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.

WIP Red Reins

This work in progress is one I hope to exhibit in the spring. Tentatively titled "Red Reins."  It is oil on canvas and measures 24" x 40." Reference is my own. Finding the subtle value and color changes on the horse's faces is a challenge with this picture. If I don't get the values right, it throws off the picture. To much contrast makes them look unnatural, too little makes their faces look gray and flat. The tack is all high contrast. It is a nice juxtaposition against their faces. Another challenge with this is to make the dark, shiny tack look like it is naturally resting on the horses heads. It is slow going, but starting to come together.

OAC Governor's Office / Residence Artwork Loan Program

I am pleased to announce that I had three of my equine paintings selected by the Ohio Arts Council to be included in their 2016 Ohio Governor's Office and Residence Artwork Loan Program.

The artwork for this program is juried by the Ohio Arts Council.Work selected is installed in the Governor's office and residence where it will remain on an extended loan for two years.

I had the privilege to see my work hanging last week. Ohio's First Lady Karen Kasich hosted a lovely reception at the Governor's Residence. I wish I got more photos. The residence is reminiscent of an old English manor house. It is filled with Ohio-made pottery and artwork, including a pair of mirrors sporting ornately carved wooden frames courtesy of the inmates at the Mansfield Reformatory.

 My painting World Wary is hanging in an office upstairs. The wall there is red, which compliments the picture well, and with the painting's dominant white and blue color scheme gives it a patriotic vibe. 

Later that day we travelled to downtown Columbus to the the work hanging in the Governor's offices. Ohio Belle is in a hallway right outside of the Governor's office. Into The Sun made it into the Governor's Office by his desk. I hope Governor Kasich likes horses!

I appreciate the exposure this exhibition opportunity offers. My work will be viewed by public officials and policy makers. In is an honor to represent Ohio in this way. The Ohio Arts Council supports a wide variety of opportunities for Ohio artists. They are detailed on the OAC website along with lists of local and national grant opportunities, gallery/festival announcements, and other resources.

Progress May 2

Here is a cell phone shot of today's progress. It is progressing more nicely than this photo shows. This is another picture that contains opposing elements. The color scheme is mainly orange and blue, opposites on the color wheel. The brushwork is both soft and crisp. I am not sure if it shows here, but I am enjoying this process.

Progress May 1

I am still fussing over the details in Rein In. It's mostly about the tack, I want to get it right. I've been working large most of the year. It is liberating to use big brushes and stand way back from the easel while I am working. The problem with working large is when you make a mistake, such as a color or value problem, it's that much more difficult to correct it. Students, that is why we make a loose study before moving to the final version.

Progress February 29

Happy leap day

This is my attempt to paint a picture quickly

I started it this morning 

Progress February 4

This big picture is coming along

I'm going to let it rest for a day or two to let the paint fully dry

Progress February 3

I'm taking a break from an illustration assignment this week to work on the second of a series of five large equine pictures

This one is 40" x 40" which is one of the largest canvases I've worked on so far

Progress January 22

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted anything

I'm working on a few illustration jobs so I guess that might factor into my social media absence 

I reworked an old picture today

I'm starting to be at peace with how it turned out

Hopefully I'll begin some new work next week

Progress December 9

A study of values 

Progress December 8

Working on bigger pictures today

Progress December 3

Working big today listening to Christmas carols and George Jones

Progress December 1

Trying to get a few commissions finished in time for Christmas

Progress October 27

Glad for this beautiful autumn day

Working into the monochromatic underlayer

A little more refining and then I will add color