Horses are beautiful and intriquing animals, and they're fascinating and fun to paint. Besides, most of the people I know who have dogs have horses too.

One of those people has a nationally renowned stable down the street from where I live. He has a lot of world champions. There are at least fifteen colts who appear every year in the spring. And every year, people in the region make it a tradition to drive by to watch the babies play in the field.

I was one of the regulars, and I noticed how similar young colts were to young children when they nuzzle up to their mothers. It occurred to me that this is a universal feeling and that this image would make an nice painting. That way everyone might get the same great feeling I get when I see these quarter horses at cuddle time. - JW