Bundled at the Races by Linda Volrath, oilPainting is a poetic visual language. One of the most satisfying aspects of creating my paintings is using this language to translate a fleeting moment in a tangible and permanent way.
I’m endlessly inspired and fascinated by the thrilling sports of steeplechase racing and foxhunting and the beautiful countryside that encompasses them. Incredible sights, sounds, and events unfold. Jockeys and grooms, athletic horses, hounds, and wildlife all have their role to play. I see my job as an artist to be the visual storyteller. The passion I have for these equine traditions and rural way of life seems perfectly paired with my passion to paint. It is a gold mine of images for my artistic vision.
Each of my paintings begins as a strong mental image. My goal is to communicate what inspired me about the scene by filtering visual elements and composing the painting to reflect only the essential concept. A figure or animal usually plays the starring role, with surrounding elements selected to balance and complete the composition. I set out to portray my personal vision of the sense of place, light of the day, and spirit of the animal. Conveying the gesture and action of an animal or figure is of greater importance to me than rendering every detail. Even clouds, rolling hills, and trees have gesture, an underlying rhythm and motion. Old stone walls, trailers, tents and spectators, or the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills are often included. While key elements depicted may remain true to the event and location, they are employed in a way that makes the most visually striking painting.
Top of the Day, Glenwood Park by Linda Volrath, oilMy task is to compel the viewer to zero in on one main area of interest. I want their eye to travel across a canvas and into the depth of a scene, yet return to the main focal point. For example, in “Top of the Day, Glenwood Park,” the receding clouds create a directional line that points your eye to the center of interest, which is the chestnut horse and jockey. The starter and timber fence serve to hold your eye within the composition without competing with the focal point.
Oil is my chosen medium for its versatility, sculptural qualities, and jewel-like tones. It can be transparent and luminous or opaque with an enamel-like surface. Employing this full range of possibilities allows me to achieve the three-dimensional aspect I’m after. To ensure that my paintings have impact when viewed from a distance, I develop a strong underlying design of shapes. Upon closer look, a viewer’s interest is maintained by a variety of brushwork and texture.
One of my favorite new subjects emerged unexpectedly as the result of a particularly cold and blustery race day. Huddled up figures bundled in their scarves and oil slickers are shown toughing it out to the bitter end. This subject beautifully reflects the weather qualities and reinforces the mood of the painting.
On more than one occasion, only after completing and exhibiting a painting, I have been pleasantly surprised to learn of an intriguing story behind the subject portrayed. These connections of personal significance that people share with me seem providential and are especially rewarding.
With an innate ability to draw and a compulsion to sketch pictures of animals since early childhood, I always knew I would be an artist. Acquiring solid skills with which to accomplish this required years of training and serious dedication. I first attended college in Philadelphia for graphic design and illustration, and then had a successful career as and editorial illustrator and art director. Meanwhile, I traveled to study with nationally renowned oil painters that I admired, and devoted every spare moment to honing my skills. I began exhibiting and competing on a national level, garnered awards from the American Academy of Equine Art and the Allied Artists of America in New York, and quickly gained the interest of eager collectors and galleries. I am now solely devoted to painting.
There’s a longstanding relationship between equestrian sports and traditional oil painting. I value this connection and ensure that my methods and materials are of highest archival standards to stand the test of time. There’s something so satisfying about knowing my paintings will reach beyond this generation.
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Linda Volrath lives in the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and is represented by The Sporting Gallery in Middleburg, Virginia and Main Street Gallery in Annapolis, Maryland. For more of this artist’s work, visit her website.
Posted March 18, 2011
Previously published FHL articles on Art are available by clicking on “Art” under the “Horse and Hound” dropdown menu.