Viva the horse—le cheval, o cavalo, il cavallo, el cavall, el caballo, pferd, häst, paard, perd, hevonen, hest, hestur, kon, cuddy, and yarraman.  Yes, if you love equine art, you're going to be seeing more of it here. See the cave painting from Lascaux above. Obviously, the artist who created it never thought of being a Cowboy/Western artist, an equestrian or thoroughbred portrait painter, a pastoralist or a wildlife artist.

Chances are that you've never heard of the Equine Art Advisory Board.  That's because up until this precise moment it hasn't officially existed.  But exist now it does.  It's comprised of a group of people Wildlife Art Journal magazine has called upon to help ensure that artists who choose to celebrate the horse are amply represented on these virtual pages.

Foremost, the EAAB aims to tear down the superficial, artificial divide that's been erected  between wild animals and domestic ones.  The Iron Curtain rises most prominently between portrayers of "wildlife" and the horse.  As a result, people tend to array themselves into different camps.

But it's supposed to be about the art, not the subject, right?

Indeed, we've heard some self-annointed authorities assert that "wild" horses, which is to say feral animals descended from the tamed ones brought to North America by Spanish Conquistadors five centuries ago, fail to qualify as worthy of representation the same way that grizzlies and elephants do.

Who can disagree that the horse is an amazing animal.  Its form is as alluring as any creature found in the wilderness.  So, viva the horse! Enjoy the EAAB's first recommended essay from Julie T. Chapman on what inspires her as a painter of animals, including the steed.  If you have suggestions for horse-themed art stories, send them to us: editor@wildlifeartjournal.com and they will be passed along to the EAAB for consideration.

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