I had the extreme pleasure of visiting “the Great Race Place”, Santa Anita Park, about a week before the Breeders Cup, and was able to spend a great morning watching workouts and enjoying a delicious breakfast at Clockers Corner, and also got to spend part of the afternoon enjoying the races.  I had the pleasure of meeting Marcie, a freind who’s a fan of racing and a fellow artist, and Mary Forney who has a wonderful blog that features a fun inside peek into racing in California.  You can bet I was honored to be featured on her blog today… Mary Forney’s Blog.

I don’t think I’ve ever left a place as inspired as I left this beautiful track.  So with almost 2400 pics to wade through, I narrowed them down about 400 as painting material.  Then I picked a couple and started painting.   One is still in progress, but here’s the first one finished, I wish I knew who this horse was, but what a lovely subject!  It’s 20″ x 20″ oil on canvas…

Untitled

Before going to California I was already feelin’ the need for speed, at least painting it! I did this piece as an homage to pure sprinting.. the raw power of speed!  It’s called, simply enough, “The Sprinter” and is a 24 x 30 oil on canvas…

The Sprinter

For those that are or will be in Tucson on November 28, I’m going to have a small booth at the Tack Sale to benefit HEART of Tucson… a wonderful equine rescue that I have been doing some volunteering for!   Here’s a flyer with more information, I’d love to see anybody who’s able to come by!

I also have started a donation plan for the two rescues I work with. Starting now if either of the rescues are mentioned I will give 10% off a painting, commission, or print and donate 10% of the pre-discount price to either of the rescues!  

These are the two rescues:

Equine Encore Foundation:  Retiring racehorses to a long life of great care and a chance to “be a horse”. Started by a Tucson based trainer, Patti Shirley, it’s her passion to provide a forever safe haven to racehorses that have given the racing world their all.  I have personally spent time with Patti at her ranch, and I think the racing world needs more of her!

HEART of Tucson:  I’ve mentioned them before, but they are endlessly saving horses of all types from neglect, abuse and slaughter.  They have done amazing things with horses that looked like they had no hope, getting horses from the direst of striaghts to happily in a home full of love!  I also have spent a lot of time with this rescue and am thrilled with their enthusiaism and drive, and their success with saving so many!

Support these rescues in any way you can, there’s such a need and both are bending over backwards to do everything they can!