a small mesh bag for trash, a water bottle carrier to hold my OMS, napkins folded in half in a mesh bag, plastic putty scraper to clean my palette. (I don't carry a roll of paper towels when painting wild horses).
7. Storm Jacket for my camera, (in the event of rain or dust storm), View Finder, extra tripod mount, lens cleaner, extra camera battery, and business cards.
8. Canon 70D with a 100-400mm lens.
9. Camelbak backpack that will hold up to 100 oz of water. (I have one that can hold an 12x16 panel).
(The only thing not pictured is a 13 gallon trash bag for picking up trash on the way back to the car).

My goal is to be as unobtrusive as I can while I paint. I want to watch the horses interacting with each other rather than focusing on me.

Painting at Sand Wash Basin, CO 2015

Please let me know if you have any questions. Happy painting! 

Women Artists of the West 45th Annual Exhibition

As a member of the Women Artist of the West, I am excited about the 45th Annual National Exhibit. The event will be at the Tucson Desert Art Museum, Tucson, AZ. November 3rd- 28th.  It is an honor to have  "Picasso at Sunset" included in the exhibit.

"Picasso at Sunset" 12x16  $600.00

Please visit the Women Artists of the West website for additional information and to view the work that will be on exhibit.

Photographing Mustangs with Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography

This summer I was joined by Meredith Hudes-Lowder, of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography. We visited McCullough Peaks, Pryor Mountain and Sand Wash Basin. The horses and light were incredible and we had the opportunity to meet-up with other photographers.

Ready for late afternoon light at McCullough Peaks.

During this trip, we found horses that we had followed for years, mustangs that are well known and some that were new to us. Several bands had new foals and bachelors were trying to win bands of their own.

There was still snow on Pryor Mountain.

There was time for making s'mores.

The photos from the trip will be added to the Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography Facebook page as well as the website. Adding to the wide collection of wild horse photos available for prints, note cards and canvas prints. Proceeds are generously donated to wild horse non-profit groups such as The Cloud Foundation, Sand Wash Basin Advocate Team, and more.Visit Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography to see the stunning selection of photos that will leave you feeling as if you are there.

Meredith Hudes-Lowder is a Perinatal/Women's Health Nurse Practitioner in Manhattan, and is a Doctoral candidate. Meredith also finds time to spend with her "off the track" Thoroughbred, play a 34 string Celtic floor harp, sing contralto in a Renaissance Madrigal choir or attend  Kobudo class.

Cloud, Icon of Pryor Mountains

The first time I met Cloud was in the summer of 2013. During that trip I was able to campout three nights on Pryor Mountain. As it happened, Cloud’s band was one of the first that I saw on that trip. Seeing him was such a thrill and tears filled my eyes.

  

"Thunder on Top of the Mountain" 12x16

 Encore was a foal in 2013, and was so much like Cloud in personality and appearance. I spent as much time as I could with them during that trip.

"Encore Frolic" 6x8

In 2014, I was honored with an Artist-in-Residence position at Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area. My goal was to paint the horses that lived on the Dryhead. I spent my time following those bands and learning about them while I painted. In the course of my Residency, I went up the mountain to search for Cloud.

He had lost his band earlier and was able to win some back. He even had a foal in his small band. This was a very peaceful visit as he kept his family away from a lot of other bands.

That summer we also had the Celebration of Wild Horses through Art and Music to benefit The Cloud Foundation. That was a very popular and successful event.

 This summer, (2015), Cloud turned 20. He had once again lost his band and had dropped weight too. When I first saw him, I didn’t recognize him. He was alone and his blaze and socks weren’t visible. He was covered in a layer of mud that made him unrecognizable.

Later that afternoon, it became apparent that this stallion could only be Cloud. He got into a brief sparring match with another stallion and his iconic personality as a bold stallion was on display. I also spent time with him while he napped, hung out on the snow at the waterhole, and peacefully grazed in the meadow.

Cloud, July 2015. His blaze and socks obscured by mud. 

Cloud spars with another stallion.

Cloud peacefully grazes.

"Cloud Portrait"

Cloud is one of the most inspiring stallions and painting him is such a thrill. Please email me about availability of these and other Cloud paintings. To see and purchase photographs of Cloud, please visit, Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography.

Summer Wild Horse Painting Trip--Pre-Sale Event

During the last five years, I spend time each summer painting different mustang herds. Every year, I strive to learn more as I observe and paint.  This summer, as I have done in the past, I am pre-selling paintings that are based on this adventure.

Pre order a 9x12 painting and receive 30% off my standard price.

I will travel to the Little Book Cliffs, Sand Wash Basin, McCullough Peaks, and Pryor Mountain ranges. During this trip, I am meeting Meredith Hudes-Lowder of Equus ferus Wild Horse Photography.  We will present a free open photography workshop  at Sand Wash Basin July 3, 2015.

Painting at McCullough Peaks, 2014.

I am leaving in June for the range to paint  as many field studies of the horses and landscape as I can. When you pre-order a 9x12 painting based this trip, I will take 30% off my standard pricing.

How it works:

Original 9x12 oil painting $225.00 Quantities limited
Pre Order Price: $157.50 plus shipping. Two payments of $78.75 plus shipping.

 Payment on the first installment needs to be made before I leave, and the second payment is made when I return and you choose your painting. Choice is awarded in the order that you take advantage of the offer. (So make the first payment now!) You will be able to choose your painting in August. If you want to make other arrangements for payment, please email me.

Offer ends June 20th.

Join my e-newsletter and hear about my adventures, sign-up here.

"The Paint Box" 1972 Shasta 

 To see more photos from my Adventures visit my "Go There, Paint That" page.

Wild Stallion, Noble and Free

As I begin to prepare for my summer trip to camp and paint on the wild horse ranges, I remember the experiences of past years and work in the studio. This painting, "Noble and Free", depicts a stallion, running across the range, his neck is arched and his ears alert. He is ready to protect his band and runs out to meet another stallion in the distance.

"Noble and Free"

Oil

16x20

$700.00

Wild Horse Bachelor Band

When I am visiting the wild horse ranges, I am always interested and often amused while watching the antics of small bachelor bands. This band was playing,and then stopped to rest-content to pause until their antics continued.

"Bachelor Band"

Oil 
24x36
$2,000

Assateague Island Seashore Artist in Residence

I am thrilled to announce that I will be at Assateague Island National Seashore October 26th-November 8th, for an Artist in Residence.  On November 7th, I will give a one day workshop, "Introduction to Painting Wild Horses from Life".  The cost of the workshop is $125.00, it is sponsored by and will benefit the Assateague Island Alliance. 

Introduction to Painting Wild Horses from Life
with Karen McLain
November 7th, 2015

Artists have long painted outdoors, working in natural light to see and to be inspired by nature while immersed in its element. This workshop will cover techniques for painting the horse quickly and fluidly from life. We will discuss the challenges of painting a moving subject in changing light and coping with the problems inherent in painting outdoors. A demonstration will be given on painting the horse with emphasis on accurate anatomy. I will guide the students through the process of observing, painting and learning from wild horses to enrich studio work.
Join us for a very rewarding experience as you take advantage of the beauty that surrounds us and capture it on canvas!
Portable equipment is required – students will be working outdoors with a wild horse in their natural setting.

Registration information will be released soon. For more information or to be added to the distribution list please contact us at 443-614-3547, outreachAIA@gmail.com or keep watching for updates on Facebook and www.AssateagueIslandAlliance.org

Painting, Inspiration and Learning

My favorite quote from 2014:"Don't be afraid to wipe that off and start over." --Ned Jacob.

Challenging myself and learning are two of my favorite things. This past year I focused on simplifying form and expressing as much as I can clearly and simply. Additionally I continued to work on accurate gesture sketching and studio painting with energy.

"Value Study-The Chase"

"The Chase"

"Stallion and Sage"

"Morning Dust"

"The Stallion Returns"

"Watercolor from life"

"Making Tie-Dye"

"Cityscape 5"

"Cityscape 7"

 

 

"Finger drawing on the iPad in Wasabi Paint app"

Approaching painting with inspiration and energy is my continued goal for 2015.

May you have a happy, healthy and creative year!