I had assumed, like petticoats and roller skates, that my horse crazy days were long behind me. The summer 2009, living next door to a horse named Cassidy, rekindled many childhood memories and desires. I guided Cassidy's walk and trot across paper and canvas. Interwoven among the horse tracks I traced river rocks and listed words.

Back in Raleigh I started the paintings in my studio. Words hint of stories, of place, conditions or interactions. The words could be included at any stage in the process or not at all. When I took the pieces to a nearby farm I worked with the horses and their tracks recorded the process. The individual stride, rhythm, the size and pressure of the mark are unique to each horse. Many trips between studio and farm were required before the paintings were mounted on stretchers. The drawings were photographed on a black background.

Marty Baird Project List

Marty Baird Project List