Study of a Carriage Horse

graphite on paper

7"x7"

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This beautiful horse pulls a carriage around the Independence Mall area of Philadelphia.

I like the combination of the natural elegance of the horse as contrasted with its elaborate and heavy bridle. I hadn't thought about any controversy over the way these service horses are treated until I looked up "carriage horse" online and found many sites dedicated to banning the practice.

Added later: If you read some of the comments made about this drawing, one woman actually recognizes this horse and tells me he has a pretty nice life. I know nothing about it, so I probably shouldn't have mentioned the controversy at all. It's nice to know his name is Ben!

Balustrade

oil on board

6"x6"

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This painting turned out better than the last one. It's probably a good thing that the art crowd consists of polite people- when I post something that isn't too great no one calls me out on it, and I'm greeted instead with a polite silence.

I love the word balustrade. It's purely for the sound of it, and the way it rolls off the tongue. Remember the children's book character Ramona naming her doll Chevrolet just because she liked how it sounded? Life can be similar- sometimes there is no great meaning in a moment, just a sense of happiness over the way it feels to be alive.

Sheep

oil on panel

7"x7"
sold

I like studying animals very closely, as a way to figure out what thoughts they may be having. I never do figure it out, but it's fun trying.