When I was a kid, no one could get me to read a book or draw something unless it was about horses. I had a huge Breyer horse collection. My Little Ponies would do in a pinch. Barbie had a horse (Dallas) and I could be talked into a game if we were playing something with a ranch or other horse-related activity. But understand, that was a far second choice. Childhood, as it relates to painting, has been on my mind a lot over the last few weeks. I got a new printer cartridge, so I printed out some reference photos and spent the week playing with my love for all things equine.
![](https://tarachoate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ahead-800x565.jpg)
For these paintings I was deliberately not trying to produce a “perfect” horse painting. I was trying to let myself sketch and work through draftsmanship. The painting below has good drawing on the horse, but the human needs some work. As I take it further, I will have to resolve that and the color issues.
![](https://tarachoate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/didyougetmygoodside-602x800.jpg)
On this work, the left front leg and head are out of scale. That may be fixable, though I’m not sure if I will push forward.
![](https://tarachoate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/insilks-618x800.jpg)
And then this piece. This piece was done either in 2014 or 2015 during an ice painting “window.” It has been sitting in a pile with masking fluid on it ever since. This week, I spent some time taking the masking off. The result is so pretty that I can hardly think about painting on it. But I think I might have an idea.
![](https://tarachoate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/start-579x800.jpg)
Don’t hold your breath to see it!
I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.