Emily

We were so excited to get a dog! I had one as a kid, but he was more my dad's dog, so this was the first time I had a dog of my own. It was a hard adjustment to having the responsibility of another being in our home. We didn't have kids yet (I had no clue what responsibility would eventually feel like!) But we were happy to expand our family.

When TJ left for Iraq, Emily went with me to Vermont. She went to work with me and ran along as I rode horses. She would chase the cats and anything else that ran. She got hit by a porcupine once.. but let us get all the quills out with hardly a flinch. She went for my miles-long walks several times a week all through the hard winters, she even went with me when I skied. She loved my dad and his truck and would sleep for hours when he let her in it. We would have to pull her out. She loved swimming and barking at me when my horses got too fast on the lunge line.

When we had kids, she was watchful, gentle and allowed them to do their worst! Pulled ears, yanked tail, patting that was more a slap.. Nothing phased her. She let them sit on her, put their feet on her and chase her, but she happily let them. She was a perfect kid dog with no hint of aggression. She would even let them mess with her food while she ate.. They ate some of it from time to time too!

As she got older, she got less attention from us as ours was taken up by four little ones, but we still loved her dearly and wanted the best for her. Moving was getting harder for her and she really needed a quieter life. We re-homed her before this last move to give her that calmer and quieter existence.. She was very pampered and content with a doting owner and puppy pal.

Sadly, Lindsey called me to tell me Emily was sick. The extent was much worse than we originally thought. Failing kidneys and cancer, so Lindsey made the decision to let Emily go painlessly. However, she was unable to complete the task herself, so I volunteered.

The kiddos and I got to spend some time with her before saying goodbye.  Then I took her for her last drive. She could barely walk, wouldn't eat, could barely wag her tail to show us she knew us. But I know she was happy to be with us one last time.

She went peacefully and fast, quietly sleeping her longest sleep.
But this is how we will remember her: Happy and full of life in a field of flowers.

Creations By Jess

Vineyard Colors

For starters, have I mentioned how great people are about using their photography for other forms of art? I haven't had a negative response yet, and some people go out of their way to encourage it!

Vineyard Colors is a Facebook page of two photographers from Martha's Vineyard who take pictures from all over the area on a daily or nearly daily basis. Their work is FANTASTIC and gives me so much inspiration that it was hard to know where to begin! They encourage artists to use their work as inspiration with the simple request of receiving a picture of the completed work so they can post it, with credit, to their page!

Please go to their page and like it! You won't be disappointed!

Here are two pieces I have created from their photography. They are for sale! Enjoy!

"Ocean of Colors"
18 X 24

Photo By Vineyard Colors

"Summer Dream"
Two 16 X 20 panels
$90.00

Photo By Vineyard Colors

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CGF Absolutely Incredible

 I have made mention to my horse past by referencing the farm I worked at: Cedar Grove Farm in Peacham, Vermont. I have given a little information about my experiences there, but I don't think I could ever express the depth of the effect this place had on me while growing up. Probably one of the most beautiful places in Peacham (though I may be biased).

Mike and Kathy Hartong are wonderful people who gave me such an opportunity! I was taught how to take care of horses and how to train them from the day they were born, forward. I was shown the immense responsibility it took to care for these breath-taking animals. I was given the freedom to build my skills and the trust to work with their wonderful horses on an almost daily basis.

One of my earlier experiences training was with a young stallion named CGF Absolutely Incredible or better known as "Able". At almost 17, I had never handled a stallion, but as a two-year-old, he hadn't come into himself yet. He was so sweet, and still is! Not to mention stunning from head to toe. I'm not sure any of us realized how beautiful and gentle he would be or the stunning offspring he would produce.

One particular ride, probably when he was a three or four year-old, I remember feeling that 'stallion' power kick in. I had never experienced a horse show me his immense ability and power while being so gentle. He kicked into gear better than he had ever gone for me and I was blown away by the trust these animals have for the humans that work with them! I remember pulling him from his gait into a halt and just sitting there trying to catch my breath while marveling at the fact that I had such an existence that any young girl would give their right arm for! I knew how blessed I was and I am forever grateful!

He is the first stallion I had ridden. The first one I had helped train. One of the first Rocky Mountain Horses I fell in love with and has given me the desire to own, raise, and train for myself. For now, I can show my love of the Rocky Mountain Horse by putting them on canvas and hopefully showing others how magnificent they are!

Mike and Kathy, thank you for giving a young girl, you didn't know, a chance of a lifetime! Thank you for letting me use your beautiful photography in my work! I miss you and the horses, but am so glad for all I learned working for and with you both! Hopefully I will get the chance to visit again soon!

Here is my newest venture: CGF Absolutely Incredible

"CGF Absolutely Incredible"
Acrylic on Canvas
16 X 20

Photo by Cedar Grove Farm

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Piano: Then and Now

We started the piano project about a month ago. I also wrote a piece about it with my before pictures. This is an old player piano.. about 98 or so years old! We took it off someone's hands for free... (with much joy on my part; soreness and a choice word or two on my husbands'...) =D

Here is what we did to it.

• Pulled, unscrewed, and yanked  nearly everything out of the insides... (blisters!! those screws were TOUGH!! They don't make things like they used to!)
• Vacuumed as much dust (maybe 100 years worth??) as possible (along with a mouse nest or two!!)
• Used dish soap and water to scrub it inside and out
• HOSED it off!!
• (Repeated scrub and rinse)
• Sanded rough spots
• Cut and put in braces for shelves
• Cut boards for shelves X 3
• Cut and fit center braces for shelves
• Primer
• 3 coats of navy paint (enamel). (did you know there are MANY MANY different shades of navy???) Hubby did good I think!!
• Drilled a hold in back for keyboard plug
• Begged a neighbor's help in shoving, pushing, man-handling the VERY HEAVY GUTTED piano inside. (I own him and my hubby LOTS of cookies!) They barely left a scratch!!
• Put shelves into piano
• Put electric piano where old keys used to be
• Added touch-up paint
• Put final bottom panel back on piano

And Whaa laaa. Now we have a functional keyboard stand with built-in shelves and slots for our music holder! Costs were about $25.00 plus LOTS of time.

Tell me what you think!!



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WGC Raising the Bar

WGC Raising the Bar is a Rocky Mountain stallion owned by Myranda Elliot. I had the great pleasure to paint a picture of her beautiful horse and here it is for you all to see! Myranda took some stunning photographs of her horse and since I am an avid horse enthusiast (specifically Rockies), I asked her if I could use them to paint from! She agreed (yay!) and this is the result!

I must say that this was a challenge; both because my skills are still being honed, but also because these horses are very important to me. I grew up near a Rocky Mountain horse farm and had the opportunity to work with them and train them. Most of what I know about horses has been from my work at Cedar Grove Farm in Peacham, Vermont. It was important to me that this painting present these horses in a beautiful and true way. Luckily I had a fantastic photography to work from!

I no longer work with horses at this time. Military life is hard on animal ownership, so it is on the back burner for now, but being able to paint them gave me such joy! It's certainly not the same as being able to run a brush over them, smell the hay, oats, and grain in the barn, or watch them learn something new as a result of careful thought and teaching.. It's definitely not like being able to feel the rush and the power while racing across a field or hear the cadence of the four-beat gait Rockies are famous for; but it was wonderful to have a connection of some kind. One that will be on my wall for awhile (until it sells). =) But that is the joy of painting! I will simply have to make more!

I hope you enjoy this too! I would love to hear your thoughts! And if you are interested in my work or would like to purchase a painting or commission one, check out the rest of this site or contact me at jess.hooser@gmail.com!

WGC Raising the Bar
Acrylic on Canvas
16 X 20

WGC Raising the Bar
Photo by Myranda Elliot
http://coppercreekfarm.webs.com/

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