Artwork Commission Open

Just a little blog/life update. I have a few re-worked stablemates on the go. They will be for sale as blanks by the end of this week. I've also been working on the new sculpture, though I haven't got very far as I've been on trial for a new job, which is exciting! They'll be a 'new-job' post at the end of this week hopefully!

In between my work-time, model-time, and sleepy-time, I've been working on my artwork portfolio, in order to apply for a tattoo apprenticeship in a few years. You can follow my progress on my Instagram (I've posted a few examples below).

Also, my pencilwork commission books are OPEN for horse/animal portraits, people portraits, and tattoo designs. Feel free to get in touch.

Beautiful Bea

When Victoria (THS) spotted a little Breyer Stablemate that had a customed head-set and hogged mane, she got in touch, snapped her up, and wrote up a nice little blog post about her. She's kindly allowed me to share her photos here!

She was to be a portrait of a half-Shire mare at the horse sanctuary Victoria volunteers at. I did some more resculpting, to add feathering, fluff, and wrinkles, and she was then sent to Anne Healion for painting. When asking a fellow worker to take some more reference photos, we found out Bea had sadly passed away.

" Suffice to say, mini-Bea is now extra special, and I'm so pleased I have her to remember the real Bea by. The model is perfect, both Jodie and Anne have done a great job on her! "

I'm glad I could help to complete this special portrait of a such a beautiful horse.

Small Update

Just a little studio update. I picked up the little clyde fella again, I keep adding stuff to him, and today started covering him in a lot more sabino hairing. Extreme sabino, with most of his front end ending up white. Well, that's the current plan! Also, GM Vera, my dark bay Julip on the Dressage Horse (as a Polish Arab) won the August MOTM on the Julip forum, J-Club! Look how stupendously stripey the rosette is!

I also started another new sculpture. I know, I really should finish at least one before working on another. Can anyone guess what this little one will be? He's shown next to my amazing StableMate Shire customed by the equally amazing Christine, of Last Alliance Studios.

In Memory Sketches

Recently, we have lost several wonderful horses from our world. Wild Lone, Harry Meade's WEG mount, died after the cross country phase (30th August '14). Shear H2O, Leslie Law's Olympic partner, passed away in his sleep (28th August '14). Robert Whitaker's Finbarr V was put down (28th August '14). A horses died during the WEG Endurance race. Presley boy, a showjumping stud, was put down. Closest to me was a horse belonging to MHL forum member Russinka., the horse named Ruby (or Dragon). Her post made me smile, it made me cry, and it was wonderful to read through their relationship. I'm sure it reminded many people of their own equine friends.

I drew these quick sketches in their memory. I did not just want to read the articles and continue on about my day. Though only a few minutes, each of these signifies a very small part of my day that I dedicated to these great horses.

The GDSF: WW1

This year marks 100 years since the start of World War One, and the Great Dorset Steam Fair had dedicated an area of the grounds to having a trench re-creation set up. You could walk down into the trench, alongside uniformed actors, who were sat eating their rations. They had a selection of WW1 vehicles around the area, as well as a working blacksmith set up. Also, GDSF releases a harness brass each year, and this year, they had special 'Lest We Forget' ones. Poppet had both of the 2014 hanging from her harness.

There were appropriately dressed helpers on hand to answer questions from the public, and some examples of war-time equines, who enjoyed a good petting between displays. The lovely old Tennessee walker on the right had the cutest baby-face and kept pulling very funny expressions, much to the amusement of the crowd!

There was also this lovely-coated dappled grey, who I watched do some ridden exercise. She had really lovely movement, and I really wish I could've taken her home!

And then, across all the fences, some glorious recreation tack! The hobbyist in me knew that I had to get some photos for all the tack makers out there ..

And the last thing in this area, but definitely not least .. MULES! I really do love mules, I mean, just look at their silly ears! <3

The Great Dorset Steam Fair 2014

The Great Dorset Steam Fair has come and gone again. Always a wonderful affair, and quite unique, with the mix of working heavy horses and driving, next to tractor pulling, steam engines, stationary engines, monster trucks, craft halls, classic cars, classic motorcycles, farming implements, gypsy cabins, massive fair ground and the extensive trade area (complete with a "scraps stall" at the top full of rusted bits of tractors). There's always a lot to see and do (and eat!) so the fact that I'm there from the Wednesday when it opens, till the Monday when it's all closed and being taken down is just brilliant and gives me time to see it all without missing much at all.

The weather this year was less than great, and we started the week off with rain and mud. A lot of mud. Thankfully, there are a lot of tractors on site anyway, and they were put to use pulling all the caravans and cars out of the worst bits! Over the week, the weather cleared up and the sun dried up the mud, however after spending the first few days stood shooting in the rain, I started to get fluey. Saturday afternoon was one I spent in my camper bed. I forced myself out on Sunday for the final day, and managed to get around to buying a small fortunes worth of 'Fudge Kitchen' fudge, which certainly cheered me up for the drive home! Big 'thank you's to my dad and Yve for taking me again, and here's hoping next year will bring better weather!

As always, you can view all my photos here on my facebook page, but here are a few just to give you a taste!

Riding Recents

I got back from the Great Dorset Steam Fair late last night. Cold, tired and ill, but I'd had a brilliant time and I'm going to spend today editing and then I'll maybe put up a blog post by this evening.

Whilst I uploaded the photos, I found these snaps I took over a week ago, when I took Zoe along to the yard. There was some new horses in the field, a grey, an anti-social chestnut, and her little tiny baby! Zoe rode Callum, and I was on Beauty. We went on a quick hack, and then did a little bit of schooling and circle work in the field (the sand-school was in use). Just thought I'd share these after a week of no posts, so enjoy this cute little foal! (Also, that big, hogged bay is Newquy(sp?) and I can't remember if I'd introduced him yet. He's a handsome chap!)