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July 05 Overcome Your Fear of RidingOvercome Your Fear of Riding
Years passed and when the opportunity arose for me to ride again as an adult, so did a great deal of fear. My fear of horses had developed to the degree that most psychiatrists would consider it a phobia. I was petrified, scared for my life, by even seeing the sight of a horse! My mouth became bone dry, my heart pounding and I would break into a sweat the closer I came to a horse. Despite my phobia I had always been amazed and intrigued by the big beasts with their incredible beauty and grace. How did my love turn into this? I did get back on a horse and rode years later, with a stubborn desire to heal from this phobia. Now I ride every chance I get. I’m too old now to play games of fighting demons and dragons on my horse but my intense love of them has returned to replace the fear. I managed to work through the terror that had grown in my head. I'd like to share some of what I found worked in learning to cope and eventually to ride again. This was a slow process for me. I began by getting close enough to just see the horses but didn't touch them. Then as my comfort level increased I reached up to pet a horse named Romeo, a stallion. As stallions are known for their fiesty, agressive natures this may seem quite surprising that this was the first horse I made contact with. But Romeo was special he almost seemed human in his intelligence and seemed to sense that I was terrified and instead of taking advantage of it he was very gentle around me. I pet him more, fed him carrots and grass that I picked for him. Eventually, I moved on to grooming him. I cleaned the stables with the other horses near me as they were coming in and out with their riders and eventually developed the courage to attempt to ride again myself. These are what helped me increase my comfort level: Slow and steady1. Take lessons from a qualified instructor. Honestly explain your fears and concerns. If the instructor pushes you to go too far beyond your comfort level, find another riding school or at the very least make it very clear to your instructor that you are not ready to do what they are asking. 2. Take it slow. 3. Make sure that you are riding what experienced horse people refer to as a "confidence builder". This is a horse that doesn't bolt, fidget much, or prance around and is very, very quiet and possibly even too lazy to move fast. 4. Don't worry about appearing foolish. Focus on your own goals and be proud of your accomplishments. 5. Work on doing things the right and safe way. Feeling secure in the saddle will be the quickest and best way to overcome your fear. Make this clear to your instructor. Ask him or her about the three points of contact that makes your seat most secure. These are the pubic bone and your two seat bones and if these three are in contact with the saddle it gives you better balance and security. Get them to show you the most balanced way to hold your body in the saddle and the correct form. 6. Relax. If you tense up your body will be tense and you will lose your 3 points of contact. Try some breathing exercises where you breathe deeply through your diaphram. 7. For the first few lessons with the horse at a walk focus on your position NEVER let anyone bully you into anything you aren't ready for. When you are comfortable and not as nervous you can then take a leap of faith and trot a few steps. Go slow though - you'll get there. 8. When you're riding concentrate on the technical aspects of riding. eg. Are my feet in the stirrups in line with my ears? Is my posture correct? Are my reins held correctly in my hands? Are my arms holding the reins at the correct angle? Am I leaning too far forward or too far back? If you remember to breath and think of other things besides your fear it will go a long way to conquering that fear. 9. A good way to gain confidence is to have a friend use a lunge line with the horse going in circles so that you only have to focus on a few things at once. 10. Try closing your eyes for short periods while you ride and just feel the rythm of the horse and work on balancing from just the feel of its movements. This also develops more of a connection and trust between you and your horse. 11. Try some exercises to improve your balance such as holding your arms straight out to the side and bringing them back to touch your shoulders. Without raising yourself from the saddle reach back and try and touch the horses tail and then reach forward towards his ears. This alsoincreases your flexibility. 12. Spend time grooming your horse. Talk to it when you're riding or grooming because if you're talking to it you're focusing on what you're saying rather than on the fear you're feeling. Constantly talk to your horse whether you're on his back or working with him on the ground. 13. Become comfortable with your horse on the ground, leading it, grooming it and putting its tack on. These all help increase your confidence. 14. Research horse riding and handling. Books and videos are available at your local library about riding, grooming and handling horses as well as caring for them, first aid and training as well. Knowledge is another key element to reducing fear. 15. Most of all breathe and be patient with both yourself and the horse. 16. Take the time to study and watch riders that you admire for their skill and note how they hold their bodies and other elements that you think might improve your own skills. 17. Some good links on Youtube to watch for improving your riding seat are: Excellent Link for regaining your riding seat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhr7h0TExAI&feature=related how to improve you classical seat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sl6SeJEzOo Good Thigh contact:: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8qMg4Lh24Y&feature=related Piano Hands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4euwFV75f0&feature=related Ankle Position: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMUzBO03Emc&feature=related Stop Pulling on your horses mouth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J4yjVQDvac&feature=related Good luck and enjoy yourself. I hope you grow to love horsesas much as I do!
June 29 Another way of showing my workI started this awhile back and I want to work more with horses as well. Not only riding and such but as art subjects. I set up a little store that puts my images onto items from bumper stickers,cards, postcards, mugs, mousepads, prints ect. to t-shirts, doggie sweaters and hoodies and so many other things. I think it's alot of fun to create them and I hope the publice likes the stuff and buys it October 11 Studio 1234 Presents Kendall Hurley's Phoenix seriesStudio 1234 Presents:Kendall HurleyOct. 1 - Oct. 31 Reception: Saturday, Oct. 4 from 2 pm –5 pm Internationally known abstract artist, Kendall Hurley, is the creator of the painting technique called ‘Acrylic Blend”. Acrylic Blend is the chemical manipulation and layering of acrylic paint. The importance of colour and texture is also evident in her work. This intriguing technique produces spectacular and unique results. Kendall’s work can be seen in galleries in the Niagara Region, the GTA (including Toronto’s Distillery District) and, recently, in San Francisco at the Moscone Convention Centre where she showed a painting successful in a world-wide competition. She has several pieces in The Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre and her work is in many private collections. Her extraordinary work has developed a great deal during her 35-year ‘apprenticeship’ with her art. The works she has created is both pleasing to the eye as well as provokes a decisive emotional response from the viewer. Each painting is very unique and would be well treasured by art collectors. Studio 1234 is located at 1234 College St., Toronto, ON Du 1 otobre au 31 octobre Kendall Hurley viendra exposée sa nouvelle série de merveilleux tableaux sous le theme de l’Abstrait.
September 07 Talking about trumpets
Quote I originally had this trumpet with a lighter background but thought I could give it more depth by darkening it a bit and softening the edges. trumpets September 03 Studio 1234 Presents:John Molnar's Pico Italia SeriesStudio 1234 Presents:John Molnar's Pico Italia SeriesSept. 6 – Sept. 27 Reception: Sat., Sept13 from. 2-5 pm John Molnar was born in Welland, Ontario and had an early interest in art. After graduating from the Known for his lush landscape paintings, primarily in oil or casein, John was the subject In 2003, John was recognized for his achievements in casein and was invited Most recently, John was one of 30 artists selected to be featured in the book entitled John is also a much sought after instructor for both casein and landscape workshops, and has He is an active member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Ontario Society of Artists (OSA), John resides in Toronto with his wife Cathy.
John's website: www.johnmolnarpaintings.com Studio 1234 is located at 1234 College St., Toronto, ON (Between Brock and Lansdowne) June 21 Studio 1234 Presents: "Irish Landscapes" by Paul SherlockStudio 1234 Presents:"Irish Landscapes"by Paul Sherlock
The Lonely Walk by Paul Sherlock Studio 1234 Presents:
August 21 - September 3 He has two photos published by the International Library of Photography and has travels extensively. Landscapes and travel photography are his main focus. He strives to produce photographs that have an abstract or surreal quality to them his unique expressionism rather than approaching his subjects from a typical mundane viewpoint. He aims that his photographs and his unique rendering of events will be used as historical documentation for future generations. Photographer Paul Sherlock will be exhibiting a series of landscapes inspired from his homeland in Ireland. His photography captures the enchantment of the country and it's people. The exhibition “Irish Landscapes” exposes the charm of the countryside and cityscape through Paul’s photography. He tries to bring the beauty of Ireland to the viewer in new and interesting ways through a mixture of Black and White and Colour Photos.
Studio 1234 is located at 1234 College St., Toronto, ON June 14 Studio 1234 Presents:Still Life works by a variety of ArtistsStudio 1234 Presents:Still Life works by a variety of ArtistsPears on Black 8" x 10"Oil on canvas
by Lucinda Knowlton July 19 – Aug 2 Reception: Saturday, July 19 at 3 pm – 5 pm Of all genres in art, still life offers perhaps the widest choice of subject, style and scale. Through the work of great artist Chardin, followed closely by Rembrandt and Margritte Dali, instituting still life as a “significant” form of artwork, other artists have followed to further establish it's path into the heart of the art world. Still life can be created through bold sweeps of line, carefully detailed studies of texture or form as in classical subjects continuing to inspire artists and enchant viewers alike. It involves all the elements of art like form, value, light and composition. Whether the medium is oil, watercolor, pastel or if the technique is realism, abstract or impressionistic, still life continues to enchant both artists and viewers .To continue this tradition, Studio 1234 presents an exhibit of still life works by various artists for the public to enjoy. We hope you can attend and enjoy our event. Studio 1234 is located at 1234 College St., Toronto, ON
Pour tous les genres d’art, Still Life offre peut être le plus large choix de sujet, de style et de gamme. La nature morte peut être créée par les coups audacieux de ligne, des détails prudemment étudiés. Cet ouvrage implique tous les éléments de l’art comme la forme, la valeur, la lumière et la composition. Si la moitié est d’huile, aquarelle ou encore de pastel ou si la technique du réalisme est abstraite ou impressionniste, la nature morte continue d’enchanter à la fois artistes et spectateurs. Pour continuer cette tradition, Studio 1234 présente une exposition d’œuvres inspirées de la nature pour que le public apprécie. French Translation courtesy: M. Changa Talking about Studio 1234 Presents: Landscapes by Various Artists
Quote Studio 1234 Presents: Landscapes by Various Artists Studio 1234 Presents:Drawings and Sketches by Various ArtistsStudio 1234 Presents:Drawings and Sketches by Various Artists July 5 – July 18 Reception: Saturday, July 5 at 3 pm – 5 pm The skill of drawing is so important to fine artists. They plan and architect paintings - the lights and darks, placement of objects, decisions during the drawing process could make the difference for the artist to create a mediocre piece to a masterpiece that is treasured by art lovers for generations, even centuries. Drawing helps the artist develop hand eye coordination as well as trains them to see what is important as well as unnecessary in works. It is also a very important and valuable contribution to art and is art. If you look at the works of the Masters like Michelangelo's presentation drawing of 'Pieta' and Da Vinci's 'Virgin' drawing their drawings and sketches are even now treasured and awe the masses hundreds of years after they first laid down their first strokes. Studio 1234 will be presenting current artists with their own drawings and sketches so that the public can view the works of current artists. Studio 1234 also hopes that this exhibit will aid in showing the current valuable contributions to an age old art.We hope you can attend the show. Du 5 Juillet au 18 Juillet. La compétence de dessiner est tellement importante aux excellents artistes. Ils planifient et édifient les peintures, les lumières et l’obscurité, le placement des objets. Néanmoins les décisions à prendre durant le processus du dessin peuvent faire la différence pour l’artiste en créant une pièce médiocre au chef œuvre. Dessiner aide les artistes à coordonner main et œil aussi bien qui les entraînent à voir ce qui est important aussi bien qu’inutile dans les œuvres. Si vous regardez les œuvres des maîtres comme le dessin représentatif de « Piéta » et « Virgin » de Da Vinci dessinant leurs dessins et esquises vous verrez la crainte révérencielle de centaines d’années après qu’ils aient déposés leurs premiers coups. Studio 1234 présentera des artistes courants avec leurs propres dessins et esquises pour que le public puisse voir les œuvres de ses artistes. Studio 1234 espère aussi que cette exposition aidera à montrer les valeurs de contributions actuelles à un vieil age de l’art. Nous espérons que vous apprécierez cette présentation.
French Translation courtesy: M. Changa June 07 Studio 1234 Presents: Landscapes by Various ArtistsStudio 1234 Presents:LandscapesDry Docked Studio 1234 Presents: Studio 1234 is located at 1234 College St., Toronto, ON
May 26 Studio 1234 is looking for volunteersStudio 1234 Presents:Positions Available: We are also looking for art lovers/ volunteers for other duties such as working on the website, assistants at the gallery, there is work with the public sitting in the gallery to speak to people that come to the gallery etc. The qualifications we require is that the individual have an interest in the arts, interest in rising to the challenges of promoting a new art gallery in essence building something through their innovations ideas and work -with some computer and internet familiarity. May 25 Studio 1234 Presents: Kendall HurleyStudio 1234 Presents:Kendall HurleyStudio 1234 Located at 1234 College St., Toronto, ON M6H 1C2 Presents the Artwork of Kendall Hurley Oct. 1 - Oct. 31 Reception: Saturday, Oct. 4 from 2 pm –5 pm, Artist Talk: Date to be set Internationally known abstract artist, Kendall Hurley, is the creator of the painting technique called ‘Acrylic Blend”. Acrylic Blend is the chemical manipulation and layering of acrylic paint. The importance of colour and texture is also evident in her work. This intriguing technique produces spectacular and unique results. Kendall’s work can be seen in galleries in the Niagara Region, the GTA (including Toronto’s Distillery District) and, recently, in San Francisco at the Moscone Convention Centre where she showed a painting successful in a world-wide competition. She has several pieces in The Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre and her work is in many private collections. Her extraordinary work has developed a great deal during her 35-year ‘apprenticeship’ with her art. The works she has created is both pleasing to the eye as well as provokes a decisive emotional response from the viewer. Each painting is very unique and would be well treasured by art collectors. Studio 1234 Presents: Eve KharagStudio 1234
1234 College St., Toronto
Presents:
Studio 1234 Presents:Eve KharagAugust 4 – August 20 Reception: Thursday, August 7 at 7 pm – 9 pm For Further information and to view more of Eve's work Click here to go to view Eve's website Studio 1234 Presents: Anna-Karoliina KoskinenExhibitions for June 2008: June 7 – 20 Reception: Saturday, June 7 at 3 pm – 5 pm , Studio 1234 Presents:"Visualizations"
June 7– June 20 Reception: Saturday, June 7 at 3 pm – 5 pm, Anna-Karoliina Koskinen was born and raised in Finland until the age of ten, when she moved to Canada with her family. She studied at Sheridan College and York University. Artist's Statement "Art has always been an important part of my life. When I think of what it is, my mind goes on a hunt for the visualization of a person’s individuality. I’ve always been interested in the details that form the individual. This visualization of the union of these characteristics of individuality is what I strive to recreate, when creating art.”
June 21 – July 4 Reception: Saturday, June 21 at 3 pm – 5 pm May 09 Studio 1234 Presents:Upcoming EventsStudio 1234 Presents:Upcoming EventsStudio 1234 Call for Artists: 1234 College St., Toronto, ON M6H 1C2 647-234-3907 Studio 1234 is committed to assisting Canadian Artists by providing an affordable opportunity to showcase their work. The studio strives to show the diversity and significance of art work created in Canada and with this end in mind invites both emerging and established artists with passion and commitment to their art, working in painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture or mixed media are invited to submit samples of available work. Please include a brief bio and a list of the titles, medium and sizes of your work. Images or link to a website sent by email, or hard copy images / slides sent by mail with stamped self-addressed envelop for return mail will be accepted. Please include dimensions of the work. Exhibitions for May 2008:May 1– May 14 Reception: Thursday, May 1 at 7 pm – 9 pm, Artist Talk: Saturday May 10 at 3 pm
January 13 My latest PaintingI just finished a painting of a bridge near where I was born. I really enjoyed painting it - I like the process of refining and tweeking until it comes out the way I want.
Here it is.
December 15 My thoughts on Prejudice and intolleranceThis morning I opened my emails to find an email, which was promoting racial profiling listing a long line of terrorist acts. I was really saddened about it - especially since I care about the person who sent it and love her sense of humour and wit. I responded with another longer list of horrible acts that were done by all sorts of sick people with a variety of reasons involved - basically it all stems from misguided people that are either intolerant or damaged by life that perform such evil acts - and blaming a larger group for what a small group does is wrong and in a separate email as an afterthought to make her understand that it wasn't a personal attack but that I disapproved of what she was forwarding me and others - most probably without looking at the big picture.
All the hate will continue unless a conscious effort is taken to try to tolerate others differences, stop promoting and ignoring the propagation of hate and thereby allowing it to continue and educate others to try and get them to see that all life is sacred and precious) The diffences of people is like adding some flavouring to make a meal taste better. (If we had to eat the same thing every day that would be pretty dull and it is the same if every person were the same. - Very, very dull and boring!) If we hate, attack and try to destroy other people because of their skin colour, religious beliefs, or blame entire groups of people for extremist acts we are doomed. If one group of people are eliminated for whatever reason the it has been decided to hate - then after that group is gone - of course - with this mentality - another group to hate must be chosen because this twisted mentality has to have someone to hate. We would eventually keep eliminating until no one was left. And there would probably be only one very angry person left that would die alone.
I'm so far from being perfect and I often have to correct myself internally when I start judging groups or even individuals harshly. I would like to go beyond all that. I have mixed thought about posting this as I am so far from perfect and have many stupid moments of judging and anger but I do feel I needed to express what I feel about the subject because if even one person reads this post and is impacted in a positive way then who knows maybe they may turn around and add a positive influence to someone else and so on...
I just wonder if we will ever learn. September 18 SkiesI've been working on skies and ways to approach clouds and horizons etc. and I think I'm really starting to make progress in understanding a way to paint them with more depth and realism.
Today I finished a sky in one of me small paintings that was quite involved and intricate - It's wet and I also don't want to post it until the rest of the painting is past the ugly stage but I really think I'm on to something.
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