Before the race

Here is the start of a new piece in oil pastel. It's 36" x 48", a really large piece. It was too big for my attic space and low ceilings, so I moved my good easel down to the kitchen, got Marguaritaville playing on my laptop for cheerfulness, and it's coming along. I was inspired by the recent fall steeplechase races here in Aiken, on the backside near the start, as many of the riders let their horses go up to and see the first fence. This jockey had such a look of confidence in his horse, and joy in his job, that I knew I had to do a painting of the pair.