Big Horse WIP Progress 30 X 40 oil on gallery wrap canvas

nodp
When I posted this the first time, I showed a black and white of the first photo instead of the color version. Doing that helps me to judge the composition better without distraction from colors.
The second photo is the head beginning to take shape and the third has background added.


The orange base was becoming an aggravation, so I decided to paint over it before I finished the horse's body.

At this stage I am about 80% complete - still need to add the"sparkle". I prefer to do that on a sunny day, simply because the light in the studio is better. And since today is dark, cold and dreary, I may wait....
Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Big Horse Painting WIP

30 X 40 WIP
nodp
I often get suggestions for paintings. I had a collector contact me recently wanting a larger version of this painting (left) to be used as a focal point in her living room. I painted this handsome animal once before and it sold quickly. I can't really call this a commission because I did not request a deposit for it. Instead I prefer to paint the image and offer it for sale.
The black and white above is the "block in" beginning - it will turn into a bay horse with the next layer, and I will post it with a price. Be ready if you are interested!
Matthew 24:44
So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Goofball Golden Retriever oil painting

5 X 7 Oil on canvas panel
SOLD to a Nevada Collector

My friend Tessa has 4 dogs - and one of them is this goofball Golden Retriever that picks up anything laying around loose and "retrieves" it to whoever is handy to take it from him. One time when I was over there to take pictures of her horses (I am ALWAYS taking pictures of her horses!), the dog came running at me with a rag - and with great delight he offered it to me. I ignored him and he promptly dove into the pond that was close by, dropped it, and immediately lost sight of it. I have never laughed so hard watching that silly dog dive under muddy water trying to retrieve his rag! Like every Golden I have ever known, the world is his simple playground and we are the audience - enjoying his portrayal of a wonderful, happy life. People could learn from Golden Retrievers.

Ezekiel 34:18
Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of your pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink clear water? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?
Media: oil on canvas panel
Size: 7 in X 5 in (17.8 cm X 12.7 cm)
Price: $115 USD

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Can Ya Eat Bluebonnets? longhorn cow bluebonnet oil painting

5 X 7 Oil on Canvas Panel $115
SOLD to a collector in Florida

It's spring and the cows are hungry after a long winter (I'm pretending, all right!?). I've never seen them eat bluebonnets, but they must, because the flowers rarely thrive in pastures with cows in them. So the answer is YES!

For over 10 years we've had bluebonnets growing down our driveway that bisects the pasture. The grassy area on both sides are solid flowers in some areas, and I can see tiny little plantlets emerging all winter - and in the pasture on the other side of the fence, too. But they never blossom there - so either they get trampled or eaten, and I suspect the latter.

I know many flowers are edible for humans - I have personally eaten nasturtiums, violas and pansies. I cannot, however, find bluebonnets (lupines) on a list. Although I have been known to sample wild things and pray for the best, I think I'll pass the bluebonnets....
Mark 1:6
John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey.
Media: oil on canvas panel
Size: 7 in X 5 in (17.8 cm X 12.7 cm)
Price: $115 USD

How to Purchase:

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Price: $115 USD
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Afternoon Dandy - reworked

6 X 8 Oil on Linen panel $125
SOLD to a Colorado Collector

The is the same painting I posted a month ago, but I have reworked it because I didn't like the background - it just didn't work. I like it a LOT better now. I have several more that may get the same treatment.
I am in down time now - closet cleaning, planning the garden, food storing and making sausage (from a wild pig brought to me by a friend). So I am starting small projects that I know I can finish - good for moral!
Genesis 2:9
And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

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Too Many Legs - arabian paint foal running oil painting

8 X 6 Oil on canvas panel $115
SOLD to a collector in Florida

He was a week old when my friend Marie turned him lose in the pasture for the first time, and legs went everywhere. This foal is black and white and is a real looker - Marie raises some pretty spectacular horses. I need to get back and see how he is looking now. He's one I wouldn't mind owning....
Don't forget to send me your horse photos for the "Horse a Day" challenge I will do in February. Looks as if I have already started, but I'm just getting warmed up! send me an email

Mark 14:54
Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

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Price: $115 USD
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Roll in the Grass - horse rolling oil painting illustration

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas Panel $115
SOLD to a Virginia Collector

Caught Dandy rolling in the grass this past summer - she sure enjoyed getting that itchy spot scratched. You cannot watch a horse stick all four legs in the air and not laugh. It's impossible. Once fatty PJ got stuck momentarily upsidedown and I thought I was going to laugh my guts out!
Had another saddling experience with Dandy today, and like I expected, we had a bit more attitude. No real bucking, just aggravating kicks at me as I made her run around the round pen, change direction and speed up and slow down. We both were pretty pooped after 20 minutes, but the results were great. This time I left the halter on and tied the lead rope to the saddle horn - just tight enough to prevent her from lowering her head to eat. THAT made her mad at first, but then she paid attention to me.
I never let my horses graze when they are tacked up - it shows them that I am the one in charge, not them. But don't worry, they get rewarded later - after they have stood patiently tied for 30 minutes.
Consistency is the key to training a horse AND raising children. Both depend on rules that they can rely on, and it's not cruel to enforce them - fairly. I have found that the best way to train horses and children (and even husbands) is to make good behavior easier than bad behavior. This does NOT mean I don't believe in corporal punishment - if a horse bites or kicks me, they get it back from me twice as bad. A lot of people make the mistake of treating a horse like a dog, and I can attest that that never works. Most horses need a leader and respond best to someone who acts and behaves bossier than them. That doesn't mean you have to have an alpha personality to be a good horseman, but it helps....
Proverbs 14:26
He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.

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Curiosity - oil painting of foal baby horse

8 X 6 Oil on canvas panel $115
Includes shipping and insurance

Foals are curious, and a small red-winged blackbird offers little threat. At this age, everything is a first time event and a bird can be investigated without Momma's help.

Today was Dandy's first time encounter with a saddle, and the experience went well. I had hung the saddle blanket and saddle on the fence at the round pen and turned her loose in it. She was wary at first, but approached it after a couple snorts. After she sniffed the blanket, I pulled it off the fence and offered to touch her with it. She spooked and I chased her around, waving the blanket. As soon as she looked in my direction, I took off the pressure, let her stop and approached her with the blanket. If she moved away, I kept her moving. On the third approach, she let me rub her with it and finally lay it on her and flip it all over her.
I did the same with the saddle - and it only took two times around the round pen before she was allowing me to flop it up on her back. At no time did I force her to accept the items - she was entirely halterless and was allowed to leave if she wanted to.
Finally I put both the blanket and the saddle on her back and reached under her belly for the cinch. I had been tightening a rope around her girth since she was a day old, so the tightened cinch was nothing new. Plus there was some fresh winter grass in the pen that she was much more interested in.
I flipped a rope at her asking her to move (see movie) and it wasn't until I got her into a slow lope that she finally got a little cinchy and offered a half-hearted buck. I knew that wouldn't be the only tantrum, so I encouraged more movement and did get a couple serious kicks - both at me and at the saddle. I suspect it was more because I wouldn't let her eat, though!
When I finally got a couple smooth lope transitions with no buck going both directions, I allowed her to rest and graze with the saddle on. After 30 minutes, I removed it - lesson over. It has been my experience that the SECOND lesson is the one to get on film - we'll see tomorrow!
And DON'T WORRY, MOM! I won't get on her for a couple more weeks - just kidding. Actually since she is still so small, I probably won't let anyone get on her before next fall - if then. But by that time, she will be ground broke. And if I can borrow a friend's kid, I may put them on her and lead her around.
Genesis 1:25
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

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Price: $115 USD
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Close By - horse foal and mare painting

8 X 6 Oil on canvas panel
Check with artist for availability

Young horses are a lot like human children. They need to know that safety in the form of Momma is close at hand. They'll venture off for a while but always keep Momma in view for security.

Watch a human baby and a horse baby. They both will keep a watch on Mom (or Dad) for safety (and confirmation) as they venture further and further away. They'll test themselves and learn about their environment and all its scary stuff. A wise parent will allow the baby to experience an occasional booger and even boo-boos. It's the best way for lessons to be learned.

An ignorant parent never allows a child to fail or get hurt and thereby learn that they CAN survive and save themselves. Kinda like Uncle Sam, huh? Or Big Brother?

Acts 27:34
Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive.

Media: oil
Size: 8 in X 6 in (20.3 cm X 15.2 cm)

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Wind Blown - abstract running horse

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas panel $115
SOLD

In between letting layers of the "Big Commission" dry, I am playing with paint on small panels. This is another image inspired by Tuffy, the Napoleon complex buckskin paint. Obviously, this is not his real color, but this IS the way he moves - head high, ears up and a lot of leg action. I never tire watching him.
Yesterday was NOT a good day - I wiped off two painting. Poof - gone. Just couldn't seem to get it together. Should have stuck with painting the pantry shelves - better results and much more satisfying!
Today is better, despite the brutal cold. Temperature is in the teens, so there is no urge to venture outside at all. Little wood stove is glowing, kitty is curled up in the chair and Georgia periodically sticks her nose out and goes, "uh, uh." I have to shove her out to go to the bathroom. She must have a huge bladder!
Don't forget to send me your WELL LIT horse photos for consideration. I am still planning on painting 28 horses in 28 days in February. E-mail them to me at debbiegraysonlincoln@yahoo.com.
Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

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Bevo - Outstanding in His Field - longhorn steer mascot Unitversity of Texas UT

8 X 6 Oil on Canvas Board $115

SOLD to a California sitcom set designer

So many longhorns - so little time. There are near as many longhorns in Texas as there are horses and most of them seem to belong to UT alumni! This one doesn't though. In actuality, he belongs to a friend of mine who has owned him for over 15 years and had him trained to be ridden. When she first had him saddlebroke, I was doing goofy advertising for a business we owned, and she offered to let me ride him for a photo-op.
Never one to back down from a chance to try something new, I said, "Great!" A cutting horse, he wasn't, but docile and willing, he was. A nose ring acted as the main steering mechanism, and even though I felt as if I was falling downhill the whole time, it really was fun!
Durango is a lot bigger now (and so are his horns), but he's still a gentle giant and as well cared for as any loved pet. And in my opinion a LOT better looking than the current UT mascot!
Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land.

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Price: $115 USD
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28 horses in 28 days

Fellow Daily Painter, Carol Nelson, has challenged herself to paint 100 portraits in 100 days and has requested that her followers send in photos for her to paint. She's been gathering material for several weeks now and started painting 4 or 5 days ago. View her blog HERE.
I think her idea is a wonderful and challenging New Year's Goal, and I am considering doing it with horses, mine and other people's, in February.
She posted good advice for photos that she can use - do NOT use a flash; natural light is best - preferably sunlight to the side. The bigger the image, the better (I have horrible eyesight and I paint from my computer screen). I also prefer to paint horses moving - or at least doing something. I will paint just heads, but moving bodies are so much more interesting.
If I get a few responses from you, I will start this mini-marathon in February. I have enough photos of my own to do this, but I thought other people's horses might be fun, too. And of course, they will be offered for sale! Of course! But obviously, you would be under no obligation to buy....
Another note, please send only YOUR photos - no internet Flickr, etc. images. nodp
send me an email with your photos for consideration.
Proverbs 19:20
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.

Wind Runner - abstract study of running horse

6 X 8 Oil on Canvas panel $50
Includes shipping and insurance

Fellow Daily Painter, Rick Nilson, has a wonderful style of "loose color" that appears as if he just slaps paint on the canvas and magically commands composition, color and value to be so pleasing to the eye. View his blog HERE.
I asked him about his technique and he convinced me to try it myself.
Let me make myself clear - this is nowhere near as good as Rick's work, and according to Rick I didn't follow instructions completely.
But it was revealing and I am going to do the same image again in different colors and try harder to follow instructions!
Instructions: Wash canvas with a medium value red. Wipe away the lightest areas (use a rag or clean brush dipped in turp). Add ALL darkest areas. Finally add color.
As you can see, I added the color too early, and I was chastised from breaking the formula. I will do better on the next one.
The advantage of painting this way is that by the end of the third step (putting in ALL the darks), you should be able to tell if the composition will work.
I am eager to try this on a landscape - and even a portrait.
By the way, the subject of this little painting is Tuffy, the buckskin paint who has a Napoleon complex. Carpenter Carl brought him back for a visit. Carl's in the neighborhood building a house (he built my studio summer-before-last), and he rotates Tuffy between our place and another friend. Carl's a handy guy to know - he's going to help us build a chicken house. Grasshopper control and fresh eggs are the objective. We need a secure place for the birds, though, because we have a prolific population of Great Horned Owls, Red tailed Hawks and Coyotes - not to mention the assorted snakes. Gee - makes you wonder why we try, huh? I DID try raising Guinea hens several years ago. Afterall, they seem to thrive everywhere I see them. Not so at our house.
I carefully kept the keets in an enclosed pen until they could fly and roost in the trees. The first day I let them spend the "night out" only 11 guineas came home. The next day 11 went out and 10 came back, and I found a head at the end of the driveway under the gate post - exactly where I occasionally saw an owl perched. The numbers continue to decline until 2 went out and none came home. A neighbor down the road reported a stray guinea in her barn several days later. We never saw them again. I hope to have better luck with chickens - I understand they have bigger brains...Guineas are known to forget where they lay their eggs.
Psalm 9:17
The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God.

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Price: $50 USD
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New Year's Resolution and Thanks for 2009

nodp
So often I get wrapped up in painting, and as they stack up I wonder why they aren't flying out the door. One reason is because I live in the country miles from the city, and I'm dependent on the internet to connect with people. I must remember, however, to THANK those who HAVE taken the leap of faith and become a "Debbie Grayson Lincoln" collector. To you faithful followers, I send my heartfelt thanks and blessings for the coming New Year!
You already know the paintings look 500% better in person.
The rest of you need to be reminded that I have a 100% money-back-INCLUDING SHIPPING-guarantee. In over 5 years of internet sales I have only had one little painting returned - and it was because the purchaser thought there would be more texture. I did have another returned - but it was to repair a hole the postal service carelessly allowed. I repaired it for free, too - partly because it was before I insisted on insuring every painting shipped. Expensive lesson learned. As Dave Ramsey says: "Stupid tax".
Anyway - I have spent the whole day nursing a cold (2nd week) and updating all my internet sites. I had paintings listed on ETSY, but let that debit card expire, so I am starting over there. EBSQ is a GREAT site to keep all paintings organized and to maintain registered "certificates of authenticity". Daily Painters is my main retail outlet and where most of the smaller paintings sell. I have also gotten several commissions from there. Daily Painters of Texas is my newest and latest venue for sales. I am also the treasurer of that "pay-to-join-site" so I have a vested interest in its success. We have great plans for advertising in 2010.
In the brick-and-mortar world, The Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas sold 3 more paintings and I am hoping for repeat sales from those collectors. I have decided to show with them exclusively as well as keeping my prices the same there as on the internet. So if you want to see the colors in person, that is the place to go. They will get the best of my work.
So, Dear Collectors/Friends/Family: God bless you for your faithfulness in 2009 - may 2010 find you all healthy, wealthy and wise!

Psalm 19:7
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Left out 2 - arabian mares oil painting

32 X 16 Oil on Stretched 3/4" canvas with painted sides
Contact Artist for Availability

We all know what it feels like to be left out of the clique. But most times they aren't talking about us - and if we simply asked, we would be invited in! Lots of color and paint in this one, and in the interest of frugality, the sides are painted black so you can hang it on the wall immediately, live with it and decide about framing it later.

Revelation 19:9
Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."

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