Kayla's New Release for 'Idaho Originals' Music Collaboration

kaylacuellarart
Apr 9, 2024
3 min read

I had not heard of the White Horse until last December but as soon as I did, I was a bit enchanted. They say he’s survived another central Idaho winter in the scenic high altitude valley near Mackay, Idaho, and the highest peak in the state, Mount Borah, living in solitude. I’m so happy to hear that news as he’s “captured my heart”, too. So the story goes the horse, a gelding, now in his late 20s or early 30s had escaped a hunting party in Copper Basin, near Mackay Reservoir, in 1997 and was never recaptured. Over time he rid himself of his halter, hobbles, pack saddle and a bell on a leather strap around his neck.

Photo Credit: Melissa Fowler published in the Idaho State Journal,

shortly after his escape.

Photo Credit: Jim McKelvey published in the Idaho State Journal, 2010

In December, I met Bruce and Heather from the band, Crazy Love Duo and they told me about a song they wrote about the White Horse called “White Horse of Black Daisy Canyon” (Lyrics, below), which is another name he’s called by. They told me about a project they were working on called, “Idaho Originals”. They had received a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council to tour the state sharing a live musical travelogue including stories, 8 songs they have written and a book complete with song lyrics & Idaho artists’ work inspired by the songs. Read more about the project, here:https://crazyloveduo.com/the-idaho-originals-project-release-concert-april-19th

I was immediately interested since painting a horse had been on my bucket list for quite some time and they gave me free reign to paint whatever the song inspired in me, even if it wasn’t a horse! But the horse was the most interesting part, so that’s what I did. I researched this beautiful story and the stories of the people who follow the horse and then began to paint little sketches for ideas. (see below)

I loved the sketch that turned out super mysterious and framed it. Then I began prepping to paint a larger version (13.5 x 13.5”). I wanted it to be more abstract and loose. I place the bell that had hung around his neck on the ground in front of his hooves as if capturing the moment of his final break from captivity, standing with dignity and strength of character at the beginning of his freed state.

Then, when all the lines and feel were complete, I felt like adding something to give it more of a mysterious feel. So I pulled out my German Finetec Metallic Watercolour pallet and added some glints of gold in his main and nose and the bell and some warm silver lines, drips, spatters and highlights in his features. THAT WAS FUN…

Truly you need to see it in person and I can schedule a time for you to see it via Zoom to help you get more of a feel for the metallics. But if you’d like to see it in person. He will be introduced to the public at the Crazy Love Duo’s Release Party in Twin Falls, April 19 at 7:00PM - Details in the link, below.