Ancient Wanderer (Sold)

5 × 7, oil over rough and cracked acrylic base
Sold for $35 without frame

This young horse was painted on the cave wall thousands of years ago
as evidenced by the large build-up of minerals on the cave wall.
Luckily the elements (including an earthquake or two) did not destroy
and in fact may have enhanced the original image captured by the
cave artist.

First Kiss

5×5, $35 without frame

Dogs sniff, horses kiss. In fact, from the time they are born horses are the kissingest of all animals. This first date naturally led to that apprehensive first kiss. Of course that moment had to be captured on my cave wall. Don't you wonder where they got their perms? Love is All!

World Traveler

5×7, Acrylic paint over finely cracked acrylic base on hardboard
$35 without frame

I am experimenting with a new technique to create a realistic cave wall. Look closely and you'll see that the cave wall in this painting is scored and cracked in a number of places. Doing what cave painters sometimes did, I followed the cracks to create this world traveler. This effort takes much more drying time because the base is so thick.

Standing Firm

6×6, Oil over rough acrylic base on hardboard
$30 without easel

This bovine, painted after a painting by a cave artist named Thorgar, shows how certain parts of the anatomy impressed the artist. Hey, if you lived by following these animals around, you might notice their meaty bulk more than their heads, too. Imagining cave painters at work can be quite entertaining.

A Noble Beast

6×6, Oil over smooth acrylic base on hardboard
$35 without easel

Not all art has to be framed! A nice way to display small art is in a three-legged wire easel that you can buy for a few bucks. They can look nice on your table or desk. In this painting I tried to capture the effects of mineral deposits working into the drawing of a cave artist. Nature's foray into abstract art excites me!

On the Move

5×7, Oil on hardboard over rough acrylic base
$35 without frame

Horses are herd animals, and if you get them going they all tear out! Imagine how our cave painters felt watching these wild and frantic beasts on the move. "How can I ever capture that scene on the cave wall?" The center of focus in this painting was modeled after a picture taken by Adair Finucane. You'll find a number of her photos on Michelle LaBarre's Facebook page. Adair knows how to snap a great photo!

Horse on Alert (sold)

5×7, Oil over very rough acrylic base
Sold without frame, $35

The more I observe the form of the horse the more I realize what a moving target it really is, in part I think because its power and beauty is so distracting. Our long ago ancestors had the knack of capturing the essence of these wild things without fretting too much about the form. As an oil painter when I try to emulate their approach, it really frees me up, but I admit it's hard to escape the pull of western thinking.

Two White Horses

5×7, Oil over rough acrylic base on hardboard
For sale without frame only, $30

I was standing in a large corral of horses one dark night when a fierce lightening storm stuck! The awesome power of nature and stampeding beasts literally shook the ground where I stood and all I could do was get out of the way or die. The thrill and fear of that bigger than life moment is now embedded in my memory. I imagine our ancient ancestors had many such moments. Fortunately for us the artists among them were careful to record them on the nearest cave wall. This small painting is a recreation of one unforgettable moment on my cave wall.

Running Through the Ages

16×20, oil over acrylic base on hardboard
For sale without frame only, $45

I first painted this one running alone but soon realized she needed the company of those who ran before her. Look closely and you'll see the fading images of earlier breeds that must have impressed even earlier cave artists. Let's pray this magnificent species never fades away!

Young Runner

8×10, Oil over acrylic base on hardboard
For sale without frame only, $45

The cave wall took over my inspiration to paint Wilson from a photo taken at my daughter's horse business. Soon the adult Wilson turned into this young charger who seems to be out exploring his exciting new world. Not your typical idea of a cave painting but it makes me smile all the same.

Red Bull

5×7, Oil over acrylic base on hardboard
For sale without frame only, $35

I painted this one from memory after studying a picture of such a cave painting. These massive forms must have been deeply embedded in the psyches and memories of our ancestors whose survival depended upon their relationship to these awesome beasts.

Romping Horses

9×12, Oil over acrylic base on hardboard
For sale without frame only, $45

The top horse just "appeared" from within the natural formation of the cave wall and practically demanded that I paint him. The bottom horse was inspired by a picture of Wilson, a horse you can find at my daughter's website. She owns and operates a professional dressage horse training business in PA, and Wilson lives there with his owner and working student, Ali.

Horse Playing

5×7, Oil over acrylic base on hardboard
For sale without frame only, $35

I took my time with this one. The cave wall ended up with some nice contours which I used to form the horse's body where I could. I think our ancestors used this method on occasion, too. What is this wild thing up to: Running to or from?

Horse With Pony (sold)

Standing Bull

11×14, Oil over acrylic base
For sale without frame only, $45

This ancient bull appears to be somewhat out of perspective and yet you cannot doubt the creature's own perspective on the world: I am Bull. Who would dare to challenge me? Imagine our ancestors gazing upon his hulk before making the three day journey to the caves where, after grinding and mixing their paints, they enter therein, oil lantern in hand to paint the bull from memory. I tried a modified version of that experience and this painting is the result.

Plump White Horse

5×7, Oil over acrylic base on hardboard
For sale without frame only, $45

This is a free hand painting of a well known cave painting in France. I'm not sure anyone knows what the symbol above the horse means but I think it adds a nice touch!

Three Brown Horses

5×7, Oil over acrylic base on hardboard
For sale without frame only, $35

This was painted after a well-known picture of a cave painting in
France. My acrylic base build-up formed some interesting patterns,
including a faint resemblance of a waterfall behind the middle horse.
Talk about "back to nature!"

Two Horses, One Wolf (sold)

16×20, Oil over acrylic base on 1 inch deep canvas
Sold without frame, $50

This painting seemed to come to life under my brush! The horses are running and kicking up a storm, undoubtedly upset by the nearby predators. I admit this isn't your classic pose for a cave wall painting of horses: these two characters just broke loose and in doing so, broke the mold!

One Horse

4×5, Oil over acrylic based on hardboard
For sale without frame only, $15

This little gal is a take-off on one of the most cherished paintings on a cave wall in Lascaux, France. Please note this one was not painted with a layered build-up of acrylic, sand and pebbles as in most of my cave paintings. I wanted to keep it quite simple in keeping to her seemingly uncomplicated approach to life. I am sure she grew up to be a majestic mare and left a profound imprint on the ancient generations with many proud and wild offspring!