Memories on the Shore

So some of you may recall that, around this time last year, I lost my dog of 13 yrs (Dixie) and my cat of 18 years (Bootsey). Well their lack presence has left a very big hole in the lives of myself and my mother. So this year, for the holidays, I decided I would do something involving not just them but our FIRST carriage horse Big Al. I posted pictures of him a long time ago but he sadly passed away about 3 years ago as well. Mom was with him when he passed and I think it still haunts her. He was a huge horse (over 18 hh) and when he passed he apparently just 'laid down and never got up again'. Mom had been walking him because we were worried he had colic but that morning the big guy just...decided it was his time and left.

I can tell she still REALLY misses all of them so I figured this would be something she would like and help us both heal a little bit. It's been one hell of a process making this. From the start it was pretty emotionally draining to draw. When I finished the sketch I just...cried because I really miss them all so much too but seeing them all together and happy? It really made me feel good.
Then came the actual color part. XDD I discovered a little late that I was practically out of white paint which made making this a pain ><. So I switched to Oil Pastels for the water after watching a few tutorial videos and practicing. Sadly the pastels did not take to the canvas like I hoped but I still like it. ^_^

The background I switched to water colors for because I've always liked them and I wanted something softer than pastels.
5 days or work later and Ta DA!

PS: My camera makes this look a LOT lighter than it actually is ><