What I'm Doing
So I'm working on a series, this piece isn't part of it, it was for the Equine Art eXchange (EAX), but it is in the same style.
The series is themed on resistance. I've had these images in my head for a while and they keep on coming up. The main gist of it is the exploration of resistance found in horses. Generally resistance generated by the human handler/rider, but resistance just the same. I have the first three images finished and at least seven more to follow. All of them will be on this 9X12 ColourFix paper, which is quite nice to work on with the pastels. It is similar to the pastelbord that Amperstand makes, but quite a bit cheaper and with greater variety. It isn't as durable (it is just paper after all) and the surface sometimes has flaws, but it is still pretty nice to work on. That and it comes in about 20 different colors, which is sweet.
I'm simultaneously drawn to and repulsed by these images. As I work on them I see all the bad riding that is out there, unsympathetic hands, harsh aids, and a variety of people who range from just not knowing better to deliberately acting because they think the horse is doing something on purpose instead of simply not understanding, or even worse, when the horse is doing what the rider or handler is asking, but the person doesn't realize that they are throwing mixed signals and get angry at their "disobedient" horse.
I guess I'm trying to draw attention to something that is often ignored by the arts. People want to see pretty pictures of horses being free and beautiful. They want to see the ideal picture, not the harsh reality of what many horses experience. Again, it's not always purposeful, a lot of people just don't know.
As with anything, though, you can't fix what you don't know. I guess that's part of the reason why I find teaching so important. Because people can't fix what they don't know is wrong. Not to say that I go around telling people that "you're doing it wrong." But perhaps showing them a better way to do things.
Anyway, the drawings are moving forward and once the next portfolio is reviewed I'll bring them home and take some pictures of them (which should be the end of March).
Now to go work Panda and the boy and then pick up some gifts for my dad and brother's birthdays.