Among the many who paint and draw horses, only a select few have the eye, the education, and the training, to truly compose a painting. Among those is Janey Belozer.

Janey's paintings capture light, movement, and at their best, the spirit of the horse itself. Choosing the old world medium of oil paint, Janey's work strives not to recreate in photographic accuracy (although this was once a goal of hers)—but to create goosebumps. "I want the viewer to see the subject like they've never seen it before," Janey says. And so, whether painting a landscape, a portrait, or even florals, Janey's focus is on light, balance, and movement. "Even in a landscape, something should be moving," she says.

Her work is a celebration of light and spirit—the essence of the horse. An avid dressage fan, Janey began emphasizing movement in her artwork when she started riding. "Riding is about power and movement," she says. "It also incorporates many of the things I bring to my work, such as balance, suppleness, and intent. In both areas of my life I need discipline, yet to be relaxed, forward, and confident. I use this confidence to paint with."

"I want the viewer to feel the oneness of the horse and rider relationship. Feel balanced with the spirit of the horse." To achieve this goal, Janey needs to meet the horse(s) she will paint. "I take about 48 photos to start," she says, "and then begin sketches." If necessary, she'll revisit the horse for additional photos and finishing sketches. For a portrait, the entire process can take two months or more. That's the short answer to the question, "How long does it take to make a painting?"

The longer answer, and one she feels passionately about, is that Janey has been working on painting for most of her life. "Every time I pick up a brush," she says, "I incorporate what I've learned from past experience—and from recent experiences that might seem unrelated to painting. It's a process you can't put a time limit on," she says. "Every experience builds on itself." While a painting is in progress, Janey feels she truly lives with it. When it's "finished" she hangs it on a wall and lives with it just a while longer. "That's where I find the pearl earring," she says. "The finishing touch that each work needs to make it special." Indeed, work like this is worth the wait.

In a day and age of quick results, Janey chooses traditional methods: stretching her own canvases, priming them with gesso, mixing a Northwest-concocted oil paint with a non-toxic medium. "I use the best brushes and build from there," she says. "When I work, it's just me, the brush, and the canvas." She finishes each piece with a varnish designed to protect the painting for up to 500 years.

Oil paints are her medium of choice, as much for their buttery texture as for their beautiful, subtle gradations of color. "It's a timeless, natural look," Janey says. While some prefer acrylic paint, Janey feels the colors are harsh and man-made. "They're difficult to mix as cleanly, "she says. As for watercolors, "They're very volatile and very techniquey. I find I can't get the strength and spontaneity I need from watercolor. Oils let me focus on the painting versus the technique."

After an education at the University of Oregon's Fine Art and Art Education program, Janey went on to teaching and creating artwork of her own. "I'm always doing art," she says. She works out of her studio in Canby, Oregon with paintings currently on display in galleries throughout Oregon (see sidebar).

While her earlier work was based on realism and correct color theory, Janey finds herself moving more toward impressionism. "I want to capture the emotion in the subject—the movement and light," she says. "Lately I've been exploring reds and purples—very emotional colors." In addition, her brush strokes have become more dynamic, as she seeks to capture the movement of her subjects.

Her approach has become more abstract, integrating the 'background' of the painting with the subject matter. "I'm hoping to reach beyond horse people," Janey says. Where galleries once saw equine art as "Western" art, she hopes to create mature, legitimate paintings that happen to feature horses.

In her own words, Janey seeks to "Paint the spirit, power, and grace of the equine. To capture for the viewer the heart-stopping beauty of the horse and the thrill of riding. To go beyond a simple depiction of he horse—to an emotional experience in line, color, and movement." As evidenced by her work, Janey Belozer clearly paints what many of us feel: the spirit of the horse.

When not in her studio, Janey studies dressage at Blue Heron Lippizans in Redland, Oregon where she is leasing Nadia, who is expecting. See sidebar for a listing of galleries currently featuring her work. Contact Janey Belozer at hartspirit@hevanet.com or call (503) 263-4741.