Hudson-Tolles, Leslie; Only After Dark, Soft Pastel, 8x12, $650
Artist Comments
We lost my daughter's horse last year. He was 34. Until "Atakapa" went down with colic he was fit and active and being ridden. He was the hottest, most athletic & kindest horse I have ever known. "Only After Dark" was from a photograph I took his last night. I have painted and drawn and sculpted him throughout his life with us. After he was gone I was compelled to draw him as he was. Old. Hurting. Noble. Intent. Still focused on his love, my daughter. "Taki" was a black bay so my palette was very limited; all dark values with very little change. I think the dark rendering conveyed the mood - that "Taki" was now a memory. (This is a complete opposite of "The Key of Life")
We lost my daughter's horse last year. He was 34. Until "Atakapa" went down with colic he was fit and active and being ridden. He was the hottest, most athletic & kindest horse I have ever known. "Only After Dark" was from a photograph I took his last night. I have painted and drawn and sculpted him throughout his life with us. After he was gone I was compelled to draw him as he was. Old. Hurting. Noble. Intent. Still focused on his love, my daughter. "Taki" was a black bay so my palette was very limited; all dark values with very little change.
I think the dark rendering conveyed the mood - that "Taki" was now a memory. (This is a complete opposite of "The Key of Life")