“You never know when a spark which leads to a painting will first appear,” Bonnie Marris says. “I was at an event in California when I saw this amazing horse waiting under the lights on the sidelines. This spectacular horse had a mesmerizing look that I couldn’t take my eyes off, as if he had so much to say. As he swept the awards that night, I learned his name was Jack.
“There’s a kind of magic in making a connection with your subject one-on-one rather than as part of a pack or herd. As an artist, when I see this spark in any animal, I can’t wait to get back into the studio and capture it. The challenge and real reward is passing that connective spark to the collector.”