NaMoPaiMo 2026 Day One

 

NaMoPaiMo Selfie 2026

I didn't participate in NaMoPaiMo last year. I had planned to finish my BCC entry instead, but well, that didn't pan out, and I was feeling rather defeated. I think it was the first year I didn't even try to enter NaMoPaiMo. This year, I signed up to paint a Stone Trotting Drafter in oils to a dapple grey (like me!). I am so grateful I was able to participate in the Stone Art of the Horse contest last year that I wanted to give it a go again this year. 

Over the years, I've often ended February with an unfinished model, either due to long hours at work or my project being too ambitious. I'm fairly certain this year's model will fall into the latter category, but I'm okay with that. For me, NaMoPaiMo is about community, sharing my artistic journey, and making  progress on a model or two. If I can finish, that is icing on the cake. 

NaMoPaiMo is also about exploring, pushing boundaries, and challenging oneself. Although I've taken oil painting classes from Heather Bullach three different times, I have yet to finish a model in oils. My color choice is also challenging, because not only is it complex, but black and white oils dry slowly (so I'm told). I will also be out of town for a weekend, and I have the typical boatload of work to get done. If I can get the body color done in the month of February, I will consider that to be a great success. 

Day 1 - Gesso/Acrylic Basecoat

The good news is that I'm off to a solid start. He was prepped and primed before February, and today I added a basecoat of gesso and acrylics. He started with grey primer, but this should help ensure that the first coat of oils goes on well. I scrubbed the basecoat on with a fairly dry, soft, synthetic brush using a mixture of white gesso, black gesso, and a touch of burnt umber paint. The primer soaks it up, so you have to work fast in small sections to keep it from leaving brushstrokes. I generally prefer to airbrush basecoats, to ensure it's smooth, but I also struggle with the airbrush. I am fairly pleased with how well this basecoat went on! Hoping to put on the first layer of oils tomorrow!

2025 Studio Year in Review

 

Πήγασος (Pḗgasos)

2025 Winner of the Fantasy/Deco Drastic Custom division
of Stone Horses by Volo Artem's Art of the Horse.

With the change to the BCC rules for 2025, I switched gears to try my hand at the Stone Art of the Horse competition held in Lexington, KY (FB album here), which was definitely a highlight of my studio year.

 What is fantastic about this contest is that there are no barriers to entry.  Everyone starts with the same base model, which for 2025 was the Stone Arabian. I still wanted to try the fantasy angle, and I did have half a pillar just lying around, so the idea for Pḗgasos was born.

In progress photo of the Stone Arabian

In progress photo with a Stone Chips

So honored to win amongst some amazing competition
and blown away by these awards!

Love this shot with the lighting!

Pillar detail of a waterfall in the woods

Pillar detail of a Unicorn overlooking a lake

They even provided this incredibly gorgeous backdrop!


Also, while in Kentucky this past summer, I participated in many of the BreyerFest activities.

I showed at the 2025 BreyerFest Open Live Show (FB albums here, here, here and here)...

Ernie
2025 Custom Foal Champion

Molly Magoo
1st Place in Custom Welsh Ponies

Giuseppe
Reserve Champion Custom Western Performance
(he'd had a tack change)

Giuseppe in Other Western

Rebel Just for Kicks
Reserve Champion Custom English Performance

I volunteered at the BreyerFest Children's and Youth Live Show (FB album here), which was definitely a highlight of my BreyerFest. It was so refreshing to be with the children, the youth, and their parents. Some were brand new and taking it all in, while others were top-notch competitors with impressive breed assignments!

I also enjoyed the general BreyerFest merriment, traveling with Pauline, and shopping! (FB album here)

Khemo-sausage spotted at the CHIN

Breyer Display at the Saddlebred Museum

Spotted at the KY Horsepark, lol

Seeing the real horses

Measuring Pauline in Stone rosettes!

Earlier this year, my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and moved our son into college at the University of Alabama. We've officially become empty-nesters! You'd think there would be more time for studio endeavors, but work has been unrelenting. 

Some other studio events I managed to squeeze in this year were attending Fun in the Sun Live in May, where I debuted my almost BCC entry. 

Aḗras & Pŷr
Overall Reserve Champion Custom

  

 

I attended the Lemonade & Ponies Swap Meet & Workshops in August. Sarah Hartman did a most excellent job instructing us on how to make saddlebags. What I loved about this project is it can be scaled for any skill level. I am squarely at the beginning tack maker level (Sarah's is on the right). 

 

Early in December, I judged at a new show in our region, Percheron & Ponies. It's a great venue, and the hosts did a great job. I also helped make horseshoe crafts for prizes, viewed Ken's impressive collection, and took a carriage ride. What a great day! Check out the FB albums here and here!

Here's hoping 2026 finds more time for creativity! 

Wishing everyone happy holidays surrounded by loved ones and a safe and joyous New Year!

Harvard Art Museum

 

Some time ago, we made a trip to the Harvard Art Museum, and since I haven't posted in a while, here is a photo dump of their equine art. There may be more, but we didn't make it to the top floor!

If you're in Boston, plan to spend time visiting this lovely gem of a museum. 

Parking may be tricky, but admission is free ;)

And while not a horse, this floral by Renoir is now one of my all-time 
favorite paintings. So beautiful in person and invokes such a feeling of serenity to gaze upon it.