Easter, Horse Racing, Art... for me its always connected.

Its four days until Easter. I admit it I’m not painting much at the moment. Mostly because I am taking a graphic design course and doing physical therapy; Both of which are extremely challenging to me.

I’m also trying to figure out how to obtain a new car if the old one breaks down. I’ve had my little purple car for 11 years. Admittedly, its seen better days, but I think I might salvage it and repair it if I can fund it in some way.

I’ve figured out that I need to sell about 77.071 $25.95 quick studies to keep it road worthy. A friend just called. She bought one. So I only need to sell 76.071

Of course if someone would just commission a $2500 painting that would solve a lot of problems right there. Or they could just buy "Strike the Gold" from my hall wall.

That painting has been following me around since I painted it in 1991. I wonder if I really don’t want to sell it for some reason.

 Maybe I am just trying to hang on longer to the victory as so much didnt turn out as expected. Here is a  painting of a former Kentucky Derby winner who was shipped off to stud overseas, a great boon for the breeding  industry in the country he was sent to. The Jocky has just a few momnets in Fame and was such a brilliant tallent but his career ended suddenly when he  died of a drug over dose from substance abuse he couldnt quite over come. Then there is the  huge Virginia connection there because the Trainer, Nick Zito had for years started all most all his  young horses started at Middleburg Training Track.

I used to live 5 minutes from the Training Track and had an open invitation to hang out in the morning for workouts, to photograph. Some really awesome horses ran past me on those mornings. Not to mention Hall of Fame trainers and riders. Salt of the earth and amazing stories. Some of the nicest people and the hardest working people I've ever met. And oh the horses! Breeder’s Cup horses. Derby winners.

 I lived in the house where Penny Tweedy's Aunt used to live the 5 years I was in Middleburg.  My dad inspected the house when I first moved in and pointed out that it had an unbelievable security system at one time. I happened to mention to Mrs. Tweedy that I was living there, when I met her at an event commemorating Secretariat's achievements sometime later. To this day what she told me has to be my favorite amusing story.

"Oh yes, we gave my aunt Secretariat's Triple Crown bowl. It was just another trophy to her. She kept it on the dining room table and put fruit in it. “That my friends, is vintage Middleburg.

Ah, the joys of being a non-agented independent artist and writer with no visible means of support.

So here I am pondering the fond memories of the traditional protestant Easter Week. We, at least in my family, have always celebrated the Joy of it: Christ Risen!

I’ve been remembering my time in Middleburg with some fondness as I watch the daffodils opening. I remember attending the churches there and then coming home to the mountain to have Easter Dinner with my parents and siblings.

April also brings the promise of a wonderful race and new champion horses on that first Saturday in May. Easter brings the reminder of a loving God who gave his only son that we could all have a future and a hope with him if we desired it. Is there a connection? New Beginnings. Clean slate.

When a horse wins the Kentucky Derby their entire racing history, their failures and their successes are gone as if they never mattered to the public. And the horse steps into a bright new future. Everywhere that horse goes his name is followed by Kentucky Derby winner. He marches into history wearing it.

Every time someone decides to believe God, they receive a brand new start, clean slate from that day forward they are known as God’s own. Old things are past away.

Of course there are obvious differences. But really they are both heart issues.The brightest and the best don’t always receive the win. Sometimes the fastest are so intimidated by the personalities of the other racers that they falter at the finish. Sometimes there is a startle event that can range from interference on the rails to a simple shadow at the wrong time that distracts the runner. Yes, training and fitness and track play a big part in the running of races but when it comes down to it, It’s the heart desire of a racehorse that brings him to the win.

It is the heart of a person that desires to know God that brings them to the gift of the cross, against all odds, doubts, fears, interferences and obstructions.

My favorite verse: “Do not put your hope in men who run in the face of the enemy, nor in horses that fall beneath you in battle, but put your faith in the Lord Your God who Gives you Victory.” ~David, the First King of Israel 1010-970 BCE

"We are saved by Grace not in and of ourselves That God would be glorified in the Son; For THE Son took all our sins upon himself that by his blood we are cleansed and by his stripes we are healed."


"For God So Loved the World that He gave his only son, so that everyone who believes him, shall not perish, but will have everlasting life."