My attraction to horses has become a healing force, a means of escaping my sorrow and a kind of symbol for my father. I have come to honor them for possessing the same unyielding qualities that my father possessed. They have a generosity that transcends reason.

In my art I try to portray the many aspects and spirit of the equine world. I strive to capture and celebrate their grace and power. I focus in on the subject to just the point of abstraction to convey their essence and inner calm. My work is one of constant discovery of the different shapes, light, shadow and movement these compositions create and how these formal elements welcome you into their world.

I work in black and white, 35 mm on photographic fiber paper. After teaching high school photography, I wanted to incorporate my background in drawing. From my photographs, I center in on a section that provides an interesting aspect of the composition. I translate, from these photo compositions, graphite drawings or water color paintings, which renders a more human interaction while still considering the abstract qualities of the image. I find the transition from photography to drawing most intriguing and exciting and often end up with something unexpected and unique.

My latest work continues to consider the relationship between horse and humans but in the realm of remembrance. The theme of death has a long history in art. Death, by virtue of its inevitability, encourages us to remember it's more desirable counter-part, Life. In particular, the moments that meant the most to us, those precious relationships we have had with the equine mystique. Working on the human and horse skeletons has allowed me a new energy to explore, discover and reflect on my own mortality.

Robyn Duenow