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View Full Version : R.I.P. Mississippi (+ Artwork)

Flair
11-19-2008, 08:15 AM
One of my best friends (and my boss/supervisor) has been caring for an elderly arthritic Thoroughbred mare for the last few years. She did a marvelous job keeping the old girl going for all that time, and worked so hard to give her a good life. Even when they had to evacuate the horses in the fire, she was there to take care of the mare, and do what needed to be done.

Monday night was really special. We took the old mare out to graze, and gave her lots of love. She had a good last night, although nobody really knew it was going to be her last night. We all knew her time was eventually coming because she'd lost her appetite, and was very thin, and had arthritis and kidney failure.

Tuesday morning, the poor dear couldn't get up anymore. And so she left this world with her owner in attendance, and giving her love. And my friend was able to get to the barn and say good-bye as well.

Last night, I started a project for her. I'm going to put a background on it, and print it out on really good paper, and frame it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/dreamswept/Missy-W-I-P.jpg

It's a work-in-progress. Still have to finish the mane. Line art is my own design, referenced off a model horse that I have.
lovesfortune
11-19-2008, 08:17 AM
Looks great so far. Can't wait to see the finished project!
valleyrider
11-19-2008, 08:25 AM
What a nice thing to do.. The drawing looks good. Please show us when it is done.
Flair
02-07-2009, 08:44 PM
And finally, finally finally, I've managed to get this picture to look the way I wanted it.

I darkened the mare's coloring up since she was more of a dark bay/brown (very nearly looked black to the untrained eye, but was definitely drkb/br.) and then worked at her mane and tail using some brushes. Looks rather nice. I wanted something that had a realistic looking mane and tail rather than just making something with the burn and dodge tools.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/dreamswept/Doodles/Missy-WIP2.jpg

And now comes the really really fun part. Making a good background. *DIE*
FatSpottedAppy
02-07-2009, 08:56 PM
That's awesome! I especially love the face. Good job.
PoniesRock101
02-07-2009, 09:43 PM
good job! she sounds like she was an amazing horse!
Gypsy Rose
02-07-2009, 09:58 PM
Looks fantastic!
Steelhorserider
02-08-2009, 05:22 AM
I like it very much....what a thoughtful gift for a friend.