Guienne Hanover, Part 1
Posted By Carrie L. Lewis on July 26, 2008
With the portrait of October Skies nearing completion, it’s time to introduce the next portrait.
This is Guienne Hanover (photo by Jeff Coady, Coady Photography). Guienne Hanover is a four-year-old trotting mare, but in 2007, she became the world’s fastest three-year-old trotting filly. On October 20, 2007, she trotted one mile in 1:51.2. The previous track and world record was 1:54 and the North American record for the same distance was 1:52.
She won the Virginia Breeders Elimination at Colonial Downs by 13½ lengths in a wire-to-wire victory in which she simply outran the rest of the field. (You can read all about it here.)
The portrait was purchased at the 2007 Michigan Harness Horseman’s Association benefit auction, but it wasn’t until Guienne Hanover turned in her stunning performance at Colonial Downs that she became the subject of the portrait.
This is a full racing image, as you can see, and includes some things I’ve not painted before…like the tote board in the infield.
Some of the things unnecessary to the composition have been eliminated or de-emphasized in the drawing and will be further reduced in significance for the painting. Utility poles along the backstretch, for example.
But the view I have of Colonial Downs shows a beautiful track setting with tall trees and great atmosphere. Since I will be painting a ‘moment in time’ instead of just a snap shot of a race horse, enough of the details need to be retained to identify the track and the occasion as well as the horse.
The size (proposed at 20×24) and scope of this composition means it will most likely be a two-month project. One of my goals for 2008 was to complete one major painting every month, as well as smaller paintings as able. With the exception of October Skies, which is also a large painting with a complex composition, I have been able to maintain that pace.
But Guienne Hanover has the look and feel of a portrait project that will require at least two months to complete.
But what an exciting challenge!
I am a self-taught artist for the most part. Lots of trial and error in the past forty years! Formal art training consists of a couple of years of high school art, a painting class at a community college, one semester in the Fine Arts program at Abilene Christian University and a couple of local workshops.
I am always looking for ways to better my artistic skills, so I am a permanent student in the School of Trial and Error. I love reading and have been known to spend hours online researching materials and techniques. As a result, I've painted in several different styles, including the direct method (which goes straight for the color) and Classical methods (which involves underpaintings, layering and glazing).
I have exhibited paintings in locations such as Lone Star Park Race Track, Grand Prairie, Texas and Remington Park Race Track, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Since the early 90s, I've worked with the Michigan Harness Horseman's Association, donating custom portraits to their annual benefit auction.
In the course of maintaining a growing art business, I have taught myself web design (a skill that will no doubt prove to be a continual learning experience).
I also enjoy puttering around the yard, chasing trains with my husband, Neal, travel and, of course, looking at horses whenever they appear on my horizon.
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