Once, on a crisp spring morning, while wandering through my deep dreams, I watched a striking scene that would leave a lasting impression on my soul. Amidst the green fields, a majestic white horse stood, its coat gleaming under the soft light of the rising sun. The horse’s grace and power captivated my mind, and I felt an immediate connection to the creature’s untamed beauty.
The wind rustled through the tall grasses, and the horse moved with an ethereal grace, its mane flowing like silk in the breeze. The scene was fleeting, but when I woke up it left an indelible mark on my mind sparking a desire to capture that moment on canvas. However, I knew that a traditional painting wouldn’t do justice to the horse’s profound impact on me. I wanted to convey not just the image, but the emotion I felt at that moment.
Being at the studio, I began to experiment with materials, seeking to recreate the raw energy I had felt. I chose a large canvas, the one that I had prepared with sawdust mixed into the gesso, giving it a rough old fresco look. This unconventional surface mirrored reflected the ghostliness of the sleep.
With bold, voluminous brush strokes, I began to paint. The colors were limited — soft whites, muted grays, and hints of blue-purple tones. The texture of the sawdust under my brush added an organic quality to the painting, allowing me to build up layers that rippled across the canvas like the horse’s muscles beneath its skin. The strokes were both deliberate and spontaneous, capturing the movement and spirit of the horse in a semi-abstract form.
As the image took shape, the horse emerged not as a perfect representation, but as a powerful symbol of freedom and natural beauty. The rough textures and layered paint conveyed the strength and vitality of the creature, while the minimalist color palette evoked the quiet, serene atmosphere of that autumn afternoon.
When the painting was complete, it stood as a testament to my artist’s experience—a memory not just seen but felt. The white horse, with its ethereal presence, was now immortalized in a work of art that went beyond the visual, inviting viewers to feel the same awe and reverence I had felt in that fleeting moment.
White Horse Portrait, oil on canvas, sawdust, 80 x 60 cm, 2024
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