Steven Rhude - Paintings/Drawings

Boat and Fence, Cape Spear, oil on canvas, 37" x 49",private collection St. John's. Leaving the Air B&B in the morning - headed down King Street. A woman, blue house coat, goofy slippers, smoking a cigarette with her coffee, standing in a doorway. He nods good morning. Same day, evening, more walking, same woman, jeans, tan linen shirt, smoking a cigarette with her wine. Newly opened bottle by the door. Woman: "Saw you go past here a few times now. You must walk a lot, you're wearin out my side walk."  Nova Scotia: "Yes, touring the city and area."  Woman: "Wheres you belong?" Nova Scotia: "Sorry?" Woman: "Where you from?" (emphasis on from)  Nova Scotia: "Oh, Nova Scotia"  Woman: "Ah... New Scotland, didn't like the old one?" Nova Scotia: "Sorry?" Woman: "You apologize a lot" Nova Scotia: "Oh, I get it, ya sorry" Woman: Well Nova Scotia, car...

Horse, Church, Cheverie, oil on canvas, 48" x 48", private collection My first contact with the horse as a subject in painting was as a kid when I came across a George Stubbs reproduction of a lion attacking a horse; a viscous attack on the nature of spirit. Later, Da Vinci's Battle of Anghiari studies/drawings caught my attention in a monograph on his life's work. Subsequently, as an adult at art college, the riderless horse that made Kennedy's funeral at Arlington Cemetery so dramatic, was once discussed in class by John Gould - we were riveted by the historical account he proffered to us. The church in Cheverie is in reality down the road from this location. The horse was a Grey Hanoverian that turned white as it aged. Cheverie speaks for itself. Steven Rhude, Wolfville, NS.