Saturday, January 17, 2015

Art by Oklahoma Abstract Contemporary Equine Artist Jonelle T. McCoy

© "Budweiser"

When I went to paint this gelding named Budweiser due to his flashy chrome (white) markings, I had every intention of painting him in my usual way, with lines to express the personality and character of my equine subjects, but this fellow had other ideas. The few starts on canvas of him just weren't right, the energy and flow was lacking. So I stepped back and studied him opening my mind, and there it was- this heart horse was just wanting to be real, there, pure and simple for his owner. The warm oranges emanate the happy, optimistic, bright and honest character of Budweiser, and his gentle yet engaging eyes seem to flow like warm butter into all the cracks in your being. He's beseeching you to just look, connect, and stay in his world. 

My usual approach just wasn't the right path to take in this instance, and I had to trust that the feelings I was getting were the way to go. It's not always comfortable to go against the grain of your tried and true way of doing things, but sometimes that difficulty in changing direction is meant to open new options for better results.


Jonelle T. McCoy
McCoy's Gaited Horse Artworks
Your Equine Art Connection! 
mccoysgaitedhorseartworks.blogspot.com
jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com  

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Art by Oklahoma Abstract Contemporary Equine Artist Jonelle T. McCoy

© "Swirling Spiraling Snow"


A wintery day inspired a nostalgic type painting- of Swirling Spiraling Snow. 

This lovely paso fino looks over to the side during a gentle but very cold snow storm, the horse stands covered with flakes on it's body, head and hair, yet is content in the elements. A vaporous steam curls from delicate nostrils into the frosty air. Even though I love the warm weather, I do love snow- I love it's stark beauty, the freshness, stillness and the peace it radiates. Big flakes falling and collecting on surfaces was something I loved to be out in, and this painting makes me think of those times with nostalgia for my growing up and early adult years in Upstate New York. Snow like this is a rarity in Oklahoma where I reside at the time this painting was created. 

What do you think about the snow? Do you like it, love it, loathe it? Does snow bring you memories you like to revisit? I could list many wonderful memories from a snowy world. I'd love to hear your stories.  


Jonelle T. McCoy
McCoy's Gaited Horse Artworks
Your Equine Art Connection! 
mccoysgaitedhorseartworks.blogspot.com
jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com  

Monday, January 5, 2015

© "Poppy"


This is a revisit to a painting I did awhile ago that was done with the rarer white lines of my signature style. This horse could represent any of the bay paso fino's I've own, and I painted the horse in a field of poppies with the wind sweeping the horses mane, the flowers and the grasses. "Poppy" was one of the paintings in my first solo show and was also the first painting to sell. Sadly there was someone who loved it then, and still does now, that wasn't able to purchase it, and she mentioned this painting the other day. I did not expect that painting to be the first to sell, and because of that, I got the inspiration that horses with flowers was a place I wanted to further explore. Many were done, and there is sure to be more created as time rolls along. On a cold winter night it's nice to feel the warm winds caressing your skin while surrounded by lovely red poppies under the big umbrella of blue summer sky. 

Jonelle T. McCoy
McCoy's Gaited Horse Artworks
Your Equine Art Connection! 
mccoysgaitedhorseartworks.blogspot.com
jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com