“I do continual research for subject matter, lighting, and environment. In the process of reviewing the research I look for the little details, the quirks of position, teamwork relationship animal to human or animal to animal, in order to build a story in a painting.
What I find most rewarding about doing commissioned work is the reaction of the patron when you are successful in communicating not just the physical properties of the animal/rider but the essence of both.
Human and Horse, connected through need throughout history for travel, communication, sport and war. I marvel at the grace and like challenge of their anatomy in motion. The capacity to stay with the request while fighting the urge for flight. The trust implicit in letting a human guide you to a blind jump and then jumping into the abyss without seeing the landing zone. On the quiet side there is the subtle body language between horses. But the poetry is in their motion at speed whether alone in a field or in a sporting event. To strive to visually comminicate the poetry and body language in my paintings is what gives me personal satisfaction”
