Horse Artist Interview – Jennifer Pratt

Name
Jennifer Pratt

Website & Places you can find my work online
Website: www.jennpratt.com
Studio Blog: jennprattequineartist.wordpress.com
Canadian Artwork Series Blog: sporthorseartwork.wordpress.com
Facebook: Equestrian Artist Jennifer Pratt
Follow Jennifer on twitter: @jennprattartist

Where I am
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada

Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?
I’ve been drawing horses since I was a child, but later when it came to choosing a career, I choose to study Interior Design. I graduated at the top of my class and practiced in the field with serveral well recognized corporate and hospitality design firms in Downtown Toronto.

I was quickly making my way to a project management role, but this left me very empty creatively. It was after my move out of the ‘big city’ that I started to draw horses again.

My equine artwork began to sell and I soon weaned myself off my previous career

I do believe that studying design was a great asset to my in my artistic career regardless of the fact that I didn’t continue within that profession.

When did you first start drawing horses?
It began more seriously in high school. I was lucky to attend a high school that had a multi-faceted arts program. I was able to create horse art in many medias, Scupture (clay and plaster), wood carving, painting, drawing and photography, including darkroom time.

What is your favorite breed?
Hmm, tough question! I love anything warmblood! I have a keen personal interest in sporthorse breeding and try as best I can to learn about bloodlines. I most like to study Canadian Bred Sporthorse Breeders.

After years of importing horses, I believe we have plenty of great quality horses being bred right in our own backyard.

Do you (or did you) have an animal that is the muse behind your work?
I do own a very special mare, named “Illy”. She is by a Dutch Stallion out of a Thbd/Trak mare. She is truly full of character, and has loads of presence. However; I freely admit she is not the ideal mount for me given the amount of time I have to commit to riding. I”m just too attached to her to let her go.

Do you have any secret rituals you do to help you get in the zone for your art?
LOL..I have a few..but first coffee..then music, most importantly!

Is there a particular place that brings you inspiration?
I love hilltops…anywhere that has a view over a distance. Whether it be over looking fields or oceans…I dream of one day owning a house on a hill with a spectacular view.

What effect do you think the Internet will have on art in general?
Positive! we can get our work out and viewed to a much larger audience. There are so many tools today to choose from.

Has it had an effect on yours?
About 80% of my business comes from internet marketing, or via my website.

Which one is your personal favorite piece?
Another tough question. Probably my coloured pencil drawing of my mare Illy, which I gave to my husband for his birthday one year (the horse was actually bought for him) I spent weeks on it and it is probably the most luminous coloured pencil drawing I have ever done.

Would you ever sell it?
I would say not, but everything is for sale if the dollar is right…

What else are you passionate about?
Art History, I love reading and studying the work of the great masters.

Working on anything new?
Plenty! I recently decided to put aside the coloured pencils which I have worked in for years, to delve into oil media. It is an exciting transition and I have found a new freedom with oils that I was not able to express with pencil media. There is nothing like being totally immersed in a painting and seeing it come alive! I am also using much more ‘colour’ than I did in the past..as you can clearly see by looking through my current portfolio!

More to Come

Thanks to Jennifer for answering the interview and sharing her art. Be sure to subscribe to her art blog for updates about her latest works.

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.

*Top Image – Eye Study – Quiz D’Orange : 8×10 oil on linen, available for purchase