Best Friends - an Oil Painting by Dawn Secord

 This painting was finished earlier this year.  It measures 40" x 48" and is oil on canvas.

The painting was allowed to dry in our barn resting on the top of our truck bed

The reference photo was taken years ago with a non professional camera using black and white film.    It was a magical photo and the amateur photographer has quite the eye.  It was an honor to be asked to paint it.   Though I had an 8 x 10 photo to work from, due to the age and quality of the photo, there was quite a lot of detail unavailable.   I scanned the photo into my computer and worked from the scan.  The scan gave me more detail, but not the detail available when working with a digital photo.   I wanted to be able to capture the emotion of the photo and not leave out detail that was unavailable in the photo.  The fencing was an interesting part of the puzzle.   It was important not to take over as the main subject - it was dark in front of the lighter background.   Using lost and found edges would be paramount to not create the fencing as a focal point.

Searching through my collection of reference photos I was able to find horse photos and glean much needed detail from them.  For the rider, I had additional photos from which to work.   The painting was to be as the photo - monochromatic - black and white.   I have a lovely collection of gray paint from different companies.  It is always interesting how the various manufacturers create different versions of the same colors.  

The background was a series of layered paint beginning with an under painting of burnt umber (which I let bleed through in places).   When painting the leaves, the background was layered.  The first layer was allowed to almost dry and then wet paint was applied over the almost dry paint.   I then took a dry brush and scumbled the layers together creating a depth in the leaves that I was hoping to create.   You know what they say - the best laid plans do not always work out.  In this case, they worked out just as envisioned.

When I was commissioned to create this painting, I was thrilled.  I haven't done a monochromatic painting in many years.   It was awesome to create one again.

Longhorns on the Ruby

This painting has a fun story. Well, in the long run it is a fun story. 

A dear friend and art collector took the photo for this painting in Montana a number of years ago.  At the time, I was in the process of creating paintings of Longhorn Cattle for a western art show that my work was to be exhibited in.

This collector had been on a fishing trip in Montana on the Ruby River and had taken a photo of a herd of Longhorn on his way home.   He emailed me the photo - excited for me to see it.  The reference photo was awesome and I thought it would make a wonderful painting someday.

A year or so passed and he asked me about the photo.  Of course I had it and would love to be able to paint it someday.  In my mind I thought, gee, I have a lot of commissioned work lined up.  I can not feasibly paint this painting to exhibit in a show at this time - but someday.

Another year plus passed  and he asked about the photo again. Yes, of course I had it - it was awesome.   I'd paint it someday.   Well, we were all together at one point and his wife said to me, "You know he is wondering when you are going to do the Longhorn painting."   I'm not sure how the question came about - but I asked her if he wanted me to paint that the Longhorns as a commission - to my horror he did.  Holy Smokes.    I never realized he took the photo and then desired for me to paint it.  With the timing of the photo and the western art show, I just thought he was being helpful and giving me additional reference material to use should I want to.  

We all "assume" things at one time or another and occasionally those assumptions can nip us in the buttocks.

To the gentleman with the patience of a saint, here is your long awaited painting.   The name of the painting is "Longhorns on the Ruby" and the painting will be put into print in the near future.   If you are interested in ordering a reproduction, please email me at DawnSecordArt@gmail.com or fff@linkline.com   

Here is a picture in process as well as the original photo:

Longhorn Calf at Sunset is on exhibit at The Bennington

www.thebennington.org
(802) 442-7158 | 44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington, Vermont 05201

One of my western oil paintings, Longhorn Calf at Sunset, is on exhibit at The Bennington. If you live in the Vermont area and have some extra time - the show has some wonderful art on exhibit!  This painting is for sale.

Art of the Animal Kingdom XIX
DATES: June 14 - August 24, 2014

Hereford Calf painting in pastel

My art was in the 38th annual Western Art Show in San Dimas, California this past weekend.   A number of artists took part in an event called the quick draw.

A "quick draw" is when a group of artists sit down and create a piece of art in an hour or less.   The work created during this "timing" is done in front of a live audience.   After the work is created, the art is then auctioned off to the crowd.

It is a fun event for all.   An artist is concerned about the outcome of the work.  There is very little time to create a painting or sketch.  If the piece of art created is not what the artist usually produces, then the public sees an artist with a piece that is not a reflection of their normal work.   (Folks that have seen a quick draw before do understand that the paintings created are not the same work an artist would produce in their normal time frame of days or weeks for a painting.)  Then the artists walk around with the piece displayed for the auction.   VERY stressful but exciting too!  

I painted a Hereford calf.   It was a bit of an experiment for me.   I chose to work on a sanded board using bold strokes.  Usually, my work is soft and more blended.

The painting was well received and went for a price much higher than expected (to my thrill and relief!)

The auctioneer was the celebrity auctioneer from the TV show "Storage Wars", Sean Kelly.  He is amazing at what he does.  

Johnny RIngo - A Roping Horse

This is a painting of Johnny Ringo.  The painting was a surprise Christmas gift from two loving daughters to their father.  

The daughters had Johnny Ringo bathed and groomed and met me at the stable.   We took a number of photos of him - inside the barn - outside the barn - in a halter - bridled up.   After reviewing the photos we all agreed on a photo of him in full tack. 

He was such a trooper during our photo shoot. 

Thank you girls for having my art be part of a special gift to a wonderful man whom we affectionately

Tacking up Johnny Ringo

Johnny Ringo ready for photos

Did he just give me the raspberry???

Portrait of Johnny Ringo

refer to as Cowboy Ed.

The chicks are ....

The chicks are entering that ugly phase.  They aren't little puffs any more but do not have feathers yet.
 

I think they are so ugly that they are kinda cute.    Daisy, the white one, is rapidly increasing in size compared to the other three.   Hum,  I hope she isn't a he!

Brown Mule - Original Pastel Painting

This pastel painting titled "Brown Mule" will be on display at the San Dimas Western Art Show at the end of the month. I've been working on creating pieces for the show since May 2011. Can't wait to see the work hanging. If you live in Southern California and would like to attend the show, here is the information:

Sam Dimas Western Art Exhibition

36th Annual Exhibition

"Spirit of the West"

April 27 thru 29, 2012

Civic Center Plaza

245 E Bonita Avenue

San Dimas, California

Free admittance and parking on the 28th and 29th

If you need more information please email me at fff@linkline.com

Western Art "Working Boots"

This article was in the newspaper the day after Christmas. Was a great Christmas surprise! To see more of my work please to go my website at www.dawnsecord.com. Thanks for taking a peek!

"Working Boots" Western Art

This painting was juried into a Western Art show in Texas. The show has a special purpose that touched my heart. Proceeds from the sale go to assist the medical costs that insurance does not cover for children with cancer.

The boots belong to our friend, Wayne. His wife, Judy, and a dear friend, is in remission for cancer. When I found out about the show, I knew I had to paint something for it.

It was an honor to have my work selected for the exhibit by the jurying process.

Hope you enjoy the artwork!