My friend and mentor,
artist Clive Tyler, has told me for years that I should paint in series. Over the last few years I've tried to do that, but would get distracted, or bored. With my
Equine Spirit series, I was able to keep on a subject matter - horses - and a "theme" - semi abstracted, with the emphasis being on the spirit, or essence, of the horse rather than a realistic interpretation. Some paintings just flowed, some were difficult and many times I felt discouraged. The series is in some ways cohesive, but as far as "style" goes, I felt - and still do - that there was no real common thread.
With this series, it is like I am finally in the zone. By painting the same animal over and over, using the same technique, and the same palette, I feel a strength of purpose and a real connectedness to the work. "Buffalo Sun" is number seven in the series - number eight is nearly finished. The more I read about the Buffalo as a totem animal - a spirit guide - the more I am convinced that I am on the right path.
Click here for more information on the painting, "Buffalo Sun."
