Hanoverian Espresso by Earl, Update

We’re on a roll with updates..Mike Boyd sent me an update on Espresso by Earl.

Espresso by Earl, Spring '08

I am attaching a photo of Espresso taken when he was just about four this spring. I used this photo for his Equine Canada passport. It is mid April I think and we had a little late snow on the ground. He had a very good year competing in the four year old jumper development classes. He is supposed to go to Florida for the winter.

Some of you might remember his story. Close to five years ago, I was called up by Mike, to visit his farm just north of Guelph. His mare Remy, had foaled.  The morning before, another mare on the property foaled.  Tragically, she died as a result of the birth. On the day of my farm visit, Mike’s mare Remy, was nursing both foals. She had accepted the orphan foal as her own. It was truly inspiring to see such a sight. Aren’t mares great

Two Foal bums..Accepted Orphan Qira on the left, Espresso on the right

Revel Sel De Mer at Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair

Ana and Revel Sel De Mer '05

A while back I did a post on a Selle Francais filly named Lily, registered name Revel Sel De Mer.  She is out of Kalonja (Ana) a Pablo mare by the stallion Jamestown.   Lily is now owned by Claire Hunter of Braecrest Stables in Loretto, Ontario.

I photographed Lily as a foal in the summer of ‘05 at Kinkyle in King ,Ontario.  Now, as a three year old this past November, Claire presented Lily in the Governor General Cup, and piloted her to a 4th place finish in the Lieutenant Governor’s Cup.   Great news for Revel Sel De Mer and Claire!!

The above drawing was commissioned by MaryLou Little and shows Lily just as a wee foal. Its hard to belive that she’s grown up so much since then. Ana is set to foal again this spring and you can be sure this one will be featured in my series, so stay tuned. 

Congrats again to Claire on a job well done, Lily is so lucky to have you give her the great start she deserves for her future successes.

Links of Interest:

Claire Hunter and Braecrest News

Jamestown, Lily’s Sire

Info and Pics of Ana

Last post I did on Lily

New Sketches

Trot Study - Quiz D'Orange, 8x10 water-soluble graphite on Arches Cold Press

I did three new sketches in water-soluble graphite last week…Well, actually, I did more than three, but out of the pile, these are the three that have made ‘the cut!’ 

As with my oil studies, the key to a good piece often lies in its simplicity. As I come from the land of detail, it usually takes me a few goes at these studies to get into the zone of not detailing to the extreme. So in reality, even though these sketches appear to be simple and quick, they are very difficult to produce.

The line weight I find especially important. Some lines I want to read bold, while others just suggest a hint of shape.  Of the three, Quiz is my favorite, it is slightly whimsical in its line quality and character. It will be tough on me to sell this one

Broodmare Head Study - Golden Sunrise, 8x10 watersoluble graphite on Arches

Hanoverian Walk Study - Fellini, 8x10 water-soluble graphite on Arches