When I first start thinking about a new painting, I gather together my reference photos, sketches, paints, brushes and ask myself, what do I really see here. What grabs me, makes me want to create? Sometimes an unusual angle or a shaft of sunlight sparks the beginning of a painting. It's magical to me... I watch the spirit of the animal come to life under my brushes. My colours are a little unusual, or so I've been told. When I see a gray horse they can appear to me in violets, pinks, blue violets and magentas. A bay appears to me in deep blue violets and sunlight oranges. I don't question my colour sense, I let it naturally develop, my job is to let go and let it happen. I lose track of time, lose myself, and connect with my source and creation. My intent in my work is to capture a moment, a second of present reality. The look, the heart, the essence of the animal, as I see, feel and sense them.    

                                                                                                          Dawn R Tooth