Equestrian Network Magazine

Spotlight On The Artist: Michele Bynum

by M. Y. Mim

As Michele Bynum tells it, "One summer, when I was about 10, I went to a Girl Scout horse camp That was it for me. "I traded in my ballet shoes and tutu for breeches and boots."

Michele Bynum - equine artist

And even before that, "I have always been fascinated with horses. When I wasn't drawing them, I was 'galloping' down the hallway on my hands and knees pretending to be one. I wore out the knees of my jeans." And, thus, a gifted equine artist grew.

Michele's unique style evolved after years of careful study and practice. In

high school I had a fabulous art teacher named Mr. Grbich. I remember him telling us on the first day of class that if he could only teach us one thing it would be how to see. "When a drawing wasn't coming out the way we wanted, he would ask," 'Are you drawing what you see or what you think you know?'

"I realized it is important to let go of what you think you know and see the abstract shapes that make your subject." Both ways of drawing are equally valuable, but it is important to recognize the difference. Michele went on to major in Visual Art, earning her from Bachelor's Degree from U.C. San Diego. The curriculum included drawing, painting, photography, art history, and conceptual art, among other topics. Finding a natural progression, Michele moved from pencil and charcoal to colored pencil and pastels.

Michele Bynum Secrets - oil on canvas - 28 x 22

"Then I took the leap to watercolors, and finally. The big leap to oils because I wanted to work larger." The most valuable lesson I've learned is to just dive in and do it, to learn from mistakes, and to practice. I've tossed out many drawings and painted over many mistakes. I also think it is valuable for artists to keep old drawings and paintings so you can go back and compare. Then you will realize that you are getting better. And I am still learning. That's what keeps it interesting.

About a decade ago, she established herself as a professional equine artist "Once I started showing my paintings to some friends, people started asking me how much I would charge to paint their horse or a friend's horse as a gift." Meanwhile, her grade-school crush on horses grew into a fully fledged passion. I joined the local Pony Club and started taking riding lessons while leasing a pony named Siam. She tossed me in the dirt so many times I lost count.

"Later I was able to buy my first horse. I did dressage and combined training with him... and miles of trails rides. I had to sell him when I went to college. After I graduated, I moved to Santa Barbara where I found a Thoroughbred mare in need of a home. I kept her for 11 years until she passed away in 2002.

"I don't have a horse today - but I have money in my bank account and a social life!" Horses inspire her art. "Each horse I meet is an inspiration. They say so much with their body language and their facial expressions. I love trying to capture that in each individual I paint." Michele also draws inspiration from other equine artists she admires. "I love Katie Upton's work." [Equestrian Network Magazine Editor Garry Stauber profiled Upton in Volume 1, Issue 3.]

Michele Bynum Belgian Draft - oil on canvas - 24 x 20

"Her paintings are so bold and sensitive at the same time. It makes me want to try painting bigger. I think it would be fun to paint a life-sized horse. And I love Elin Pendleton's fresh, painterly style, and she is great with color. Annie Whitely does a great job of capturing movement in her pastels."

ENM asked Bynum about the future of her career as an equine artist. "I recently had my first one woman show and that felt really good. I want to start showing my art more and enter some juried competitions. And I want to start doing more commissioned portraits." To see more of Bynum's work and to contact her regarding a commission, visit http://www.michelebynum.com or send an email to info@michelebynum.com. You can call Michele at 805-455-7093.

About the Author: M. Y. Mim is a free-lance journalist based in Santa Barbara, Ca. She may be reached at mymim3@cox.net, or through her agent R. Almqvist, 805-705-5349.