“Shady Spot”
24” x 36” oil
© 2003 Deborah Nelson
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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.

“Morning Thunder”
24” x 30” oil
© 1999 Deborah 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 series  photos I was able to reference for this painting.

It was a rare and fleeting moment when the lighting was perfect and the moment memorable.

“Making Ends Meet”
36” x 24” oil
© 1999 Deborah 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.

“Hey Baby”
24” x 36” oil
© 1998 Deborah Nelson
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The chestnut horse on the left is my own half Arab/half paint mare. "Hey Baby" is the greeting that I  use when walking up to her. This pose with her  turning 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.

“The Dance”
24” x 36” oil
© 1999 Deborah 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 let  the 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.