Angel’s Eye – 18 x 26 gallery wrapped canvas, originally $375, now $195

On my journey there have been many images that were pure gifts, the kind of thing you can’t create or plan, they just seem to happen; the result of being in right place at the right time, and having the ability to see. There were many such gifts in my early years (2006-2009) Birth of a Mermaid and Angel’s Eye are two of the best. Angel’s Eye is by far the most popular image I ever made; no matter what I printed it on– brushed copper, canvas, or fine art paper, it was always breathtaking. It was a centerpiece and staple at all of my shows, and inevitably there would be at least one person who would walk into my booth, stand in front of it, and cry.

Angel was about three years old when I took this picture.  She lived several miles from me at my best friend Sylvie’s house so I saw her often. She was too young to ride so our relationship had more to do with the quiet, gentle, almost intimate conversations we had. Only another horse lover can understand the depth of the wordless communication one can have with these magnificent creatures. It was late afternoon in early February and there was still deep snow on the ground, but I decided to bring my camera anyway.  We had just finished one of our conversations when I asked her if she would let me take her picture. She stood totally still, as if to say yes. I brought the camera up to my eye, gazed into hers through the lens of my camera, and clicked the shutter. She didn’t startle, or whinny, she just turned around and slowly walked away, as if her part of the agreement was over. And indeed, it was. She had given me a chance to capture her magnificent eye, and it opened a window into her proud and gentle soul. It was an unrepeatable moment and I knew it. When I look at it today, I can still remember the moments when I’d put my nose next to hers and we’d share each other’s breath. If we’re lucky in life we get to have at least one connection like this to another species, this was mine. But the photo is a pure gift, from Angel to you.