Wild Horses On My Mind

Triumphant
Gouache on paper, 10x8

Wild horses have been on my mind a lot lately.  So much harm is being done to them.  Many horses have been removed from our public lands by the BLM, under a false pretext.  Here is my vision of wild horses running freely and joyfully.  I hope that those of us who are advocating for the protection of our wild, American horses will be triumphant.

Wild Horses Running

Let's Go Fast
Gouache on paper, 7x5

Here are some wild horses running.  I simplified the shapes and added some bright colors.  This painting shows the motion of the horses.  In order to do that I had to let go of some details.  I generally like less detailed, more abstract images.

Painting With Gouache

Free Wheeling
Gouache on paper, 10x8

Gouache is an opaque watercolor.  It is good for painters who aren't very skilled with watercolors, because the opaqueness allows you to make changes and repaint areas.  Gouache has a matte finish that is pleasing.  It works best on heavy, high quality watercolor paper.  This painting was inspired by the Salt River Wild Horses in the Tonto National Forest of Arizona.  I hope to visit that area someday and take photographs and do some plein air paintings of the horses in the water.  Years ago, I tubed down the Salt River in the Phoenix area and it was a great way to see the desert flora while enjoying the cool water.