Lauren Herr

For as long as I can remember I have been drawn to horses. They seem to possess a certain magnetism that keeps me intrigued. I initially started creating portraits of domestic horses until I was introduced to the quickly vanishing wild mustangs of the American West.

As I learned more about them and their struggle to remain free I felt compelled to illustrate their lives. Everything that makes a horse such an appealing subject, the strong line of their back, the graceful curve of their neck, long flowing mane and deep soulful eyes, seems to be amplified in these wild creatures. There is something truly magical about seeing these horses, completely self sufficient, living free as nature inteded raising their offspring and forming deeply bonded family bands.

I capture moments of tenderness, friendship, curiosity, and playfulness. Each piece begins with a pencil drawing on Arches watercolor paper. I use powdered charcoal to block in the values followed by a series of gouache washes to seal the charcoal to the paper. Then I apply layers upon layers of soft pastels to create depth and form. These finished portraits represent a living symbol of American Heritage.

I hope my artwork will raise awareness about wild horses and encourage people to get involved. These horses belong to the American people and are worth saving.