Fulfilling a Promise to Myself

I'm in the "one more painting" syndrome. With my first western-themed show looming at the end of the month, I'm anxious for it to be a positive barometer of my recent efforts. My enjoyment in tackling this new subject has been a delight.

Having this conversation several times with Michael, I've definitely come full circle. Mentioning it often on this blog - the disillusionment, disappointment and utter boredom with my art career and blaming it squarely on the current affairs of horse racing.

I'll never leave it. It's a blood thing and I'm very okay with that. In fact, it's a relief to finally accept the changes and quit whining. Hey, the Kentucky Derby is next week for goodness' sake!

Backtracking, 16"x20", oil on panel. More info here.

Interspersed with the Indian Relay and other western paintings was this one above (of my favorite place in the world, the Oklahoma stable area), followed by a portrait painted of the soon-to-be-inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame, Good Night Shirt, and now I'm planning another racing piece for a full-page magazine ad due before my trip.

Good Night Shirt, 20"x16", oil on canvas
More info here

To my critics who say that I'm just jumping on the successful bandwagon of western art, I say: you're right. I came around to it through my intense excitement and inspiration born from the Indian Relay races. It's still horse racing.

Speaking of bandwagons, I did the same jump with plein air painting but I didn't fall in love with it. I find the competitions nerve-wracking and most of the artwork a snooze, especially my own. I did, however, learn a lot of technical skills I was in need of and will continue to go outside and paint.

A few short months ago I declared to myself that I would have ten pieces ready for my show in Prescott, AZ on Memorial Day Weekend. I'm working on my tenth.

Life brings us on a journey to interesting places...especially if we ask it to.
Sharon

Kentucky Derby 2015

Why do I choke up when I hear the first sounds of  "My Old Kentucky Home?" I'm not from Kentucky and lived there a mere few months back in the mid 80's. I like it, it's a great place to visit but I have no desire to put away my suitcase in the bluegrass.

It's this: I recognize the insurmountable effort it takes to get to that illusive race. It's the holy grail. It's the equalizing dream of the rich and poor. The song represents the culmination of years, and I mean years, of repetitive work and a slew of passionate descriptives: hope, disappointment, promise, despair, determination, anticipation, perseverance, anguish, elation, exhaustion - insert your own word. No one puts in a more gargantuan effort than the horses, race trackers and the owners who finance the fantasies. It's a roller coaster of victories and losses. Highs and lows.

If they get to be the rare and "lucky" few, the emotional toll is stupendous. Imagine having to get through derby day, waiting, fretting, stall walking, trying to keep that runaway freight train of nerves and fears in check. I watch them being interviewed and I smile in empathy. Their faces reveal the contradictory feelings of excitement and dread. Even the old pros breath shallow gulps of air to keep their stomachs from flip flopping.

Phew! It's good to be an artist!

So, this year I didn't tear up when the horses stepped onto the track and the first notes of that very southern song began. Not even a bit of traditional mist. Every derby I've ever watched has been accompanied with embarrassing sniffles and disguising coughs. I don't know if this lack of sentiment represented anything significant. It just was.

Weep no more, my lady,
Sharon

Small and Even Smaller

With my equine painting, particularly racing, I possess a compulsion to experiment and infuse my subject with movement by summoning every swashbuckling brushstroke I can muster. It's a drive that's so strong that I've often felt the effects physically. Yes, I can give myself a headache with overwrought obsessiveness. The intended outcome is always just out of reach, never quite attainable, the results never satisfactory and that's okay. I suppose it's that desire to communicate a feeling that supports an eternal prowling like a hungry predator.

It's a challenge to transfer this passion to my landscape painting, most likely because I've returned to the rules of basic elements. For now, I'm giving myself permission to practice, investigate and most of all to just play and see what can be.

Here are a couple of small equine pieces I produced last week. You can see the vacillation occurring as I switch from one very familiar thought process to a new one. The challenge is to merge the two into a cohesive approach to a decent painting - whatever the subject.

Galloping Out of the Fog, 11"x14" oil on canvas

Backlit, 11"x14" oil on canvas

This tiny panel sample has been kicking around my studio for months. In honor of the Kentucky Derby, why not dive out of the box and paint something miniscule? Remember, I'm accustomed to painting ten foot canvases. I had to locate my magnifying glass to sign it!

California Chrome, 3"x5" oil on panel

Far-sightedly yours,
Sharon

Derby Pining

This is the time of year that I really miss the track life. I don't miss the grind: the seven day work week, getting up way, way before sun up and the constant physical demands of very hard work on a human body. But man, do I miss the horses.

Moi on the shank, Bay Meadows

I hold my stories sacred...and I have lots of them. Spending twenty-five plus years in the microcosm of this community yielded a perspective of life in extreme. Now that I view this milieu from the outside I honor the membership I once held. My participation is from an artist's viewpoint and I'm okay with that as I was privy to this demanding lifestyle for over half my days.

Ponying at Bay Meadows, 1993

But I still miss the horses. Their beauty humbles me. The chiseled, cocked heads, the streamlined movement and poetry of an innate intelligence. Like a ticking time bomb, their power and danger vibrates perilously, barely contained, seeking release. Exhilarating and terrible combine to create a thrill undefinable.

Running a nervous filly, Golden Gate Fields

There are several directions I can go with this. Oh yes, I have an opinion about every facet, nook and cranny of this game. As I grow older, I prefer to simplify and be grateful for my time spent in this exclusive club. Aging often makes one yearn for the past, a past not applicable to present conditions. So I'll stay here and paint.

Michael & I in the paddock, somewhere on the California Fair Circuit. Great times.

But man I miss the horses.
Sharon

Blanket Finish is Finished

Even though the dogs are much smaller that the horses, painting the forms remains a physical undertaking. Because the dogs are waist high the view from above must be constantly checked from where it will be observed most. Up and down the step ladder, on my knees and 'round and 'round the table I go.

Lo and behold...another delivery!

Here's the design submitted to the client. Only eight greyhounds can run in a race (think twenty horses in the Kentucky Derby). The green and white striped #7 is often referred to as "the candy stripe".

The finished "Blanket Finish". He's pretty and colorful as the blankets cascade over his form...referring back to my first Horse Fever design "Champ" depicting the jockey silks of fourteen prominent Marion County (Ocala) thoroughbred breeders.

Onward to greyhound three. This one illustrates deep sea fishing in a more painterly style.

Dogfish?
Sharkingly,
Sharon

Working Hands

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Look closely at this amazing photo of Calvin Borel being led back to the winner's circle aboard Derby winner Mine That Bird. He's dropped the reins in his lap yet his left hand still grasps firmly with a half cross while the right has put away the whip (or maybe still tapping a shoulder).

Hands are an integral, expressive element in my paintings. Rider's hands are literally holding onto over a thousand pounds of pulling, jerking, grabbing-the-bit horsepower. Tendons stretch, joints enlarge. Okay, you imagine that I study them endlessly, and I do, but here's a secret: almost every hand in every one of my paintings is Michaels'. Props keep company with art supplies in the studio - from helmets to silks. Tied to my storage rack is a set of reins that I coax Michael into taking a hold of, pull back hard, and make 'em gnarly (then sketch like mad)!

Hands from "Harrowing":

Twirling the stick.

Reaching for a new hold.

Getting ready for the drive.

And, from the Farrier Series:

Clinching down the nails.

"Hands to work, heart to God" - symbolic Shaker saying.

P.S. I think Calvin should be designated the official ambassador of horse racing.

My Derby and Oaks Pick

As much as horse racing is my passion and muse, my focus has been targeted toward maintaining the momentum in progress regarding my artwork. Recovering from the past several months of inertia experienced not just by moi, but most artists in general, let's say I'm back in the fray with nostrils flaring and a single-minded conviction to recoup success.

However, this is a blog about "horse racing" and the Derby and Oaks have crept up and are staring me in the face.

Freisan Fire looks like a monster and I'd love to see Larry take it. He's a fine horseman who sincerely loves his horses and deserves better than what came his way after last year's fiasco.

Michael galloped on and off for Jerry Hollendorfer during our California years. The Dorf's had several go's at derbydom including the 1996 attempt with Afleetaffair. Michael galloped that nice stake horse as well as Pike Place Dancer, winner of the Oaks the same year. They've kept in touch and have an interesting history, therefore I'd love to see Chocolate Candy take it. In fact, he should be a nice price worth a few bucks and a place in exotics.

I'm not a gambler in the pari-mutual sense, therefore, with racing in dire need of another hero, or, heroine, Rachel Alexandra is my pick for the Oaks.

"My filly responded to everything I asked for. And she runs on anything. I've always loved her." - John Valazquez, winner aboard Ashado for the 130th Oaks (2004)

Kentucky Derby Artwork 2009

Here's the official Kentucky Derby Artwork for 2009 by artist Jeff Williams.

And here's 2008 artwork, by artist Trish Biddle.

I must tread lightly as I certainly ruffled a lot of feathers with last year's post, although I thought my opinions were quite reserved. Decide for yourself: Kentucky Derby Artwork.

I don't see much differentiation between the two pieces. Appearing as if painted by the same artist with similar palettes, there's so much...beige. Same art deco style, same fashion emphasis, same ladies hats representing the roses of the Derby and lilies of the Oaks, same wealthy-for-a day fantasy. The celebrated horse race plays a distant, insignificant role. If you peruse the individual artist's websites, you'll find lovely, whimsical, strong artwork. So, why is the Derby artwork so bland? And so alike?

Most annoying is the bored, disinterested depiction of the "fashionistas". Stereotypically turning their backs on the most exciting two minutes in sports.

OMG, is it over yet?
As if our passion is exclusively a male bastion of cigars and bourbon. Maybe back in the art deco epoch.
Even Britain's Her Royal Majesty the Queen will trample the poor blokes who dare stand between her and the races. Even my own dear mother would elbow those blocking the entrance to the winner's circle.

“Money, horse racing and women, three things the boys just can't figure out.” - Will Rogers

And So It Goes

I woke up this morning thinking I'm glad I'm not Larry Jones. Nope, wouldn't want to walk down the shedrow and face a barnful of devastated help with long faces in tears. Heavy hearts, heavy sighs, as a suffocating pall settles over another workday.

I've been reading the recriminations, hysteria and lots of speculating blame from the internet blow hards. Of course, the majority coming from non-horse people who - sorry - just don't know. This is so unsettling for ALL of us. Every horse person in the world has been through a similar type of tragedy whether it's racing, eventing, polo, driving, or just plain trail riding on a Sunday afternoon. Yes, we have.

Larry Jones loves his horses. You can see it. This quote by Jones to the local Courier-Journal in Louisville: "All we had to do was gallop out, stop and come home," Jones said. "The race was over. All we had to do was come back and be happy."

Congratulations to Big Brown and his connections. He looks like a monster. Reminds me of the connections of Bernardini in the '06 Preakness. Who, you ask? There you go...

My Derby Pick

I can't believe the Kentucky Derby is only a few days away. "Big Brown" is my pick but only if it's a dry, fast track. It's those mud-sucking glue-ons I'm concerned with. Now come on, look at that photo. Who does he remind you of?

My webmistress spent the afternoon with me to demonstrate how "easy" it is to finish off my web renovation. For me to do it, mind you. Geesh, it's a lot of work. One of those 2:00am-I-can't-sleep projects.

Slow time in the studio. I've been working on some 8"x10" canvases to generate $$. Generic fluff, not so dynamic, but useful to explore color and content. Envelope pushing. Considered putting them on eBay but, you know, even eBay is slow these days. Just this afternoon I thought it would be wise to consider producing some Saratoga subject paintings that my gallery has been asking for...oh, for about four years now.

Then that thought was interrupted by a call from a friend inviting me to go kayaking tomorrow.

I'll be sure and take photos!

Derby Musings

Nick Zito makes no excuses for War Pass. Now that's integrity. Maybe he's not quite the super horse we were hoping for but he's certainly a horse that demands everything his way.

Denis of Cork ducked the heavies in an attempt to maintain his pristine record and ended up rating on a speed bias track. Not so good.

Colonel John passed a valiant Bob Black Jack in the final strides of the Santa Anita Derby. Am I the only one who doesn't take the prep races in California seriously? Hey, didn't the purse used to be a million?

Florida-bred Ginger Punch faded badly in the Apple Blossom. So now you know who I was rootin' for. Nope, I refuse to open an account with TVG. I've got a magnet on my fridge that says: "I used to have money, now I have horses."

Yes, with a modicum of hesitation, I did take last Thursday off. My excuses are always front and center, so I just made myself do it. It's been awhile since we canoed on the Oklawaha. Great day, but strangeness pervaded as the gators and other critters were uncharacteristically shy. Traffic was non-existent and it IS almost gator breeding season when they tend to haughtily stand their ground (or waters). Michael recorded an owl very near on our digital camera. This is cool:

Glory of Horses

Here's an awesome website: Mural Mosaic. Individual artists paint on separate toned panels and when assembled, it becomes an amazing whole image. A "mother image" is painted in tones and then distributed to artists to interpret, keeping faithful to the tones. The website is vague about the purpose and founders, but the best I can figure is that it's the brain child of artists Phil Alain, Lewis Lavoie, and Paul Lavoie. Look at this mural to the above right, "Trust". Check out the link here. You can click on any individual panel for a larger view of the artwork. It's incredibly creative. What a kick this entire website is.

This panel is the horse's eye. Incredulous? Check it out for yourself. It's by artist Lewis Lavoie.

I'm involved in a similar project sponsored by "The Glory of Horses", a horse rescue organization. These are my toned panels. The one above was inspirational right off the bat, but the one below was a challenge. See any horsey images in the tones?

I've promised not to reveal my finished panels until the entire project is unveiled. Apparently, their first booking is at the Kentucky Derby Museum during the Derby week festivities. Can't wait.

Kentucky Derby Artwork

I finally made contact with Clare Jett of JettStream Productions, the licensee for Churchill Downs' "Art of the Kentucky Derby" program. I sent her an e-mail with my introductory line:

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

She answered back promptly with a polite explanation of the decision making philosophy. Involving a direction that researches trends, she stated that artists are chosen not only by the ability to be "comfortable with the horse form" but also have a style that embodies a 'lifestyle" approach: fashion, glamor, etc.

As enormously disappointing as this is to me, it makes perfect sense from a marketing standpoint. Just puruse a copy Art Business News to get a feel for what's hot and selling.

The artwork is created by Trish Biddle, a published artist from Texas. The horizontal format is cleverly split in two, the left side for the Derby and the right for the Oaks.

Another statement Ms. Jett made to me: "...the customer who purchases our brand is not necessarily a horse racing fan: it is usually the casual fan". This I know. I sell to many, many non-horse people - teachers, building contractors, various executives, sports team owners, etc. who tell me they are attracted to the color and action in my work.

So, I'm thankful to Ms. Jett for her gracious e-mail reply. However, you can be certain, without fail, that this dynamic, passionate and somewhat volatile artist will be in touch every year.

Selling Out

There's marketing and then there's crappy overwrought commercialism. Any mention to this year's Kentucky Derby must (apparently) be referenced in print media as: "Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1)". Wonder how the blue bloods feel about this. And now, any indication to the world-wide, global Breeders' Cup Classic must be referred to as: "Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1)". Where's the tradition, purity, integrity?

Those who know me are aware of my intentions to learn marketing, branding, self-publicity and promotion during this past year or so, in spite of my left-brained preponderance. It just seems cheesy for America's top races and be soooo beholden to corporate sponsors.

Okay, I'm ranting again. Humor me. This afternoon I watched a caterer win the filly and mare sprint (sorry Oprah), Nownownow do it without cobra venom (we can only assume), and the son of the giant killer carry on the tradition. I've been in the studio slapping paint on canvas all week in anticipation of an afternoon of beer and munchies tomorrow. Oh, and speaking of paint, what artist lives and breathes horse racing and is an intrepid ambassador to the sport? What artist has done more to promote horse racing, has lived the life from hotwalker to racing official more than moi? HUH? So, I'm perusing the Breeders' Cup website today and what do I stumble upon...an artist giving a painting away in exchange for publicity! Humongous publicity! Oh yeah, for charity. Is this what I have to do to get noticed by the marketing departments of various race tracks, organizations and/or corporate sponsors? One would think they'd take advantage of such an aficionada, fanatic, devotee, enthusiast, addict, groupie, supporter, admirer and...buff! And a former owner/trainer, damn it!

I'll put my work up to anyone's anytime.
An exciting and glorious day of Breeders' Cup racing to all...

Projects to be Done

Don't you hate it when I don't have pictures? I know I do.

Here's a to-do list since returning home from Saratoga:

1. Update mailing list - done
2. Cover art for Horse Shows in the Park - done
3. Saratoga commissioned pencil drawing of house - done
4. "Artist Within" public art project with Executive Chef Randal White - in progress
5. Exhibit of artwork at the Ocala International Airport - in progress
6. Reception at the Florida Farm Credit slated for early November - in progress
7. One woman exhibit at my gallery in Lexington, Kentucky for the month of October during the Keeneland fall meet. This is a huge priority - both Michael and I plan and work for this every day.
8. Get the book composed and into production - have a meeting with my partner this Sat.
9. Still kicking around composition for the Kentucky Derby artwork - on the back burner.
10. Instead of mass producing my Holiday artwork into greeting cards, I'm embarking on a limited test trial for my personal use - on the back burner.
11. Finish painting started on the sidewalk expedition in Saratoga - in progress.
12. Continue working on mural for the yacht "Unbridled" - ongoing.

Funny Cide Retired

Warms the cockles to hear of a great horse like Funny Cide being honorably retired. His story is most interesting, but even more so is the story of his group of owners, Sackatoga Stables. Funny Cide has his own website which describes in short outline form his career and connections. I suggest a very interesting read by Sally Jenkins, et al, Funny Cide: How a Horse, a Trainer, a Jockey and a Bunch of High School Buddies Took on the Sheiks and Bluebloods...and won.

Michael has suggested to potential investors who'd like to get their feet wet to familiarize themselves with the Sackatoga Stables story. Pooling your money with a some friends, no one gets too hurt on losses and the fun factor remains high.

In 2003, the year Funny Cide won the Kentucky Derby, Michael and I strolled upon Funny Cide's own gift shop in Saratoga Springs, New York. Oh, there was every imaginable piece of merchandise from t-shirts to clocks proudly displaying the chestnut's images. We bought a six-pack of Funny Cide beer and gave a few bottles to friends for souvenirs. One bottle still holds a place on our bookshelf. Talk about marketing.

Barclay Tagg stated that Funny Cide will become a stable pony. Now I know Robin Smullins is a good horsewoman, but I wish them both luck with that endeavor. First of all, don't let him near the gate, especially if the bell will be in use. Secondly, don't use him to break off workers, he'll be determined to breeze right along with them, maybe even out-working them.

New Painting

Street Sense Winning the 2007 Kentucky Derby"

oil on canvas 16"x20"

Bess Sanders, owner extraordinaire of Gallery Central in Hot Springs, asked me awhile back to do a painting of the sheer exuberance portrayed by Calvin Borel when he won this year's Kentucky Derby. She attended the Derby and, with excellent seats at ground level going into the clubhouse turn, witnessed first hand all the joy. "Joy" seems to be a word directed at me from certain individuals this year - hmmm, I should take note. But lest I digress...

I had reservations due to the short attention spans prevalent in this industry. I'm concerned that Street Sense may be an "also ran", especially with all the attention garnered by the filly "Rag to Riches". Which means this painting won't sell. Michael says I'm not giving Street Sense the credit he deserves. Hopefully, the Travers Stakes will squelch any uncertainties. However, it's still history and Calvin is a great story unto himself. And besides, Bess knows her clientele and Calvin is one of the perennial leading riders at Oaklawn.

Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington beckons again as I head off to Bluegrass Country. I'll be exhibiting at the "High Hope Steeplechase" on Sunday, May 20th. Please come by my booth to say hey if you're there.

It's a full schedule until I get there however. First I'll stop at Gallery Central in Hot Springs, Arkansas to pick up some of my work from my most excellent show last month. Then it's northbound to Paducah, Kentucky to check out the artists colony. This is especially interesting to Michael and I because of the Artist Relocation Program with incentives offered to artists to move on in, including below-market interest rates, tax incentives and health insurance packages offered by the Kentucky Arts Council to name a few.

Kentucky Derby Museum is next on the itinerary. FTBOA generously comped us some tickets and I know you won't believe this but - I've never been to Churchill Downs! (Michael has of course) Supposedly, I have a painting hanging in one of the offices within. After that, it's onward to Lexington where I'll visit with my cool gallery representative, Fayette Gallery. Hopefully the tent will be set up on Saturday afternoon and then it's to the nearest sports bar to watch the Preakness. Go get 'em Street Sense!

2007 Kentucky Derby

What a great day at the races. No, I wasn't at Churchill Downs. I, like most watched from my living room with the company of my sweetie, friends, Coronas and Fritos. Michael and I made our losing wagers early at Ocala Jai Alai boxing exactas with Curlin on top. So I won't be doing any paintings of Curlin - yet.

Emotions ran high all day. I started getting misty early with the breakfast show on ESPN as they showed Nafgzer and Frances Genter during the stretch run of the 1990 Derby win with Unbridled. If you've never owned a racehorse and watched it win, well, you just don't know...you just don't know...you just don't know...and it doesn't matter if it's the Derby or a $3,500 claimer - the feeling is the same, yes it is.

I was okay with the playing of "My Old Kentucky Home", usually a kleenex moment. Empathy abounds as I understand the work, work, work and disappointments, heartache, perseverance, exhaustion, determination and oh, did I mention work...that goes into the daily grind of training race horses. That's why the floodgates opened as Calvin Borel weeped ecstatically on his trip to the winners circle. Yeah Calvin, I feel ya and I know what you've gone through to get there.

Okay, I know I'm sounding like the dreaded 4-F emotional female, but I've been there, done that. Not much gray area for the lifers involved, it is a wild ride of insane highs and devastating lows. Interesting that NBC followed the Derby with an hour long emotional story on Barbaro. Heart wrenching and sugar-coated, the real issues about horse racing are still not being addressed and the uninitiated hasn't a clue. Things like, oh, you know, rampant drug use.