Fresh perspective part 2

I started this picture several years ago. It is from a photo I took at the fairgrounds on the forth of July that year. I love this beautiful mare's earnest expression. I completed a smaller version which is available for prints on Fine Art America. 

I am gathering work to exhibit locally at the end of April. While doing this, I went through my works in progress. This is one of the paintings I set aside in 2017. It feels great to get back to some of my old ideas. I am enjoying the sense of completion. I have two more to work into. 

This is a shot of today's progress. I hope to finish it over the weekend. I don't think I  will ever get tired of equine subject matter.

Fresh eyes, new perspective.

 I set this picture aside a few years ago because I was struggling to determine the image's concept. It is based on a reference photo taken by equine artist Karen Broemmelsick. Sometimes it is good to set a project aside for a while and review it again with a fresh perspective. 

While the gesture and expression of the horse appealed to me, I realized that what made this composition most interesting was the interplay of contrasts. The image was a mixture of complimentary variations of blues and oranges and warm tones and cool tones. Manipulating that idea is what I hadn't realized when I began this painting two years ago.

It will be scanned this week and available for prints online. It's been over a year since I portrayed equine subjects. It is great to study them again.

Today's progress.

©2020  Margaret Freed

©2020 Margaret Freed

This is one of those pictures that works better in person than in a photograph. Even though most of the picture is covered, there is still a lot of detail to add. I want to enter this study into a show next week, so time is critical.

There is nothing more beautiful than a horse in his prime. This is my favorite subject to paint.

Quarter Horse Portrait Progress

©2020 Margaret Freed

Here's today's progress. It doesn't seem like I've gotten that far. The details are more time consuming, and it's important to get a likeness. I plan on painting this one again on a much larger canvas.
I took this photo with my phone, the picture has less contrast in person. I will adjust that on the next post.

Quarter Horse Portrait

©2020 Margaret Freed

I started this commission today. I spent most of the day working on his butt. My late father would have made a few jokes about that.
This is one of those pictures where I look forward to getting back to it tomorrow!

Richland Carousel Project

©2020 MFreed- carousel study #1

This is the first in a series of studies of the lovely carousel animals at the Richland Carousel Park in Mansfield Ohio. The park is special to my family, we used to take our girls there when they were small. They each had their own favorite creature which they would revisit every time we stopped in. I am planning on a montage of several of the horses, or maybe a tiger or two. This is the first study so far.

Revisiting Older Ideas

Sodbusters ©2020 M.P. Freed

This one has been sitting in my studio for a little while. This is the week I will make some adjustments and finally finish it. Soon, it will be warmer again. I am looking forward to visiting these awesome creatures again this summer.