100 Years Too Late.....

My mother always said that I was I born 100 years too late. She was right.

I have been dying living here in the city - well Spruce Grove was a town when I left 7 years ago... it has been growing at an alarming rate. It is becoming a city. The noise, the traffic, the people who always seem to be in a hurry.... It's a lot to take. If I didn't love my job so much and need the money, I'd move to the middle of nowhere and work in a crappy place making nothing just to live in a small town. I'd never set foot in the big city again!

I need to find myself a good country boy who wants to move me out to the boonies. I want to have a nice big art studio, and a garden, and horses.... and a BIG kitchen! And a Jacuzzi tub. And cats. I want to get married - but good guys are hard to find!!

You know who I love? Ree Drummond. The Pioneer Woman on the Food Network. And I love her kitchen. And her mixer is so pretty. She's so pleasant and always has a nice smile on her face while she is explaining to the viewers what she is making. She's just lovely! :)

Ok - that was random... but if you have never watched her show - I recommend it!

I found a horse on Kijiji that I want to go see.... Palomino Quarter Horse gelding, between 15-16hh, 5 but well broke.... but am I ready? I wanted to save up for a bit first... I have the money now.... but not the cushion I want to have for other expenses incurred where horse ownership is concerned. Also - I have no clue how I am getting a horse from point A to point B. I have a truck.... but no trailer. Ugh.... What to do..... Should I take my chances and wait to see if he is there in a month? I think I should wait.... I need to be prepared.

Anyways - here is what I got up to yesterday.... Colored pencil on cradle board, 9x12x1. Done from a photo I took at my friend's farm. First horse piece & colored pencil piece I have done in quite some time! I am liking working on the board. Thanks Michael's for putting them on sale! Lol! I bought 2 of the 9x12 ones and one 4x4....

Canadian Geese

Here are a few shots I got of geese on Canada Day! Taken at Rotary Park in Stony Plain, Alberta!

Aaaaand it starts......

Soooo..... I have started shopping for the future horse. The saddle - I got one heck of a deal on it from Kijiji.... I couldn't pass it up. The halter - clearance at Lammle's..... Lol! I am going to be prepared. I am also going to take my time to make sure I find the PERFECT horse for me.

The smell of the saddle alone was worth every dime. :)

Settling In....

Well... Long time no talk!

As you can see, I have undergone a name change. Welcome to 'Prairie Fire Equine & Wildlife Art!!

My new email is: prairiefireequineart@hotmail.com!

So I have made the move back to Alberta.... and things could not be better!! What a positive change this was for me. I just look back at how miserable and out of place I was and how sad I was. I haven't missed BC for a single second. I have found a job that I love, reconnected with old friends and have made new ones. I have had opportunities to photograph horses and cattle - among other things and I have started painting again!

This is a piece I am currently working on - from a photo I took. I am calling her 'The Bachelorette'. 

This guy also got sketched up yesterday - from a photo taken on my drive back from BC. I am on the fence about either doing it as an acrylic piece or a watercolor piece. I also prepped another canvas for another piece from one of my cow photos. Keeping myself busy!!! I am really determined to get myself back on the map as an artist and I feel that I can do this here.... I feel that my style of art belongs here. Ultimately, I would like to get myself into the Cowboy Poetry & Art fest next year.That takes place in Stony Plain, That is where I got my start about 15 years ago. 

In other news, I have decided that it is time that I get myself a horse. So I have kind of started to look for one. I don't imagine that I will get one until the spring... I am certainly not going to rush into it. I want to make sure I find my perfect equine match. I figure that I will send the winter getting all the necessary gear for a horse so I am prepared when I get the horse. I kicked it off and bought a halter yesterday. It was a great deal - blowout price at Lammles! Lol! I couldn't resist! I was also looking at saddles there.... and I have my eye on one.... Maybe for my birthday!! 

These photos were taken at Farmer's Days in Stony Plain at the horse pull! What a great day that was. I have a particular soft spot for draft horses. 

There were all taken at my friend Vanessa's farm. She was very kind and allowed to me come out and photograph her her animals - especially the Canadian horses. Not only that, it was so wonderful to spend the day catching up with her since we hadn't seen each other in a good 14 years. Her kids were great as well... and that's a big deal coming from m! Lol!!. Farm kids are the best - not corrupted by video games and garbage TV. Covered head to toe in dirt and loving every second of it. I had such a great day out there. I got a few hundred great photos to work from too! It was a very sad drive back to town. Lol! I can't wait for the day when I can finally move my butt out into the country and live happily ever after.