Everyone needs one now and then - a place to sit quietly and contemplate, or just sit and "be". For me, the barn was always a place of peace and a refuge from the worries of life and the madding crowd. Once there, I was surrounded by non-judgemental horses, dogs, and barn cats who welcomed me into their world for a while. Sometimes the barn cats even served snacks - I was presented with a juicy mouse on more than one occasion. I always found the animals waiting, but I have to say, I never did come across a good looking cowboy snoozing in the tack room! (That tack room always held both English and Western saddles and bridles, as I live in an area of the East where there is a strong Western Tradition, but that's a topic for another blog.)
This painting shows a set-up not unlike my home barn. There, the tack room was not as big or bright as the one I have painted here, but I could stand in it among the grain bins, the saddles, and other horsey accoutrements and look across at my horse as he dozed in his stall, waiting for me to get his saddle so we could go for a ride together. I could take as much time as I liked to soak in the peace of the barn, and I always left renewed and refreshed.
FIND A QUIET CORNER is a 12 by 16 watercolor on Arches 300lb Hot Press paper. In a few days, I will get a price on it and put it up on my website. But for the moment, I have it set up where I can look at it and enjoy the memories.
http://www.heatheranderson-animalart.com/
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