Spirit Horses by Ruella Yates, who dreams of horses...

Tiny Tales: Lad

2012-01-11T14:37:00.001-06:00

Tiny Tales: Lad

Acrylic, Ink, Horsehair Collage

"Thank you for making me an optimist"
10" x 8"

In the personal collection of Carolyn Resnick,

Escondido, CA

(Lad is Carolyn's miniature stallion.)

Spirit Horses Renaissance Strider, 6 month-old gelding and Cracker Jack Surprise, yearling filly

2011-10-09T15:49:00.000-05:00

Training SH Renaissance Strider

2011-10-09T15:40:00.000-05:00

Horses in Miniature

2011-10-09T15:37:00.000-05:00

Horses in Miniature
Ruella Yates, 2011
7 x 5 Acrylic with Horsehair Collage
(In honor of Jackie and Strider)

Gourd Bowl, embellished with acrylics, copper, turquoise and leather

2011-10-09T15:33:00.000-05:00

Horse on Cave Wall
In the collection of Andrew and Jackie Hanson, Houston, TX

Fly with Me

2010-09-25T10:33:00.001-05:00

Fly with Me
16" x 40" Acrylic on Canvas

Out of Indigo Shadows

2010-09-25T10:21:00.002-05:00

Out of Indigo Shadows

48" x 36" Acrylic on Canvas

Red Mare: Arabian Dancers

2010-09-25T10:17:00.001-05:00

Red Mare: Arabian Dancers

20" x 16" Acrylic on Canvas

Renaissance Man, acrylic painting 30" x 30"

2010-09-12T17:44:00.003-05:00

Renaissance Man 2010, Ruella Yates
acrylic painting, 30" x 30"

Invitation to Ride: No bridle, no bit, and finally no stirrups and one rein

2009-12-05T11:02:00.002-06:00

Renaissance Painter--What a guy!
Every ride is better than the one before! I went out for a short ride that turned into a long, loving conversation with Renn. He came to me when he saw me picking up his halter, and it just kept getting better. He rubbed his nose on the pad and saddle, inviting them. He walked around the pasture with me on the ground asking him to touch trees, put his foot on a cone, etc. I stopped at the mounting block, got on, and had a soft ride through serpentines and patterns. I rode him to a tractor tire and dismounted, sitting down to rub his legs. I got up, ready to take him back to the house and unsaddle, but I got a surprise: He flexed his beautiful neck to me, and with soft eyes invited me to get back on. I did, and we rode around the pasture to a stump, where I dismounted. Again, he asked me to get back on, and gave me a soft ride again. Back to the mounting block we went, where I dismounted, loosened the cinch and untied the loop rein. Again, Renn asked me to get back on. I tightened the cinch, got on with one rein and no stirrups, and asked him to take me to the house. What a lovely experience. He stayed with me at the fence until I went inside. The feeling: priceless for both of us.

This Shining Day, This Beautiful Horse

2009-11-19T23:36:00.000-06:00

The sun on my Paint horse, the wind in our manes...

Each day with Renaissance Painter is better than the one before. It was perfect fall weather for our ride this afternoon, and it felt as though he read my every thought. Without bridle, bit, spurs or whip he moved with me. At times, I felt we were a centaur.

Joyful Spirit

2009-09-30T17:23:00.000-05:00

Kira waited patiently (as much as possible for her) online, waiting for the farriers to trim her beautiful hooves. When she was released, she was the picture of joyful freedom. My husband grabbed the camera and captured the moment.

This is the Time: Restore worn or broken parts

2009-09-02T22:27:00.003-05:00

Renn and Ruella at Liberty

2009-08-14T12:34:00.002-05:00

Barrier Broken, Spirit Horse series Art Card

2009-07-05T20:10:00.001-05:00

Barrier Broken, Art Card
July 4, 2009

3 New Paintings

2009-07-05T19:55:00.002-05:00

Golden Minuet
Portrait of Bask Arabian Mare
14x11 oil on canvas

In the Distance
7x5 oil on board

Sunset Love

5x7 oil on board

Kira and Renn at the end of September

2007-10-04T08:32:00.001-05:00

Kira is steadily gaining weight and confidence. Here, she feels secure enough to stand quietly and share breathing with me. She knows that the stick in my hand will never hurt her, and that's she's safe here; this is a giant step for her.

Renn, who now stops when asked in a halter. In the beginning of our time together, I was unable to get a good stop with a bit. He taught me that a good stop isn't about what's on his head or in his mouth.

I love you.

Portrait of Jenny

2007-09-08T16:55:00.000-05:00

Jenny in the morning light...What a lovely sight! Jenny is our ranch security guard, keeping away coyotes, snakes, and other assorted varmints. The horses look to her to keep them safe, as well as being their trusted friend.

Introducing Kira, adopted from Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue

2007-09-08T16:43:00.001-05:00

Our newest arrival at Spirit Horse Ranch is Kira, adopted from Blaze's Tribute Equine Rescue. We first met her on August 1, when her herd was seized by police as abused and neglected horses. We took her in as a foster horse; by the time she became available for adoption, we knew she belonged with us. Kira is a chestnut Arabian mare. She was met and nurtured lovingly by Renner and Jenny, and is steadily gaining weight and becoming a healthy member of the herd. Kira's "before and after" pictures are at this link: http://www.blazesequinerescue.com/kira.html

Spirit Horse Ranch & Studio

2007-06-14T13:38:00.000-05:00

I now reside at our newly-acquired Spirit Horse Ranch & Studio, in fruition of my lifetime dream. No more boarding stables and leased horses, as wonderful as that was, with the advent of Renaissance Painter, my new Paint gelding. He's the embodiment of my Spirit Horses, and he and his little donkey companion, Jenny, have brought new inspiration and joy to my life.

New Ranch, New Horse, New Life

2007-06-14T13:24:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in several months, as my life has taken a beautiful turn. I purchased a small acreage, and have been moving and turning the place into Spirit Horse Ranch and Studio, a fulfillment of my life's dream. Two days after closing on the place and frantically making it safe for horses, the most amazing horse was delivered. His name is Renaissance Painter, a sorrel and white Paint gelding I call Renn. After 2 weeks of solitary living, I went in search for a companion for Renn, as all horses need others of their kind. My search led me to Jenny, a small standard donkey, who gives Renn, and me, great joy. A real plus: Jenny is a "guard jenny"; her bloodline leads her to bond with her home and companions, protecting them from anything she perceives as a threat. The coyotes, bobcats, snakes, and other assorted pesky critters have backed off, and Renner has "cooled his chili", as we say in the Southwest!

Spirit Horse Study

2007-03-11T21:56:00.000-05:00

Spirit Horse Study

Ink on handmade paper on acrylic on canvas

30" x 30"

World Turned Upside Down

2007-03-11T21:51:00.000-05:00

Encaustic/collage on claybord 11" x 14"
A Native American face, with present images of casino and high-rise in a world upside down from the traditional way of life, symbolized by Spirit Horses and teepee shape.

Sanctuary

2007-03-03T20:01:00.000-06:00

Sanctuary: Mustangs

Encaustic/copper on hardboard

Born to Run

2007-03-03T19:56:00.000-06:00

Born to Run

Encaustic on cedar box

Lucky Penny

2007-03-03T19:55:00.001-06:00

Lucky Penny

Encaustic/photo/coin/copper wire on hardboard

(In the personal collection of Dr. Carlos & Andrea Garcia)

Lucky Penny

2006-12-08T11:56:00.000-06:00

This is Penny, a beautiful 5-year-old QH mare
who has been playing/working with me for 4 months. She has beautiful ground manners now, and loves to play Parelli's Seven Games! She is successfully carrying her owners, Dr. Carlos and Andrea Garcia. She's currently gaining trail confidence, and progressing nicely. Lucky Penny, Lucky me!

Horses...Healers and Stealers of the Human Heart

2006-11-07T15:05:00.000-06:00

Prairie Storm

2006-11-07T11:28:00.000-06:00

Prairie Storm
12" x 16"
Acrylic/collage
Print in the collection of
Charlie Wassemiller, Sussex, WI

The Horse Nation

2006-11-03T23:05:00.000-06:00

I received an email today that touched my heart. A new art client, associated with the Ojibway tribe, spoke of my link with Spirit Horses (and that I'm not Native American): "I think the blood is immaterial to the "spirits"; it's what's in a person's heart that matters. Whatever your country of origin or genetic history...the Horse Nation has obviously found you and made you one of their own."

Equus Swirl and Woman in Blue in Small Works/Small Wonders Show, Paseo Arts Distric

2006-07-23T15:00:00.000-05:00

Two of Ruella's paintings, Equus Swirl, a small encaustic from the Spirit Horse series; and Woman in Blue, acrylic, are in the Small Works, Small Wonders Show from July 25-August 5, in the Paseo Arts District, Oklahoma City. The opening reception is Tuesday, July 25, from 6-8 p.m. You are cordially invited!

Pilgrim

2006-07-13T16:29:00.000-05:00

Pilgrim
Ruella Yates
20" x 16" Mixed Media
(Concrete, art tissue, handmade paper, horsehair, acrylic on canvas)

Veiled Rider

2006-07-13T14:44:00.000-05:00

Veiled Rider
Ruella Yates
12" x 9" Acrylic on Canvas

Purple Horse at Dusk

2006-07-13T14:40:00.000-05:00

Purple Horse at Dusk
Ruella Yates
12" x 9" Mixed Media (Concrete and oil on canvas)

Blue-Eyed Paint

2006-07-06T10:15:00.000-05:00

Blue-Eyed Paint
Ruella Yates
Photograph, Adobe Photoshop

Two paintings chosen for Mixed Media Show at Oklahoma City University

2006-06-26T13:34:00.000-05:00

Two of Ruella's paintings were chosen for the Mixed Media Art Show at Oklahoma City University's Norick Art Center: Set in Stone and Spirit Horse Study. The show is sponsored by the Watercolor Society, and will run through the end of July, 2006. Oklahoma's finest Mixed Media artists will be on display, and I am honored to be included in their midst. These paintings chosen by the juror are among my personal favorites.

Set in Stone

2006-06-20T22:16:00.000-05:00

Set in Stone
Ruella Yates
Mixed Media (concrete and oil on mat board)

Ruella received an Honorable Mention award at the Clinton Art Show, and a Merchant's Choice award for her work at Edmond's Spring Creek Art Show last weekend.

Fixing Barbaro

2006-05-23T18:16:00.000-05:00

Fixing Barbaro
Ruella Yates
24" x 36" Acrylic, Brass, Brass Wire, and Paper Collage on Canvas
This painting was intended to be a Spirit Horse painting, without collage, when Barbaro's race ended tragically. With reporters speculating whether he could be saved to stand at stud, I went to the hardware store for materials and "fixed" him. Here's to Barbaro, and all his gallant ancestors, and hopefully, descendants! ~Ruella

Horse Mask

2006-05-23T18:12:00.000-05:00

Horse Mask Ruella Yates 10" x 8" Watercolor, Clay, Leather, and Silver on Clayboard

Outline on Orange

2006-05-23T18:10:00.000-05:00

Outline on Orange
Ruella Yates
11" x 14" Acrylic on Canvas

Spirit Horse in Red Sky by Ruella Yates

2006-05-23T18:05:00.000-05:00

Spirit Horse in Red Sky
Ruella Yates
16" x 20" Encaustic and Acrylic on Paper on Hardboard

De-tomaha Nah-te Spirit

2006-05-04T22:08:00.000-05:00

De-tomaha Nah-te Spirit

Ruella Yates, 2006

30" x 30" Acrylic on Canvas

A special thank you to Thompson Williams, Caddo artist, for

the name, which means Horse-Woman in the Caddo language.

De-tomaha Nah-te

2006-03-04T21:15:00.000-06:00

I'm delighted to have met Thompson and Rhonda Williams, noted Native American artists, this weekend. They are featured artists at Adalante Gallery on The Paseo, Oklahoma City. Thompson, a member of the Caddo Tribe, still speaks his native language, and gave me the Caddo words for Horse Woman: De-tomaha Nah-te. I love knowing these ancient and beautiful words. I plan to sign my next painting in the Spirit Horse series with them. Thank you, Thompson. Thompson's work may be viewed at http://thompsonwilliams.blogspot.com.
Rhonda's work may be viewed at http://otoegirl.blogspot.com.

Spirit Horse Paintings by Ruella Yates

2006-02-26T16:35:00.000-06:00

Waterfall (Spirit Horse Series), 29.5" x 22", Acrylic and Collage

Prairie Storm (Spirit Horse Series), 12" x 16", Acrylic/Collage
Lake Gathering (Spirit Horse Series), Acrylic
Hilltop (Spirit Horse Series), 9" x 9", Encaustic

Spirit Horse Art by Ruella Yates

2006-02-26T15:32:00.000-06:00

Sunburst (Spirit Horse Series), watercolorFor Want of a Horse (Spirit Horse Series), PosterImage
Guardian Angels (Spirit Horse Series), PosterImage from photograph
Spirit Horses at Yellow River (Spirit Horse Series), watercolor on Claybord

Winter Spirit, encaustic painting by Ruella Yates

2006-02-26T15:30:00.000-06:00

New Horse Art by Ruella Yates

2006-02-26T15:15:00.000-06:00

Equus Swirl

Ruella Yates

Encaustic on Claybord

Spirit Horse Duet on Waterfall

Encaustic, polymer clay sculpture on Vintage Box

Red and Black Horses

Encaustic on Hardboard

Prairie Storm Rising

Encaustic on Claybord

Box Stalls

Ruella Yates

Encaustic on Vintage Box

Paseo Gallery Opening Announcement

2006-01-26T15:49:00.000-06:00

Please click the image below to see an enlarged version, with map and hours. I hope to see you!

Ruella Yates Featured Artist at Blue Seven Gallery

2005-11-02T17:00:00.000-06:00

Ruella is the current Featured Artist at Blue Seven Gallery and Boutique in Oklahoma City, OK. Her paintings will be available to view, and are for sale, through January.
Blue Seven is in Mayfair Shopping Center, at the corner of North May Avenue and NW 50 Street, just north of Michael's. Please visit! Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Sundays.
Blue Seven's website is http://okblueseven.com/
Please visit!

Equus Hillside

2005-09-06T12:53:00.000-05:00

Watercolor on Arches cold press paper, 9" x 12"

Three Art Shows in September!

2005-08-30T22:02:00.000-05:00

Ruella will have selected paintings at three art shows in September! The Annual Oklahoma Artists Guild Fall Show and Sale will open the evening of September 16 with a reception from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Northpark Mall, 122nd and May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK. You are invited! This show will be displayed for 3 weeks.September 19, 2005 is the date for the Cowboy and Western Heritage Center's Docent Art Show, from 9:30 a.m. until noon.OAG will present an all-day event in popular Bricktown, east of downtown Oklahoma City on Saturday, September 24, from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Artists will be along the canal and various locations in Bricktown. Ruella will be painting and showing/selling her art all day. This is a new show for the Art Guild and Bricktown, and promises to be great fun! Please come by to visit and view!

Under Copper Sky, acrylic on canvas, 11 x 14

2005-08-19T09:40:00.000-05:00

Ruella, Jericho, and Aragorn at Pacific Beach, WA

2005-08-16T12:49:00.000-05:00

Ruella and Jericho with Aragorn on Pacific Beach, WA
(...with a bit of Photoshop enhancement).

Wyatt Webb Equine Experience, Washington State

2005-08-16T12:46:00.000-05:00

Wyatt Webb, internationally-certified psychotherapist and horseman, will be doing an Equine Experience workshop in Washington State October 21-24, 2005. View the details at http://wyattwebb.blogspot.com. Wyatt's Equine Experience work at Miraval Resort, Tucson, is incredible! If you can get to the Seattle area for this workshop, I highly recommend it!

Spirit Horses at Yellow River ~Award of Excellence

2005-06-03T21:05:00.001-05:00

The watercolor Spirit Horses at Yellow River started as a painting of a stone wall, with sunlight pouring through a fissure in the rock. I was vaguely dissatisfied with it; as I studied it, I turned it 90 degrees right. Suddenly, the shaft of sunlight changed, in my mind's eye, to a yellow river, and the horse on the left, above the river, appeared. I sketched around him with a watercolor pencil. As I did this, more horses appeared to me, and I assisted their emergence. I continue to be visited by Spirit Horses through my paintings. Watercolor, because of its nature, is the medium I use. The Spirit Horses emerge most frequently in paintings of stone, water, fire, and sky.

Spirit Horses at Yellow River ~Award of Excellence

2005-06-03T21:05:00.000-05:00

Spirit Horses at Yellow River, Award of Excellence, Celebrate Life Show Art Exhibit, 2005
Artist~Ruella Yates
Watercolor on Clay Board and Linen

Ode to Joy

2005-06-02T21:52:00.000-05:00

I dip my brush in Joy
and spirit horses leap across my canvas
I cultivate my garden with Joy
and roses burst forth Beethoven's Ode
I fill my shoes with Joy
and dance the darkness from my soul
I lay the world's table with Joy
and my heart overflows.

~Ruella Yates

Spirit Horses Concerto

2005-06-02T21:45:00.000-05:00

I got a new CD today, Spirit Horses: Concerto for Native American Flute and Chamber Orchestra, by R. Carlos Nakai, Native American Flute. The music was written by James DeMars. Incredibly moving music! Inside the case is some wonderful information: The piece opens with the Zuni Sunrise Song, which stems from a translation from the Navajo of the 10th Horse Song of Frank Mitchell (Blue) which concerns a young man encouraged by his elders to call to the "spirit horses that're blue." Lovely imagery!

Spirit Horses at Pacific Beach

2005-05-31T09:06:00.001-05:00

Spirit Horses at Pacific Beach, copyright 2005
Watercolor, 8 x 10, with mat
Artist, Ruella Yates

2005-05-31T09:06:00.000-05:00

Spirit Horses~Flying Too Close to the Flame, copyright 2005
Watercolor on Clay Board, 8 x 10
Artist, Ruella Yates

2005-05-31T09:05:00.000-05:00

Spirit Horses at Yellow Waterfall (portion), copyright 2005
Watercolor on Cold-Pressed Paper, 11 x 14
Artist, Ruella Yates

Trust the Instincts

2005-05-31T07:39:00.000-05:00

"As the traveler who has lost his way, throws his reins on his horse's neck, and trusts to the instinct of the animal to find his road, so must we do with the divine animal who carries us through this world"
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lipizzaner Collage, first of the Horse Collage Series

2005-05-21T11:35:00.000-05:00

Lippizaner Collage, first of horse collage series
Artist, Ruella Yates (copyrighted image)
oil on canvas, Austrian schilling, collage horse

Birth of the Spirit Horse

2005-05-21T11:33:00.000-05:00

Birth of the Spirit Horse
Artist, Ruella Yates, copyrighted image
Watercolor on 140# hot press paper
This was the first appearance of a spirit horse in a watercolor painting for me.

Angels Flying too close to the ground

2005-05-21T11:32:00.000-05:00

Angels Flying Poster Image
Artist, Ruella Yates, copyrighted image
Original Poster Image from photograph

You are the Wind

2005-05-21T11:30:00.000-05:00

You are the Wind (self-portrait)
Artist, Ruella Yates, copyrighted image
Poster Image from photograph

Guardian Angels

2005-05-21T11:26:00.000-05:00

Guardian Angels Poster Image
Artist, Ruella Yates, copyrighted image
Poster Image from photo

Wind of Heaven

2005-05-21T09:29:00.000-05:00

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.
Arabian Proverb

Horse Dreams

2005-05-21T00:41:00.000-05:00

A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.--Pam Brown