Little "Spot" was orphaned shortly after being welcomed to this world. He was adopted by a trusty 30-something gelding named Bud who showed him the ropes of being a horse. And he was handfed by his proud owners, Doug and Ruth Ann Wood, at the DRW Ranch in Castle Rock, Colorado. I caught him shading himself on a bright early spring day under this spreading oak tree.

"Shady Spot" 24" x 36" oil ©2003 Deborah Rae Nelson
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A local equestrian and equine photographer from Castle Rock wanted to have the beauty of her liver chestnut mare, Miss Priss, captured in oils. The source photographs were taken when Miss Priss was in her prime. Although she is "seasoned" in her senior years, she is still captivating. I was privileged to visit Miss Priss in the open mesa pastures above Castle Rock on a cool fall day while discussing the details for the painting with her owner.

"Miss Priss" 13" x 11" oil ©2001 Deborah Rae Nelson
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For folks who have never seen these massive animals (the Belgians range between 2,000 and 2,800 pounds in weight), the draft pull is sure to be an eye-opener! The Draft Horse Pull is one of the most popular show attractions. This Belgian was impatient to get to work, pawing the ground and swinging back and forth churning the dirt in his tie area. His cleatedshoes enable him to get traction and lean into the harness with his partner during the heavy-weight draft pull competitions. I found him behind the arena stands at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, Colorado.

"Big Boy" 18" x 24" oil ©2000 Deborah Rae Nelson
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This leggy young Thoroughbred colt was turned out with his mother and other mares and foals on a ranch in Larkspur, Colorado. If his nose wasn't down nibbling the tender new spring grass, it was in my camera lens or over my sketch book. He was a scamp, more interested in what I was up to than playing with his pasture friends.

"Making Ends Meet” 36” x 24” oil ©1999 Deborah Rae Nelson
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I watched the first day of school for about a dozen young colts at a ranch in Larkspur, Colorado. They all had halters on for the first time and were having a tough time adjusting to them. I think the halter on this one's friend bothered him more than the halter on himself. I was lucky to capture the moment. It didn't take long for them to get used to their new tack.

"Mom! He’s Touching Me!" 8" x 10" oil ©1999 Deborah Rae Nelson
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A group of riding friends and I spent a weekend in Fraser, Colorado with our horses. At dawn on Saturday morning I caught this beautiful image of Gary Wilson's Tennessee Walker gelding, PK, warming up in the arena before heading out on trail. He "thundered" just past me, hooves pounding, and I caught a seriesphotos I was able to reference for this painting. It was a rare and fleeting moment when the lighting was perfect and the moment memorable.

"Morning Thunder" 24" x 30" oil ©1999 Deborah Rae Nelson
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Early on a winter morning after a fresh snow fall, my friend, Gary Wilson, phoned and said he would not letthe pasture horses out of the barn until I could get to the ranch with my camera. He said that when the horses have been in for a couple of days during a storm that they are a sight to behold when they run the hills in the fresh snow. It was like watching a winter ballet. I can still feel the snow flakes stinging my face as the horses would run circles around me, trying to get me to join in the fun. They included me in their dance as one of the herd.

"The Dance" 24" x 36" oil ©1999 Deborah Rae Nelson
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Robin was my horse and was 25 years old at the time I painted her portrait. I thought it a fitting celebration for her first 25 years. She brings me such joy and companionship. We ride for hours in the local hills enjoying the Rocky Mountain scenery and wildlife. She is steady on the trail, rarely spooking and never being stubborn. Recently a large white tail deer sprang out of the scrub oak right in our path and she didn't flinch; I can't say as much for myself.

This painting hangs in a special place over the fireplace in my studio.

This image was captured on a very crisp snowy day in Castle Rock, Colorado. Snow was actually falling at the time and lucky for me I had my camera along when these two began to frolic and romp in the winter pasture. The horses belong to two of my riding friends. The black one is Toma and the chestnut is King. They were steadfast pasture companions and King was what the name implies, "The King."

The chestnut horse on the left is my own half Arab/half paint mare. "Hey Baby" is the greeting that Iuse when walking up to her. This pose with herturning her head and giving me all of her attention warms my heart. I wish I could capture the welcoming "nicker" she always sends my way. The white Arab gelding with smoky eyes belongs to Nicole Sandersfeld-Wilson from Elizabeth. Colorado.

Horses

Horses