58 SIDELINES APRIL 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
A “Crow’s” Eye View on Equine Art
By Amy Herzog
It’s all about perspective for equine painter James
L. Crow. James and his wife Molly breed American
Saddlebreds and attend equine sporting events as
fans, which gives James a perspective not often seen in
paintings -- that of the fan.
“Over the years I have met the people and their horses
and marveled at the expression of beauty, athleticism,
and connection with people that horses enjoy. I try to paint
horses from the perspective of a fan at sporting events
and as a true lover of the animal,” James said.
For 27 years James has been creating work using oil,
watercolor, and charcoal to bring his vision to life on the
canvas. With the aid of photographs for reference, James
often uses his own mares and foals as subjects. He also
uses animals participating in competitions and races which
provides James with a front row seat to some of the most
intimate moments in a horse’s life and the relationships
the animals form with one another and humans.
In a painting entitled “First Day,” a mare and foal bond
for the frst time alone together in a feld. James utilizes a
romantic style of painting paired with expert knowledge of
light and shadow, along with color, to not only show the
intimacy of the encounter, but to also convey the emotion
behind it as well.
“Most fans of mine describe my work as atmospheric
and life-like, which is fne with me because my goal is to
represent each horse as a recognizable individual and to
capture their worlds through the use of the play of light on them
and the backgrounds,” said James.
Over the years James has enjoyed much success, starting with
the sale of a painting titled “Summer Shower” to the Marchioness
James Crow’s “Summer Shower” resides on permanent display at
Woburn Abbey in Bedforshire, England.
e
of Tavistock in 1983. It was through this sale that James realized
he could make a living as a fulltime equine painter. “Summer
Shower” now resides on permanent display at Woburn Abbey in
Bedforshire, England.
James has also taught workshops for the American Academy
of Equine Art or AAEA, with the president of
the organization, Xochitl (Sheila) Barnes, as
one of his frst students and most successful
students to date. “He is a generous teacher,
a true professional and has been a huge
part of the AAEA for many, many years. I
am proud to call him my friend,” Sheila said.
With a degree in Art from Wooster
College in Wooster, Ohio, James worked
as an illustrator prior to becoming a
fulltime painter. His work is exhibited at
horse venues and conventions; and he
is represented by the Collectors’ Gallery
in Lexington, Kentucky, Raintree Gallery
in Versailles, Kentucky and Dog and
Horse Fine Art Gallery, in Charlestown,
South Carolina. His work can be viewed
at http://jameslcrow.com/ and http://www.
horseartgallery.com.
About the writer: Amy Herzog is a freelance writer
and photographer who has been riding hunter/jumper’s
since second grade. She has a BA in Communication
from DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania.
“Cross Country” by James L. Crow.
Oil on board, 11 x 14