Fine Horse Art ~ Original by Gabrielle England

 

Title ~ Jerez
Oil Encaustic (beeswax and oil pigment) Japanese Rice Papers on Canvas
12" x 16" x 2"

Inspired by a visit to the International School of Lipizzaner in Jerez, Spain

ARTIST STATEMENT

The challenge facing all equine artists is how best to convey the raw power and sensuous feel of the horse together with the emotion it embodies. When creating I am attracted by simplicity. Abstract lines, suggestive details, these conjure up the energy of each body of work. My aim is to give just enough information through line and texture to encourage the viewer's mind and eyes to finish the painting. It is this 'work' that creates the emotional power of the painting.

I began my career working with pastels, watercolor and more traditional mediums. However, I find myself increasingly drawn to the exploration of texture and color in alternative ways. Currently, the most satisfying are oil encaustic and pumice worked with acrylic.

The ancient discipline of oil encaustic involves painting in molten wax infused with oil pigment, bronze and gold leaf, and beautiful rice papers. Whilst the line of the subject is simplicity itself, the medium is surprisingly complex. The beeswax layers give tangible definition yet allow for a kind of opaque saturation with wonderful density of color.

Moving from ancient to modern techniques, I have enjoyed creating with pumice stone worked into acrylic. Again, the medium allows for simple lines within a complex texture. I sculpt the paintings with a pallet knife so that the horse appears to live within the stone.

My paintings are tactile. They leave you, the viewer, wanting to reach out and touch them. In the same way you might reach out to lay your hand on the flank of a powerful horse, with love and respect and a sense of awe.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

All decals are under copyright and will be protected by law.