6 x 8 oil on linen panel
As the 2008 Breeders’ Cup approaches, it seems only appropriate that I bring up Curlin. Curlin is by Canadian-bred Smart Strike, and out of a Deputy Minister (also Canadian-bred) mare. Just another example of the strong influence of Canadian horses in International pedigrees. Smart Strike ties into one of my previous posts - a son of Mr. Prospector, he is a half-brother to Dance Smartly; and of course Deputy Minister is a grandson (by Vice Regent) of Northern Dancer. Curlin is now the richest Thoroughbred of all time, having more than $10 million in earnings. Kudos to his connections for running him as a four-year-old. Saturday, he attempts his second victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
This painting is just a small study of the Big Red Machine - 6 x 8″ oil on Raymar linen panel. It is a faster, looser work from most of the paintings you have seen here so far. I used photos I’d taken at last year’s Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth Park, but made adjustments after watching him win the 2008 Dubai World Cup. I was in Dubai for the 2007 World Cup, won by Invasor, so watching Curlin’s triumph provided a little nostalgia! I’d like to do a larger painting of Curlin - I’d give a lot to be at Santa Anita on Saturday!
This little original is for sale, framed, at $350.00. As always, a percentage of the sale will go to LongRun. Thanks for stopping by!
©Copyright 2008 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit Linda Shantz’s website.
This week’s been a blur - I couldn’t tell you where the time has gone. I’ve got a couple of recently finished paintings to show off, and this is just one of them. This is the little oil I started the day Curlin won the Dubai World Cup. The big horse hit a bit of a snag in his first turf race a little while ago, but I think after the way he’s been romping in his last few starts, we just kept expecting him to keep on rolling – dirt, turf, whatever – kind of like another Big Red Machine a few decades ago. Like pretty much everything you see around here, this little painting is for sale, so don’t be afraid to email me if you’re interested. I’ll be getting it framed next time I visit the framer!
This weekend I’ve got a whirlwind roadtrip planned. I’m meeting my friend, photographer Juliet Harrison, in none other than Saratoga. Rest assured we’ll both have a few hundred photos to sort through after our visit to the Spa! Stay tuned!
I’ll have some news on upcoming shows next week, as well as an announcement about a new project I’ve been working on. Could be kind of busy around here!
©Copyright 2008 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit Linda Shantz’s website.
I know that’s what they used to call Secretariat, and I’m not trying to make a comparison, but those are the words that came to mind today as I watched Curlin toy with his rivals to win the Dubai World Cup. I don’t usually paint the “horse of the hour” so to speak - if I’m going to paint a “name” horse it will typically be a Canadian-bred, Woodbine-based runner. Watching Curlin’s performance today, however, I gave in. I had photos of him winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic, so with a few adaptations I will be taking him to Dubai! Well…taking my photos of him to Dubai…okay, I wish. I was there this time last year!
Just a note - this horse does have a Canadian tie-in. He’s by Canadian-bred Smart Strike, and out of a Deputy Minister mare - Deputy Minister was also Canadian-bred!
This is just a small painting, 5 x 7 oil on oil-primed Raymar panel, and the work so far has taken about an hour. So yes, another work in progress. About time I started wrapping some of these up, don’t you think?
Working small like this can be fun. I find it useful for staying motivated, because in most cases these pieces are completed faster than a larger one, for obvious reasons - it doesn’t take as long to cover the support! They give a sense of accomplishment that helps carry me through the larger work.
I have completed one of the recent postings in the last week. All I need to do is sign it, so you will see it sometime soon!
©Copyright 2008 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
