Saturday, December 27, 2008

Norwegian Fjord Draft horses, Red Barn

detail

" Melinda's Victoria "
Oil
12"x16"
This is the very special Christmas commission I was busy working on for a good friend, hence very few daily paintings. Now that Melinda has opened her gift I can post an image of the painting here! While the 3 week old filly, Victoria, is the center of interest I wanted the entire painting to tell a story of their amazing farm with the beautiful red barn. The property has Idaho snow covered mountains to the north, so of course my telephoto image brought them closer. Then there are the sage covered south facing hills and finally the flat farm land. I am learning about Norwegian Fjord draft horses. They are about 14 hands so some people call them ponies. The manes are typically "roached" or cut so that you see the dark running down the center of the blond mane. Victoria's mane and tail was very curly, she was so cute. Melinda will now remember back when I was taking pictures in August and now know what my intensions were really all about!
The difficulty with this painting was getting the eyes right, not easy on such a tiny painting. I would put the strokes down and like it, then think it needed something else, end up wiping it all off..I did this many, many times. That is when I had to leave the painting alone for a few days and come back with a fresh eye and more patience. I'm really happy with how it turned out...and so is Melinda. That's the big pay-off!
Private Collection


12 comments:

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Beautiful painting. The eyes look good. What a thrill that she loves it!
Happy New Year, Jennifer. Thanks for all your comments and encouragement!

Jennifer Bellinger said...

Thanks, Mary for visting my blog during these busy holidays. Happy New Year to you, too!

Dean H. said...

Really nice painting, Jennifer! Every thing turned out well...including the eyes.

Happy New Year!!

Christine Mercer-Vernon said...

really beautiful painting and colors, i'm sure your friend was so excited and thrilled with her gift!

Jennifer Bellinger said...

Thanks, Dean. Happy New Year!

Jennifer Bellinger said...

Thanks, Christine. Yes, to have someone love a painting you have done it a wonderful bonus. Happy New Year!

Nothing to See said...

This is beautiful. Well done.

Best Wishes for the New Year.

Jennifer Bellinger said...

Thanks, Ana. I had horses as a young girl but had to give them up in high school, then boys took my attention so that was ok. Typical story. My love of horses is more about watching them than about riding. Creating this painting was like living my dream. Happy New Year!

Celeste Bergin said...

very ambitious and successful!

Jennifer Bellinger said...

Thanks, Celeste. I appreciate your comments. Happy New Year..now on to new daily paintings. I can get out of the habit too easily.

Vic said...

Love the feel of this painting. Wonderful job.

Jennifer Bellinger said...

Thanks, Vic. One of the things I debated on was the main focus..the horses obviously. But, I decided it must be the filly and it was ok to let the mare become secondary or maybe its the red barn? But, the viewer always comes back to that little foal. She was such a darling. Melinda also had a colt, but he didn't have that "extra" something that Victoria did.