Recently I completed a consignment portrait for a friend and co-workers birthday. Her mom contacted me via my Bay Horse Designs website and thus the secret began… Although I work with Sarah nearly everyday at the Hippotherapy Program she had no idea her mom was conspiring behind her back to get a portrait done of Sarah’s new boy, a gorgeous young gelding named Drummer. Well, that is his barn name, his fancy show name is ”Sisters Last Star”. But we all affectionately know him as Drummer. Anyway, around the same time Sarah was also moving into a new apartment so I wanted to find a unique piece that she could incorporate into her home decor. I searched hi and low and found a dark brown leather tray that would show Drummers color perfectly. I watched him closely for weeks, trying to sneak some good reference pics of him when Sarah wasn’t looking, even had John stop by during his work day to try… young curious horses are hard to get good pics of! Even our other co-workers were in on it, producing an extra copy of another pic that Sarah had mentioned she liked. I did some sketches and finally sat down to get to work. Once I painted him on the base of the tray I sealed it with a waterproof protectant then laid a single leather cord around the edges, on top of that I put a piece of UV glass, then braided three leather cords together to adhere the glass into the tray to provide more protection and so the glass would not fall out. I have to tell you making that leather braid was WAY more complicated than the actual painting! I tried getting my Jack Russell Corky to hold one end with her mouth… that didn’t work, I tried holding it between my toes, just got a cramp! then I tied it to a table leg… hour and half later I had a leather braid long enough to go around the tray but my fingers were all crossed and crampy! Sheesh. Anyway, below are some quick pictures I took with my cell phone, I know I need to get my own decent camera and stop using Johns! I will “borrow” the painting back from Sarah one of these days and get some really nice ones. I am pretty sure Sarah LOVED the painting, 
I know I enjoyed painting him. He is a beautiful boy and who knows you may see him in some future paintings. Thank you to Sarah’s parents for letting me share in this wonderful birthday present.
