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Jarrad Lister Photography
D. was born in Saratoga, NY, lived for many years in Idaho and Prescott, Arizona and now
resides in "The Horse Capital of the World" Lexington, Kentucky. A long
time professional horse trainer and competitor, she began painting when
she was 30. "I'm a late starter. It never even occurred to me to become an
artist when I was younger." Even then, her painting took a back
seat until about eight years later. "Life just kept getting in the way.
I had two small girls, and lost my husband to cancer in 2000. I have so
much empathy for struggling artists, you have no idea."
D. divides her time between the
Bluegrass of Kentucky and the Rocky Mountain West. "The majority of
my life I spent in the west. So even though I love my piece of heaven here
on the farm, there is always a pull to get back to the mountains and the
hugeness of the landscape there."
"The most enjoyable part of art for me is
gathering references. I am happiest in a field of mares and foals, in the
mountains looking for elk and moose, anywhere there are animals I love to be,
sketching, photographing or just observing. When I am gathering reference
material, every painting is a tremendous possibility unhindered by my own
limitations.
Animals have always been and still are such an
intrinsic part of my life. They have been my companions, my sanctuary, my solace
in dark times and now the source of my inspiration for my art. I never tire of
watching them. I love to paint what I find beautiful, and therefore
animals are an easy choice for me. They each have a unique beauty and soul
that is my goal to capture.
There are so many other animal lovers in the
world and I really enjoy connecting to them through my paintings."
She has been privileged to study with
“incredible artists" such as Morgan Weistling, Dan Mieduch, Dave Wade, Tom
Browning, Greg Beecham, Jim Norton, Gary Carter and Sam Savitt. "They are some of the
best, and have been huge influences at every stage of my journey. I know I only
retained a tenth of their valuable information, and I'm really hoping for some
repeats."
She has been a Quick Draw artist
(completing a painting in an hour) at the Phippen Art Show for many years, and the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival for
seven years in a row.
"I really enjoy it more and more. It's a great challenge."
"Painting is now necessary for me. I
don't always enjoy it, to be sure. It is a roller coaster ride of
disappointment, frustration, pleasure and satisfaction. It's work. I don't paint every day.
It can take me absolutely forever to finally get in front of the easel. Whether
that's my past of trying to squeeze painting in amongst work and family, or my
own lack of discipline I'm not sure. And once I get there, I'm easily
distracted. I wish I was an artist who could get lost in a painting and realize
they've been painting for hours, but I'm not. Art is such a great journey
of self awareness and I have accepted (finally) how I am, how I approach
painting, and how I don't. The only rule is there are no rules. That works
for me."
D. is very happily remarried to Tim, a widower
himself. They love to travel but also hang out (i.e. work) on the farm. "We
love the Bluegrass life!" They currently (current being the operative
word) own five Thoroughbreds, three off the track and two homebreds, two dogs and
three cats. Whitetail deer, raccoon, fox, rabbits, wild turkeys and birds
too numerous to mention inhabit the farm as well.
"We're
spending our money on horses and bourbon. The rest we're just
wasting."
Donations: Organizations D. has supported
with donated paintings include:
Lexington
Cancer Foundation
Thoroughbred Charities of America
Woodford Humane Society
Bluegrass Conservancy
Robby Albarado Foundation
Jackson Hole Alliance
CANTER- Communication Alliance to Network
Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses
True Prospect Farm Fire Recovery Fund
Commissions:
D. accepts commissions. References need to be agreed upon,
price starts at $9/sq.inch.
Some of my former racehorses in their new careers with
me.
 With
Tim in Midway, KY
My girls
Greta
Max
Old friends.... Greatly missed.
Going back a few years... Barr. One of the best horses
ever.
MY WORLD
With part of my herd
Riding with Buck Brannaman
Photographing elk in the river
Superstar Rachel Alexandra
Point Lobos, California
Very cold Quick Draw on the Square, Jackson Hole!
Jack Hanna
On the beach in Deauville, France
Record setting Quick Draw, Phippen Show, Prescott
AZ
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