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.