Cindy Beck – Horse Artist Interview

Name
Cindy Beck, equine and animal artist

Website & Places you can find my work online
Gallery: Art By Cindy Beck
Online Shop: CBArt

Where I am
Lebanon, Pa.

Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?
I was born and raised in the county of Lebanon, a place rich in farming and mining history. I started riding at about age 10 on a very old and very patient dear aptly called Angel.

I rode with a trail riding club for many years, trained quite a few horses including an adopted mustang, ran a boarding stable and pony ride business and was a foal watch assistant for a large thoroughbred farm for 17 years.

When did you first start drawing & painting horses?
Horses have always been a magnet for me and I started drawing them at a very early age. I work in pastels and oils mostly.

What is your favorite breed?
Oh gosh…I love them all.

Who are your main influences?
My art teacher who pushed me to reach for more and all the wonderful classic artists and their works she introduced to me.

Do you (or did you) have an animal that is the muse behind your work?
I was into painting horses long before I met her but my special horse was a mare named Majesty who was my partner in every way. We only had five short years together before she was taken from me but no horse before or since has compared to her and the special bond we had.

Do you have any secret rituals you do to help you get in the zone for your art?
No I just tend to get restless and start thinking I need to paint something.

Is there a particular place that brings you inspiration?
More like a certain horse or animal that I feel I need to get down on canvas or pastel paper.

What effect do you think the Internet will have on art in general?
Both helpful and unhelpful.

It is a great way to get your art out there but there is so much competition from other great artists trying to also be noticed.

Has it had an effect on yours?
Yes, through perseverance I am slowly becoming more known.

Which one is your personal favorite piece?
It is not a horse…lol…but a piece I did of the old barn which was my pappa’s [grandfather] workshop. As I was painting it, he drove up and turned on the light to work there for a while. I happily painted in the light in the window.

Would you ever sell it?
No it belongs to my mother now.

What else are you passionate about?
I have always loved children [had four] and now have eight grandchildren. I also enjoy working in my flowerbeds.

Working on anything new?
I’m sure I will be soon. I have several new works that I have not posted yet [waiting on a part for my camera to pc connection]. I teach several art classes at the local art council and I usually start projects while

More to Come

Thanks to Cindy for answering the interview and sharing her work. Be sure to check out her gallery website periodically for her latest work.

Also stay tuned for more interviews with horse artists and photographers.
Are you a horse artist or do you know an equine artist you’d like to see featured? Add your name and website in the comments below or drop me a note to get involved.