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The Norwegian Fjord by Debbie Hughbanks
Not much has changed in that respect. Now that I am an adult I have the privilege of being a full-time artist that often specializes in the equine. I have had the honor to paint many fabulous breeds in many settings, but until last summer, when I was one of a select group of artists invited to create paintings of Norwegian Fjords, I wasn’t too familiar with the breed. In visiting breeding farms, meeting the families that are so passionate about their horses, and attending the shows, I certainly gained a great respect for this unique horse. Although primarily used as working horses, the Norwegian Fjord displayed their versatility at these shows in many disciplines including carriage driving, western pleasure, dressage, trail riding and gaming, in addition to draft work. As an artist, I was also impressed by the Fjord colors. Although the color traits can be confusing due to the recessive genes, etc., there are five basic colors — brown dun, grey dun, red dun, white dun, and yellow dun. About ninety percent of Fjords are brown dun. It was my intention to use horses of many colors in my work. I also wanted to focus some pieces on the very distinctive dorsal stripe, crescent shaped manes and stunning forelocks that are so specific to this breed.
As always in my equine paintings, I hoped to capture not only the likeness, but the personality, spirit and essence of that individual horse. I am passionate about these creatures and want that to come through in my work, so I try to become very close to my subjects before ever starting to paint them. After spending time with each horse and getting many reference photos, I start to compose the painting in either pastel or acrylic – whichever I feel will best fit the subject and what I am trying to say in the finished piece. These pieces here are all done in soft pastel on Wallis Belgian Mist sanded paper. I really enjoy working in pastel, trying to achieve the soft expressiveness of the horse and also the wonderful play of light across the coat of the animal. It is truly a wonderful medium. The first breeder I contacted graciously invited me to his 365-acre farm located in northern Washington State. This family is operating a fabulous breeding facility for Fjord horses and is very serious about breeding quality horses with excellent conformation, movement, as well as temperament. Their vast knowledge of the breed and their beautiful mares, stallions, geldings and foals offered me an array of reference photos for my work. Later, I attend a couple of Norwegian Fjord horse shows which were well attended by a large group of owners showing their horses in multiple categories. Again, I was not only impressed by the versatility of the breed itself but by the individual horse. I would see a specific horse showing in a western pleasure class, pulling logs and then in carriage driving. These horses seem to be bred for all-around use and have a great temperament to boot. Small in stature and with a unique look about them, the small but mighty, gentle Norwegian Fjord is a horse you won’t soon forget.
To view more of Debbie’s work visit her web site: www.hughbanksart.com
Bit of History Norwegian Fjord The Norwegian Fjord is thought to be one of the oldest and purest of breeds. It is believed that these horses migrated to Norway more than 4,000 years ago, and evidence exists that wild Fjords lived in the country after the last Ice Age. The Fjord has been selectively bred since 2,000 years ago and was the horse of the Vikings (often depicted in their art) and the Norse raiders.
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