The Champ

Artists don't always have carte blanche to paint whatever floats their boats (or canoes). Especially if principle income depends on sales of paintings and/or accompanying widgets. Sometimes a display model is required to show potential clients, which led me to create this piece:

"Curlin", oil on panel 18"x24"

The big hoss was a stunning vision as he walked into the paddock for the Man O' War. Such a far cry from when I photographed him last year cooling out at the Oklahoma training track. With the cool demeanor of a confident prize fighter, this dude knows he's something really special. Yet his temperament is quiet and his expression calm as if he's distracted by an encompassing greatness we'll never comprehend.

"A horse can lend its rider the speed and strength he or she lacks, but the rider who is wise remembers it is no more than a loan". - Pam Brown