NATIVE SONG: 13” x 13” Improvisational acrylic sketch by Lesley Humphrey
NATIVE SONG: 13” x 13” Improvisational acrylic sketch by Lesley Humphrey

Following visit to the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City and the Hopi Reservations in Arizona, it’s hard to put into words, but I have been transformed by what I have learned. I want them to hold their heads up, rise up, BE renewed in all their understanding and spiritual power.  This is about a one-hour rant about that.

HOLD… 22” x 15” watercolor on paper (Available)
HOLD… 22” x 15” watercolor on paper (Available)

I used to ’event’ and in this painting I wanted to capture that moment when your horse is flying to the cross-country fence and you want him to ‘check back’ a little, gather himself for a safe flight.

WAKING UP THE WARHORSE: 24" x 12" acrylic on panel (Available)
WAKING UP THE WARHORSE: 24" x 12" acrylic on panel (Available)

Waking Up The Warhorse is an improvisational painting; A “call to arms” if you will…

The Tattered Cloak: 14" x 12" acrylic on board
The Tattered Cloak: 14" x 12" acrylic on board

As I age, I am inspired by Yeats’ poem: “An aged man is but a paltry thing; A tattered cloak upon a stick unless Soul clap its hands and sing, and loudly sing for every tatter in its mortal dress.” I think my Soul is clapping and singing… I’m having lots of fun discovering anyway!

BACK IN THE SADDLE:  24” x 12” acrylic on panel (Available)
BACK IN THE SADDLE: 24” x 12” acrylic on panel (Available)

You know those times when you lose your nerve? When you’re not sure you want to ‘get back in’?  Well, I decided it was time to get back into the studio and see what happens.  This is an improvisational piece that simply emerged one afternoon.

CINCO:  12" x 9" oil on panel
CINCO: 12" x 9" oil on panel

You know when you just wiggle the brush around, then you see what happens? 5 horse heads began to emerge as I painted along. I love the marks and colors as much as anything.

REACH:  11" x 8" watercolor & mixed media on paper
REACH: 11" x 8" watercolor & mixed media on paper

This is a sketch from my Montpelier Steeplechase commission. I didn’t complete the jockey because, most important to me was that I captured the motion. That’s what I was aiming for anyway.

IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR:  11" x 8" acrylic improvisation on board
IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR: 11" x 8" acrylic improvisation on board

It’s hard to let go, let your children go their own way. It’s tentative; It’s not comfortable especially in today’s world. I think these are the feelings that prompted this piece.