"Oaktree" with frame, SOLD

It looks fine with this frame!, and it's available at the Nicholson Gallery in Miami Circle.

"OakTree" 24" x 24" mixed media on birch panel

This is one of those big and burley Irish Draft horses. I like those working farm horses. I used some photo reference on this one. It's more of a study really. It measures 24" x 24" square and would look awesome in a frame. I have a wide silver frame I'm going to fit it into and I'll post the results. It will look so fine in the right frame.

"Cold Snap" framed

Okay, Here is the final and finished product in its slightly distressed wood frame, with a scoop profile, as seen in the detail shot. This piece looks so much better in actual reality, they look great on-line but...you have to really SEE them to appreciate them. This one is still in the studio, I have not put in on gallery exhibit yet. I'll let you know, in the meantime, if interested in this piece, email me.

"Dianah passed through here" SOLD

This is a detail shot of a new original painting titled " Dianah passed through here". Framed in a simple and elegant contemporary frame with a matte nickle silver color, it really brings out the soft greens and blues. It's available

at The Nicholson Gallery at Miami Circle, Buckhead.

Framed Pastels at The Nicholson Gallery

Twighlight Dance , SOLD

Hi again, just wanted to let you know about The Nicholson Gallery down at Miami Circle right next to The Eclipse De Luna. I have some nice framed and unframed collector pieces there, colorful pastel drawings that are fresh and spontaneous. I think that the basis for all quality artwork is drawing. Ask any artist. I have gotten to this point in my career where I seldom plan an artwork, I just visualize and dive in! This allows creative "accidents" to occur, and the result is a more personal image/mark that is true and less carefully constructed. I think this is more real and authentic. It is connecting to that visual vocabulary in one's dream subconcious.

"Cold Snap"

Okay, This is done, I'm stopping. It's still bright and fresh and kind of whimsical(which I like).

This latest painting on wood jag has produced some great pieces, this one is 18" x 24" and has a bit of a graphic quality about it. I'll have a frame on this soon- a moulding that I picked out over at Tuxedo Frame Gallery in Buckhead. They do really great framing design there. They are located where the Pearl art supply used to be on Roswell Rd. Then I will post a photo of the finished piece here, framed and ready to hang.

"Angel Fury"

Here is a detail from a large oil on canvas, 36" x 48".

This is a work in progress as well. I hope to have it finished soon and ready to present. I think I need some of those wood panels at this size 36" x 48" and larger.

New Work,"Gardenia"

This is another painting featuring a romanticized female figure with equine, I have been working on this off and on for quite a while, but I've made some real progress of late (I think that I just got a little mad at it; not her, just the painting, and fearlessly attacked the canvass with a large brush this time) by painting over some areas with warm, reddish greens and it softened it up a bit. I'm always learning by trial and error, and I have found that layers of paint (with the layer beneath showing through) creates depth. I still have a ways to go on this one, I think I am going to apply some contrasting color to her dress.

I don't know, I might have gotten in over my head with this one.

New paintings on birch panel

Hey, This is a painting I just finished, kind of a series. I'm painting consistantly at one size: 24" x 24" square on birch wood panels. I really like the surface because it's hard like paper (no give like canvas) and it's smooth unless you want to embellish with your own texture. I just put a few coats of gesso on and sand in between layers, but I have heard of artists mixing in pummice or applying paste. That smooth, hard surface also allows for drawing media like charcoal or pastel in conjunction with the paint. Anyway, I'm excited with the results. Keeping with the equine theme, I'm exploring with this square format for a while. I have also picked out some nice frame mouldings for these. Of course, these are for sale, contact me if your interested: studioandrew@yahoo.com

I like this one, "Joan the Triumphant". I have alway's been facinated with Joan of Arc, because she was a warrior and Marytered Saint, I guess I share a somewhat romantic notion of her character that has been shaped by books and art and film. When I painted the figure on the horse, it eventually took form and reminded me of Joan of Arc, so I titled it such.
Titles are an interesting subject on their own. Sometimes they are obvious during the working process, a few words that pop into your head while painting, not a literal interpretation, but hopefully, a more personally connected phrase. But some have no title and it's best not to lead the viewer in any direction; The viewer can interperet it on their own terms and connect words of their own.

Red Horse Now

Red Horse, 30" x 40", oil on canvas. SOLD
Well, I think that I'll sign it, and it's done.

New Work

" Three Angels Waiting", 36" x 48", oil on canvas

New Work

"Launch from Blue Fields", 30" x 40", oil on canvas

New Work

Red Horse For Now, 30" x 40", oil on canvas

Berry Farm, pastel on paper, 2010

Berry Farm, 2010, pastel on paper, Andrew Portwood copyright

New Works at The Nicholson Gallery, Buckhead

Red Bricks(Townhouse), 8" x 10", pastel on paper, SOLD.

Hey, I am excited to report that I have an assortment of new artworks at The Nicholson Gallery in Miami Circle in Buckhead. This is a beautiful gallery that caters mostly to the design trade, yet the atmosphere is friendly, laidback and inviting in a huge open-airy space. You should check them out , they are on the very end of Miami Circle, right next to The Eclipse de Luna.

"The Merry Chase"

"The Merry Chase", 48" x 36", oil on canvas, Sold!

Bennett Gallery, Nashville.

Study in Blue, Pastel on Paper

Banbury Cross, 18" x 24", Pastel on paper

Arctic Draft, 20" x 16", Pastel on paper

Valencia, pastel on paper 20" x 16"

Valencia, 20" x 16", framed, pastel on paper, SOLD

Love of Horses

I have always loved horses and drawing horses. When I was a young budding artist of eleven or twelve years of age, I won a neighborhood art contest with a charcoal drawing of a lively, trotting colt. I was awarded a twenty-five dollar savings bond, ...after that, in my mind, I was hooked and certified. I graduated from college with a degree in art and became a professional illustrator. I have always enjoyed basic drawing and trying to capture that power and bravado and grace of movement with line stroke. The horse as subject is a wonderful, romantic metaphor and symbol of strength for me as a contemporary artist. It has been used by other artist's as well throughout art history and I continue to connect with that universal love of horses. Presently, I am no longer doing illustration work, but instead trying to build a following as a gallery artist and independent, showing and selling art and prints in the best venue possible. If your interested in my work, please subscribe in the column to the right to receive email blog posts with news and upcoming events of interest.

Thanks for looking.

Andrew Portwood horses & figures prevalent subjects in paintings and drawings

"Dignity", 20" x 16", framed, pastel on paper, SOLD