Florida Horse Park Exhibit

My exhibit at the Florida Horse Park this past weekend was instrumental in blasting through the inertia I find myself in. First outdoor show of the year had me flexing my festival muscles and flapping my networking wings. I loved it. Yes, the shows are a grind but they're also an effective way to engage in conversation about the artwork. It affords the opportunity to be accessible. Stereotype prevails in the art world with good reason - some people are intimidated to approach artists and ask questions (those nut jobs!). My task is to invite and make comfortable. Friendliness rules.

I enjoyed decent sales that has me hopeful. Oh, and I won first place in the juried competition. What a hoot.

Confident with hopeful anticipation, I sent in my booth fee to the High Hope Steeplechase at the Kentucky Horse Park today after my inspiring weekend.

“Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences.” - Norman Cousins

Getting the Work Out

A toast to economic recoveries!

Michael and I have mapped out the rest of the year with shows, exhibits and of course, Saratoga intentions. I'm looking forward to dusting off my exhibit gear and meeting potential buyers and art lovers to discuss the world of art, especially equine art. We haven't participated at an outdoor show since last October and I miss it. Inertia has set in and I'm looking forward to getting back out there.

The first outdoor exhibit will be at "The Festival of the Horse" at the Florida Horse Park here in Ocala. It's home, I know lots of people and it's a perfect way to get back in the swing. It takes place this coming weekend, April 16th - 19th. Apropos that the under tack show for the OBS Spring Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training starts tomorrow (Tues.) and continues until Friday. If you're in town for the horse sale, why not spend an enjoyable day out at the Horse Park?
Next on the list is the High Hope Steeplechase in Lexington, Kentucky on May 18th at the Kentucky Horse Park.

“So many fail because they don't get started - they don't go. They don't overcome inertia. They don't begin.” - W. Clement Stone

I Create Large-Scale Canvases

Here's my introduction, used as required (and sometimes tweaked):

My name is Sharon Crute and I create dynamic and passionate equine oil paintings on large-scale canvases.

Museums are full of big canvases. Huge, monumental paintings of the gloriously romantic or dramatic historical narratives to rival a battlefield. They're in your face, command attention and invite the viewer to step right in. Pre-television eras, most. Size is all relative. Michael has somewhat discouraged the grandiose in this "economy" but large canvases is what I do.

Rough oil sketch on canvas, 48"x68"

I always lay down a neutral ground, this one being raw sienna. Roughly sketching out the shapes and composition in charcoal, I then go back and do a more detailed drawing in a red-toned conte crayon. Painting more accurately than I draw, I spend a good amount of time on my oil washes. When completed, that's the time to step back and make changes, some will be major.

I also try to work out problems in my sketch book as I lay in the washes. In the horse without the noseband, the tight rein on the bit would pull the mouth wide open. It felt like the bit had to go back further, then even further. I may pull it back even more for dynamic effect.

"Gate Okayed", oil on canvas, approx. 36"x48" circa 2000.

Becoming concerned that the new canvas may resemble an older piece, I dug this one out of the archives. This painting was created before I figured out that I really should document all my artwork. Duh. Anyway, it's somewhat alike but I'm comfortable with the arrangement of the new horses.

"Where art thou, Muse, that thou forget'st so long / To speak of that which gives thee all thy might?" - William Shakespeare