Spirit of Lost River Valley - Watercolor Original
13.5 x 13.5" Original Watercolor by Kayla Cuellar - Gallery Framed.
ON EXHIBIT: Now showing at Oakes Brother's Marketplace on Indian Cr. Plaza in Caldwell, ID with most of my original work.
I had not heard of the White Horse until last December but as soon as I did, I was a bit enchanted. They say he’s survived another central Idaho winter in the scenic high altitude valley near Mackay, Idaho, and the highest peak in the state, Mount Borah, living in solitude. I’m so happy to hear that news as he’s “captured my heart”, too.
So the story goes the horse, a gelding, now in his late 20s or early 30s had escaped a hunting party in Copper Basin, near Mackay Reservoir, in 1997 and was never recaptured. Over time he rid himself of his halter, hobbles, pack saddle and a bell on a leather strap around his neck.
In December, I met Bruce and Heather from the band, Crazy Love Duo and they told me about a song they wrote about the White Horse called “White Horse of Black Daisy Canyon” (Lyrics, below), which is another name he’s called by. They told me about a project they were working on called, “Idaho Originals”. They had received a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council to tour the state sharing a live musical travelogue including stories, 8 songs they have written a book complete with song lyrics & Idaho artists’ work inspired by the songs. Read more about the project and find a performance of the Idaho Originals project in your area, here.
I was immediately interested since painting a horse had been on my bucket list for quite some time and they gave me free rein to paint whatever the song inspired in me, even if it wasn’t a horse! But the horse was the most interesting part, so that’s what I did.
I researched this beautiful story and the stories of the people who follow the horse and then began to paint little sketches for ideas.
I loved the sketch that turned out super mysterious and framed it. Then I began prepping to paint a larger version (13.5 x 13.5”). I wanted it to be more abstract and loose. I place the bell that had hung around his neck on the ground in front of his hooves as if capturing the moment of his final break from captivity, standing with dignity and strength of character at the beginning of his freed state.
Then, when it came together, I felt like adding something to give it a sense of mystery. I pulled out my German Finetec Metallic Watercolour pallet and added some glints of gold in his main and nose and the bell and some warm silver lines, drips, spatters and highlights in his features and the background. THAT WAS FUN…
Truly you need to see it in person to experience the metallics. If you’d like to see it in person, he's currently hanging in Oakes Brothers Marketplace, Caldwell, ID - Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm | Monday 11-4. I'm available by appointment for a gallery tour. Message me in my contact form or call 208.996.0412
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