Category Archives: Linda Shantz

Week Thirteen: Mom’s Eyes

September 3rd, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


I had a moment of panic with this painting – an odd sensation I’ve had more than once where all of a sudden I think, “I can’t paint! I’ve forgotten how! Help!” I wiped off the initial drawing about half a dozen times because it wasn’t right. So I guess I went through *two* panics on this one, the first one being, “I can’t draw!!” Fortunately I ended up with something resembling Baby Girl. Actually all things considered, it’s a remarkably good likeness!

This is 6 x 4 oil on Raymar canvas panel. She certainly does have Jubie’s eyes – something that has been apparent from day one!

Part of my problem today was probably the fact that I have a series of shows coming up, the first of which is this weekend, so I’m somewhat madly preparing for those. I have one painting in particular that I’d like to have at least done enough to show this weekend. I believe I’ve shown it in progress on this blog, at least in the underpainting stage. I’ll give you a unique glimpse of it, but that’s it for now! (Extra points if you can figure out how I got the shot!)

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , | 0 Comments

A Big Day!

August 27th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


It’s a long road from the time you start contemplating breeding a mare, until you actually find yourself with a racehorse, if you even get that far! Picking the stallion, the vet visits to determine when the mare is ready to breed, van ride to the breeding shed, then the waiting begins. Waiting for two weeks to see if she’s in foal…two more weeks to make sure she’s still in foal….45 days, 150 days…and so on, till hopefully around 340 days you’re sleep-deprived from night watch and baby finally arrives, safe and sound. February 10, 2007, little Miss Peaks joined us on the planet, and she was a big strong girl from day one.

“COME ON, PEAKER!!!!!!”

She had her ups and downs – she had surgery when she was less than a week old for entropian, at three months she had an R. equi infection and resultant pneumonia, though not as serious as some of those cases can be. Once she started training, she had a few setbacks as well, and was back and forth from track to farm a few times for some rest. I’ve been scanning the entries every day for the last week because I knew she was finally ready to run…and yesterday was the day! And she made us all proud – after breaking slowly and spotting the field a few lengths down the backstretch (some 13 lengths behind the leaders), she started picking up horses on the far turn and really came on in the stretch to get up for third, beaten just over a length. A couple of jumps later she had them – and she still hasn’t got everything figured out! You can watch the replay, courtesy of Woodbine Entertainment, here. (Her real name is Clever Peaks).

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Week Twelve: Good Doer

August 26th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


You don’t hear that expression much these days – a ‘good doer’ is a horse that eats well! It may sound like an obvious thing to the non-horsey, thanks to that stupid expression, “hungry as a horse,” but in fact horses are pretty finicky. Jubie’s Baby Girl is quite the good eater. Usually the foals start to want to stick their noses into Mom’s tub at 2-3 weeks of age; this filly was less than a week old! No wonder she’s such a good size!

This is 5 x 7 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel. Unfortunately I haven’t really finished it yet, as I had a pretty crazy day, doing some prep for an upcoming show and getting a load of hay, on top of my usual barn duties. Considering I wasn’t sure I’d be able to post anything at all today, I’m hoping you’ll overlook that! I will finish it, and post it again when it’s done.

Twelve weeks! That’s three months! Where does the time go?

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Technology is Great…Until It Lets You Down!

August 25th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz

Oh, woe is meeeeeeee!!!!

Okay, so I do remember the days of dialup, really I do. I didn’t need a reminder, honest! Apparently not everyone agrees with me. We have had high speed for almost two years now, and while it hasn’t been perfect, it’s been functional. Until for some reason we thought we should try for perfect…and ended up fixing things worse! Since last Thursday I’ve had next to no internet access…so here I sit in a coffee pub, like the old days, when I had to come to places like these to do things like upload photos. Our connection (that’s hardly accurate really) right now is actually worse than dialup.

So, what happens when you start whining about something like horrible internet? Well, Hydro throws 16,000 volts at your house and takes out your power for eight hours…and with it several battery backups, a high end laser printer (despite surge protector) and the beloved treadmill. After initially being told that Hydro would pay for these losses, they are now claiming it was an “accident” so I’m just hoping both printer and treadmill can be saved, and I won’t need to buy a new version of either! I am, however, very thankful that there was no fire, because the fried backups were smoking! The strangest thing? There was no storm involved. No warning.

Not surprisingly, without any kind of reliable internet connection, I’ve been getting lots of painting done. I’ve been improvising on the working out thing, going into the gym or torturing the rickety old stairclimber (maybe I’ll get on the squeaky spin bike tomorrow!).

Soon I’ll be heading back home, going dark again…though after Saturday night’s power out, that’s not literal! This is, however, a heads up that it’s unlikely I’ll be posting a filly painting tomorrow. Hope you’ll forgive me, and I’ll get it to you as soon as I have the means! Till then!

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , | 0 Comments

"Boy Meets Girl," 8 x 16 oil

August 24th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


This is one of those paintings that has gone through a complete change in scenery, so to speak! I loved the photo from the moment I shot it, but debated painting it because, well, let’s face it, it’s cutesy. When it came down to it though, I guess I couldn’t help myself.

Gracie and Billy are about five or six weeks old here. Being February babies, I had lots of beautiful snow shots of the two of them. In March, however, we got a thaw, and in the reference photo, these two are of course standing in a very muddy spot! My first inclination was to make it a snow scene, but after consideration, I decided I needed to go green. Maybe that was influenced by this year’s baby, a May foal who has had to deal with neither snow nor mud, lucky girl!.

Their feet were of course covered in the photo, but in order to ground them, I needed to paint their feet, even though I knew I would be more or less covering them with grass. Foal feet are hard to paint, especially out of your head!

I think I’ve mentioned Gracie is back home from her adventure at the track. I was reminded how tiny she was, working on this painting. Look at her now! She’s probably 16-2hh and still growing. And what a lovely girl she is.

The above painting is 8 x 16 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Week Eleven: Racing the Birds!

August 19th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


This form of play is one I became very famliar with, ten years ago, with my own foal, Monster. Poor Monster was an ‘only baby’ and used to play with the birds for entertainment. Jubie’s Baby Girl has taken up the same pastime!

This painting was an experiment, in that I used a very unique surface. It’s paper made from stone, basically – 75% mineral powder. No trees, no water – talk about an eco-friendly art supply! Does that balance out the use of my solvent-based oils? It’s called TerraSkin. Very interesting product. The paint handles very differently on this surface, needless to say! Obviously I need more practice to figure it out a little better, but I’m hoping it might be a cool way to put out some sketches. I think this one is about 6 x 8.

When I was painting this week’s painting, I was thinking a lot of a painting done last December by another artist friend, Kathi Peters. Kathi did a lovely painting of a foal playing with birds…which I bought! Kathi is one of my favourite artists, and a very cool person to boot. She’s been experimenting herself lately, painting in oil on copper! Definitely worth taking a look!

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Ten Weeks: Bugged

August 11th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


Baby Girl was not very impressed with me when I took off her mask last week in order to get some photos. I think her look says it all – this is *not* acceptable for The Princess! This week’s painting is 6 x 6 oil on canvas.

She’s in for another rude awakening – today the *original* princess came back from the track for some R&R. That would be Gracie, of course! Gracie left a week after the new filly was born, and I do admit having the new foal to dote over helped me deal with my separation anxiety for Gracie. Miss Grace will get the rest of the year off to grow – she is such a big, tall filly, and still growing. It was good for her to get into Woodbine and see the sights, but physically she still needs some time. Of course it’s anyone’s guess whether she’ll actually make it to the races. Such is the game! I’m happy to have her home.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

"Firstborn" 14 x 11 Oil on Linen

August 9th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


Well, I signed this painting today – that’s supposed to mean it’s done! I have enough other paintings on the go which I’m working hard to bring to completion, so that should help me leave this one alone. My final painting session was a few nights ago, when I was at that stage where I was thinking, “Just a couple more touches and it’ll be finished” which usually means I should just stop! The specs: 14 x 11 oil on Raphael linen panel.

It’s hard to believe this is the same cheeky little ten-week old I have out in the paddock right now. I am feeling sorry for her – she needs a buddy! She reminds me so much of Monster, resorting to racing the birds for entertainment. Oh well…we’ll see what we can come up with!

Hopefully I’ll be reporting back shortly with another newly signed piece!

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Nine Weeks, Can You Believe It?

August 5th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


Today’s painting shows our little girl at nine weeks old…which means she is now two and a half months (remember I’m a week ‘behind’ with the paintings)! Today she got her first real trim and was quite well-behaved for that. I waited till *after* we were done to tell the blacksmith about how she likes to practice rearing repeatedly when she’s on her own! After we did the filly in the stall, we pulled Jubie out to do her in the aisle, and the little girl handled that so well, I was proud of her. Momma and baby are both very well-adjusted, which hasn’t always been the case with some of the foals from previous years!

This painting is 8 x 10 oil on canvas. I played with a couple of my new Vasari colours – scarlet sienna, and Adobe, which is a proprietary blend, apparently. Love both, even if the tubes are a bit too oily. The consistency of the paint is very nice, and the colours are beautiful. Think I need to get back to the easel and play with them some more!

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , | 0 Comments

We Came. We Saw. We Ate Ice Cream.

August 3rd, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


Another Saratoga visit is history! For the first time I can remember since my initial trip to the ‘Spa’ in 2003, we had perfect weather. For me, rain and humidity in Saratoga is just a given, but this time around, after being overcast and muggy on Wednesday afternoon when I arrived (complete with a few token drops of rain, just to say it did) the weather was unbelievably beautiful.


One of the highlights of this trip was being joined by fellow equine artist and racing fan Sharon Passmore. Sharon and I were both Equine Art Guild members, and often correspond back and forth about racing, comparing our experiences and stories of the business. She was able to share connections that got us signed into the backstretch in the morning for amazing photo ops, as well as box seats for the races on Thursday afternoon. Add to that our paddock passes courtesy of the Beresford Gallery, which represents my work at their gallery across from the racetrack, and we were set! Juliet Harrison joined us Thursday, and after sending Sharon on her way home to Tennessee early Friday, Juliet and I took advantage of that backstretch contact for more photos. We also visited the yearling sales barns, and saw the recently renovated pavilion.


The joy of being able to rent a house for our short stay inevitably means ice cream. I can’t help but take advantage of the US’s greater selection of flavours (not to mention better prices!) of my favourites, Haagen Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s, and fortunately my friends indulged with me! It is, however, tradition for Juliet and me to buy an overpriced serving at the racetrack at least once, which we did on our way out Friday afternoon. And of course no trip to Saratoga is complete without at least one stop at Mrs. London’s for amazing pastries. We did a lot of walking, but I’m not sure it was enough to balance out the intake of calories!


I’m home again, and did make it back to the easel today. Each year I order some art supplies and have them sent to Juliet so that I can save some of the shipping costs. I’m anxious to try out some of the paints I ordered – decided to try some Vasari oils and see how they compare to my faithful Old Hollands. So far I’ve only tried one tube – the colour is brilliant, but they’re a lot oilier than the rich OHs. We’ll see how it goes.

One more thing that made the transition back to reality a bit easier – Ben & Jerry’s on sale at Fortinos! Now if we could just get some of those flavours….

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Going Green – 8 weeks old

July 30th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


I did this week’s filly painting a day early, because tomorrow I’m off to Saratoga for a few days. I feel better about this one that last week’s, and I already have some great pics for next week, thanks to they baby girl showing off for the camera yesterday!

This is 6 x 8 oil on Raphael linen panel. I went back to my old limited palette – still love how those colours come together. If this would dry in time I’d take it with me, but that’s not going to happen. As it is, there will be a few of my smaller paintings at the Beresford Gallery, across from the track on Union Avenue. Make sure you pop in if you’re there! They have a beautiful collection of paintings for sale from a variety of International artists.

Back to work – lots to do before I go to bed tonight – I’ll be leaving at 5AM so I get there in time for the races!

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

They’re All Growing Up!

July 26th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


It’s been kind of a significant week here at the farm. Last Tuesday Gracie went from the training centre into Woodbine – there have been plenty of days in the last year and a half I didn’t think that would ever happen. There are no guarantees she’ll make it to the races, but this is a big step. I went in to visit her this morning. She’s just going to the sand ring right now, and working through things like tire marks and puddles, because you know, those things are scary! When the water comes out of a hose, however, it’s all good, as long as she gets a drink first.


Gracie’s arrival means there are three homebreds at the track now. She’s next to her old buddy Billy. Next to Billy is Medz, aka Rupert, and then we have Maria, and Peaker (the oldest homebred). It was pretty cool to see them all.


Friday, the two yearlings left for the training centre. They won’t start the next stage of their education till September, but it was a big step in that direction. They both looked so handsome in their shiny new halters with nameplates…which they promptly checked out.


Jubie’s little girl is a mere two months old now, though she trains herself every day, tearing around. A year from now it will be her I load on the trailer. She is growing up so fast – I can’t believe how big she is already! By then, we will have welcomed a new crop of babies to keep the dream alive. Maybe one of them will make it big!

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Gremlin!

July 23rd, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz

I really really didn’t want to post this painting! I haven’t had time to fix it, and it’s really bothering me. Maybe I just shouldn’t say anything! There are things I like about it…but the end result, just not working for me.

Anyway…this is week seven of my filly paintings. 5 x 7 oil on panel. Looking forward to redeeming myself!

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , | 0 Comments

Not Enough Hours! Week 6

July 15th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


It was tough fitting in the week 6 painting today! After feeding and turning out this AM I had 175 bales of hay to take care of – a morning workout when there are just three people, total. The usual stalls waited at home, and tonight I had to be out. As a result I’m posting a somewhat sketchier than normal painting of our girl. Sometimes it’s good to only have so much time. All things considered, I guess it’s not too bad!

This is 6 x 8 oil on linen.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Baby Girl Strikes a Pose – Week 5

July 8th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


Here’s our girl at five weeks old. The interesting thing I’m finding in these paintings is while in real life she’s grown and changed, when I look at photos of her, and do the paintings, she isn’t appearing a whole lot different! I don’t feel I entirely captured her likeness here, either.

This is 7 x 5 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

You’re Right, That’s Not a Horse!

July 6th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz

I mentioned that I was painting my first cow. Well, here he is. This is 7 x 5 oil on Raymar cotton canvas panel. Seems this poor fellow has the same problem our little Mini Jube does – he hasn’t got a name yet! So all I can call him is the dun Galloway calf! He’s pretty cute. I hope to paint more of these guys in future!

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Plate Picks from Mini Jube

July 4th, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz

Doesn’t she look like she knows what she’s talking about?

Two years ago, the two foals I had did a great job of calling the Plate. Chestnut filly Gracie picked chestnut filly Ginger Brew, of course, because, well, chestnut fillies rule, don’t you know? Billy went with the Ontario-sired angle, and Not Bourbon. Not Bourbon and Ginger Brew ran one-two. Not bad, kids! Following Gracie’s example, Jubie’s little girl has to go with Roan Inish (because, of course, *bay* fillies rule). For the Ontario-sired angle I kind of like Mobthewarrior (from the first crop of Billy’s dad, Mobil), but I think I’m with the baby; I’ll be cheering for Roan Inish, because I just like the story!

Mobilizer

I hear Sam-Son has got a big bash planned – hey, they only have three starters in the big race, one of which is the favoured full brother to last year’s winner. At the other end of the backstretch is Roger Attfield’s Mobilizer. It wouldn’t be a surprise if either of those barns won.

Mobthewarrior (left) and Giant’s Tomb from Sam-Son, first time past in the Plate Trial

For the first time in a long time, I’m planning to stay home on Plate Day. The reason many people will be visiting Woodbine tomorrow – some of them for the first time – is what influenced my decision to stay away. I would love to be there, the Queen herself being in attendance this time around, but it will be a zoo, which will give me little opportunity to get decent photos. For some reason Woodbine likes to give me a hard time about granting media credentials, and I figured this year would be even tougher. Very sad! Maybe next year, we’ll have a horse running in the Plate again. Billy’s looking pretty good as a two-year old – it could happen! Like I’ve said before, it’s all about the dream.

Here’s to a safe trip for everybody tomorrow.

Roan Inish and David Moran

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Paying Tribute

July 2nd, 2010 | Posted by Linda Shantz


I really don’t know what to write with today’s painting; the story behind what inspired me to finally pull out the necessary reference photo is a dark one, one that seems so glaringly out of place during a week which is supposed to be a celebration of Canadian racing: Queen’s Plate week.

Like many others, yesterday I learned of the death of Wake at Noon, a Canadian champion. He was thirteen, and died on the racetrack, when he never should have been on the racetrack. He was supposed to be enjoying a well-deserved retirement (some of us think winning $1.6 million should pay for that), not find himself the victim of a freak accident after his connections apparently lied about his identity (purely speculation on my part) to even get him on the backstretch. At thirteen, he wasn’t eligible to race at Woodbine – or even allowed to been on the grounds. But nothing stays secret at the track for long.

Anyway…I won’t ramble on. I took the reference photo for this on Plate Day ten years ago, and I’ve often looked at it over the years and thought he’s a horse I’ll paint one day. I never though it would be under these circumstances. So here he is, a rapid-fire tribute to an awesome horse, and a sad reminder of how pathetic the human race can be.

10 x 8 oil on Artfix linen.

©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • Technorati
  • del.icio.us
  • Propeller
  • Live
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Google Bookmarks
  • TwitThis
  • Reddit
  • email
Tagged in: , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments
RSS for Posts RSS for Comments