I’m (of course) working on another racing piece today, there’s just something about watching all the pageantry and splendor of these major, tradional races really motivates me.  I suppose someday it would be interesting to try to paint at the track – though that would be way outside of my comfort zone!  At least with this piece I was able to get an earlier start working on it over the past couple days.  I will post the finished work as soon as it’s done…

I also finished a couple commissions this week:

“Hunter” – 16 x 20 oil on canvas

“Fancy” – 16 x 20 oil on canvas

For those that didn’t catch the finished version of the piece I painted during the Derby – here it is…

My Derby Painting

As some may remember it’s time to work on my annual “Derby” painting (I always work on a piece that’s racing related while watching Derby coverage). I know, pretty thrilling to be plunked down in my studio at my easel watching the fun on TV – complete with mint tea (no julep, I’d like my painting of a race horse to look like a painting of a racehorse, lol) – I guess I’m just wild and crazy like that (haha… not). I’ll be posting photos of the piece here and on Facebook. 

This is the color underlay I’ve worked up so far…

Update on this piece (May 6), almost done…

And finally finished (May 8)…

Derby Work of a Different Sort…

I also have some of my work being represented in an unusual format at the actual event… on a jacket and a purse (as you might have noticed above)! Apparently they’re quite the hit, and the client and his fiancé are loving the attention they’re getting among the Derby crowd!

Update: The jacket appears in a Derby slide show (photo #17) on Bloodhorse.com!

Here’s the jacket front and back…

And the other side of the purse, a classy Ralph Lauren item…

A New Portrait

I have also been busy with a lot of commissions so far this year, and am having a ton of fun with them! Here’s one of a charming Shire/Morgan cross named Fancy that I’m almost finished with…

I’m juggling about 12 paintings at the moment… both portraits and originals… and all in various stages, so watch for a lot of new work in the next few months! I’ve sold quite a few originals in the past few months so I need to replenish my inventory!

I’ve been enjoying our warm and pleasant winter weather out at the 6 week Hunter/Jumper Winter Circuit series put on by HITS. I plan on being out there one more … February 29 – March 4, which should be twice the fun because there’s also a 4 day Quarter Horse show going on at the same time!  Talk about horse artist heaven… my camera batteries will be charged and ready!  A location like this might just be the perfect studio – though not in the summer heat, of course!

HIT’S Winter Circuit Photos

Since I am there and already taking large quantities of photos, I am assisting Yvonne Hazelton, the photographer (who’s a friend and talented equine artist), by taking some extra photos to help cover more of the show. 

If you have shown at any of the shows and are interested in photos, first check out Yvonne Hazelton’s photo’s, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for there, I’ll have an album up very soon with additional photos!

2012 Winter Commission Special

I have a Horse Show Special on commissions running through March 31… and you don’t have to be at the show to take advantage of it!  It’s 30% off your choice of small (11” x 14”), medium (16” x 20”), or large portraits (22” x 28”) – with the option of monthly payments!  See my Commission Special page for more info.

And be sure to come by the show and visit if you’re in the area – it’s located at the Pima County Fairgrounds southeast of Tucson.  I already have some commissions in progress that I might be working on at the show next week – a great chance to see the process in person!

New Work 

“Patagonia Commute” 20” x 24” oil on canvas.
 

“Lady In Waiting”, a 12” x 12” painting of a very pregnant mare.  This is done in a looser style than I’m used to, I have to admit it was both excited and hard to “stop” before I could really start tightening up the detail!

 “Spot On”, a charming close up of a flashy Appaloosa Filly on 12” x 12” gallery wrap canvas!

And my latest finished commission, “Leo”.  This is a portrait of a cherished old roping horse, maybe a bit past his prime but loved and appreciated more than ever!

My latest work is a portrait of a handsome Quarter Horse named Flyer.  The owner contacted me with a photo she really liked – the lighting was atypical for a portrait – but the interplay of highlights and shadows cast by a nearby (out of view) tree created an interesting challenge to capture in paint. I was excited with the chance to take on something a bit different.  The end result is an unusual play of light that works nicely to compose a painting that is truly unique and will likely be treasured for many years! 

I’ve a few more commissions taking turns on my easel, the others aren’t for Christmas (obviously, lol), I’ll share them as each one reaches the finish line! 

“Flyer”
16” x 20” Oil on Canvas

Just a reminder that my Commission Special continues only through 12/31/11 – I still have room for a few more.  I also offer gift certificates for those giftee’s that are pickier than others! 

Also, don’t forget to check out my Etsy Store for Prints ($1 shipping through 12/31/11), Greeting Cards and a sale on select Originals: Equine, Bovine and Southwest (marked down 20-50% through 12/31/11)!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everybody!

Holiday Specials

• 20-50% Off Select Originals on Etsy; Equine, Bovine and Southwest!
• $1 Shipping* on Prints in my Etsy Store . *in the US, reduced shipping elsewhere.
• NEW – I now have Greeting Cards in a variety of images available!
• And don’t forget my Commission Special – a great deal on having the one of a kind fine oil portrait to commemorate that special  horse (or pet,or other subject), still good through the end of the year (includes Gift Certificates)! 
• Also – Gift Certificates are available for everything from prints to commissions (contact me for more information)!

Southern Arizona Horse Expo

I will have a booth at the Southern Arizona Horse Expo going on November 26-27 in Oracle, AZ, if you’re there please stop by and say hi!  If you’re in Southern Arizona this is a great event with wonderful presenters and their Cowboy Christmas – independent vendors, many local, selling unique items for the horse person – is a great way to Shop Small, Local and Independant this year! 

Lots O’ New Work!!

This is the first piece, a striking moment of the great Zenyatta, 2010 Horse of the Year, doing her unique dance in the saddling paddock.  I have always been fascinated with her dapples, and this painting gave me the opportunity to tackle them with great enthusiasm!   Original and Prints available!

“Zenyatta in the Paddock” 18″ x 24″ oil on canvas 

The next is a bit of deja vu.  A striking dark bay based in Southern California, this nice mare named Harmonious is also trained by Zenyatta’s trainer John Sherriffs.  A turf specialist, Harmonious is a come from behind horse and is always exciting to watch race whether she wins or not.

“Harmonious 14″ x 18″ oil on canvas.

This fun painting of a bay appaloos filly will be available at the Horse Expo!

“Blanket Baby” 12″ x 12″ oil on canvas

Nothin’s bothering this calf who’s happy to be lazy and relaxed!

“Just Chillin” 14″ x 18″ oil on canvas

Three rescued and comfortably retired thoroughbred racehorses enjoying the good life in the arizona desert oasis that is Equine Encore Foundation – a great racehorse rescue that could always use more support!

“Oasis Sentinals” 18″ x 24″ oil on canvas

Well, I’m off to prepare our turkey – I’m thankful for all of you who’ve been kind enough to enjoy my work and share in my passion for painting!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Carole

Introducing a new Commission Special for the 2nd half of the year!  15 % off any commissioned oil painting and the option of a monthly payment plan for up to 6 months!

This is a great time to get your spot for *Christmas Portraits !    *Commissions started by September 15th are guaranteed to be completed and delivered/shipped 1st week of December. This special also applies to Commission Gift Certificates for those who would like to leave the tough decisions to the giftee! 

This Special will be good through December 31st, 2011!   Make sure to visit my commission page for more information – you can email me with any questions.

New Work

Here’s a couple new pieces I finished over the past couple months.  I worked on the first at the Phippen show in Prescott, AZ.  This is “Power Nap”, a 16 x 20 oil on canvas mounted on board.

…and this one would have been worked on at the show if the second day wasn’t dominated by up to 50 mph winds!  Fortunately it found some quality time on my easel after the show.  This is also a 16 x 20 oil on canvas mounted on board, as yet untitled.

Upcoming Show in Tubac…

I”m excited to have some pieces hanging at the Tubac Center of the Arts for the Summer Gallery Show,  July 30 – August 28 – the opening reception is July 30 from 5-7 pm!  Drop by and check out the show!

Painting Sold!

I just found out my oil painting titled Checkmate sold at The Horse in Fine Art – AAEA Invitational Exhibition at Spindletop Hall in Lexington, Kentucky!  It’s always nice to see my work going to good homes!

While waiting and hoping for April showers (this is the desert, one can dream!), I thought I’d do something fun and different for April, a simple portrait special that simply gets to the heart of the horse and the people that love them!  I’m offering an 11 x 14 oil portrait for the awesome price of $300 – that’s 40 % off the current price!  Imagine owning a gallery quality fine oil painting that will be a valuable and lasting memento of a favorite equine friend!

This would be about simplicity, each portrait is limited to a one horse head shot (tack OK), and a simple background, like the pieces below.  Even better, it could be done (and paid for) over a 2 to 3 month period!  There’s a limited number of orders that can be accepted. Email andreenharris@gmail.com for more information or if you have any questions!

Two New Cattle Pieces!

 It seemed a good idea to create a pair of 11 x 14 cattle pieces for the Cattleman’s Western Art Show & Sale coming up April 8-10 in Paso Robles, CA.  I had some bovine sketches in my painting queue just waiting to be done – so they got bumped to the top of the list and ended up on canvas recently!  If you’re in or near Paso Robles in a week, come visit!

“Yakki Yak”

“Don’t Talk Back”

Equine Art Instruction

After getting a number of inquiries, I’m considering a plan for equine drawing and painting lessons, and even a workshop!  If anyone is interested please contact me (andreenharris@gmail.com) and share your input – ie: what you’d like to learn, how you’d like to learn it – such as individual lessons, classes, worshops, anything else, etc.

***For those interested in commissions, watch for more information on my “Pre-Summer” portrait special – a discount on all commissions in the next couple months!

New Work

And now for a couple of  new paintings – with the Triple Crown season starting to amp up, I was in the mood to have some fun with some racing pieces recently. 

This one is from morning workouts at Santa Anita in October, 2009.  This bright eyed and brilliantly colored chestnut is on his toes and ready to hit the track.  This is a 14” x 18” oil on canvas, appropriately titled “Morning Glory”…

”Checkmate” is from a trip to Hollywood Park last June, it’s not often a head on angle makes for an intersting painting, but with the right canvas (with perfectly unique dimensions), this horse and jockey practically step out of the canvas as they’re preparing to ride out onto the track for the 5th race!  This is a horse named Sea Rascal who’s been climbing the claiming ranks in Southern California in the past 9 months and has a look that makes him a riveting subject – he might even make it into another painting.  12” x 24” oil on canvas…

Upcoming Shows:

I will be in Paso Robles, California April 8-10 for the Cattlemen’s Western Art Show & Sale., and over Memorial day I will have a booth at the Phippen Museum Western Art Show & Sale in Prescott, Arizona.  This show runs from May 28 – 30.

If you’re near either of these show’s please come by and visit!

I will also have a booth at this years 2nd Annual Southern Arizona Horse Expo, January 15-16 from 9am – 5pm at the University of Arizona Horse Farm.  It looks to be a great event featuring John Lyon’s along with other notable horsepeople sharing their wisdom and experience!  If you’re there, please stop by and say hi!

New Work

Here’s a piece I just finished that is a gift for a very special friend of her very special horse - a gentle and handsome Andalusian named Baja.  It’s a 16 x 20 oil on canvas…

 A detail shot of the head…