Character Gallery: A Call for Entries
Posted By Carrie L. Lewis on August 18, 2008
I am considering a new painting project. A series of “up close and personal head studies” featuring equine characters.
Thirty years of doing horse portraits of all types have engendered a fascination with the equine face.
The fascination has gradually led to a desire to paint some of those horses that their owners might not otherwise consider as portrait material.
I am not looking for bright and beautiful, unless the equine character in your barn is also bright and beautiful.
This portrait of a working cow pony at rest is a sample of what I am looking for in possible subjects.
Possible subjects could also be the old codger that patiently gives kids rides when he would rather be snoozing in the shade after a lifetime of service.
That horse or pony with a face that only a mother (and the loving owner) could love.
That special expression that bespeaks mischief or slyness.
The portraits will be primarily small format paintings (no smaller than 4×6 and no larger than 14×14), but there will also be ACEO portraits and larger portraits as well.
If you have or know of a horse you think would be perfect for this project, please contact me. I cannot guarantee that every horse will be painted, but I I would love to correspond with you or take a look at your photographs.
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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