Tag Archives: Thoroughbred

Making Plans

June 22nd, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


It’s getting to be that time of year – when I start trying to plan the annual trek to Saratoga. Getting away from the farm for a few hours, let alone a few days, is always a challenge. It’s kind of a dream to one day spend some time painting on the porch of the Beresford Gallery during the Saratoga meet – will this be the year I pull it off? I’m not holding my breath. It’s more likely this will be another whirlwind. Theoretically, I could go down in the morning, go to the races, and come back at the end of the day – it’s only a six hour drive…

I started a new painting this week, which is helping fuel the plans. This one is much larger than what I’ve been sharing of late – 24 x 30 – and my reference photo is one I took at the Spa a few years ago. I had to wait until I’d made a little progress on at least one of the horses to share it – this is very early days, very loose, throwing paint around just to get the canvas covered. As you can see, I have yet to accomplish that!

I’ve come to enjoy this messy way of doing things – starting with broad areas of tone and refining from there. This is just the underpainting, of course. It’s quite fun to do a racing scene this way, concentrating on tone for the first few layers, then starting to gradually add all the colour that makes Thoroughbred racing such a beautiful sport.

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

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A Busy Barnyard – I Mean, Studio!

June 18th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


I had two paintings on the go today – one of which I finished. Being Wednesday, I completed the next painting of Jubie’s baby (who you’ll hear me calling Jubaby for reference only!). You had a little preview of my reference shot last week, and above is the resulting 6 x 8 oil on Raphael linen panel.

My other painting is also a small one – 5 x 7 – and also a baby, but a different species. I’m painting a little Galloway calf. He’s not finished yet, so you’ll have to wait a while to see him.

Sunday was a big day at Woodbine – both the Canadian Oaks and Plate Trial Stakes. It’s just about time for me to do some Plate Preview paintings, so I went to get some pics for that. Looks like the fillies may be well represented again this year. I think we’re due a filly winning the Plate!


Roan Inish out-games Moment of Majesty to take the Oaks.

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

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Seasons…Nothing More Than Seasons…..

June 10th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


Okay, so those aren’t the real lyrics to the song. I’ve gotten back to another painting that’s been on the back burner for a while, and I need to make a decision before I go any further. In my ref photo, these two foals were, sadly, in mud, thanks to a thaw – which, of course, will just not do for the painting! My original plan, you may have guessed, was to make this a snow scene, because that’s what I’m really used to with babies around here. Now, of course, with a May foal, I’m re-thinking that plan. I don’t want a green-green summer scene – mostly because green is a really hard colour to paint! Now I’m thinking of more muted, early spring colours. Grass starting to grow, but the background trees still somewhat grey. What do you think?


These two foals you may or may not remember from two years ago. On the right is Billy, who is currently home from the racetrack for a little rest. On the left, none other than Gracie. Gracie is in her very early days of the racehorse thing – after starting the basics with me here, last week I took her to a nearby training centre to further her education. I’m unable to be there every day myself, so I’ve enlisted the help of my friends at the training centre to fill in. Last night I went to see her. It’s a good feeling to see a youngster show that she does know what you taught her, when someone else works with her! Yesterday she was just doing some free-longing – something I just don’t have the room for. The photo isn’t great, but she’s such a pretty girl, I’m going to show her off anyway!

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

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If A Picture Paints a Thousand Words, Does A Painting Really Need a Name?

May 24th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz

18 x 14 oil on Raphael Linen Panel

As if we artists don’t sweat enough over the actual execution of a painting, we sometimes drive ourselves crazy trying to come up with the perfect name. Sometimes paintings name themselves, even before we start them; other times we so much want the perfect name, we struggle! I find in many cases I end up falling short. A great title can really make a painting, I think – but sometimes I’m also aware the viewer might not be in the same headspace as me, so how much does it really matter?

This is one of those paintings I haven’t really named yet. The working title was “Bear Now” just because that’s the name of the filly in it. Thoughts? I love the mornings at the track (though I admit I don’t necessarily miss getting up at 3:30am to go to work), so I’m always looking for something that will exemplify that feeling – the quiet contrast to the tension of afternoon racing, the hope that pervades of winning that next race, big or small. Bear Now was prepping for a start in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff here, one of the pinnacles of the game. I’ve already called a painting “Dreaming Big” (it was of my own Monster, no less!) or I might be inclined to call this something along the lines of “Dream Big or Go Home!” It’s what makes you get out of bed at such a ridiculous hour – this is horse racing, and anything can happen. Might as well happen to you, right?

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

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I’d Rather Be Going Racing!

May 15th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


Grumble grumble…yes, I’m conflicted. I had fully planned to go to the races today, to watch my boy Rupert run (he really needs to overcome his recent second-itis, could today be the day?) as well as catch the Queenston Stakes, which will feature a couple of Plate hopefuls including last year’s champion two-year old. But a comedy of errors last Saturday has meant I needed to reschedule an appointment with a saddle fitter for Monster, something I’ve been waiting on for a while, so I didn’t very well feel I could tell them I had to go watch the ponies run instead! Sigh. Sometimes being responsible just isn’t any fun at all!


I think I’m due a new painting featuring Rupert, and I actually have one in mind. Today I’m hoping my current commission on the easel is dry enough to start colour, but if not, maybe I’ll indulge myself and start a new one. In the meantime, here’s one of my goofy chestnut boy. Go Rupert! And happy Preakness Day, everyone! Safe trip for you all!

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

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Ten Years with Monster: A Retrospective

May 11th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


Today my wild child is ten – where does the time go? I could ramble on about her history, this by-nothing-out-of-nothing homebred, but I will spare you and instead share some of the paintings I have done of her over the years. If you’d like to see some photos of her, you can have a look at my Flikr album.

I will explain the evolution of her name, however. I love coming up with registered names, but have a hard time with barn names. She was very quickly christened “Entertainingangels” and registered with the Jockey Club, but it was several months – yes, months – before I decided what I would call her on a day-to-day basis. And then – well, it took on a life of its own! First she was Javelin, Java for short. As she became a feisty yearling, she turned into Javamonster! It wasn’t long before I just dropped the Java part. In polite company she is Java, but her true friends know her as Monster!















©Copyright 2010 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
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HELP WANTED: Many positions available!

May 7th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


Things were supposed to get easier, after finishing my Thirty Days, right? Well, one would think, but with two mares back from Kentucky, and an overdue GST return to do, that doesn’t seem to be the case. So let me see, if only I could hire some help, what would I need?

Office assistant – someone to pack up the three painting that need to go to New Jersey, and four smaller framed giclées that need to go to Manitoba, and then take them to the post office (somehow I have to fit that task into today!). Send ad for Queen’s Plate edition of Canadian Thoroughbred from designer in – oh look, that one’s done!

Bookkeeper – to finish up that pesky GST. Seems my brain has decided it’s late already, so what’s another day or two? And I can accept having to pay a penalty for late filing; I can’t, however, accept the paintings not getting to New Jersey on time, the giclées likewise. Sigh. It’s only money, right? Why can’t that big chunk I sent them for my income tax be enough to keep them happy? Maybe they’re busy enough with that not to notice (hahaha…Rev Canada…right…).

Barn Help – back up to seven stalls, feeding four times a day, keeping an eye on the broodmare due on the 21st, making sure the boys don’t kill each other with their antics…really, this is a full time job on its own! This one has the added bonus of physical activity!

Dog Walker – Finn has adopted my parents, so he’s good. Swish is a little POed at me right now! But thankfully, dogs are very forgiving.

Rider – two horses here, one horse somewhere else. Various stages of development, from just-broke green, to not-quite-that-green.

Artist – work on commission with rapidly approaching deadline; finish painting to be photographed for a demo at Pirak Studios tonight; attend Open House at Pirak Studios.

Hours are flexible; must be willing to work for artwork. Any takers? :-D

I know…so much to do, why am I sitting here writing this post? Gotta fly!

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

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Updating the Derby Picture

April 29th, 2010 | Posted in Carrie Lewis

The only thing certain about life is the uncertainty of life.

What goes for life, goes for horse racing, too.

This past Saturday, I shared my List of Favorites with you, knowing full well that some of them would drop of the list by post time on Saturday, May 1.

I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly.

And while I didn’t expect the favorite to win the race (they so rarely do), I didn’t expect him to be the first casualty of my list making.

Both proved to be the case.

Sunday afternoon, I learned that pre-race favorite Eskendereya had been removed from the start list due to a filling in the left front leg. (Check out the full story here.)

Turns out, that was only the beginning.

I looked at the Blood-Horse Monday afternoon and got some good news. Devil May Care, the filly in the race, was officially announced as a Derby contender, due in part because the absence of Eskendereya means she gets her regular rider. So I lost one and confirmed one.

All of this looking at finely tuned three-year-old is whetting the appetite for doing some horse racing art. Other than the Standardbreds, I haven’t been doing much horse racing these days. Maybe it’s time to change that.

The draw for post positions was Wednesday afternoon and a further reshuffling of my List of Favorites was necessary.

Endorsement, on my list through Seattle Slew, dropped out of the race on Wednesday morning after suffering a non-displaced right front condylar fracture in his morning work. Schoolyard Dreams and Pleasant Prince also didn’t make the Derby field.

But I have a couple of names to add to the list, too.

Stately Victor is a great-grandson of Seattle Slew.

Make Music for Me is doubly gifted as a great-grandson of Affirmed on the top of the pedigree and a great-great-grandson of Seattle Slew on the bottom.

The revised List of Favorites (Names in italics not running. Names in bold are from the original list, the remaining names are new additions.)

  • Eskendereya
  • Endorsement
  • Discreetly Mine
  • Ice Box
  • Super Saver
  • Pleasant Prince
  • Schoolyard Dreams
  • Devil May Care
  • Awesome Act
  • Backtalk
  • Line of David
  • Mission Impazible
  • Paddy O’Prado
  • Conveyance
  • Stately Victor
  • Make Music for Me

    • The complete field in post position is:

  1. Lookin at Lucky
  2. Ice Box
  3. Noble’s Promise
  4. Super Saver
  5. Line of David
  6. Stately Victor
  7. American Lion
  8. Dean’s Kitten
  9. Make Music for Me
  10. Paddy O’Prado
  11. Devil May Care
  12. Conveyance
  13. Jackson Bend
  14. Mission Impazible
  15. Discreetly Mine
  16. Awesome Act
  17. Dublin
  18. Backtalk
  19. Homeboykris
  20. Sidney’s Candy

I’m going to put Devil May Care on the top as my sentimental favorite to win, but I’ll be looking for at least one of those gorgeous grays to make a good showing.

Here’s to a well-contested and safe race!

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

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Derby Week pARTy

April 28th, 2010 | Posted in Virtual pARTy


Lise Leblanc “Lucky 7″ 9 x 12 oil on canvas

Okay, so our reference photo by Kim Santini was taken last summer at Saratoga, but this is Derby Week, so a racing theme is appropriate. In fact I believe Kim will be doing a horse instead of a dog-a-day to celebrate this week. Add to that the final week of my April Thirty Horses, Thirty Days, and there will be lots of daily ponies around! And that, my friends, is what we call shameless self-promotion by your pARTy hosts! :-D

We had another great turnout for our pARTy, having a go at a fairly challenging image.

Kim Santini, “Stirrup” 10 x 6 acrylic on multimedia artboard

Molly Poole, 5 x 7 watercolour on paper
Valarie Wolf, 6 x 6 oil on panel

Linda Shantz, “Expectation,” 6 x 8 oil on canvas board

Terry D. Chacon, “Waiting to Ride” 6 x 8 oil on canvas

Sheona Hamiliton-Grant, pencil sketch
Deb Stonebraker, “Quarter Panel,” 5 x 7 Prismacolor on Ultrasuede

Delia Pacheco, “Reflect,” 5 x 7 acrylic

Miriam Hughes, 8 x 10 watercolour sketch

Mary Agarwal, Wait to Hurry No.7,”7.5 x 5.5 pastel


Lisa Guarino, 3.25 x 3.25 Pen and Ink/Markers

Linda Massey, 6 x 11 watercolour and ink

Linda L. Martin, “Number 7′s Dance,” 8 x 10 graphite


Kathy Roeth, “Ready To Run,” 9 x 12 watercolour and gouache

Charlotte Tanner, Pen and marker on cardstock

Charlotte Mertz, “Saddled with a Seven,” 5 x 7 watercolour on coldpress

Catherin McMillan, “No .7 On the Nose,” 9 x 9 pastel

Byannick, “I See You,” 9 x 7 oil on board

Melissa Shumard, 9 x 12 acrylic on watercolour paper

©Copyright 2010 by The Virtual pARTy and participating artists. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist challenge, visit The Virtual pARTy Blog.

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No. 7 on the nose

April 22nd, 2010 | Posted in Catherin McMillan

No. 7 on the Nose
No. 7 on the Nose is my April entry in the Virtual pARTy, image approx 9″ x9″, pastel on canson pastel paper depicting a Thoroughbred racehorse, $250.00 unframed to the first person to email me .

The virtual party is a fun monthly challenge .. artists are given a reference photo and 24hours to complete their interpretation on it. Its amazing to see the different interpretations on the same photo.

Black pastel is one of my favourite colours to work on as it allows the subject to blend into the background or jump out of the paper depending upon the colours used.

Thanks for looking, please feel free to pass this onto your family and friends
Catherin McMillan http://www.animalarthouse.com/ email: catherin@animalarthouse.com
Commissions welcome Original artwork for sale

©Copyright 2010 by Catherin McMillan. See original post here.
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Warming Up

March 4th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


We can’t complain about the weather here in Southern Ontario right now – after our first real snow last week, we’ve had some very spring-like weather lately. Two of the commissions I’ve been working on are complete – one is all framed and I will take it to the post office tomorrow; the other we’re looking at framing options. My next portrait is an oil pastel, and it’s been like visiting old friends to go back to that medium!

I was determined to paint something today, and it was this evening before I got to it. I’ve decided, crazy though I might be, to do another Thirty Horses, Thirty Days in April, so consider this one a warm-up of sorts. This is an 8 x 10 oil on canvas, using my old faithful limited palette of ultramarine blue, burnt umber, cadmium red medium, titanium white and a touch of yellow ochre. The subject is a very pretty filly named Van Lear Rose, Canada’s champion two-year old filly in 2008.

On a sad note, I learned today that an old “friend” died. Millie was an older Thoroughbred broodmare, and actully my Monster’s “aunt” – she was a half-sister to Monster’s sire, Tejabo. I actually did a painting of Millie and one of her foals a few years ago, which I called “Signs of Spring.” I worked with many of Millie’s babies during the time I worked at the farm she called home. She was a very pretty, sweet mare. Long may she run.

©Copyright 2009 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Performance Art

February 22nd, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz

There’s nothing like an untouched paddock to inspire equine action worthy of a photo shoot! I’ve been thinking about putting Gracie and Jubie out into the larger paddock that was occupied by the mares before they left for Kentucky. Today, warm with a clear blue sky, turned out to be the perfect day.


Jubie is about eight months along in her pregnancy right now, so she was relatively reserved next to Gracie. Miss Grace, however, did not disappoint, showing off her usual display of moves. I think she tired herself out, because she’s napping quite peacefully in the corner right now!

Just a note – Gracie did not, in fact, strike Jubie in the face in that one shot! I just looks that way! Plenty of inspiration for now paintings here. This is just a small selection of the 200 or so photos I took. And please excuse the strange formatting of this post – sometimes Blogger has a mind of its own!

©Copyright 2009 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Contentment

February 19th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


That’s what came to mind as the two boys spent a large chunk of the afternoon grooming each other from head to toe. I couldn’t believe how long and how thoroughly they went at it! Both were completely immersed – who knew two yearling colts could have that kind of attention span!


They had a slightly stressful morning. Really, these two have the life right now, but every six weeks they’re expected to be big boys, when the blacksmith comes for their trims. When they’re young, we just do the foals in their stalls, with walk-outs as necessary to check them. Today I finally decided it was time they both grew up, and stood in the aisle on the mats like the big horses!

They handled it pretty well. Leo had one good temper tantrum with a lurching half-rear, but Spider out-did that performance by basically falling/lying down. That’s the ultimate cop-out for a horse, and I think they always feel somewhat embarrassed by it! Fortunately it was a slow-motion sort of deal, where he just kept sinking, until he found himself in a heap. He was certainly very good for the rest of the job!

Monster was next, up at the other farm, and after her trim I rode her. After that it was back home to work Gracie and do stalls, then a short break to watch another Canadian Gold at the Olympics before heading back to the barn to feed. That left the evening for painting! Tonight I started a new commission, working from a challenging reference photo – not that that’s ever happened before! This one is a 16 x 20 oil on masonite panel.


Yesterday I started my “challenge” painting. My friend Elizabeth McCrindle of Scotland and I both want to improve our humans, artistically. When Elizabeth showed some photos from a trip to Ayr Racecourse this past weekend and said she now had lots of photos of the jockeys, so no excuses on the challenge. It made me think that I also have several photos of the riders, so we both agreed to do one this week. You can see the start Elizabeth made on her blog, and in keeping with accountability, I’ll post the one I started here. I’ve got a much easier one than Elizabeth, I think – I find helmets really hard, and I found a shot with no helmet. I’m not going to tell you who it is. If you think you know, I want to hear it. Just a very rough start so far!

©Copyright 2009 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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2008 Queen’s Plate ~ Not Bourbon

February 15th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz

Here’s a smaller painting that I just completed.  This is an 8 x 10 oil on Signature linen panel of the finish of the 2008 Queen’s Plate.  Not Bourbon, on the inside, just held off the filly Ginger Brew to win the mile and a quarter classic in a thrilling stretch duel.  I’m pretty sure it was probably his tongue sticking out that made the difference!

This painting is available for $500 unframed for a limited time.  If you’re interested, drop me an email!

©Copyright 2009 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Strategizing

February 15th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz

This is the finished version of the painting in my banner, above.  The painting  is a 15 x 28 oil on linen of the first time past the grandstand in the Canadian Oaks a few years ago.  I love the interaction of the riders as they find their positions early in the race.

This painting is framed and available for sale, for $2200.00.  Just email me if you’d like more information.

©Copyright 2009 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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Late Plate

February 14th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz


I think I might be calling this one done. I began this 8 x 10 oil on Classen’s Linen panel (by Signature) last September. At this point I should probably just say it’s two unnamed racehorses, but in fact it’s the finish of the 2008 Queen’s Plate, with Not Bourbon beating out the filly Ginger Brew probably by about the extra length his tongue provided!

Below is the painting in the very early stages, as I worked on it at the CTHS Yearling sales. Now, if I start the painting of the 2009 Queen’s Plate soon…when do you think I will have it finished?

©Copyright 2009 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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The Birthday Boy

February 13th, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz

It was a year ago Tuesday that Leo was born – hard to believe that tiny, sleek baby is the same horse as the fuzzy young man out in my paddock today! On Monday I was over at a nearby farm to take some photos of some of this year’s babies, and one always forgets just how tiny they are in those early days. Leo and Spider look small to me because the two-year-old Gracie is so tall and leggy…but they’re nothing like the new little ones!

I’ve been working on commissions and larger paintings this week, so I thought today I was due a smaller, looser one. I was flipping through some of the reference photos I’ve got printed out, and came across this one of Leo when he was still tiny! This painting is 8 x 6 oil on shellacked masonite.


And now a couple of photos of Leo as he is today – one of him hamming it up, and another of him playing ‘fighting stallions’ with his buddy. These two have a long way to go before they can match the prowess of those that have battled before in these paddocks! And interestingly, the most noteworthy may very well have been a mare. Rest assured Gladzilla will never be forgotten around here.

©Copyright 2009 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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A Sure Cure for the Winter Blahs

February 1st, 2010 | Posted in Linda Shantz

Heading out with the camera never seems to fail to cheer me up if the weather is getting to me. I’m going to post some pics of the ‘kids’ while I’m working away at various WIPs. The commission currently on the easel is coming along well, and hopefully it won’t be too long before I show it to the client for input on the progress before moving on to the final stages. I happen to know this particular client likes to see photos of the ‘kids’ and by the sounds of it, this horse I’m painting would like to hang out with my boys!


I’ve started working with Gracie, and it’s so far been a reminder of why this time of year is not great for breaking horses! We had quite a cold snap last week, and the normally spunky Miss Grace was all the more exuberant! I’m taking it very slowly with her, as that’s the whole reason it’s me doing the job. She has a growth issue with one of her pasterns so my goal is to get those early lessons done without causing too much stress to the joint. At the training centre, things would proceed more quickly.


Friday was a ‘spa’ day for Gracie – she got her feet trimmed, and I pulled her unruly mane so she looks more like a Thoroughbred! The vet was also out to float her teeth and remove a couple of wolf teeth – it was the sedation required for that which allowed me to pull her mane (*not* her favourite thing). I’m not sure most would entertain the thought of a visit to the dentist as part of a spa day, but, well, that’s just the way it worked out!

The boys are having a lot of fun these days. They’re opposites, as potential racehorses: Leo (above) is often quite happy to watch Spider/Batty (my name/owner’s name!) tear around, but when he gets going, wow, he can move. So Spider is our sprinter, and Leo will be the one coming from behind! And Leo has a registered name now – officially, he’s “Jultagi.” First name choice of “Sharp Dressed Man” was rejected because it was deemed to have ‘commercial, creative or artistic significance.’ I wondered about that, but hoped it might get through. I think Jultagi is rather clever – it’s the Korean art of tight-rope walking, and Leo is by Strut the Stage, out of Twine Flies…get it?

Spider’s first name choice was rejected for the same reason – it was “Bat Out of Hell” (hence the ‘Batty’ barn name, because that’s the way he tears around!). I’d warned the owners the Jockey Club might not approve it, so we’ll see if they’ve come up with a second choice!

Spider

©Copyright 2009 by Linda Shantz. See original post here.
To learn more about this artist, visit her website.

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