The story behind this painting is rather unique - never mind that it's one of the very few works I've done where the subject is an animal. My youngest daughter, Catherine, absolutely LOVES horses. The last part of that sentence may even be an understatement. She has been involved with them, in one way or another, since she first laid eyes on one as a young child of seven.
After moving to Maine in the mid-90's, we searched out local farms as well as 4-H groups / clubs in order to find opportunities for Catherine to continue riding and learning about horses. One such place was then-called Hidden River - a large farm and horse boarding facility that, ironically, was nowhere near a "hidden" river. The facility was actually in Warren right on Route 1, which is the major thoroughfare in Mid-coast Maine. A wonderful woman named Marcy was the owner and riding instructor.
In 2003, Marcy purchased a 17-hand high horse named Extabi (pronounced Ex-tobby - rhymes with "hobby). The horse, from what I understood, was larger than the average in the breed, as they usually stand 12 hands high. Being the first and only horse painting I have ever done, I needed Catherine's help in drawing the legs, as she knew (by that time) a horses anatomy by heart.
The finished work was almost as big as the horse, comparatively speaking to other sized paintings. It measured 48"x48" on masonite board. My husband had to photograph it on the floor of our farmhouse due to the size and weight. This painting was given to Marcy in 2004 and is still in her possession.
Until next time,
The Happy Painter,
Jill
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