GOLD AND BLUE ON PARADE
The morning is bright and sunny, and it's horse show day. In a few minutes, it will be time to ride into the ring in the Parade Horse class, and these two, with their brightly polished silver, blowing fringe and sequins, are just about ready.
I love the brilliant color and movement in a Parade Class. It's all so Old Hollywood, and such fun to watch.
I've always enjoyed the 'behind the scene' activities in anything, and so many of my paintings are about what goes on before or after an event. You'll find just as much drama and emotion there as you will in the ring, albeit usually a quieter type of emotion.
In this painting, I used several references (as I always do) but in this one, I changed a grey horse to a palomino to enhance the bright atmosphere I was after. The original barn was natural weather- bleached cedar (silver grey), but I felt it needed to be done in golden brown tones to keep the sunny feeling going, and I changed the rider's clothes from a T shirt and breeches (she hadn't changed yet!) to the colorful turquoise Western outfit, complete with fringe, sequins, and matching hat. I guess there is still a little 'costume lady' blood in my veins, even after all these years. :-0
I'm pleased with this painting - I feel I have achieved the warmth and bright atmosphere I was after and created an image of a beautiful horse and rider enjoying a happy day.
GOLD AND BLUE ON PARADE is a 14 x 18 watercolor on Arches 300lb Hot Press. Original, small prints, and note cards available.
www.heatheranderson.animalart.com anderson.animalart@sympatico.ca
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