Ready Luke?

I just finished another commission for a good friend's daughter. I titled it "Ready Luke" as it suggests the question that little Natalie is asking of Luke before they do their round at a show this summer.

This painting is for Natalie to remember Luke by as she won't be riding him anymore since he has moved locations. Based on how attached little girls get to their horse buddies, I know that this transition may not be easy. Each horse in our lives teaches us things, challenges us and exposes us to new situations.

My favorite story growing up was a book called "A Very Young Rider" by Jill Krementz. It tells a story of a young girl, not unlike Natalie, that showed her horse Penny for a season. At the end of the season, she had outgrown her and had to sell her to another young girl who was thrilled to get her. Her parents surprised her with a new pony for Christmas, a taller Bay and White paint.

I hope that the memories Natalie and Luke created live on in this painting and that she too transitions to a new friend to continue her journey in horsemanship.

In memory of Travel Mate

I just finished a commissioned piece for Linda and Tom Baxter in memory of their beloved Travel Mate (Tex). I met Linda during the Christmas tour and she indicated that she wished we'd have met last spring before they lost Tex. While it is easier to paint a horse when I meet them or take my own photos, it can be done with owner images. Linda wanted to surprise Tom for the holidays, so I encouraged her to come back and discuss her ideas.

Linda described Tex as a super athletic, no vices charmer with a pretty face, big expressive eyes and a large muzzle. She brought lots of images of him - many if him in action cutting cattle (a four time world champ - no pressure!). He indeed was a handsome lad - the kind of build any Quarter horse fan loves to see - and his beautiful nature came through his images.

She had measured her walls and said she had room for a 30 x 40 canvas - either way. I showed her some images that may work to capture his movement and we were set. Before leaving, she told me that Tom had said a few days earlier, when looking at the wall where she intended the painting to go, that they should really get paintings of their own horses on the walls! Strange timing for that comment!

I was fortunate to have time to get on the work right away, and as often happens, the horses nature just comes to or through me. I kept asking him - "Tex, I never met you but are these how your eyes were? No bigger? Okay..." When I called Linda to come and see him on Saturday, I was a bit nervous as it is risky to know if I have captured him or not. As soon as she entered the Gallery, she said "Oh, there is my boy" and I could tell she was pleased at all the elements that I struggled with - background colors, eyes, muzzle and ears. I told her to return the next day and that would give me time for clear coating and adding his brand to the painting.

After picking it up on Sunday, Linda called me to let me know that it looked great on their wall at home - and she handed the phone to Tom who said to me "Nicole, there are paintings and photos, but you really captured his spirit" - the words any artist lives to hear.

I wish them as many happy years with their painting as they had with their beloved Tex, and I was glad to meet him, even if it was via distance - I know I will recognize him on the other side.

Note - the painting was unframed, but I added this for the blog shot.

Deck the halls at the Broody Rooster

Well, the past four days have been a whirl wind - the Cedar Yellowpoint Artisan Tour was a great success for the Broody Rooster Gallery. This was my first year on the tour and the first day was also my first day of business for the Gallery. I was very excited and nervous at the same time - and four days later - I am tired, but very satisfied with the outcome.

I was told it would be busy, but had no idea just how busy it would be. By 11:30 am on Thursday, I had to quit counting. Folks kept rolling in the doors. It appears that my guess on what would be appealing to folks was on for the most part - everything from stockings to the horse calendars went well and I was able to sell five paintings.

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Broody Rooster's first days in business - my friends, colleagues, neighbors, family and students. It was a pleasure to chat with folks, share items and ideas and of course, to sell some of the inventory that has been building in my sewing room and art studio for the past year.

I will be open on the weekends til Christmas from 11 am to 4 pm - so if you missed the tour but want to head on by for items - come on by. The workshop calendar is almost ready - more will be added as we gather ideas from others - keep posted and I will share these on the Broody Rooster site as I design it in the upcoming week.

Now, for some sleep, apple pie and time with John...

Hospital painting

I spent a couple of weeks in October in Alberta with my family as my mom was in for surgery. As I knew I would spend a bit of time in the hospital, I decided to bring along my paints for something to keep me occupied. Being creative is also a way to keep my mind off things and I needed more paintings for the Gallery opening.

Here are a few of the paintings that I was able to get done while back...

• Worker bee is my older gelding Magnum - you may remember seeing this image of him on an earlier blog entry when he was learning to work under harness
  
• Tripod is an image of a foal with legs a bit too long for snacking...
  
• And Backscratchers is a photo I started at the Horsin Around event in the spring, but finally got time to finish.

I did two more paintings that I didn't take photos of - one for my niece Caitlin riding in the field (see earlier blog entry as well), and one of a friends horse Portia for my neice Jordan's Birthday.

I still struggle to take good photos of the paintings - they just don't seem to come out quite right... but these are here nonetheless.

2011 Horse Lover's Calendar ready for Christmas!

For those who love an annual horse calendar to record special events and holidays, you are now in luck. A new 2011 Horse Lover's Calendar is available with photography by Nicole Vaugeois and available off Lulu.com

To purchase yours in time for Christmas CLICK HERE.

Or they will be made available during the Cedar Yellowpoint Artisans Tour as well.

Broody Rooster Guesthouse and Gallery

Well, we have been busy here since the start of October. The Broody Rooster Guesthouse and Gallery is on its way to an opening November 10, 2010.

Most of the work has been centered on creating the right ambiance for a gallery, while at the same time allowing me to convert it in the spring to a guesthouse for the summer season. This has taken a bit of thinking - but it is coming along. Like most small businesses, it will take some trial and error to get things all working for customers.

I am trying to get it all ready for the start of the Cedar Yellowpoint Artisans Tour November 18-21st. Now that painting is done in there, I am transitioning to getting lots of product ready for the season - art cards, paintings, canning, santa sacks, stockings, and shopping bags. I have no idea how busy I will be or what people are keen to buy, but I want to have an assortment available for folks to be able to leave with awareness of the cottage and gifts. I have also decided to do gift certificates for commissioned paintings and photo sessions - all beautifully packaged so that they are ready to give.

The new brochures for the Cedar Yellowpoint Artisans tour are out and their website has been updated - plan on coming out November 18-21st from 10 am to 5 pm to explore the various artisans in the area. A good place to buy your Christmas presents, or just be become familiar with what is in your own backyard while enjoying the journey out in this area.

Gift certificates for those who have everything horsey already!

If you are like my husband, he finds it incredibly difficult to shop for me at Christmas time. I am probably like a lot of other horse freaks who spend far too much time at the local tack stores buying whatever is not already in the barn (or a duplicate - just in case).

If you are trying to shop for someone like me, consider giving them a gift certificate for a commissioned piece of artwork or a personalized photo session. I have done up some gift certificates for the season and have them all wrapped up beautifully for you to give as a gift.

The commissioned art gift certificate is for an 18 x 24 original acrylic on canvas. If you want a larger canvas, I can accommodate that as well. The photo session is for a 2 hour on site photo session and comes with a CD of at least 20 high resolution images for you to keep, use, print etc. as you would like. The certificates are available for $200 from the Broody Rooster Guesthouse and Gallery or email/call and I can send one out your way.