Neesha Khan_The Schoolmaster_Oil_30”x30”_2021_© Neesha Khan
A life sized head portrait oil painting on square cotton canvas of a Schoolmaster horse. A Bay horse tacked up ready and waiting to teach as the Schoolmaster carries the rider safely and purposefully. Dedicated to all my horse riding instructors who brought a new lease of life in me with their passion, dedication, knowledge and teaching with the Schoolmaster who carries me soundly. These instructors, well- educated, experienced, who have the resilience to teach, I have met over the years have been enthusiastic. They all have creative methods of teaching which reciprocates to the nervous rider. Their determination and dedication to teach to the full capacity has been remarkable.
“The horse won’t let you fall…” she say’s and rightly so he carries me carefully hearing my excitement of a relationship building up to a union during a ‘moment of suspension’ over the poles.
Another instructor teaches me: “to earn my trust…he will trust you over the poles” so I aim to build my relationship during warm-up to please my gallant horse.
Another instructor guides me through canter in a circle enthusiastically, not forcefully but safely and building my trust and faith in her aswell.
Another instructor guides me through canter in a circle enthusiastically, not forcefully but safely to build my trust in her aswell.
Another instructor teaches me the art of repetition in shallow loop, repeating and fine tuning until I am one with my Schoolmaster.
Another instructor has faith in me of that of a professional rider. They all want you to succeed with positive and informative teaching, giving me enlightenment for education in Equitation.
Another has taught me if the horse resists it is trying to tell me something.
Their teaching has helped me in supporting horse welfare and understanding behaviour.
The Schoolmaster’s teaching has guided, protected me and has been concerned over my welfare when I fall. It has taught me the wrongs and rights of riding but only if you recognise it’s teachings. He signals me with a glance for well done when I satisfy and please him and ride him correctly for us both.
To answer the question why do you paint? What is this painting for? My answer continues to be, it is to create a positive impact with the equus, to stay true to my values, to educate. I must feel a theme, a reason why I created an image to remind people or educate or to express my opinion. Art makes you see the truth. My love for horses is undeniable. Therefore, it takes as long as it does to create my own masterpiece.
This month’s calendar photo shows tacked up horses as I began this painting, it is sign for the tacked-up Schoolmaster, ready to go.