Since the day my daughter was able to walk, she ran. When she was able to run, she flew. In her day-to-day world she is a hawk, mountain lion, tiger, jaguar, snow leopard, or a bull. Her imagination soars, and whichever animal suits her mood on that particular day, wins. But, on most days, she is a horse. Going by names of Apple, Pepper, or Candy, she gallops down the side of the dirt road as fast as she can while giving out a few whinnies, neighs, or snorts while kicking up dust in her wake. I wonder if my daughter ever catches me looking at her with extreme love or admiration – I hope so. She is full of wonder – she is a wild spirit.
My family is fortunate to live just four doors up from a horse boarding stable, so when we moved to our current house in 2012, we started visiting the horses on our daily walks. We bring baby carrots or apples from our apple trees to feed the horses. If we don’t have any snacks at home, the kids love to pick the long grass just outside of the horses reach by the weathered wooden fence. When we leave to continue on our walks, my daughter always chooses a horse to hug – her love for them evident.
For my daughter’s 8th birthday I told her I’d paint her a picture of anything she wanted. Without hesitation, she picked a photo I had taken of her and one of her favorite horses. A horse that she had affectionately named Taffy. Taffy is a beautiful buckskin mare with a sweet disposition. I had taken the photo with my phone on one of our walks about a month before her birthday, and without her knowledge.
I loved that my daughter had Taffy in her arms as she closed her eyes to enjoy the moment.
I loved that Taffy stood still for as long as my daughter wanted to hold her.
I loved that their hair was blowing in the warm summer breeze.
I loved that my daughter’s brows were furrowed with strong feeling.
I loved that Taffy’s ears were alert and happy, while her eyes were content and warm.
I loved that they seemed connected for the moment – wild spirits.
How on Earth could I paint this special photo? Could I do it justice?
I needed to try.
It took me a few weeks after her birthday party to start the actual painting – I was nervous. I had never painted a person, and horses are not easy to draw or paint. I wanted the painting to convey the feelings that I knew were behind this moment.
In preparation for the painting, I read books on painting portraits and figures, I watched YouTube videos of artists painting skin, hair, and horses, and I studied my photo. My first step was to sketch out the photo on my watercolor paper.
A simple background was the first paint to be laid on the paper. I didn’t use any detail in the background because I wanted the viewer’s eye to be drawn to the detailed figures only. From there, I painted the face because I figured that if the face didn’t turn out right, I could easily start over without wasting too much time or paint.
Satisfied with the face, I continued on to the hair and the horse.
My daughter had snapped the picture above while I painted the horse. I must have been zoned in on my painting as I found a surprise on my phone a few days later. My favorite part of painting animals is painting their eyes. I feel that if a good eye can be painted – the rest of the animal will fall into place.
After a few days of painting, I was happy with the look of the sunshine on my daughter’s hair, the shine on Taffy’s coat, the way the highlights and shadows made the facial curves just right, the soft look of the muzzle, the sparkle in Taffy’s eye, the windswept hair, the course-looking texture of the mane, and the wrinkles in my daughter’s shirt.
My daughter’s 8th birthday painting was finished – it’s one of my favorites. Wild Spirits is the name that came to mind when I looked at this painting. My daughter wholeheartedly approved.
My daughter said that she loved the horse’s eye, how their hair was flowing in the wind, and all the details of the painting.
I love that my daughter’s feelings of love, passion, connection, and yearning are evident.
Happy 8th birthday, my dear daughter! May your wild spirit live on forever.
I loved a horse once. It was one of the greatest loves of my life and it happened just a short time before I moved here. You’ve captured all of that human/horse love in this painting. Your little girl is lucky you’re her mom. <3
This is just the best possible compliment, Martha! Thank you for this. xoxo P.S. – I’m still working on my dream of owning a horse – I want to feel that love.
Beautiful post and beautiful painting. I’m just so in awe!
Thanks so much, Rebecca! Your compliment means a lot.
Wild Spirits- fits the horse, your daughter and the painting! Your beautiful description of your daughter is a feeling recognized by all of us…Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your thoughtful comment!
It is a precious gift to be a wild spirit…
It sure is!
I told you already on social media, but I love love loooove this painting Erin!
I’m sending birthday hugs over for your beautiful daughter. She is so lucky to have such an awesome, talented mum!!
Thank so much, sweet friend. xoxo
SOOOOOO GORGEOUS!!
Thank you, dear! xoxo
You have incredible talent! I love this picture and I can see all the love you have for your daughter in the painting. 🙂
Thank you, Lisa! Your words mean a lot.
A painting from the heart, Erin. You’ve captured the emotion so well which makes a great painting. Your daughter will be so thrilled.
Thanks so much, Tracy! Your comment means a lot to me. This piece was definitely from the heart, and why I was so nervous to begin it. But, I’m happy I did! Thanks for stopping by!
Really beautiful.
Thank you very much!
Absolutely gorgeous! The emotions really does come through
Thanks so much, Char! Your compliment mean a lot. I’m so happy her passion is evident in the painting – that was my ultimate goal as this is what touched me most when I saw her hugging that horse. Thanks again! xx
It is just so special. I adore everything About this. I also pretended to be a horse as kid. Wonderful x that image- wow.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Orla! They mean a lot. xx I did the same as you and my daughter – pretending to be a horse. 🙂
Awesome Erin. To see the various stages by which you arrive at the end result is as good as watching it unfold as it’s painted. I’m highly impressed too. Seeing how your painting has evolved is very inspiring. Your daughter must be very happy to have you as a mum 😊
Thanks so much for your kind words, Gary. They mean a lot. I always enjoy seeing the process of creation, so I try to be transparent and do the same for others – make it easier for others to learn. Glad you enjoyed the painting!
I speak nothing but the truth Erin. Art is so not one of my skills sadly. It doesn’t stop me admiring the work of others though. So much better seeing the process though.
Your writing is art, and a beautiful art!
Very generous! I conceded writing is art, it’s the colours and blending them into designs that I struggle with. No good for book cover designs that 😳
What a treasure to be able to capture not only that moment in a painting but the spirit of both the horse and your daughter. I love seeing the process and what you were thinking along the journey. I can only imagine how much it must have meant for your daughter to receive this gift! 🙂
Shannon, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment and kind words. I’m so happy you feel that their spirits were captured in the painting – that was what I was most nervous about. My daughter loves the painting! Thanks again. xx