Gypsy Horse Journal Feature

"Nibbling" 9 x 12, oil on panel

I just found out that I DID make the feature artist in Gypsy Horse Magazine. It is called "Behind the Easel with Eileen Kling McConkey" 4 pages!. I am very excited. Check it out. I could not get the magazine cover onto my blog but this photo is the first one in the article.

http://issuu.com/hypmagazine1/docs/ghj_spring_summer_2012

"Connection"

"Connection"

8 x 10, oil on linen panel

I love this painting. I loved taking the photos for it. It was on a farm with about 50 horses all around. The owner here, Suzanne, is a neighbor of mine and she runs the boarding business at her parent's farm, a 10 minute's walk from where I live. I am so fortunate to be where I am. If I could do my life over again it sure would have horse owning in it. 

To date, I have done 5 paintings of Millie. She is so stunning. On this photo shoot day I was so moved by her and about being surrounded by so many other horses that tears dribbled out of my eyes - several times. When I die and go wherever it is that one goes, there will be lots and lots of animals there and I will be able to kiss and cuddle them all for eternity..

More Gypsy Horses

"Nibbling", 9 x 12, oil on linen panel

(C) Eileen McConkey 2012 

Once again this one shows how much I am drawn to the dramatic light and the close-up and different poses. I think I do the close-ups because I really would love to be eating that closely with them. I want to be touching them so I guess that I want others to as well. It helps me to have a more complete experience of them.

"In Mama's Shadow", 9 x 12, oil on linen panel

(C) Eileen McConkey 2012 

This one is not a close-up but I was really struck by the way the sunlight seemed to pervade all parts of the scene - even into the shadows, thus the lack of stark contrasts. I just don't see how gypsy horses and highland cattle can see with all of that hair in their faces.

I have joined an on-line group on Facebook called Equine Artists. There are some pretty amazing artists there - some mediocre ones too I must say. I am always pushing to be above the mediocre ones. Sometimes I am better and sometimes I wonder. Such is the psychological life of an artist - at least me as an artist.