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

www.jonellemccoy.com

jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com  

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

www.jonellemccoy.com

jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com  

© "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

www.jonellemccoy.com

jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com  

Art by Oklahoma Abstract Contemporary Equine Artist Jonelle T. McCoy

© "Fire Run"

Every year that I put together my art calendar collection, I try to have a month or two with a surprise painting not yet released to the public. This year was no different, and I am now introducing this years surprise- "Fire Run".  My signature equine form here has been laid out as a dimensional raised lines and I've used acrylic texture mediums to further give this horse impact and visual interest. 

"Fire Run" features a handsome paso fino with bright and contrasting teal and turquoise hair against a rich and vibrant reddish orange atmosphere of a massive blaze. There are three other horses in the background running out towards the main horse and viewer just behind some brush that is also in the cool contrasting blue/greens. There is plenty of energy in this painting, but it is not over the top. Though concerned, the focal horse has a confidence in his eye that lends a feeling of grounded faith, that there is hope, that there is a power to trust in to get through the crisis. 

I have a tendancy to panic and/or get wound up when pushed or faced with elements in my life that I can't control- the demanding pressures that I have to deal with occasionally. In that state of inner turmoil and chaos I sometimes forget that there is a higher power that watches over me to give me trust and faith that I will get through it. 

I am the type who's nerves can fire off explosievly in stressful situations. How do you handle stress? Are you the leader who can remain calm and take charge reassuring others? Or are you the type like me that needs to be grounded and brought back to rationality? 

"Fire Run" has already sold, and will be moving to Canada in 2015. I invite you to sign up for my newsletter to have updates and to stay in touch, find the sign up on my home page www.jonellemccoy.com  Thank you!

Jonelle T. McCoy

McCoy's Gaited Horse Artworks

Your Equine Art Connection! 

mccoysgaitedhorseartworks.blogspot.com

www.jonellemccoy.com

jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com  

Art by Oklahoma Abstract Contemporary Equine Artist Jonelle T. McCoy

© "We Three Kings"

It's Christmas eve when I'm writing this, but I wish you all who see this on December 25th a very Merry Christmas! 
What is it you're excited about with Christmas? Santa's arrival? Giving gifts, receiving gifts, family, all the lovely lights and decorations? All or in part? Or is it the celebration of the child king Christ's birth? This painting was done stemming from a memory in my childhood. My father was artistic but didn't pursue it as passionately as I do, but he still showed his talent from time to time. We painted the living room window a couple times with wonderful holiday street scenes and you know who did the carriage horses. Ah, that was so wonderful. But that's not the memory I speak of here. We were Roman Catholics, and a nativity scene was always a part of our decorations. These figurines were set up with the manger in front of a two panel watercolor panorama of the Christmas Star of shining down. That star and it's light has never left my mind. It's part of what makes up my thoughts of Christmas. So here is my memory spoken with my voice. "We Three Kings", three golden horses in a field are bathed in the City of Bethlehem's starlight, and they are well aware of it's beauty. Painted with acrylics on a 12"x16"x1.5" gallery wrap.  
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Jonelle T. McCoy

McCoy's Gaited Horse Artworks

Your Equine Art Connection! 

mccoysgaitedhorseartworks.blogspot.com

www.jonellemccoy.com

jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com  

Art by Oklahoma Abstract Contemporary Equine Artist Jonelle T. McCoy

© "Best of Show"

Down southeast of me is the lovely island of Puerto Rico, a place I have heard much about, hope to someday visit, and a home of the breed I love, the Paso Fino. 

I was commissioned by a resident there to paint his wife's mare Stefania. A gorgeous dappled gray mare, she has kindness in her soul and the brio in her heart for giving her all to please. I envisioned this mare with her 1st place blue ribbons waving in the breeze along with her mane, forelock and tail as she paraded around showing it off. As requested, there are hearts in the painting (for the brio), and the color blue (for the top honor), which worked perfectly with my vision of the finest. Turquoise was the favored predominate background color and Stefania has a reddish gold veined turquoise stone behind her and on her sash adding to the drama and finesse of the paintings theme. 

Done in acrylics with texture medium to accentuate her pretty dapples, this portrait is 30"x40"x1.5" on gallery wrap canvas.  

Jonelle T. McCoy

McCoy's Gaited Horse Artworks

Your Equine Art Connection! 

mccoysgaitedhorseartworks.blogspot.com

www.jonellemccoy.com

jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com  

Art by Oklahoma Abstract Contemporary Equine Artist Jonelle T. McCoy

© "Encore"

I have several paintings in the first on-line juried art competition held by the Buffalo River Arts, included is a fan favorite "Encore". I'd be most appreciative if you visited the site and viewed the wonderful artwork entered, and show your support by voting for your favorites! First Ever Buffalo River Arts Gallery Online Juried Art Exhibition

Jonelle T. McCoy

McCoy's Gaited Horse Artworks

Your Equine Art Connection! 

mccoysgaitedhorseartworks.blogspot.com

www.jonellemccoy.com

jonelle-t-mccoy.artistwebsites.com