Tag Archives: Big Brown

There And Back Again

September 16th, 2008 | By Linda Shantz


Home again, after an enjoyable trip to New Jersey. My friend and I talked about how most people think of New Jersey as what they see off the Turnpike – industry, basically – but Sheri lives in South Jersey, closer to Atlantic City, in the Pine Barrens. I understand completely why she loves it there. It’s beautiful and peaceful and exactly opposite to what everyone thinks of New Jersey.

Big Brown at Monmouth, copyright Linda Shantz, all rights reserved.
When I arrived Friday, Sheri told me Big Brown was running at Monmouth on Saturday…did I want to go? I laughed. Do you have to ask? I responded. So Saturday we went to the races! It was a great day – the home-town crowd was friendly and excited to have the Big Horse there again. BB didn’t disappoint, though both Sheri and I agreed that BB should probably stand for “Big Baby”! It’s too bad this horse won’t run at four, because he still seems so immature. He got the job done, regardless.


Sunday was the opening of the NJEAA Fall Showcase. It was a great collection of artwork, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn “Man on a Mission” was awarded an honourable mention! The EAG was well represented. It’s so nice to see original artwork in person – it always gives me an even greater appreciation for the artists. Nothing compares to it!


Monday it was time to head home, but not before a photo shoot of the Arcadia gang, and lunch at Marcello’s. If you’re ever in Hammonton, New Jersey, it comes highly recommended! Great pizza (we had takeout Friday night and couldn’t help going back, apparently!). After all these years, not much has changed when the two of us get together. Lots of horses, Haagen Dazs and catching up on a few movies! What more could you ask for?

©Copyright 2008 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit Linda Shantz’s website.

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We Need a Hero

June 7th, 2008 | By Linda Shantz

I’ve been staying pretty quiet on the whole American Triple Crown this year. I’ve watched each race, and silently held my breath. Now Belmont Day is here - The Test, when the racing world and several others will watch to see if Big Brown can do it.

Racing has been through a rough time lately, and perhaps for good reason. While I don’t believe it’s all as dramatic as PETA would have us believe, there are things that should be looked at in the industry. There’s no single fix. It’s all too easy to sit on the outside and judge, and the amount of misinformation that’s been flying around in the last few weeks, since the tragic Derby, is astounding.

Big Brown is an imperfect hero. Nobody really likes his connections (do they?) and it can be hard to overlook them sometimes, though BB did a pretty good job as he exploded to the lead in the Preakness. His foot issues have been widely publicized - and with irony, this morning, the horse cited as having the best chance to foil his bid has been scratched with a stone bruise. A victory by Casino Drive would have been monumental in its own right - his mother has produced the last two Belmont winners. Three, let alone three in a row, would have been huge; some say more significant that a Triple Crown winner after thirty years. One of the biggest criticisms about BB is that he’s running against a weak crop of three-year olds. I’m not sure that would take away from a win today, when it comes right down to it.

I’m not making any predictions. This is horse racing after all, and anything can happen. My own horses will come in early so that I can make the trek to a friend’s to watch the big race. I did consider how cool it might be to be at Belmont today, but with the way summer seems to have shown up with this hot, humid weather, I’ll admit I’m just as happy to be watching on TV. With a bunch of others out there, I’ll still be holding my breath till post time.

©Copyright 2008 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit Linda Shantz’s website.

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The Big Brown / Eight Belles painting continues

June 6th, 2008 | By Tami O.

Painting of Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby - In progress
The Big Brown Derby painting, still in progress. I’m starting to add some background layers.

You know what I love about this moment, as the horses round the first turn in the 2008 Kentucky Derby? It’s the way Big Brown is in total command of the field, even in fourth place. Every colt in his vicinity looks like it’s aware of his presence - whether they really are or not - and I’ve chosen to emphasize that impression in my painting. It makes a better story that way. The only one with an “I can take him” look of confidence is the filly. (She’s in the far right in this crop.) Photographer Ryan Armbrust captured a great bit of history here - IMO, the best 2008 Derby photo I’ve seen - and I’m grateful for the chance to paint it. His photo stands alone as art, so it’s been a challenge to put my own spin on it.

My Signature
©Copyright 2008 by Tami O. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit Tami O’s website.

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There’s nothing like painting a horse…

June 5th, 2008 | By Tami O.

2008-derby-big-brown-vig.jpg

The Big Brown Kentucky Derby painting continues. Here I’ve isolated Big Brown in a small vignetted detail, just to give myself another perspective. He’s still not finished, but he’s getting closer. When completed, the Big Brown painting will be available as a giclee print on my website.

…to make you feel connected to that animal.

Here’s a horse I’ve never seen in the flesh, but I’ve studied every square inch of his body in photos and videos, then tried to recreate it in paint. My brush has wrapped around every curve like gentle hands, and that’s an oddly intimate experience from such a distance. I feel I know this horse. I could recognize him anywhere. When his image comes up on the television, it’s as familiar as that of my cat or my dog.

I’m glad I chose to paint him before the Belmont, because it’s made the Triple Crown experience much more personal. I’ll be rooting for this horse like I own a tiny piece of him.

My Signature
©Copyright 2008 by Tami O. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit Tami O’s website.

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Update on Big Brown painting, and Le Cadeau du Cheval

June 4th, 2008 | By Tami O.

Progress continues on the painting of Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby:

Painting of Big Brown in the Kentucky Derbyt in progress

Detail from the work in progress. Portrayed from left to right are Monba, Gayego, Big Brown, Z Fortune, Recapturetheglory, Eight Belles, and Cowboy Cal. Coming soon are Cool Coal Man and Bob Black Jack.

This painting is taking far longer than a painting normally would for me, because I’m trying to capture the the essence of each horse. There are nine horses clearly visible, so it’s like painting nine portraits. Portraits are always more time-consuming than slap-dash arty pieces where I can use color and form more freely.

Then there are a myriad of subtle adjustments I’m making to put emphasis on Big Brown. The painting portrays the field rounding the first turn in the Kentucky Derby, and at that point Big Brown was in fourth place. So the problem is, how do I make a horse who isn’t in the lead look like the undeniable star of the race? How do I draw the eye to him, while still doing accurate portrayals of the other horses? Without some planning, a multi-horse piece like this can turn into a disastrous jumble of legs and horseflesh with no clear focal point.

Part of my solution was to paint Big Brown first, then keep refining him as I work on the rest of the painting. By the time I’m done, he’ll be the most detailed, realistic horse in the pack, while the others will be progressively more painterly as they move away from him.

Also I’m using color to attract the eye to Big Brown. His coat will be just a little brighter, just a little more saturated than the rest. Like his fire burns more brightly than the rest. Nothing too obvious, I hope, because I want people to be drawn to him without knowing why.

I’m also trying to place some subtle emphasis on the ill-fated filly, Eight Belles. That’s particularly tough, because she’s in the second flight of horses, and I don’t want to do anything that will bring her forward too much. I’m thinking I’ll add more detail and contrast to her face, and fade out the rest of her with dust and dirt clods to keep her clearly behind the frontrunners.

Duncan, the ever-vigilant watchdog, interrupted my work to tell me that Big Brown’s namesake, UPS, was at the door:

le-cadeau-du-cheval-panel-11.jpg

A package has arrived, bearing scents of distant places that only a dog can smell. Yippee! It’s my panel from the mural mosaic project, “Le Cadeau du Cheval,” or “The Horse Gift.” This project is the latest in a series of huge murals designed by Canadian artists Phil Alain, Lewis Lavoie, and Paul Lavoie. Their mural mosaics are made of individual 16 x 16″ panels painted by artists from all over the world. Each artist is given a pre-painted panel which shows a color/pattern which must be the basis for the design. Other than that, they’re given free rein to paint within the given theme. When the finished panels are reassembled, they form a giant image. The images are being posted to the website here as they are completed. Keep in mind that not even the participating artists know what the final image will be, so we’re watching it take shape along with everyone else. The finished mural will be unveiled this September at Spruce Meadows, before touring Canada and the US.

Here’s my raw panel, #137 out of 238:

Le Cadeau du Cheval panel 137

Oh, my, that’s purple, isn’t it? It’s a good thing I’m not afraid of color! The really good news is that I’m working with complementary colors that could be used to indicate sunlight and shadow. I could put just about anything on here, as long as part of the subject is shadowed. Cool. I’m already doing some research, and I’ll get started as soon as the Derby painting is out of the way.


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©Copyright 2008 by Tami O. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit Tami O’s website.

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Painting Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby

June 2nd, 2008 | By Tami O.

Painting of our favorite Big Brown horse racing in the Kentucky Derby
Detail of painting in progress: Big Brown and the full field of the 2008 Kentucky Derby. Acrylic on Multimedia Artboard, 30 x 15″

Years ago I learned an important lesson: Never paint the Big Horse on spec. Every year we wait for the next Great One, the horse whose name can be uttered in the same breath with likes of Man O’War and Secretariat. Every year there’s a buzz surrounding one or two youngsters, followed by disappointment as we realize he was just a good horse, not a legend in the making. Paint that horse too soon, and you’re likely left with a painting you’ll never sell.

This year I threw caution to the wind and did something I’ve never done before: I started working on a painting of the Kentucky Derby winner right after the race. On spec. I found a gorgeous photo of the full field coming around the first tun by photographer Ryan Armbrust and purchased the rights to paint from it. I got my large format printer in order, clearing it of a nasty nozzle clog that had been plaguing it for over a year. I ordered $400 worth of ink and several 50 foot rolls of cotton rag paper in anticipation of a print run. I worked day and night on the painting, trying to get it done before the Preakness, and when that deadline came and went, before the Belmont.

That’s quite a wager on a horse. Is Big Brown worth it? Well, he’s already given me more chills than any horse since Secretariat, so in my book - regardless of what happens in the Belmont this weekend - he is.

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PS: If you obsess about Big Brown’s feet the way I do, check out Fran Jurga’s Hoofblog for tons of information about quarter crack repair, and info specific to Big Brown.
©Copyright 2008 by Tami O. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit Tami O.’s website.

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A Painting and a Heartache

May 25th, 2008 | By Carole Rodrigue

Untitled

11 x 14 original acrylic

Here’s an unplanned painting that I’d started a couple of days ago and finished tonight. It’s the same Egyptian colt I’d painted in Age of Innocence. Isn’t he such a beauty? There are a couple of finishing touches that I need to add tomorrow, then that’s it.

Now for the heartache. I’m sure most of you have either heard, seen, or read about Eight Belles. What a tragedy, and hours later, my eyes still get teary just thinking about it. My heart goes out to Belles’ owners, trainer, and everyone who was close to her. One always hates it when a horse gets injured and has to be put down, but with two broken ankles, there was just no hope for this amazing filly who’d shown so much heart. I also can’t help wondering if perhaps she would’ve won the Derby. Speculation is useless at this point, but I keep wondering if perhaps she was already experiencing pain and just kept pushing on and pushing on, giving all her heart and still coming in second. I just wonder . . .

Big Brown sure didn’t disapoint and gave the crowd what they expected. Seemed he just came out of nowhere and plunged ahead to first in the blink of an eye. Congratulations Big Brown!

Okay, I need to get off and stop thinking about Eight Belles. And of course, getting on the net tonight, I came across pictures I didn’t want to see, and shouldn’t have seen. I hate when they show that stuff, and I commend NBC and other news reports that didn’t show it. They didn’t show it during the Derby programming. Nobody needs to see that; we get the unwanted mental picture already. So, my heart and prayers go to all of Belles’ people. You had one fine horse there, and she’ll always be remembered fondly.

©Copyright 2008 by Carole Rodrigue. See original post here.

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Big Brown, will he win the Triple Crown?

May 18th, 2008 | By Donna Ridgway

Like most people who love horses, I’ve followed the run for the Triple Crown. Some years, I’m very “into” it and learn all I can about the horses, some years it sneaks up on me and I don’t pay much attention until all of a sudden, one horse comes out of the pack. Which is what happened to me this year with Big Brown.

I didn’t see the Derby. I would have watched the Preakness with trepidation if I’d known about Big Brown’s feet. I was going along in blissful ignorance, enjoying the race until I began hearing comments about his hooves. Do a google search for “big brown feet legs” and a lot will turn up.

Kind of a different subject, but I once had a little Quarter Horse mare who could run. There were some farmer races in a summer follow field about four miles from my home, so I rode my horse over to the races. I’d lined up a jockey to ride her in these races. For once in my life, I wanted to watch the action, instead of being in the thick of it.

I’d ridden this mare in several community relay races, and she was known for her speed.

When the starting gun went off, I got so excited, I was yelling at the top of my lungs for Mary Lou to run. This race track didn’t have a fence around it, the spectators were the fence. Of course I was right up front, at a point which was about the middle of the race. Mary Lou was way ahead of the pack, and out of all the people lining the track, she spied me! She came across the track, headed straight for me.

The jockey was riding for all he was worth to pull her straight and take her on down the track. Soon as I saw her head for me, I had to quit yelling her name and hide in the crowd.

At the beginning of the race, I’d told the jockey, get her out front and keep her there, she can do this. The rest of the field was horses from the track, thoroughbreds and quarter horses. In spite of cutting across the field, she kept her lead and won the race by a couple of lengths.

At that time in my life, I was caught up in the romance of racing, didn’t even realize there was another side to it all.

In the same race where my mare had won, another mare broke her leg. She stood at the finish line, with her front left dangling below the knee. My elation at winning the race was gone because I can’t bear to see an animal suffering like that. I was sick to my stomach. It took 15 minutes to find a gun in the crowd so the horse could be put down.

When the day was over, I went to collect my winnings. The guy who was putting on the races said, “Donna, I can’t give you the prize money even though your horse won the race.” I said, “Why the hell can’t you? She won fair and square, right in front of all these people.” He said, “Well, you know most of these horses here came off the track. Most of them are _so_and__so_____’s horses.” I said, “So what?” He said, “Well, there was a lot of money riding on this, I have to give one of them the prize. They did all the betting here on their horses.”

So even in a little country race, in a summer follow field, the rules of money apply to racing. I later learned, the mare who had the broken leg? She’d broken it once before in her life and it had been patched up. She should never have been racing again. Let alone to race on a summer follow field where the dirt is heavy and soft, full of rocks….

I guess you know, I rode the four miles home that day, sadder and wiser than when I’d started the day…and very happy my mare was alive and well. I didn’t enter her in any more races after that, she retired…
Donna

©Copyright 2008 by Donna Ridgway. See original post here.

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Fast Horses and Lots of Paintings

May 17th, 2008 | By Carrie Lewis

I saw a truly remarkable thing this afternoon. It was called the Preakness Stakes, which Big Brown won in a walkover.

It was impressive enough the first time through because he stalked the pace in third most of the trip, then drew up around the outside two wide on the last turn and simply ran off.

But looking at the replay, I could see that his jockey stopped him twice and told him to go three times. The aerial shot was the most impressive of all because it truly revealed the amount of acceleration that horse has. He looked like a Quarter Horse breaking from the gate.

The most amazing thing is that he was not at all ready to stop and fought being pulled up. He finished with his ears up, just like I remember Seattle Slew doing in 1977.

And just like Seattle Slew, he has a chance to become an undefeated Triple Crown winner. Only the second in history!

My horses? Well, once again one finished second. The was Macho Again. Stevil was my second horse (I picked the grays again) and he finished ninth. (This is why I don’t bet, but, hey!, I never did go to horse races to bet…just to see horses!).

I am predicting a small field for the Belmont Stakes in three weeks unless something happens between now and then.

So what else did I do today?

It was a work day, so I spent most of the day at the gallery and I spent at least part of that work day pruning.

Before and after the race, I worked on two small format landscapes just to dip a brush in paint. It’s been a few days since my last work in oils due to the way my schedule has been and because the current project is in a drying stage. Both new paintings are 4×6 or thereabouts. Neither is finished, but I am very happy with the progress.

I have also been dabbling around with watercolor paints with glitter in them. They were a free gift and I had intended to give them to the gallery for kids to use, since I don’t do watercolors and really didn’t see much use for paint with glitter in it.

But I got to playing around with them and have gotten some interesting results. It’s all strictly experimental at the moment, but it has been fun.

I also received the 11×14 enlargement for my July project. This portrait will be of Guienne Hanover, who absolutely demolished the record for three-year-old trotting fillies last October, winning the Virginia Breeders Elimination by 13½ lengths in a time of 1:51.2 for the mile. You can read about that race here. The reference for the portrait will be the photograph that appears with the story.

The enlargement is wonderful and I’m looking forward to this project. It will be the first racing painting in several months!

My thanks to Jeff Coady of Coady Photography for his help in getting this project off the ground.

©Copyright 2008 by Carrie Lewis. See original post here.

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