I Got a Fever

I'm honored to be chosen by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) to design and paint the 10th Anniversary Horse Fever prototype presented by the Marion Cultural Alliance. Because I was asked not to share the latest design with you before the big reveal, I will tell you that his name is "World Champ". He illustrates the thoroughbred industry here in Ocala, Florida aka The Horse Capital of the World. But I've said too much...

It's safe to give you a peek of  "the herd" at the warehouse:

Laboriously being liberated from their shipping crates.

"World Champ" suspiciously eyes his transport to the FTBOA.

Here's the original "Champ" prototype, still looking great after ten years. He represents the racing silks of 14 prominent thoroughbred breeding farms here in Marion County. Posing in front of the FTBOA offices, he was also sponsored by the FTBOA who also sponsored the first Horse Fever project and...who also sponsored...me.

The flip side of "Champ", photographed at Double Diamond Farm.

"Above & Beyond" was painted by moi for the Race Track Chaplaincy of America for their annual White Horse Awards. He represents the heroic backside workers at the racetrack. A & B took me to the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park in '04.

I also designed and painted "Cultural Champ" who was the foal belonging to the original herd. He represented the major cultural aspects of Marion County and Ocala, but I'll be darned if I can find a photo of him!

"It is, after all, the dab of grit that seeps into an oyster's shell that makes the pearl, not pearl-making seminars with other oysters." - Stephen King

The Big, Really Big Purchase

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is providing the tents for the artist vendors this summer at Saratoga. The new tents measure 20'x20' instead of the standard 10'x10' size and are also complete with a floor. This is a big bonus as the issue of keeping the rain and mud at bay during storms (some are extended) is a dilemma. I"m excited as I'll now have plenty of exhibit space for my large paintings and giclees. Which reminds me...

I'm gathering all my pieces, especially the large ones, to bring to my new and spacious booth. If you've been considering purchasing one of my large, and I mean big, original paintings or giclee fine art reproductions, now would be a good time to save on expensive shipping if you're in the Florida area or within close proximity to the I-95 corridor. I can personally deliver as I make my way up to Saratoga.
Click on the title under the image for details...

The Four Elements

Vying for Position

Mirror Image

Blue Blinkers

No Blinkers

"Collectors are happy people." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Where the hell am I going?

For certain, I'll be in Saratoga Springs, NY for the entire race meet, July 22nd through Sept. 5th. If I've appeared vague regarding my immediate plans to any of you, accept my apologies. The spiritual gurus instruct about the importance of maintaining secrecy when intending and visualizing. Eliminates the well-meaning from undo influence and frankly, relieves the pressure as paths veer off their original course. No explanations required.

Purging through all those photographs last week became more than good housekeeping. Surprising emotions emerged. I got all existential. The past appeared happier with fun times with more adventure and closer relationships. Clearly, I was following my bliss and living a passionate life. Or was I? From a position of struggling to survive the financial hardships of the recession (and still recovering) is anything looking better than what is, including what was and how I now perceive it?

My Saratoga landlady has offered the apartment to us beyond the end of the race meet. I'm considering. The cool, clean air and pungent earthy scent of autumn may clear this undefinable bleariness. So, my dear readers, I may stay longer at the fair.

"Go for it now. The future is promised to no one." -  Wayne W. Dyer

Old Photos of Us (really old)

I finally did the inevitable: cleaned out the old 35mm photographs that were stacked in the studio closet as tall as I. Purging to the nth degree. I've been intending to do this for...well...several years. Shoe boxes filled with photos I thought I would need for reference forever. There was a time when, as an artist, if I wanted to paint a starting gate I required lots of decent photos of a starting gate. Not so much anymore with the instantaneous internet availability of almost everything. Not to mention digital cameras.

So, I thought I would share with you the ones I deemed worth saving. Maybe even in a couple of these blog posts. After all, 10+ stuffed shoe boxes have been honed down to one medium size carton. They're the best of an arsenal.

Here I am ponying one of Michael's fillies at Bay Meadows in '93.

Michael galloping one of his own horses on the Oklahoma Training Track
at Saratoga in the mid-80's.

Don't you love this? Michael training babies with his Irish friend John at a ranch in Half Moon Bay just south of San Francisco. They made their way down these magnificent cliffs and galloped on the beach. One time I went with him and there was this guy jumping up and down like a crane with his parachute glider. The young horses were wary but curious and they all made their way past without incident. That's Michael in the blue jacket.

Gold panning in Alaska in the early '90's.

I went on an all-girl camping trip in Arizona with a couple of my best girlfriends. On a very remote section of road on the Apache reservation we came upon an area littered on both sides with a vast amount of animal bones. So eerie and I was mesmerized with the scene of destruction. The margarita in the plastic cup added to my morbid fascination.

“In solitude we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories, to the details around us.” - Virginia Woolf

Even Too Hot for a Gator

The heat is on. It's time to curtail some outdoor activities when the indigenous wildlife look for refuge. No relief on the river unless you don't mind jumping in the water with the gators. Our summers in Florida are the equivalent of northern folk's winter cabin fever.

If you keep a watchful eye, you can watch these eyes as the alligators stay afloat in the cool waters of the Silver River.

There's always someone who doesn't mind the ninety-eight plus degree sizzle. Good thing hunting is prohibited when you're sporting that big fat meaty tail.

This Little Blue Heron quietly bears its discomfort in the stifling heat. Still pretty despite the agitation.

“If you saw a heat wave, would you wave back?” - Stephen Wright

Last Weekend

This is my last weekend at VoilART! Gallery + Studio. It sounds so final and I'll share some of my feelings with you. At first I felt remorseful. After all, gallery partner Jackie Schindehette and I worked long and hard to promote, market and create a welcoming space. VoilART! is a lovely art gallery.

However, after a recent successful weekend in Lexington, Kentucky I realize that my gypsy heart shines brightest when taking my show on the road. And on that note, I'm looking forward to the opportunities of engaging in more shows, festivals and invitations to display my work throughout the country.

The best news is that Jackie will continue the mission of presenting beautiful artwork at the gallery in downtown Ocala. The name will change as she transitions into her own new business venture, however, the gallery will remain in the same location. I wish her flaming success and encourage you to visit and support her.

I'll be at VoilART! on Friday & Saturday afternoon. Yes, we're both offering a 25% discount on any sales in the gallery until May 31st. But please don't feel pressured...just come on down and sit for a chat. I'd like that. Oh, and we'll probably both be in the gallery on Sunday night...cool goings on downtown that I won't divulge, you'll just have to check it out for yourself. I promise, it's big.

“We're drinking my friend, To the end of a brief episode, Make it one for my baby, And one more for the road” -  Johnny Mercer

Hi Ho! It's High Hope!

This coming Sunday, May 22nd, I'll participate as a vendor at the High Hope Steeplechase in the Kentucky Horse Park. After a year hiatus due to the 2010 World Equestrian Games, the steeplechase returns with legions of fans and great enthusiasm.

 This is the most scenic steeplechase I've attended. The Kentucky Horse Park is beyond amazing. Simply horse heaven.

 The parade of the Woodford Hounds is a traditional spectacle.
Just don't call them...dogs.

Have you ever tried tailgating at a steeplechase? It's great way to make friends and the aficionados go all out by creating their own themes complete with costume and decor. Think "Out of Africa" or "The Great Gatsby".

 

I created this painting when I last attended High Hope. Aptly titled "High Hope", it's an oil on canvas, 24" x 30" and I'll be bringing it  with me.

So, if you're in Kentucky (instead of Baltimore) make it an afternoon with the family for lots of fun, activities and people watching (you never know who you'll see). And of course, do stop by my booth to say hi and see my latest artwork.

Each handicap is like a hurdle in a steeplechase, and when you ride up to it, if you throw your heart over, the horse will go along, too. - Lawrence Bixby

Time to Say Goodbye

I'm a race tracker at heart. It can't be helped, the entire milieu and the microcosm of the lifestyle gets into your blood like a drug and you're addicted forever. Oh yes it does.

A race tracker who is not at the track is a restless soul to behold. I know this because not only do I contend with my own yearning but I'm married to a fellow devotee. It's hard work on the track at any level, however, an element of freedom exists within the confines of extreme responsibility.

I don't want to romanticize. Heaven knows it's a demanding and grueling job that creates workaholics of us all. That's okay because we love it. The freedom that we relish allows us to leave when the work is done. Set hours would be excruciating even as our workday often continues way past the eighth hour. Who's counting?

So, I hope after all that banter that you can understand my reason for leaving my downtown gallery. It's such a bittersweet decision. May 31st will be my last day at VoilART! Gallery + Studio in downtown Ocala. Travel is in my immediate future and lots of it. Because, you see, as a race tracker I give myself the divine freedom to hit the road when necessary and...now is the time.

My gallery partner Jackie Schindehette will carry on with the gallery and beautiful art will stay right where it is.

Golden Light of Dawn, by Jackie Schindehette, oil on canvas, 20"x24"

My travel plans begin next weekend in Lexington, Kentucky at the High Hope Steeplechase. Returning to the KY Horse Park after a year hiatus due to the World Equestrian Games in 2010, the event is highly anticipated. If you're lucky enough to be in Kentucky or even luckier to live in Kentucky, please visit me at my booth on Sunday, May 22nd.

For you, my dear readers, if you're in Ocala please visit the gallery and take a 25% discount off ANYTHING in the gallery. Consider it a going away gift to you from me.
  
"Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending."  ~ Lazurus Long
 

Ybor City...Party Town

My paintings are photographed at Eagle Photographics in Tampa. It's a bit of a drive, especially now at $4.00 a gallon, but well-worth their knowledgeable professionalism. We call for an appointment to ensure photographing can be accomplished same-day. In the meantime while we wait, we head off to Ybor City, a neighborhood just east of downtown Tampa rich in Cuban history. Then it's lunch at Carmine's Restaurant for authentic Cuban sandwiches with the real-deal fresh baked bread. 

Heaven, I tell ya.

On my bucket list: a Saturday night of bar-hopping on 7th Avenue. (Séptimo Avenjue)

 It's sleepy by day, but with all the restaurants, bars and cafes, we know its resurrects at sundown.

It has a New Orleans feel, but I imagine Havana fifty years ago. Hand rolling of cigars is still prevalent in many storefronts. You can watch the ladies skilled with tobacco leaves.

The Columbia Restaurant is the oldest and largest Spanish restaurant in North America. Amazing hand-painted tiles line the building for a city block.

A skilled craftswoman works at preserving the intricate tiles.

"It has been said that, at its best, preservation engages the past in a conversation with the present over a mutual concern for the future." - William Murtagh

Jacksonville Fine Arts Festival

This coming weekend I'll be exhibiting my artwork at the Jacksonville Fine Arts Festival in the Avondale neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, April 9th and Sunday, April 10th.

Oh yes, I checked out the neighborhood a few months back before applying. All I'll say is...ooh la la.

I do well with these venues. I'm looking forward to previewing my latest painting, The Four Elements,  who's progress you've been following. You have, haven't you?

I asked my illustrious printer to pull a few oldies but goodies out of the vault and I'll be bringing these along...

 Amateur Trials, 30" x 60" Giclee Fine Art Reproduction on stretched canvas. For more info, click here.

Daybreak,  30"x40" Giclee Fine Art Reproduction on stretched canvas. For more info, click here.

"You need to have the ability to gracefully navigate the world." - Malcolm Gladwell