New Art Work

The horse has been a persistent theme in my art. I am certainly not alone. Artists from Paleolithic times have portrayed the horse in myth, legend, and visual art. In myth as well as in life, the horse is a beautiful and noble servant, whether in war, work, ceremony or sport.

“Horses and Antiquity” series was prompted by visitors to my gallery asking me “why horses?” My initial reply, “beauty, strength and speed,” was honest. But something was missing.

My search for the answer to this question led me to the study of antiquity and mythology. Ancient myths represent gods and mortals, heroes and villains, the contrasts of good and evil. They are records of the events that have molded mankind.

Homer, as long ago as 800 B.C., immortalized Greek and Trojan horses along with the men and gods who rode them. In myth and legend, horses have played the same roles they have played on Earth. They have pulled the chariots of gods, carried heroes on their backs, fought in wars and battled beasts. They have done the work of mankind.

Observations and Recommendations

If you are interested in horses depicted in art from ancient to modern times, I recommend for reading several books:

1. The Horse, 30,000 Years of the Horse in Art
2. The Horse in Art
3. Horse, How the Horse has Shaped Civilization

Style and Process

Some of my mixed media works on paper can be classified as monotypes.

My process in making a monotype print differs from the traditional method. First, the paper is colored with an abstract wash, allowing water based paints to create a background effect unique to each individual print. The image is printed onto the abstract background, dried and sealed in an acrylic medium to protect the paper, the print and wash. The final step requires highlighting certain aspects of the print by hand, adding to its uniqueness.

In the traditional method, an image is painted on a flat surface and then a sheet of paper is pressed over the image. When the paper is pulled, the paint sticks to the paper, creating a unique image.