Hampton's Horse Farm
Richard Hampton
raised draft horses, trained them and then took
them to the Pennsylvania Amish country to sell
them. They are beautiful animals. If you have never
been around draft horses you have really missed a
treat. Their massive size is at first intimidating
but you soon come to realize that they can be grace
personified.
Sadly Richard gave up his lease and moved from the area. The farm and it's beautiful meadows has now become a flea market.
Sadly Richard gave up his lease and moved from the area. The farm and it's beautiful meadows has now become a flea market.
Draft Tack, watercolor
This tack was hanging in Richard's barn and as soon as I spotted it I knew I had found an excellent subject for a painting. I asked Richard to leave it for me just as it was and drove all the way back to the studio to get my lights and stands so I could photograph it. These are some of the tools that Richard used to work with these magnificent animals. Their placement was accidental and made a great composition.
This tack was hanging in Richard's barn and as soon as I spotted it I knew I had found an excellent subject for a painting. I asked Richard to leave it for me just as it was and drove all the way back to the studio to get my lights and stands so I could photograph it. These are some of the tools that Richard used to work with these magnificent animals. Their placement was accidental and made a great composition.
Above, detail images
of Draft
Tack
Patient Wait, watercolor
This was a pregnant Belgian Mare, thus the title, Patient Wait. The device in the foreground is called a ground sled. Ground sleds were and are still used here in our mountains to transport just about anything they can be loaded with. Historically many areas were roadless, particularly during certain times of the year when it snowed or rained, to the point that trails were inaccessible to wagons and carts. Ground sleds were not hindered by weather, especially when being pulled by such massive animals. Richard used this sled to help train his draft horses to pull heavy loads. It was constructed of white oak timbers and weighed a considerable amount unloaded.
This was a pregnant Belgian Mare, thus the title, Patient Wait. The device in the foreground is called a ground sled. Ground sleds were and are still used here in our mountains to transport just about anything they can be loaded with. Historically many areas were roadless, particularly during certain times of the year when it snowed or rained, to the point that trails were inaccessible to wagons and carts. Ground sleds were not hindered by weather, especially when being pulled by such massive animals. Richard used this sled to help train his draft horses to pull heavy loads. It was constructed of white oak timbers and weighed a considerable amount unloaded.
Patient Wait, Detail
This painting was sold by a gallery which refused to release the name of the purchaser. I subsequently stopped exhibiting through them and they have since gone out of business. I would appreciate it if anyone could let me know the provenance of this painting. I would very much like to make reproductions of this work.
This painting was sold by a gallery which refused to release the name of the purchaser. I subsequently stopped exhibiting through them and they have since gone out of business. I would appreciate it if anyone could let me know the provenance of this painting. I would very much like to make reproductions of this work.
Ground Sled, watercolor
A side view of the sled.
A side view of the sled.
Surrey Mower, watercolor
This is one of the many horse drawn implements that Richard kept on the farm to use when training his draft horses. Although it is resting in an overgrown weed patch, it was fully functional and used quite regularly.
This is one of the many horse drawn implements that Richard kept on the farm to use when training his draft horses. Although it is resting in an overgrown weed patch, it was fully functional and used quite regularly.
Percheron, watercolor
A Percheron drinking from the water trough in the early morning light.
A Percheron drinking from the water trough in the early morning light.
Lookout, watercolor
This mule stuck his head out of the window to investigate what I was up to.
This mule stuck his head out of the window to investigate what I was up to.