Black on Grey on White

Hurricane sprinkled in colour. Simply the best way of breathing in beauty, soaking in power, of falling in love...

Time and inspiration. They've collided and are creating a noise  vision! They are making a mess on paper and it's ending-up looking like ... a horse!? Wee note to all fellow artists,  when they (time and inspiration) come calling at the exact same time. Knock on the creativity door with a synchronised bang! Peek through the same window holding hands. Let them in. Go with it! Rejoyce! They are not playing any kind of joke. There is no blue moon. They are, simply (amazingly), in the same room at the same time. It's an amazing feeling. A feeling of speed and lightheadedness. A feeling of good solid fun. Not finished, but here to prove my thoughts: the first few steps in the still-to-be-titled-big-portrait-of-beautiful-stallion. More to come :D 'cause I believe miracles can last (well long enough to get this drawing signed!)     

Sometimes (well actually most of the time!) my mind will ponder and "sit-on" an image, a concept for years, waiting until the time is right. Nothing different with this drawing. I shot the references back in 2011... After 5 years of pondering, my pencils have been on active duty for the last 2 weeks, working hard to get this big-new-in-between-commissions-drawing of Cornado NRW (super good German Warmblood show-jumping stallion) out of my head, on and off the board and into the world. The hard work and the strange facial expressions have paid off! All of us here in the studio are relaxed and grinning with the sweet sense of a job well done. Think I'll go and start another one ;) Grey 40x34 cm graphite on paper

Florestan I 1986 - 2012 A sad goodbye to one of the most amazing (cheecky but still amazing) sires ever was said a few days after New-Year a few weeks shy of his 26th birthday I first met Florestan I through working with and owning his offspring, this was back in the day when riding ruled my world. I met him "for real" when we had our own private photo shoot in April 2010 . He was a star and knew it! Oozing quality, even at the grand old age of 24, he charmed "the pants off of me" by posing, looking and showing off for the full photo shoot. Meeting him this way allowed me to create a classic head portrait with a twist . He was not like any other horse and felt that neither should his portrait be. The fact is he lives on in thousands of his offspring. This is how I first met him and how I will last see him. Rest in Peace you big brown star.

Hoppeditz Pencil on Paper Sold Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved Erlander Pencil on Paper Sold Sheona Hamilton-Grant. All rights reserved Here's the first unveiling of my Christmas commissions. You have all been so mega patient and super understanding (thank you), the least I could do is give you a double dose. Meet Hoppeditz (sire to Hurricane ) and Erlander , two Rheinlander stallions (Rheinisch-Deutsches Kaltblut) from the Warendorf Landgestuet in Germany. Both these g orgeous equines joined me for a few weeks last September in the studio. Commissioned to draw their portrait in time for Chirstmas, my pencils eagerly took up the challenge. No wonder: these are fantastic models. Big eyed, loads of personality, mass of muscles and oozing charisma in over-load, they are every equine artists dream to render. More stunning equines to come, stay tunned.

The week flew by, left me stranded and swirling pencils in hand! So, when it came came back mid-week, I ducked swiftly, hid grinning and carried on scribbling happily . Below the result of this weeks' game of "hide and seek". Untitled & Unfinished Pencil on Paper Sheona Hamilton-Grant. 2011. All rights reserved to be seriously continued... Have an ace week-end wherever you are!

Mention Florestan and you automatically mention: success, beauty, quality and ... history. Florestan I is a German Warmblood (Rheinland) breading stallion with amazing statistics. Since 1989, this Fidelio -Rheingold son has sired over 5000 mares (yep three 0's after the 5) which has resulted in the following historical statistics. (Actually, I have it from good authority that he is so successful that it is near impossible to count all of his offspring...) 55 registered sons in the Stallion registry 200 State premium mares in Germany alone. Approximately 2000 show horses registered at the German National Equestrian Federation. 1.2 Million Euros life time earnings. A bronze statue of Florestan I can also be found in Wickrath Germany http://www.pferdezucht-rheinland.de/index2.htm Knowing all this, you can now all fully understand the honour and the excitement I experienced last spring when I was given, not only a private photo-shoot with the star but also the request to draw a portra...