In case some of you didn't realize earlier, I have had such a lifelong adoration for horses...which immediately drew me to this like minded individual! It is a lovely surprise that puts a smile on one's face when things are just magical and occur by happenstance, such as my delightfully pleasant discovery here! One day recently, I was looking online at equine art and came across a spectacular video of an artist creating a life size painting of a horse, one that stood right beside her canvas and modeled! Then, to view her spectacular process during and what she did after painting, absolutely left me speechless, as I thought it was the most MAGNIFICENT thing that I had ever seen! Truly! My next thought and remark was, "What a brilliant and amazingly TALENTED artist that will no doubt be in the history books one day right beside George Stubbs!" Her name is Madeleine Bunbury...and if you have an immense love for horses and an appreciation of fine equine art, then you are certainly in for an incredible majestic sight, with the unveiling of each masterpiece from this very GIFTED artist. Her intricate paintings evoke emotion, touching one's heart, and soul,...as they are extraordinary and so breathtakingly beautiful. The whole magical experience was so brilliantly captured, as seen in her splendid video that I watched, which showed the process she goes through in completing each of her exceptional paintings. I am sure that this will be a lasting memory etched into a cornerstone of my mind, as it was so remarkably special seeing Madeleine paint a life-size portrait of her lovely ex-racehorse named Ernest...very special indeed, ...as her passion and love for horses shines through, with her phenomenal talent on display. She is able to put such life in her paintings, which is very impressive! To be taken through her entire process of before, during, and after painting was such a blissful journey that leaves you absolutely in awe of her artistic talent and immense love for horses...which is so endearing, so strongly felt, and very much appreciated!
After viewing Madeleine's awe-inspiring process to create such life-like paintings and then having the great privilege of talking with Madeleine about her extraordinary work,...I am excited to share with you a little about her! What a great example she is for us all...reminding us to be passionate about what we do in life and to follow our dreams! She says it is important to do the things in life that make you happy, as that is the beginning part of the journey to being able to create the "extraordinary" or in setting the tone for magical things to perhaps take place. Madeleine grew up on the island of Mustique and her great obsession, as she states, started with the horses on the island...spending a huge amount of time around them and riding as she grew up, particularly finding such joy in riding bareback along the sandy beach. When she wasn't around the horses, she was either thinking of them, dreaming of them, drawing or sketching them. Growing up in a highly creative household, with her mom being a designer, her mom always made sure that there were plenty of art supplies readily available for her to explore with and use. Her passion was naturally created and her creativity encouraged by supportive, loving parents. As we know, the freedom and joy of pursuing one's own creativity can unleash special gifts in young children, as well as in us all. We see that pure joy and oh what a precious gift we see in Madeleine, who is definitely a creative, artistic genius! Many believe that the horse is one of the most difficult creatures to paint. Well, she has mastered it with overwhelming success, which no doubt has included many years of observation, and many years of hard work and tremendous dedication to her art. Her magnificent horse paintings are a sight to behold, as she creates life from life on that canvas paying such attention to all of the unique details of the horse! I find it so interesting that at such a young age, Madeleine could foresee her life's work would be related to horses or art somehow! She talked about how a particular event helped her realize that this combination of painting life-size horses would be one of her greatest gifts to the world and to herself, as that is where she finds true happiness. "Sometimes a particular failure helps us see or realize our greatest gift," said Madeleine. She found her destined path in life ...or maybe perhaps it found her! As some would say, "She's living the dream!" Anyway, as destiny would have it, she is well on her way to being "one of the greatest artists of our time!" It is very clear that she is doing what she was meant to be doing in life and it is quite commendable that she has made a fabulous career out of doing something that she is so very passionate about, excelling beyond belief with such true excellence in her field! Truly, she has been on this amazing trajectory in becoming "one of the world's best painters," as we can certainly see with every artistic masterpiece creation of hers. Her marvelous work is so deeply appreciated by so many, especially equestrians. Madeleine has become a highly sought-after artist and is commissioned to travel to various places in the world to paint different breeds of horses in her grand, unique way...delighting horse owners, polo players, equestrians, and art enthusiasts all around the world.
The entire process that Madeleine works tirelessly at is so phenomenal, as she makes every part from beginning to end so detailed and wonderful. Madeleine paints each life size portrait of the horse using natural light streaming in from a certain direction or certain angles, as that is the way she was taught studying art in Florence, Italy from a highly regarded figure in the art world. Studying for three years under the critique of this master, she mainly painted people during this time with these terrific learned techniques. However, she always knew that she would put these skills to work and she would follow this lifelong dream of painting horses in the most beautiful way possible, up close and personal...and life size! Highly skilled in all aspects of art, Madeleine stretches her own giant canvases, hand grinds and mixes her own paints, usually creating a gorgeous palette of four colors to use. She brings the horse in to be the model, as she paints sight size, to create a sensational life size portrait. By doing this, she is also able to capture in her paintings the charming characteristics or the personality of the horse so to speak, from the mannerisms that she notices throughout the long hours and many days or weeks that it usually takes to create each masterpiece painting. She connects with the horse and pays attention to all of the details, including what makes the horse special, then works hard to portray that in the portrait painting. The way Madeleine interacts with the horses throughout this process leaves one thinking that she is also quite the horse whisperer! You can see her gentleness, her calmness, as well as the utmost love and respect that she has for these wonderful creatures. When the painting is finished, she then rides the horse, which beautifully shows how meaningful this experience has been to both the horse and to Madeleine, thus ensuring a forever, mutually cherished bond no doubt! The big, exciting reveal of the spectacular painting awaits,...and the horse is given the tremendous honor to be the first to see it, as she brings the horse back into the room to view and shows him the gorgeous painting, in which is evident that she was so deeply honored to paint. What a fabulous moment to witness...one so beautiful,...not soon to be forgotten! Everything she does is just so fantastic, done with a joyful heart in such a momentous, special way. Through Madeleine's process and seeing her talented creations, she brings tears of joy to one's eyes! I am sure it is an emotional response from most all who view the unveiling of her wonderful paintings,...including the horse! Madeleine puts her heart and soul, along with her enormous talent into creating something so extraordinaire! It is just so impressive and magical how she brings about such elation through her art, which also certainly gives one a deeper appreciation for these majestic horses.
Along with Madeleine's amazing talent, her process is incredibly significant in helping achieve such an exceptional end product and together that's why she has been commissioned by many notable figures from around the world, such as Prince William and also the Maharajah of Jaipur in India, along with many others, to come and paint their special horse. The National Sporting Library & Museum in Middleburg, Virginia has also recently commissioned her to do an important portrait painting, which is now on display there for all to admire. Madeleine enjoys spending time in Middleburg, Virginia - which she notes is a lovely equestrian community. She states that she is on a mission to paint at least eighty different horse breeds! This mission has already taken her to such places throughout Great Britain, India, Pakistan, America, Italy, Spain, and Argentina, to name a few. She is really looking forward to someday soon returning to Pakistan to paint other breeds and finds it to be such an interesting country with such a vibrant culture. Right now, she is spending part of the year in Great Britain, and the other half traveling with such focus to complete her mission. Wow! To make such a tremendous career doing what you are so passionate about since childhood,... using your talent, love, and skills in the most remarkable way and getting to travel all over the world, is a really precious gift! Madeleine is an inspiration in so many ways and is truly on such an extraordinary journey in life!
We, at WILD HORSE BOOTS, look forward to watching her continued journey to do remarkable things with her outstanding artistic talent and passion. She is so inspiring with her heartfelt adoration for horses, and her passion for painting, a perfect combination that she uses to create such sensational art, which we just absolutely love! "Madeleine Bunbury, remember her name, as she is definitely an extraordinary artist of our time, as well as, I am sure will be for many, many years beyond!" She has already received many accolades and achieved much success...Again, it is so wonderful to see her on her destined path and doing what makes her happy in life,...with such talent, heart, passion, and beauty shown in each masterpiece. She sure brings a lot of joy to us through her incredible paintings. Madeleine is an exceptionally talented artist and her detailed life size equine art that she fills with such life, using all of her fantastic techniques, is indeed something very special,...an unique gift to the world!
Madeleine...Thank you for allowing me to write this article, as it has been a true honor and special privilege to be able to do so. Thank you for loving horses and being such an advocate for them. Thank you for the amazing, gorgeous, memorable art that you create! Thank you for what you do!...I will always consider it to be one of the most splendid things that I have ever seen! Wishing you much continued success... -R
WILD HORSE BOOTS
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