Traveller -Gypsy Vanner Horse

The Gyspy Vanner seems like such a lovely natured horse. There is one that comes to our local Fair each fall, and it is such a delight to give the quiet, beautiful Vanner stallion a hug. He is so gentle with everyone.
I've had this image in my mind for a long time, and when I set out to finally put it on paper, I hit a bit of a dilemma. I felt I needed to do some more work in acrylic, but the thought of preparing the board and then fighting with the paint was keeping me from starting the painting. Then it dawned on me that while I want to introduce more acrylics to my portraiture work, I didn't need to use it for my scenes. Watercolour is my first love as far as mediums go, so my decision was made. I was able to leap into this painting at once, and have enjoyed every moment of painting this Vanner who so obviously loves life and enjoys his free time. The painting "Traveller" is 11 x 15.5 inches on heavy Arches hot press paper.

Midsummer Firefly

Things have been hectic these past couple of weeks and I felt the need to get away from reality for a bit. Nothing accomplishes that better than stepping into Fantasy. This 8 x 10 watercolour painting is called Midsummer FireFly. I used a different paper than my usual, and although it was still a Hot Press paper, I found the paint handled differently on it. Still, I was able to get the effects I wanted, but I will be returning to the paper I know and trust for my next painting.

Around here, the Fireflies usually appear on or near Midsummer's Eve, and I always think it is such a magical time. Midsummer Firefly reminds me of summer nights when I was a young girl. I remember the cool, damp grass under my feet, the scent of the summer garden around me, and the endless, mysterious night sky above my head. And dancing through the darkness like magic, would be the "Firefly Faeries". Wishes were made and dreams were dreamed. It is a lovely memory.

Advance To The Light

There are times in life when shadows gather and it feels as though the gloom will never end. This is the time when one has to gather inner strength and find a fragil path of light to follow, and as you do, the light will grow stronger until you are standing in sunshine again.
In this 8 x 10 watercolour painting "Advance To The Light", I have chosen a Friesian horse to portray the strength we need, and in the midst of boiling cloud, the moonlight spills a path towards a place where the sun will eventually rise.
"Advance To The Light is available for purchase.

Heather Anderson
www.heather-anderson-animals-in-art.com
anderson.animalart@sympatico.ca

Either You Get It - Or You Don't

Playoff Season is upon us, and Biff and Jo-Jo are hockey fans, but they like different teams. Even though Jo-J0's team didn't make it this year, he enjoys the game enough to sit and cheer on Biff's team. Oh the intensity, the fascination of watching the action unfold. Some people just don't understand, so I guess when it comes to Sports, either you get it, or you don't.

Heather Anderson

Funny, Very Funny

Snow in April doesn't seem very funny, but if you add a little humour, almost everything looks better. And who can resist wonderful, wet, snow-ball snow? Obviously not Biff and Jo-Jo.
Heather Anderson

www.heather-anderson-animals-in-art.com

The Heist - Biff and Jo-Jo

Sometimes it's fun to watch the little critters in the garden and give them an imaginary life full of adventures. Meet Biff and Jo-Jo, the Sheltie Hollow Chipmunks. Today, it was cold and rainy, and they managed to clear out the bird feeder. So much more fun to imagine them in tiny yellow slickers and boots than to see the reality of them carrying food away in the traditional Chimpmunk fashion. The Heist is a 4 x 6 watercolour and ink sketch.

Heather Anderson
www.heather-anderson-animals-in-art.com

Lady Iris

A wander through the garden yesterday showed that all sorts of little green"noses" were popping up through the dark, wet soil, the Irises among them. I don't tend to look at flowers just the way a hobby gardener does, although that is exactly what I am - I sometimes look at them through the portals of faery land. So many blossoms seem to have a magical personality to them, and no where is this more apparent to me, than with the Iris. She is regal, stately, and leads the way into summer with much ceremony. In this painting, I wanted to underline her regal presence by having her stand pretty much alone against a green/gold background. Seeing her like this makes me believe that true, warm, delightful Spring is just around the corner.
Now I need to turn my attention back to the dogs, cats, and horses that I love to paint.
LADY IRIS is an 11 x 14 watercolour, and is available on my website.

Heather Anderson
www.heather-anderson-animals-in-art.com

Midnight and the Wolf

Last year, I decided to dip my paintbrush into the world of Fantasy. Painting dogs, cats, and horses will always be my first love, but sometimes it's good to take a little vacation from the usual so you can go back to it refreshed. The Faery world has always fascinated me, and so that was where my paintbrush and I began to travel when we needed a change.
MIDNIGHT AND THE WOLF was my first trip to Faeryland, and it was so much fun, that I have travelled there again recently, and that painting will be posted here soon.

Magic is all around us, and as Midnight is a classic Magical time, this is where I began. Midnight stalks the land every night, and her black-as-a-night-sky Wolf paces beside her. She can bring peaceful dreams or just the opposite. I wonder what Midnight has in store for you tonight?

MIDNIGHT AND THE WOLF is a watercolour (11 x 14) and is available on my Website.

Heather Anderson
www.heather-anderson-animals-in-art.com