art&horses

2011-10-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

These stilt-walkers are something I made this Halloween. It took 60+ hours of research and construction. The major source of inspiration was a video I found on YouTube by Garen and Melissa called "4 legged stilt costume - handmade"

I will add more photos and videos of our test runs and show I the bodies were built. They are built up with foam and surprisingly light! Below are some of the early steps in the creation.

Thanks also to CricketBoy Studios for the informational video called "How to Build and Walk on Stilts."

Winter is for Wacky and Wild Art Making

2010-01-07T21:39:00.000-08:00

There are still a few more winter months left, and this is the time for making art. Do you have a parade coming up in the spring? Maybe you will need a giant puppet! For a child's party, sock puppets can be pre-made or used as an activity for kids to create their own. Maybe you have an idea for 2010 Halloween....I can make a wonderful costume for you. Yes, Halloween is a long way off, however if you wait until August or September I may be too busy with horses. Now is the time for making art!

Here is a photo sample of some of my creations including sock puppets, Giant puppets, costumes and such. There are more photos of various costumes I've made coming....I need to find help to do this project! I can make these sorts of things for you, or make a construction of your own brilliant idea. I love to make things, so let me help with my years of experience.

********* My newest passionate idea: to learn to make beautiful and functional SWIMMABLE Mermaid Tails!! I've been doing the research and have plans on how to create a couple different prototypes.

Last fall while I was interviewing in Florida for my horse training position and auditioning at Arabian Nights Dinner Theater in Orlando, I had the warm, outdoor pool all to myself one night. After getting bored of swimming laps, I began to play and thought: "If I were wearing a mermaid costume, would I drown?" So I practiced swimming with my legs stuck together, and no, I didn't drown. It was lots of fun. Hence the desire to make a really beautiful mermaid costume that you can swim in.

I am looking for a few people interested in participating in the creation of the first tails with an incentive of a price discount and of course you keep the mermaid costume.

Feeling like making your own costume/puppet/art? I can share tips on how to make any of the things you see here. Or call on me to custom make just what you desire.
Sara

Rowdy driving in town

2009-05-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Florida, and will be posting my horse training content to www.saralicht.com

This site will remain open and be updated for the art related projects and ideas that I do. Remember to visit the Murals section, all of those links are on the right hand column of the page.
My contact information is the same; please feel free to ask me questions about anything.

Here's a photo of Rowdy, my miniature, driving in Blue Mounds this spring. Rowdy is very happy in his new home (close to mine) where he has acres to run and graze with his fellow miniature friends. Miniatures must not have too rich of a diet. Rowdy's pasture has a good number of horses on it to keep the grass down so that no one eats too much.

***Note: after the evenings began to get cool (remember this past summer - when it was NOT hot?), the sugar content of the grass elevated and Rowdy had to say goodbye to the green pasture due to painful hooves. Sorry, dear. He recovered and has been doing fine. He gets a few bites of grass while on training breaks with Sara, and of course he still gets some carrot bites and vitamin snacks) 1/8/2010

Keep checking in here, and hope to see you at www.saralicht.com! Call or email me with questions about training or art.
Sara Licht
(608)215-5200
saralicht@yahoo.com

Last Paintings before I move to Florida

2008-10-30T00:03:00.001-07:00

Hey, did you know I've accepted a position in Florida? It will be to train beautiful warmblood horses while I get schooled in the art of Dressage. Valhalla Farm has gorgeous horses and a friendly crew. I am very excited about this opportunity to learn from such talented riders! Rainy will be coming down there with me. Click here to see their site.

Anyways, my last painting hurrah while here resulted in these fun images. You can see them at Absolutely Art on Atwood Avenue in Madison.

New Paintings

2008-10-29T23:58:00.001-07:00

2008-10-29T23:56:00.001-07:00

Van Gogh Mural at Vernon Creek Gallery of Art - Completed!

2008-10-29T23:30:00.001-07:00

It's finished! It really only took a few days here and there, but in between those few days were about 8 months. It could sound impressive to say: "This mural took 8 months to complete" if you're into valuing art by how much toil you imagine went into it. This one was pure delight. I took 2 of Van Gogh's paintings and made them into one, and in the center I planted some historic buildings of Mount Vernon. Visit Matt's Gallery to check it out, and to find WONDERFUL solutions for your holiday shopping. He has some fabulous new work. Click here to go to Vernon Creek Gallery of Art website.

To see the earlier stages of this mural, click here.

Police Clinic - in July...

2008-10-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a little catch-up blogging. Remember when it was HOT outside? Dad, Holly, and I took horses to a Police Clinic and they got to play with many toys. There was a podium for the horses to stand on, a water hazard, barrels, scary suspended noodles, and much more. Rainy liked inventing new tricks, and she was rewarded with treats to encourage her creative behavior. We took the horses on a very short "trail ride" across the road to meet COWS. A very large barn full of cows were surprised to see us. Holly's horse was nervous at first but improved. Rainy was interested, not scared. She quickly snuggled in as close as she could to the cows and let them lick her nose. Even after seeing this, Dad's horse "Ranger" was not convinced that these strange animals should be trusted.

Printed Baby T's

2008-10-29T23:09:00.001-07:00

To make these prints I used fabric paints and a brayer. I hand cut a potato for the pea pod print, and for the other one I used a baby cabbage from my dad's garden. When the vegetables were ready, I inked them up and voila! Little rubber stamps dabbed with the fabric paint were used to make the letters.

Moving Sale - Giant puppet and Accordian lesson!

2008-10-19T12:17:00.000-07:00

Who knew that selling all your stuff could be so much fun? I met some wonderful folks and even got some inspiring tips to help me practice Accordian more frequently. The giant puppet featured in the first video has a twin, and they are both for sale or rent. Great at parties, parades, football games, or for Halloween, they stand about 4' taller than the operator - hard to miss in a crowd.

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in the puppets. (608)215-5200 Thanks! Sara
Note: the puppets have been sold. Look for them on State Street this Halloween or in the Milton parades next summer.

Rainy Paints!

2008-10-15T23:00:00.000-07:00

This clip is from the DVD Requisite Variety made in July of 2007. This is the second painting Rainy ever made. Now she has learned to hand me the paint brush when she is through with it. I trained her to do this using a click and reward method. I will be giving a workshop on "Clicker Training, With and Without The Clicker" this month and am working on a short video about how I use the clicker method with my horses.
You can also click here to see Rowdy and Rainy in other movie clips made by Requisite Variety.

Rowdy and Rainy at McFarland Family Festival

2008-10-15T15:25:00.001-07:00

At the McFarland Museum, Rowdy and Rainy were the hands on exhibit for the "Horse Power" theme. Rainy stood quietly for a harnessing and hitching demonstration and Rowdy let the kids pet him and braid his mane and tail.

Holly took Rowdy for a walk after helping out all day with both horses.

When it was time for Rainy to demonstrate how she paints, she was SO SLEEPY and not in the mood to make much of a painting. Meanwhile, Rowdy was leaning over the fence saying, "Let me do it, I can paint!" So even though I had not trained him to paint yet, I gave him the paint brush to see what he would do. See the video below of Rowdy making his very first painting.

Lesson from Pat Fitzgerald

2008-09-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

I brought Rainy to Pat's barn, and she helped me to feel what "pushing the horse up into your hands" feels like, and then she worked with Rainy while I watched. Rainy and I have both been building our abdominal muscles since this lesson! See the video clips below of Pat teaching me about this.

Previously I had been struggling with asking Rainy to carry her head in a prettier position using my hands (that's a common mistake but a no-no nonetheless) and in this lesson something finally clicked and I learned it happens from my LEGS, not my hands. I believe Pat had helped me with this a couple of years ago on another horse, but I had obviously forgotten it along the way.

A month or so later my dad, Wes Licht, and I shared a lesson with Pat as she helped us with our horses in driving. I am so grateful to have such a resource as Pat in our area. Plus she is lots of fun!
Pat travels giving clinics and lessons for people of all levels. She can be reached at(608)444-4486

Harper and Dylan ride Rainy

2008-09-22T20:22:00.000-07:00

Here we are on a very hot morning riding with Rainy. Harper has been riding for some time now, and on this day she invited brother Dylan to share her lesson. Dylan did a great job, and this was his first time riding! Their nanny, RachelAnn, took videos and photos, and both kids were very patient as they waited their turn to ride.

My Formula for these paintings

2008-09-22T19:21:00.000-07:00

1. Make sketches of composition and painting ideas on scratch paper.
2. Prime the canvas or board with black (or nearly black) acrylic paint.
3. Draw in the painting idea with a pencil. The pencil line shows up nicely on the dark surface.
4.Get an idea for color schemes. (Or begin without a plan and wing it.)
5. Paint in the shapes beginning with the darkest colors, going almost to the edges of the pencil drawing. This gap between shapes will leave a rough black line around everything. I use acrylic paint.
6. Add some white to the color on the palette and paint over the first color, but not quite as far to give the illusion of depth with shading.
7. Keep adding lighter layers in smaller areas until satisfied.
8. Sometimes add a lighter shade in dots or dashes over the existing color for interesting texture. I do this often in the rivers or grass of a painting.

That's pretty much it! If you are desiring to paint, just begin. Remember when we were in the early grades and everyone painted with bravo? I am most inspired by children's paintings, and by artists who reach pure expression without concern of a critic.
Click the "play" arrow to see the video clip of this painting in progress.

The mural I painted at Absolutely Art (below) was done in the same method. Click here to see the blog entry about this mural.

Villa Louis Carraige Classic, 2008

2008-09-09T15:46:00.001-07:00

My friend Lauraine Smith and I competed in the Villa Louis Carriage Classic in Prairie Du Chein, Wisconsin this past weekend. We trailered our mares together and had a great time. Lauraine's horse, Reba, was very good and got some nice ribbons in each event and class. She drove in the Novice Horse division which was a very competitive group.
These are photos of Rainy and I in the reinsmanship class. We won second place in our division for this class (Novice Large Pony) and I was very pleased with her steady, sensible nature in all the classes.

This 3-day show is very well hosted and the grounds are beautiful. Apparently it is one of the largest driving shows in the U.S., second only to Walnut Hill. If you'd like to see more photos of our friends and their turnouts, you can view my mom's album by clicking here. She did a wonderful job of photographing many of the entries in the cones, cross country, gambler's choice, and performance classes, all while grooming for my dad!

Villa Drive and Ride - surprise!

2008-09-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

Lauraine Smith driving her 6 year old Morgan mare, "Reba" in her Villa Louis debut. Gretchen Grzelak riding as groom.
These ladies were my fantastic help during the drive and ride.

In the Drive and Ride, I wore the same sensible clothes for the driving part as I had in all the other classes. Lauraine and Gretchen came in to help me unhitch and change tack.

Then to an unsuspecting audience, I stripped off my plain clothes to reveal a wild flamenco dress underneath! I could have driven and ridden in my Huntseat clothes, but decided to have a little fun with this class.

To those who have made a regular attendance to the show, they might suspect that I was influenced by Lauraine and her accomplice, who in years previous made an appearance at the Villa Louis as "Ladies of the Night!"

Everyone in the class made a beautiful transition from driving to riding. We didn't place, but Rainy had a very nice performance, and I had fun wearing the costume for the enjoyment of the crowd.

Mural for Brianna's baby room

2008-07-29T16:01:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest mural painting.

Brianna created the entire idea for this mural, gathering images that she liked from different sources and tying it in with the floor rug that will go in the room. On the wall of tall flowers, her baby's crib will rest with the flowers and fairies looking over.

I'll post some nice photos when the room is set up with her furniture, curtains, etc. Her baby's name will be painted inside of the little heart when she is born.

Playing Piano with Liam

2008-07-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

click the "play" arrow to see these videos of us playing piano together.

Liam has only one request: "TWINKLE STAR" and he doesn't think it's funny when I play variations or mess up! You might notice how he plays the keys in the correct rhythm of the song, very deliberately, just as Mozart did at this age.

I love seeing Liam. When he visits at my place he always requests to paint, and I love to bring out the art supplies for him.

Ed arrives for training

2008-07-14T11:16:00.001-07:00

This is Ed, a Morab gelding who is with me to learn to ride. His gaits are so nice, I'm very eager for when we'll be going under saddle!

His owner spent time doing groundwork and desensitising, and Ed is adjusting to being at a new place. He had never left his home until now, and it's pretty exciting. In between training sessions, Ed gets to graze in a pasture next to Rowdy and they enjoy each other's company.

Rowdy at the watering hole.

Going through water

2008-07-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

Rowdy, my miniature wonder horse, goes through a big puddle left by the morning rainstorm. I am clicking too much because I'm holding the camera while I drive with one hand and can't reinforce with the whip. The other horses I worked with on this day (Chexi, Ed, and Rainy) also practiced going through water.

Below is a clip of Rainy cantering through the puddles, from the view on her back. It was hard work to slog through that wet sand!
Of course a rider would be looking up instead of at her neck.

Diesel's last day at Saddle Ridge

2008-07-13T22:31:00.000-07:00

Diesel's owners came to my dad's place (Rockiing L Acres) for a lesson, to get more instruction on harness fitting and more experience driving. Then they all came to Saddle Ridge to drive Diesel one more time before taking him home. Diesel has been such a pleasure to train and many of the other boarders miss seeing him around. I rode him the day before, and he did very nicely at all three gaits, and actually seemed to enjoy it.

Jeff and Jillian have been coming out during Diesel's training, and have a good feel for harnessing and driving, and will do a good job with Diesel at their own place. Rowdy was sad to see Diesel go, and I've been spending extra time to console him.

You can browse the archived posts to see Diesel's progress over his time with me.

Harper riding Rainy outside

2008-07-13T22:19:00.000-07:00

Press the "Play" arrow to see the video clips.

Harper, Rainy and I enjoyed a beautiful morning riding together. We are going to work on getting Harper's helmet to fit better. It was often falling down over her eyes, creating a riding lesson that was very much about "riding the horse through FEEL" because the helmet was blocking her vision at times. Thankyou to Rachael Ann, Harper and Dylan's super nanny, for these videos and photos of our lesson.

Rainy continues to amaze me with how relaxed and careful she is with kids. I am so happy that my horse likes children as much as I do.

Fun Show at 3-Gaits

2008-07-13T19:32:00.000-07:00

This is Rainy in her first driving show!
Horse Camp with Tommie Turvey was excellent, and we were able to make it home in time to join everyone at the 3 Gaits show. She was very calm and willing.

In the first video, I am doing the obstacle course in the long lines. Next we do the same thing hitched to the cart. Notice how patient Rainy is when I get us out of our initial jam - we didn't knock any tennis balls over!

She also did some riding classes and 2 ring classes in driving. She place in several classes and we won the Reinsmanship Driving class in our division. I am so proud of her.

Morgans Fitzer and Reba driving

2008-07-13T18:10:00.000-07:00

Here are Dolores and Lauraine driving their wonderful Morgans. Chuck rides along with Dolores and seems to enjoy it. I trained both of these horses to ride, and my dad, Wes Licht, trained Fitzer to drive. Lauraine has been training Reba to drive, and I've been helping out here and there with lessons.

Reba is Lauraine's chestnut mare and is new to driving this summer. She's starting to be more at ease and realizing that it's sort of a fun job because Mom gives you cookies when you stand quietly.

Lauraine has put in much good work longlining Reba, having her pull the tire, and working with other noisy things to prepare her for driving. These owners are very capable with their horses and do good work.

Bareback cones with Rainy before "Horse Camp"

2008-07-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday, and I'm about to pack up the trailer and take Rainy with me to Tommie Turvey's "Horsemanship Camp" at the Wahl Equestrian Center, in Sterling Illinois. I am SO EXCITED!!!

Above are a couple of clips of us doing a cones pattern, bareback. I gave Rainy a couple of easy days in preparation for our trip. On the morning we did this exercise, it was hot and she was a bit sluggish, or maybe just hadn't woken up yet.
Rainy likes going to new places and meeting people. I am so excited about what Rainy and I may learn. I'm equally happy to get to spend lots of time with my horse. See you in one week!

Catcha the hunter pony

2008-06-25T20:31:00.001-07:00

Today after working with 2 nice Morgans in Evansville, I visited my mentor Pat Fitzgerald and rode Catcha. Catcha is has a very sweet personality, and has beautiful movement to go along with her flashy color. It took a bit for me to adjust to her trot - she's got the oomph of a big warmblood, even in that slightly deep sand! A young girl (age 9 maybe?) has been riding her with the hunter group as well, and Catcha is learning to jump, does flying lead changes, and has a great attitude.

Catcha LOVES her new job as a hunter pony. She's lots of fun to ride, very responsive.

The View from Don

2008-06-23T23:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some video snippets of yesterday's trail ride with Don the Andalusian. I'm riding one handed as I film these, and they are "uncut", simply because I don't know how to edit them. Please forgive me for the occasional repetition.

You can hear Don's fabulous walking stride. He was relaxed and steady for most of our ride, and brave in the "scary" parts.

This one shows the beautiful pasture where Rainy lives with her friends. I love walking up that enormous hill to get Rainy for our session - breathtaking views and good exercise! The horses at Saddle Ridge are well cared for and the herds are friendly.

Colleen's Birthday party on the Solstice

2008-06-23T21:25:00.001-07:00

Here Melissa (Ignite Your Voice) and I are dancing to the wonderful drumming and singing at Colleen's party. It was a beautiful gathering, and at the end the mosquitoes came on full force. My "Safe for Human Use" natural bug and mosquito repellent (for horses) proved completely ineffective, so we headed for the Union Terrace later that night.

Colleen is the one standing behind the lovely flower-petal cupcakes :) Happy Birthday, Colleen!

click the "play" arrow to see video

Riding lesson with Don the Andalusian

2008-06-22T14:03:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to be taking some riding lessons from Bobbie McDonald out at Saddle Ridge. And I'm using Don as my trusty steed (Thank you, Don.) He is physically gifted and a bit green at some of these things, although not as green as I am. We shot video of it, which was also helpful because I could blatantly see why I need these riding lessons! Bobbie was clear and encouraging, and I felt and saw results. I'll see her next week, same time.

Whoo Ha... I went to a great show the other night!

2008-06-17T17:52:00.001-07:00

TCLB

Thanks to good friends, I recently found out about this talented band and wanted to let y'all know about them. Original songs, and if you've never seen a violinist plug it in and use the "wah-wah" pedal.... it's amazing.

From their press page: "Contradictory (their first album) is a collaboration of lively and talented musicians....if your attention isn't caught by the soothing vocals, great acoustics, or funny lyrics, then you, my friend, should check to see if you're still breathing."
-Veronica Ramos Space City Rock Houston, TX

The Lucas Cates Band is based in Madison, and gaining recognition across the nation quickly. See their website (click here) for Madison shows, tour dates and locations.

Tonight they are at the Cardinal Bar. If you missed it, they'll be back in Madison in July, after their Kentucky, South Carolina, and Georgia tour.

Riding Diesel

2008-06-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

Okay, if you haven't had a good laugh yet today, watch these videos. Diesel does a pretty good job, and after seeing these videos, I can see why he complains. I look ENORMOUS on him! I'm a light 5'8", honestly. It's so funny with the helmet, boots, gloves, and this professional trainer, towering over this cute little mule, in a western saddle, no less. I think he will be great (and look great too) with younger and smaller riders. Thank you, Diesel, for putting up with me while in training.

Today I rode and videotaped myself on 3 different horses. I am giving myself lessons by reviewing the footage. It's excruciating. I FEEL as if I'm riding with beautiful posture, but the video reveals otherwise. I can stay on almost anything, but it is my intention to learn to ride correctly with elegance. Send a prayer. Oops, I meant to say, "I'm getting better every day, I'm getting better every day....."

Sparkly Fun Art Gallery

2008-06-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Have you been in Absolutely Art yet? It's wonderful! And it's next door to Cafe Zoma, so you can get a sandwich or coffee and see their rotating art exhibit as well. Here's a little clip of Jeanne Ross, an amazing artist in her own right, hanging my prints on the wall for display. Absolutely Art is located at 2322 Atwood Ave. Madison, WI 53704. Click here to see their website.

Diesel and Rowdy hanging out

2008-06-13T00:11:00.001-07:00

Diesel has made lots of progress since he arrived. He drives outside nicely and he has been riding walk, trot, and canter indoors. He prefers driving to riding, but he is a good sport under saddle anyways.
I've got to get some footage of us riding, because we are quite a sight!

Diesel will go home early July. I'd like to find someone to board their mini with Rowdy for company or find a mini to take in for training when Diesel goes home.

Meeting Don the Andalusian

2008-06-12T23:23:00.000-07:00

I am so honored to be working with this horse for a couple of weeks. We will do some riding and driving, and I'll spend time with him on the trails to build his confidence and improve his fitness. Mentor Pat Fitzgerald will give me some lessons on him, and among other things, I will learn to ride with my shoulders BACK. Wouldn't that make it a prettier picture?

This is the first time I've ridden Don. In the first video (above), after about a minute it gets a little more exciting as he spooks by the large back door. He is so smooth, even his spooks are comfortable!

This video shows me trying out his canter. He hasn't had much practice at the canter, and he sort of falls in, races at times, and suggests stopping each time we pass the mounting block. I am not complaining, however. He has the DREAMIEST canter I've ever ridden. Thanks, Don. I'm looking forward to our time together.

I hope to post another video of Don after I've worked more with him and hopefully we will see some improvement in my own riding as well.

Happy Birthday, Melissa!

2008-06-12T23:10:00.000-07:00

A very special gathering occurred thanks to Melissa bringing wonderful friends together for a birthday party. There was music, drumming, and dancing, and at the end of the night almost everyone was making hilarious impromptu skits with sock puppets. (My personal dream come true!) Melissa is a talented life coach and you can visit her beautiful site by clicking here.

Masks

2008-06-12T22:59:00.001-07:00

During the Spring Art tour, I was blessed to have two delightful friends with me for the day. We rode Rainy, made paintings, played with sock puppets, and brought up these paper mache masks from my basement. The curtain partition served as a great stage.

Wooden Coat Pegs

2008-06-12T22:45:00.001-07:00

During the art tour, my mom photographed each painted coat peg, as some people were not able to see the video of them I had posted earlier. Thanks, mom! Each one is hand painted, and the paintings are my own design. Acrylic on wood, $25 each.

The froggy one has been sold.

Playing with Rainy outside

2008-06-12T22:09:00.000-07:00

In late May a friend filmed Rainy and I playing outside. It's her first time going over a jump on a lead line. Neither of us know much about jumping yet. In the videos below, you can see us playing in the round pen, Rainy's first small jump, and our progress on the Spanish Walk.

Spring Art Tour This Weekend

2008-06-07T16:22:00.001-07:00

Sock Puppet Production line

This weekend is the Spring Art Tour. You can still catch it tomorrow, Sunday June 8 from 11-5. Artists open up their homes and studios to the public to show their working method. Matt at the Vernon Creek Gallery of Art has his place brimming with gorgeous ceramic work of his own and features other talented artists as well. Find us through Vernon Creek Gallery of Art website (click here.)
This video will take you through my house. Notice the effects of sleep deprivation - makes me look sort of relaxed and strained at the same time! It feels great to invite people in to see my art and the effort was worth it. Thanks to Mom for her generous help with this event.

Diesel in his first week driving

2008-05-29T05:55:00.000-07:00

Diesel is pulling the cart around now! Glad, because it was so heavy for me to lug around during his ground training. With the open bridle and the blinker bridle, I have been pulling the cart with one hand while I long-lined him with the other so that he could get used to the noise following him.

Now that he's driving, it's HIS job to pull the cart. When I sit in it, my weight balances the cart so that it is much lighter. Yesterday we ventured out of the arena in the cart for the first time, and he was very well behaved. In the video above, we are practicing his slow trot and extended trot.

Photos of Heather Driving

2008-05-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

Kristine Fisher was at our barn for a photo session and took some BEAUTIFUL photos of Heather (the Fjord pictured below) and I driving! Click here to see them. This weekend Heather and Rain, my Morab mare, will attend a fun show that features all obstacle driving classes.

Heather Arrives

2008-05-24T06:41:00.000-07:00

Isn't she beautiful!

Heather, a 10 year old Fjord mare, arrived on Thursday. I will keep her in shape, and practice with her for 3 weeks, and then I'll compete with her at the Columbus Carriage Classic in Columbus, Wisconsin in June. It will be Heather's first show.

She is owned by Patti Jo Walter, and Patti really did a nice job of finishing her. This horse drives beautifully. Patti needed surgery on her knee, or she would have been showing her at Columbus herself. (Click on the purple words above to find out more.)

Diesel LOVES to be bridled

2008-05-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

One of Diesel's favorite things is when I bring out the bridle! I actually can't leave it lying around, because he will try to put it on himself. This enthusiasm came from carrot treats, no doubt. Hopefully he will feel the same way about the cart and be very happy when he gets hitched to it.

Diesel's Progress

2008-05-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Diesel has been line-driving in the indoor arena very nicely, with an open bridle and with the blinker bridle as well. He is comfortable with either bridle dragging a tire, a PVC pipe, and the noisy septic tube while practicing all the gaits and commands.
A couple of days ago I decided to take him outside. At first he forgot everything, but within a few minutes he was driving like a pro! This video (below) is sort of long, almost 5 minutes. It shows him turning easily, standing well (notice all the GREEN GRASS that he is not eating!), and backing.

* Two days later, I had my dad (Wes Licht) out to assist with Diesel's first hitching to the cart! It went very well. Diesel did a few rounds at walk and trot, got a few carrot treats along the way, and we unhitched.

Harper riding Rainy

2008-05-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Harper , age 2, LOVES horses. Harper is my very dear friend. I was her nanny for a year, watching her through many milestones such as taking her first steps, first words, and saying my name :). Before she could walk, it became apparent that she was into horses. She woke up early from a nap one day while I had a video of Reiner Klimke playing, and she was RIVETED. These days she watches a Parelli promotional DVD each night before bed. She's very serious about it all.

This May Harper received a special gift from her Grandpa: her very own saddle! Yesterday Harper rode in her new saddle on Rainy sitting up there all by herself. When I asked Harper different questions, she usually answered with the word "faster." Click on the photos to enlarge them. Click the "play" arrows to see the videos.Here we are riding together with no saddle. We use a saddle pad so it's more comfortable for everyone. Harper has been riding horses with me this way since she was not quite 1 1/2 years old.

Diesel the Mule - early training

2008-05-15T22:48:00.000-07:00

Diesel is an adorable pony mule that I have in for training to ride and drive. Here he is about 3 1/2 weeks in, and he's looking more fit and less furry.
This video is from day 9 of our training together. Here he's dragging a noisy septic tube, and wearing a bridle. I have the longe line attached to the halter, not the bit. I like them to get used to lots of different things "following" them, so when the cart follows them it will be no big deal. Diesel noticed that I wasn't able to hold the whip properly, and is taking advantage of that while I film with one hand.
Here is Diesel, again on the ninth day of training, and he's giving his first ride! This is my assistant, Slim Jim. Jim stays on through most things, and you can see he's a very relaxed rider. Jim rides while we practice long lining, too. Then when it's time for the real dummy to get on, (guess who that is), the horse is already accustomed to seeing somebody up there. Jim is made out of swim noodles and duct tape.

Currently we are beginning week 4, and Diesel does a nice job of walk and trot under saddle (carrying me now), and has been doing more driving focused training with "cart play", the blinker bridle, dragging poles and other things around.

Rowdy and Rainy - clips from their first DVD

2008-05-15T20:30:00.000-07:00

These are from a DVD I made with Requisite Variety last year in July. You may notice in the first one that Rainy (my gray mare) is not stepping under her body fully. Since the filming, I began to use massage with my horses (with guidance from Barb Riffle,) and have noticed a dramatic improvement in their movement and attitude. Of course, who wouldn't benefit from a couple of massages each week?
Thanks to my parents, especially dad (Wes Licht,) who brought me up with horses and ponies as part of our lives. My dad's father taught him to ride and work with horses at a young age as well.
This last one features Rainy in her Fairytale costume. She is a Unicorn, I'm a Princess, and I'm carrying a Frog Prince sitting on a little throne. Can you can figure out what makes the Frog move?
It ends with Rowdy pulling a sled on one of the rare snowy days last year. It was remarkably cold that day.

Absolutely Art's Mural in Progress

2008-05-13T22:37:00.000-07:00

Each year Absolutely Art will have a new mural on their back wall. I got the opportunity to paint the mural for 2008! Above are photos of the wall before I primed it with a dark brown color.

Click the "Play" arrows to see the video clips.

Party and Mural Unveiling on Gallery Night at Absolutely Art

2008-05-13T22:18:00.000-07:00

Enjoyed friends, music, and seeing the new work at gallery night. Each month at Absolutely Art they feature a different artist. Tom Robichaud and Don Issacson provided lively music through that evening.

Don't miss Short Stories, a Gloria Van Dixhorn exhibition at Absolutely Art, 2322 Atwood Avenue, in Madison Wisconsin, 53704. (608)248-9100
Her show will run through the month of May.
While you are there you can grab a latte next door at Cafe Zoma, and check out my new mural in the courtyard.

Here are Tom Robichaud and Don Issacson livening up the scene at Absolutely Art.

New Sock Puppets for my friend Erin

2008-05-09T22:01:00.000-07:00

Painting donated for fundraising event

2008-04-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

13x13, acrylic on board.

March Fitness Program for Rowdy and Sara

2008-04-15T18:05:00.000-07:00

click "Play" arrow to see video

In early spring it became apparent that Rowdy had sneakily put on a few extra pounds. (I could feel his ribs all winter, I swear! But he was storing the fat in other strategic areas.) We began daily jogging sessions in March. Rowdy quickly got back into shape, and as he shed his winter fur, he began to look more like a horse instead of a bear.

Space Aliens for Peace

2008-04-07T20:54:00.000-07:00

These puppets stand about 8 feet tall. In April they joined the Peace Vigil for the Middle East, in conjunction with The Moses Code. They would love to get out more often! Contact me if you have an event you'd like to invite them to.

Painting at Absolutely Art

2008-04-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

In February I brought my paints into Absolutely Art and enjoyed the warm sun and friendly atmosphere of their gallery. Each month they have a new show, and their store is always brimming with gorgeous work by local artists.

They are located at 2322 Atwood Ave. Madison, WI 53704, on Madison's near East side, next to Cafe Zoma and on the Capitol City bike path.
http://www.absolutelyartllc.com

Carter's Rainforest Mural

2008-03-14T08:58:00.001-07:00

Carter was involved in this mural, requesting the rainforest theme and giving good suggestions for the animals in it.

His parents finished the room with a bamboo mat floor cover and natural fiber window shades that complement the light colored wood.

Double click on the images to enlarge them.

Beginning the Mural at Vernon Creek Gallery of Art

2008-03-06T07:53:00.000-08:00

I've already taped off the dimensions for this large painting and given the wall a texture with joint compound. I used a grid to enlarge my plan for the mural to full size, and then used carbon paper to transfer it to the wall.

Van Gogh mural in progress

2008-03-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

Van Gogh Mural at Vernon Creek Gallery of Art, in Progress

2008-03-05T15:46:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I worked on a mural for Vernon Creek Gallery of Art in Mount Vernon. http://www.vernoncreekgallery.com
It is a composite of Van Gogh's "Starry Night" and "Starry Night over the Rhone." What fun! I aligned the horizons of each painting, and have connected the two with some imagination and a few buildings bearing a striking resemblance to certain landmark buildings in Mount Vernon. Mark your calendars for the Spring Open Studios Tour for this region, June 6th, 7th, and 8th. www.MHAAA.org. The Vernon Creek Gallery and my apartment studio will be open and we'll be showing you our working process. We are honored to have one of my favorite artists, Jaroslava Sobiskova, showing her work at our Open Studios. http://www.jarka.ws

Rowdy and Rainy

2008-03-05T15:40:00.001-08:00

Here are the infamous Rainy (on the left) and Rowdy (the brown miniature.) Rainy has been learning to hand things to me, and Rowdy seems interested in learning to paint. He is not trying to eat the paint brush anymore! He's very proud of himself and likes learning new tricks.

Rowdy and Rainy taking turns in the sand

2008-03-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

Here are my two honeys enjoying the sand. We had a rare 40 degree day (heat wave!) and their thick fur coats felt itchy and hot. Two days later it was North Pole weather again, so I'm glad for their coats. Rainy wears a blanket which soaks up heat from the sun and blocks the cold wind. Rowdy has been mistaken for a bear by the other horses. He has a private mini sized shed in addition to his thick fur.

Magnolia Tree and Mountains Mural

2008-02-18T16:28:00.001-08:00

This is my latest mural, a Magnolia tree in bloom (also known in China as the White Jade Flower) and a mountain and water scene behind the shower.
The magnolia tree was painted and then muted with a soft glaze effect over the entire wall. I bought stencils to do the Chinese characters, but ended up painting them all by hand because they looked more authentic that way.

Please feel free to pass along my blog to anyone whom you think would be interested in a mural or a custom painting. (See the archives for more painting examples.)

Four paintings by my horse Rainy

2008-02-18T15:27:00.001-08:00

On Saturday Rainy made these. Below is a video clip of her painting one of them.

Have you seen the fabulous website www.paintinghorse.com? This spring we will adopt some of Cheryl's ideas and methods. Maybe Rowdy would like to paint too. Last time I tried it with him, he thought he was supposed to eat the paint brush.

Rainy making a painting

2008-02-18T15:16:00.000-08:00

Here Rainy is making one of the paintings featured above. We are still working out some of the details, such as how it is preferable to paint on the canvas rather than on Sara or in the sand. When it warms up, we'll spend more time doing this. Rainy really enjoys it.

Playing with Rainy

2008-02-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Rainy and I participated in the Charity Fun Horse Show at Saddleridge Stables this Saturday. After the classes, Rainy showed a few people some of her tricks. Here she shows how she's learning to do the Spanish Walk. I use positive reinforcement and a clicker noise as a way to communicate when she's on the right track.

india ink drawings

2008-02-12T22:55:00.001-08:00

I made these in December just before Christmas, 2007. Somehow these ladies got overlooked!
They are 4"x6", pen and ink.

Rainy's new work

2008-02-12T21:32:00.000-08:00

Rainy is my beautiful Morab horse, 4 1/2 years old. She paints by holding the paintbrush in her mouth and waving it over the paper/canvas.

Note the bite mark in the upper left corner of the second painting. This occurred when she grabbed it with her teeth and began waving it around. Next she dropped it to the ground and began to do the Spanish Walk on top of it. I made a quick rescue before the painting became completely destroyed.

Soon she got into the painting mood, and enthusiastically painted the two other tall paintings. We stopped because it was cold and I ran out of carrots. I'll need a helper to take photos or a video the next time we do this!

Sales of Rainy's work go to pay for her boarding, hoof pedicures, special feed and vitamins, etc. She has also volunteered to paint for a horse charity or other cause.

Painting Joey's mural

2008-02-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

Here's a short video of Joey's superhero mural in progress.

The Batman wall - Joey's Superhero mural

2008-02-03T09:27:00.000-08:00

Only one wall of this mural is depicted as night time, so that the room wouldn't feel too spooky.

Joey's Superhero Mural

2008-02-03T09:22:00.000-08:00

Here are the other finished walls. This was a fun collaboration with Joey and his mom. I included elements that have personal meaning for them into the mural.

Joey checked on my progress regularly, and it was satisfying to hear him state, "I really like my room!"

Wooden Coat Pegs

2008-01-29T15:13:00.000-08:00

This weekend I painted 10 coat pegs. Here are details of three of them. These little darlings were worth the time and effort, and I hope you enjoy them. You can see all 10 of them (press the play arrow) in the following post.

Video of Painted wooden coat pegs

2008-01-29T14:30:00.000-08:00

This video shows all 10 wooden coat pegs, sized 6-8"x6", painted in acrylics. They will be shown in coffee shops or at my studio during the spring Open Studios Tour in the Mount Horeb area, or you can buy them directly from me and save! Each one is an orginal painting, not a reproduction. $24.00 each

birds and horses in landscape

2008-01-23T08:04:00.000-08:00

I just painted these, and am having so much fun! I would love to do special requests for a certain subject, or larger sizes if desired. (Valentine's day gift idea?)

Each painting is 8"x9"
acrylic on board

The ones with horses have been sold. 2/10/08

The painting with flying doves is still available for $45.

"Quickie" painting for Dylan's room

2008-01-21T11:18:00.001-08:00

I painted this while my young friends Dylan and Harper were napping. Dylan loves giraffes, and Harper loves horses. She got a horse drawing which we collaborated on together with paints.

Harper proudly displays this 3'x15" painting.

It was fun to whip up a painting like this that the kids will enjoy. I'm making paintings like this for $35 bucks each (ask for a "quickie painting") if you want to comission a birthday gift or surprise a child who loves a certain animal.

new landscape paintings

2008-01-10T22:41:00.001-08:00

These are really fun to paint! The triptych will be joined by more paintings and then maybe sold at Absolutely art, or if you want to buy those three or individuals from this group, please contact me soon. They are $40 each.

The bottom painting with blue horses was donated to Country Day School's Winter Carnival, as a raffle prize.

Paintings of dog, cat, and kitchen in Iowa

2008-01-10T22:18:00.001-08:00

These are the three that I made on the "day of painting" with Sara and Sophia in Iowa.

They are: Jake as a puppy, Clyde the cat, and a portrait of Nathan, Sara, and Sophia in the kitchen with Clyde overseeing their activities.

Young and talented artists in Des Moines, Iowa

2008-01-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

I visited relatives in Des Moines and it turned into a great painting workshop! Sophia (age 7) and Sara (age 9) are talented artists and I learned much from them. Each girl did her own sketches with an excellent eye for proportion, and made their paintings independently. Aren't they fabulous?

Sara and Sophie like to paint while wearing rollerskates, something I had never considered before. Here are our paintings - all of these were completed in one day!

The painting with lots of color and detail is a collaboration by the three of us.

video of large mobile

2008-01-10T20:34:00.000-08:00

This is the mobile I made for Toad Hill Preschool, not yet painted. The tracing paper gives the shapes a nice glow when light hits them. I love making different sorts of mobiles, and I offer classes for kids to make their own.

Below are some examples of mobiles I'm working on in my kitchen studio. I think they are beautiful unpainted. My favorite way to embellish them is with line drawings using rich, black india ink.

ceramic horse head figurines

2008-01-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

Two unfired, unglazed ceramic horse head figurines, approximately 3.5"x3.5". These lovely darlings each lost an ear on a clumsy day. You can see their fired and ebony glazed brothers at Absolutely Art in Madison.

mobile for school, giant puppets

2008-01-09T20:13:00.000-08:00

This is the installed mobile at Toad Hill Preschool. It's about 5 feet across and 4' deep from top to bottom. I'm going to do a workshop at the school so the kids can enjoy making their own beautiful mobiles.

Here is the mobile unpainted, and the materials used to make it. I form wire shapes and glue artist's tracing paper over the wire. The pieces are translucent and warp into organic forms when the glue dries. Two paper-mache masks hang above the couch in the background.

These are giant puppets! They are Aliens for Peace, and they wear capes which feature a modern peace symbol. The puppeteer operates from inside the puppet, looking out from the belly through the fabric. The bottom arms are the puppeteer's and the top set of arms are controlled by holding the black rods. A friend and I wore these on State Street for Halloween and they were a huge hit.

These giants puppets would like to get out more often! You can rent them, or buy them, with the condition that they behave as peaceful aliens wherever they go. Now renting to the Madison area, $50 for the pair.

Coming in the near future....a video clip of the puppets in action.

large dove painting

2008-01-09T19:56:00.000-08:00

This large (2'x5') painting was made in January of 2007, on a stretch of brown kraft paper, using the only acrylics I had with me on that day (white and black.) It hangs in my Reiki space, and I enjoy seeing her every day.

One foggy morning later that fall, I was driving to the barn when a bird flew into the path of my car. It was stunned and in shock, and fluttering on the side of the road. I held it and gave it Reiki and everything else I knew to do, and after a few minutes it flew up into a nearby tree. Later that day I looked up at the painting and realized, "that actually happened today!"

Soul Journey
Acrylic on brown paper
2"x5"
$170

Horse themed paintings, sept. 2007

2008-01-09T19:34:00.000-08:00

In September I made some small paintings of horses, acrylic on board, approx. 6"x7".
Some of these may still be available at Absolutely Art. I can also paint new requests.

blue horse

blue meets gray

running horse

Cat Paintings from September 2007

2008-01-09T19:24:00.000-08:00

Dreaming Cat
Acrylic on Board
7"x7"
sold

Wild Cat
Acrylic on Board
7"x7"
sold

Big Dreamer
Acrylic on Board
7"x7"
sold

Happy Cats
Acrylic on Board
7"x7"
sold

new paintings

2008-01-03T19:17:00.001-08:00

I just finished these paintings on January 1st. This style is new to me and it's lots of fun! They are approximately 8"x8" and 10"x13".

I'll be experimenting with doves, trees, horses and elephants in this style too.

new paintings in process

2008-01-03T19:08:00.002-08:00

2008-01-03T18:54:00.001-08:00

Here they are in process. I haven't finished the sky behind the clouds yet. The warmth is nice, though.

I'll be painting more in this style, and I'm going to make some with warm skies similar to these unfinished paintings.