Connemara in a Thistle field is an oil painting of a young connemara pony in among the thistles. The abstract nature of the background and the expression of the pony really appealed to me.
Connemara in a Thistle field is an oil painting of a young connemara pony in among the thistles. The abstract nature of the background and the expression of the pony really appealed to me.
Connemara Pony is an oil painiting of a mare called 'Primrose' I believe, owned by Dunguaire Connemara ponies in Galway who kindly allowed me to paint her, This pony breed is synonymus with Ireland
Dales pony is a painitng in oils of a Dales pony stallion. Dales ponies originate in the Dales region of northern England. They were and are a strong working ponies, and they also possess incredibly athletic abilities and a powerful trot Dales ponies are categorised as priority by the rare breed society. the reference image for this painting was supplied by Ruth Chamberlain a photographer who travels documenting rare native breeds of horse and pony
Highland Queen is an oil painting of a highland pony mare in her native Scottish landscape. The reference image was provided with permission by Ruth Chamberlain and she provides the following information on the breed 'The Highland pony was developed in the Highlands of Scotland. They descend from the Western Isles pony (just like the Eriskay) and had other breed introduced during their development to produce a large strong pony that could work the land and carry people etc. One famous job of theirs is carrying red deer carcasses off the hills'
In the Shade is an oil painting of a lovely black mare and her filly foal standing under the trees. Once again the subject matter for this painting is a scene local to me the Irish draught cross mare is owned by the Jennings family
On the high moor is an oil painting of a grey Dartmoor hill pony grazing on Dartmoor near Haytor rocks. This pony is typical of the semi wild hill ponies that have been gazing here for thousands of years. This is not a pedigree Dartmoor pony which are brown or bay with no white markings but still a native moorland pony. The Dartmoor pony stud book was only created about 100 years ago. I visit this part of Devon often as I grew up close by.
Shetland is an original painting of a faroese pony which are a critically endangered breed of pony that look very like a Shetland pony and were probably used for simialr work on the Faroe Island
The Youngster is a beautiful atmospheric oil painting of young horses coming back from early morning exercise. This young horse still has a head collar on under his bridle, reference image thanks to David Betts
The original painting is available from The Art Collective at Gra Coffee Bar Nass, Co. Kildare contact Susan MacMillan 0872611540
Two Year olds West Ilsley is an oil painting of young horses exercising at Mick Channons in West Ilsley during the late spring /early summer when the bright yellow oil seed rape is in bloom. I was given permission to use some photographs from the stables a number of years ago when I was struggling to find a bit of direction in my own work. This painting is new to my website and has never been exhibited. it is quite a large and attractive painting and has been beautifully framed to set off the bright colours.
Mare and foal by a pink cottage is an oil painting of a local scene of an Irish Draught mare and foal. I have painted this location before because there is plenty of interest along this particular road near Reenascreena village. I ended up painting this partly out of frustration as the foal was always asleep whenever I passed with the camera. Sometimes you just have to go with what you have. The painting turned out more interesting than what I originally had in mind!
Thunder is a large head study in oils of a thoroughbred racehorse. I have done a series of paintings influenced by mist and low light, it's a subject that interests me as I try to get away from the more usual views of horse racing. The atmosphere, expression of the horse and the colours used in the painting suggested the title. The original reference for this is from my own photographs taken at Aintree racecourse.
The original painting is available from The Art Collective at Gra Coffee Bar Nass, Co. Kildare contact Susan MacMillan 0872611540
First Lot is a painting of a group of racehorses on morning exercise here in Ireland. I was drawn to the sight of the horses emerging from the early morning mist which is slowly rising and the mellow orange colours of the rising sun as it breaks through through the trees. This painting and another called Morning has Broken are from the same morning. I am grateful for the use of David Betts Photographs for this piece.
This painting is available from Susan Mac Millan’s gracoffee.com Naas, Co. Kildare 0872611540 link to the painting online: https://gracoffee.com/products/first-lot
Mare and Foal is a beautiful oil painting on canvas full of the joys of early summer. The painting depicts a lovely grey Irish Draught mare and her foal in a field with a red barn near the village of Reenascreena in West Cork. They are owned locally and I spent a few days photographing and sketching this particular pair. I completed a small oil study and a watercolour before this larger painting. This painting has also been made into a greetings card.
Irish draught foal is a small oil painting from sketches and photographs taken in Reenascreena of some locally owned Irish Draught Horses. This is the second painting made of the same mare and foal.
Snowy Morning is a large oil painting of Nicky Henderson's string on a snowy morning. Led by old favourites Mite Bite and jockey Nico de Boinville, following them are My Tent or Yours, Buveur D'air and Apple's Shakira. This is a beautiful oil painting of a group of well known national hunt horses. It would be a great addition to any equestrian enthusisast's home. The reference for this image was used with permission from Megan Rose Photography. Framed size 28" x 38"
'Noble' is the title of this oil painting on canvas of a striking grey thoroughbred racehorse. While he strode around the parade ring at the Curragh Racecourse, I reflected on the fact in a few moments he would show incredible power and speed on the track. Horses are such a noble animals, full of power, grace and courage.