PS I Love You, a runway model?

Runway Model, 11x14 Oil on Canvas Panel

I’ve had a painting in my mind since that beautiful fall day last year when I was out visiting the stunning Selle Francais Stallion, PS I Love You at Armstrong Farm. PS was in his paddock walking to and from me as I snapped away with my camera. He had a swagger, and immediately made me think, ‘if this stallion was a man, he’d wear one fine Armani suit really well on the catwalk’ …. (I always love a man who looks good in a fine designer suit..   Well, I caught the shot and have painted it a few times, first one was too boring, next one too much, this one I am feeling is going somewhere… now agree me, doesn’t he look like a runway model?

PS I Love You – Eye Study #2

It has been about a year that I have been painting in oils on a consistent basis. Most of you that are familiar with my work (www.jennpratt.com), know that I come from a dry media background. Pencil and Coloured Pencil have been my mainstay for years. However, it is time to grow and develop, hence the new media of oils. I am loving it!

Aside from playing in new media, I am continually developing and exploring my own personal style. Detailed with an old masters feel or loose, free and more personal. I bounce between the two, practicing and experimenting.

There are a few images that I routinely go back to paint after a few months to mark my improvement with the media. This image of PS I Love You is just one. I posted it in early March, and while at that time I was happy that I pulled off a painting in a ’painterly’ style, when I looked at it this June, I realized that I could improve the image and make a better painting.  I had grown and knew my media just that much more.

I always visualized the painting with the colours pumped up a bit beyond the natural.  This time the colours are cleaner and brighter. While the figure is still loose, it is more definite. However; the one thing most apparent to me, is that my brushstrokes are more deliberate. There aren’t the little stabs at the canvas, saying, ‘geez..I’m not sure if you should go here..?’ the strokes are long, natural and with purpose. I don’t think so much about what to do next, I just do it! It’s a great feeling

feedback and comments always welcomed!

PS Flying!

At the Toronto Royal Winter Fair in 2006, a young stallion walked into the Governor General Cup ring. I will never forget the presence he created. His blood bay coat was gleaming and he stood like a gentleman in the line up.. I was hooked!….Jump ahead to 2007, PS I Love You becomes the Canadian Warmblood Association National Licensing high scoring stallion.  What a great achievment and I realized, hey I can pick’em!  

I went to meet ‘PS’ in person last October. It was a glorious fall day, full colours and blue sky. I think PS knew he had an admirer, because the moment I pulled my camera out of my bag, he started showing off. I got many outstanding shots of PS, one even landed on the cover of Equine Canada’s Horselife Magazine! 

 This image stood out to me in particular, all four feet are off the ground and PS’s shadow is about 4 feet to the right. He appears to be literally flying! Rather than create a painting or drawing from this image, I have decided to include it the series as a photograph. It is just one of those rare moments caught, I don’t want, nor do I think I need to add anything to it.

Thanks for looking friends!