Valerie Mangion
Horses
Forever and Always
What is it about horses? My earliest muses, horses still fascinate me and comprise a major portion of my imagery. It is especially rewarding to get to know my own horses - Rabbit, Dewey and Rocky - so well and to try to convey their personalities in my work. Note to other "horse people" - I love the Parelli program! It has helped me become much better with horses and to have a much better handle on their psychology. I hope this deeper knowledge is reflected in my paintings.
Oil on panel 6" x 6" 2016
Oil on panel 42" x 54" 2015
Lie Down, and Failing Oil on panel 42" x 48" 2015
Oil on panel 6" x 6" 2013
Oil on panel image 9 3/4" x 9 3/4" 2012 Cribbing is when a horse sets his teeth against a hard surface and sucks in air. It is a very addictive habit. Rabbit cribs every time after I give him a treat. I believe the latest thought is that cribbing might be the way a horse tries to relieve digestive upset, so poor Rabbit doesn't get many treats now. I can't cut him off entirely, though. He would be crushed.
Oil on panel 6" x 6" 2012 Rocky is over 30 years old. He is a rescue horse who has almost no teeth left. He costs a fortune to maintain, but he is such a sweet, co-operative old soul that he has stolen our hearts along with our wallets.
Oil on panel 20" x 20" 2005 I read a book about a woman who, back in the 1920's and '30's, rode diving horses into tiny pools of water. She went blind when her retinas ruptured after she hit the water with her eyes open. She continued to ride the diving horses, blind.
Oil on panel 20" x 20" 2005
Oil on panel 38" x 46" 2005 Rabbit seems to possess the wisdom of the ancient world. His eyes are so deep. I wish I was half as intelligent as he is - he knows all.
Gouache on paper image 9" x 11" 2004 (sold) I read that, in asian lore, monkeys were believed by samurai warriors to be the guardians of horses. I had to run with that theme.
Oil on paper image 9 1/2" x 12 7/8" 2003 (sold) I almost never paint more than one version of an image, but in this case, I did. I think the small version turned out better. (The large version is at the bottom of the Egypt series page.)
Oil on paper image 12 5/8" x 9" 2002 (sold) You can't make this stuff up. I saw this young lad and his fiery mount at a horse show/sale in Boaz, where I live.
Oil on panel 36" x 42" 2002 (sold)
Oil on paper image 9 5/8" x 6 1/8" 2002
Oil on paper image 9 3/4" x 6 1/8" 2002
Oil on panel 36" x 42" 2002 "Spirit" was the name of an animated Disney movie about a horse. I couldn't resist purchasing the tie-in broomstick horse. He neighed when you pressed his ears. What I love about painting is the different levels of reality. Can I make an image of a stuffed animal seem alive? Can I make an image of a real animal seem alive? Who has the biggest life force in this painting - Rabbit, Dewey, Spirit? The wood? Maybe I failed and none of it possesses that kind of presence.
Oil on panel 7 3/4" x 12" 2002
Oil on panel 6" x 8" 2001
Oil on panel 6" x 7 3/4" 2001
Oil on panel 6" x 8" 2001
Oil on panel 6" x 8" 2001
Oil on panel 42" x 60" 1998
Oil on panel 48 1/8" x 48 1/8" 1998
Oil on panel 42" x 48" 1998
Oil on panel 42" x 48" 1998
Oil on panel 42 1/4" x 48" 1997
Oil on panel 48" x 48 1/8" 1996 "The country" is misleading. What looks so beautiful and peaceful from a distance turns out to be full of various horrors and disappointments upon closer inspection. Death is just a constant out here. Ticks are everywhere, and noxious chemicals. I love living in the country, for the most part, but it can be pretty depressing once you realize what's going on.
Oil on panel 48" x 48 1/8" 1996