Stained glass has been a dream of mine for years, and finally in early 2019, I got a chance to try it. Having no prior experience, and with just youtube videos and books I figured I had enough knowledge to at least get into a little trouble…so I jumped right in.

Learning how to work with the glass along with the skill of cutting and soldering was harder than I thought it would be. There is little room for error when it comes to measuring your glass and came. Soldering needs it own chapter when it comes to using it. Countless times I went to apply it after flux only to have it turn into a globular mess.

Shown above is my first project. A cantering horse made with opalescent glass. I drew out the pattern from a sketch I had of a free cantering horse. From sketch to cut is a process in itself too. Just because you can draw it doesn’t mean you can get the glass to work the same.  I figure with time I will improve and hopefully that happens sooner rather than later. :o)

 

 

This year has me working up a storm and I am loving every minute of it.

In April I finished “Percheron team”. Its a 11 x 14 that is painted in watercolor and soft pastels. I once owned and raised wonderful percheron draft horses. They are an incredible draft breed, strong and athletic with a calm nature and willingness to please. Everyone who has owned one knows the power they hold in your heart.

This painting is currently listed on

    Art Pal

In march I got on the miniature train and decided it would be fun to put together a “tiny town” of Jordan Highway miniatures. This is still a work in progress and I hate to show off what isn’t finished yet, so make sure to check back to see how that turned out.

 

In February I finished a custom drastic Arabian model. Made from the Brigit Eberl’s arabian mare. Made into a stallion in extended trot. Painted in a rose dapple grey. This is the same model that I used for my DIY dapple grey painting video on youtube.

 

“Fuerte” Customized Andalusian mare sculpted by Brigit Eberl for Breyer.

I did a small amount of customizing on this mare’s mane and tail – adding smoothness and movement. Painted in Acrylic and soft pastels. A lot of hair detail went into this girl and I am very happy with how she turned out.

This model has been sold.

Its hot and summer has made it mark already here in Pontotoc, MS. The humidity is through the roof, literally, and the sun’s rays are a never ending source of heat. The animals are handling it well, but its only going to get hotter.

I wanted to share a little work in progress piece. Its a bronco rider on a blonde pony that isn’t interested in having anyone on his back. I have always been fascinated with rodeo, and was even a can chaser back in my youth, so its amazing that I haven’t completed something like this years ago.

Its an 11 x 16 on thick stock water color paper, completed in acrylic, water color and soft pastel media.It will be available for purchase once completed. I feel that this should just be offered as an original piece with no prints offered for sale.

This year has been a whirlwind of trying to get our local art guild’s gala going and doing my best to run the farm, ship eggs, raise kittens and make sure the horses [Hughie] doesn’t get his mouth on any of my neighbors goats.

It gives little time for art work, but somehow I am managing to squeeze it in. This year’s art gala motivated me to get some paintings done. I will exhibit

Peacemaker

&

Ophelia

Both paintings are very different, but were enjoyable to create. Ophelia came out completely different from what my original vision was. Mainly because it was going to be exhibited at the gala and I didn’t want to offend anyone. Both pieces I also entered in Red Clay’s art competition in Huntsville, AL, but each are available for purchase.

Additionally I have been working on a rework of my 2008 sculpture, Mona me. She is really looking nice, completely different and stomping mad! Considering she is still in the work in progress phase I don’t want to tease with any photos, just know she is coming along and I will show off her as soon as I get her completed. If your a fan of animated model horses, she will be one you will love.