Appaloosa Portrait

I started working on a series of Appaloosa images this week. I have always had a soft spot for appies as I used to have an appy/TB cross. I had always wanted a black app with a white blanket and black spots. What I bought was a black app with about seven white spots and a white star. She was only seven months old. What I didn't know was that she would get lighter! By the time she was three she was a silver grey with a white mane and tail, a white blanket and black spots.

This image is a bit of a departure from my normal work. I decided to try some color. The color is subdued but nonetheless there. It is not that I am afraid of working with color but that I was primarily a B&W photographer for years so most of my work seems to be predominantly monochromatic.

This was a bit of an experiment and quite fun. I have to admit I am a bit all over the map lately but it seems that if I just go with the flow and allow the image to evolve on its own then it seems to work out in the end! I am not sure if I am finished with it. Normally I let them sit for a day or two and often find I can enhance them further but I liked this enough to post.

There is another one I will post when it is complete.

Hmmm, I just noticed my last three posts are all pointing to the left.....wonder if that means anything? LOL!

Thanks for reading!
Susan
windhorseOne Studios
www.windhorseone.com

The Windhorse

I have always been drawn to horses with unusual markings and blue eyes. There is something very surreal abut blue eyed horses and dogs for that matter. There is a mystical quality to this horse and I imagine him carrying a Shaman or Native American medicine man. That is just what popped into my head as I was writing this. This could possibly be the start of a new body of work since I am not sure where it fits in with my other work. New directions; I love it! The creative process is such an adventure and I never know where it is going to take me.

This week I have been reading "She Flies Without Wings; How Horses Touch a Woman's Soul" by Mary D. Midkiff. It is a beautiful book with stories about how horses capture the hearts of young girls and women. It explains so eloquently the mystery and process of how many of us who are horse artists and equestrians alike have identified with the horse. We all know there is a special connection but there are several aha moments in the book. It took me back to my horse crazy childhood.

Happy March! Spring is on its way and along with that the large CO spring snowstorms. It has been a dry winter here so I hope we get some good storms to keep the mountains moist and the fires away.

Susan
www.windhorseone.com