Working on my horse goals

 

Just wanted to share my progress on some

of my horse goals I have been working on. Not

the best pic's but you get the idea. 

Thankfully I have a small  indoor riding arena
at the barn where I board Hottie.  This really

helps out on Michigan rainy or snowing days.

 

 

One of Hotties issues is she doesn't like

things next to her.  So this is just

an exercise we are working on so that

she trusts me and does what I ask her to do.

 

 

At first she would not go through those

scarey looking things but now we can

with no problem.

 

Another scarey thing for Hottie

was tarps.  She used to spot them
way off in the distance and
would snort at them from fear.

 

I worked with her on the ground.  She feels

safe when I am next to her and lead

her over it or drape it over her back.  However with

me on her back she wasn't brave walking

over the tarp.  So we finally were able

to walk over it with me riding her.

Yay! As I pet her and tell her what a good girl she is!

 

 

We'll keep at the tarp. 

There are more things I want to be

able to do it.

 

We have come so far over

the 15 yrs that I've owned her.

She will be 19 yrs. old next month!

I love my horse!

 

 

New Painting Progress

My Dad is having health problems with heart and

kidney failure which is stressful and leaves you feeling

sad and helpless.  Art is a great stress escape.

I haven't painted in a while so I thought time to break out the brushes.

   What better subjects that these two big sweeties.

Boo Boo (Benny) & Hazel 

I cherish everyday with Boo as he is 6 yrs old

and I am told the average lifespan for a

Flemish Giant is about 5 yrs.

They truly are gentle giants and I want to capture

them on canvas. This is my progress so far...

you can see the picture I am working from above

The background has been filled in. 

The dark colors are the first layering of fur colors.

Here you can see the red under colors appearing

A few close ups

I'm happy with his progress so far.  Lighter shades

will be added over the darker tones.

My plan is to do another canvas of

Hazel laying in the opposite direction.

Misty sunrise!

Just sharing the foggy sunrise as I drove into work.

Where it all began...

I wanted to share my very first paintings.

  My Dad was in the US Military so we traveled and

 moved through out my childhood between the US and Europe.

  We lived in Zwiebrucken Germany

 from 1977-1981.  It was a lovely place.  Kreutzberg Kaserne

was an Army base situated at the top of a big hill above Zwiebrucken.

It no longer exists.

 

 

I found this picture online.

The DYA was a Defendant Youth Activity which

was for the children of the soldiers.  They had

activities for kids.  Different sports teams, classes, dances

& field trips.  So it was here I took my

first oil painting class in the 3rd grade.

 

 

This was my very first painting.

I always colored and drew but never painted

before this.

 

 

 My mom was thrilled and had them framed

 

 

My 3rd grade signature

I bet the lady who gave the class

who was most likely a Military

Wife that gave the class to earn

a few extra dollars had no idea

that by doing so she would open

such a significant door in my life.

I now cannot imagine not

making Art! 

 

 

They hang in my studio as a memory

of when making Art truly began for me and of one of my

most favorite places that I ever lived.

 

 

~Another view from the opposite side~

 I was happy to find these pictures

online.   The Elementary school is to the left of the DYA.

 

I wish you a Wonderful Weekend

where you can make

great Memories!

 

My Easter Decorations

There was a time I didn't decorate for Easter...

What was I thinking?

A time to display Bunny Stuff all over the house!

 

I decorate my Easter tree with real eggs that I

have blown the yolks out through a small

hole that I poke at the top and bottom.  

The ribbons hide the small hole.  This is

a German custom I grew up with.

 

 

I then also made these bunny ornaments. 

I created a paper pulp with old paper

that I mixed in the blender.  You can find

different recipes on Pinterest

 

 

I then poured the pulp  it into metal

chocolate molds that I collect.

I painted and decorate the tails

with fluffy feathers to add some flair.

 

 

 

 

This lovely bunny was a find in

a small out of the way gift shop

my husband got me on a weekend getaway.

 

 

I love the little basket he carries on

his back. 

 

 

A little spring display on the coffee table.

The bunnies a gift from

my step son Cameron. 

 

I love cloches!  I put one of the

nests under it.  The big eggs

I made out of Paper Mache.

 

 

This pretty little glass house was a gift

from Cameron too.

 

 

The Easter door wreath I made.

Again these bunnies I made using one side

of a mold similar to the one below.  I used

plaster of paris for these.  They are heavier,

but show more of the mold detail than

the paper mache.  You can also

set wires in the plaster so you are able

to wire them  to a wreath.

 

 

My front door as you walk up.

It's still cold here and snowing

out as I type.  I made

a the little purple wreath to

put around my bunny statue

by the door.

 

Nothing is green or sprouting so cuttings

are still in my dirt filled pots.

I just removed all the berries and pinecones. 

I use evergreen, boxwood

and different greens I trim in my yard. 

 

 

I am looking forward to Spring!

and hope you  have a Great Day!

 

 

 

Bunnies & Nests

I have been busy.....working on Artwork which I will share in

future posts.  I redid my Blog header

and background - Did you notice? I am

working with my horse and training goals I have with her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I made some spring nests to use in my Easter decorations

and I laid them on the floor to take a picture of them

Hazel hopped over to snoop and nibble on them.

I thought, ohhh that would make a

cute Easter picture....my big buns and the spring nests

Hazel is such a good girl and give her

treats and she'll sit there

Benny or Boo as I call him is another story.

He takes the treat and hops away to eat at a safe

location where no one can get it from him.

He has always been an extremely timid guy. 

He doesn't like anything

out of his comfort zone. I find now that

he is older the slightest thing will

scare him and he flattens himself like

a pancake or runs into his cage for safety so I don't push him.

He is 6 yrs. old  which I am told is very old for a giant.

He was not cooperating.  He wouldn't scoot

over in front of the backdrop!

This was the best I could get of them together

and for fun with a filter

Hazel was more cooperative

She is just the sweetest big girl

and sat there.

So I gave up.  Then Finn had to come in

and be nosy and I got these

beautiful shots with my cell phone

I love this one!

He's so beautiful!

So even with Boo being uncooperative

I did end up with a few great pics!