As Light Falls - the story of a painting

Yesterday I received this wonderful painting as a birthday gift from Barrie. It’s called ‘As Light Falls’ and is by Kristine Nason, who kindly shared her inspiration for this painting with me.

Here in Kristine’s own words is her inspiration in creating ‘As Light Falls’

“I met Delfin towards the end of his life when Jenny invited me down to Devon to photograph him with a view to painting his portrait.

I stood in the school snapping reference photos, watching him mirror Jenny's dance moves in a display of mutual love and trust. He was still a magnificent creature. His immense presence radiated confidence and wisdom, but there was something more, something intangible. Not just the wisdom of age but the Wisdom of Ages which shone from him!

Those couple of days in Devon had quite an impact on me. Being welcomed by Jenny and Barrie, meeting the magnificent Delfin and the other stallions, staying in the shepherd’s hut… But as my husband and I drove home through the winding country lanes I felt tears streaming down my face: I was wrestling with a strong sense that Delfin was preparing to depart his life here on earth. Two months later he died.

Eventually, I painted the watercolour portrait ‘Eternal’, which now lives with Jenny. It received critical acclaim, and the step-by-step process of its creation appeared over a multi-page spread of International Artist Magazine. However, by this time I was coming to the realisation that I no longer enjoyed painting in this realistic way. I stopped taking commissions and started to experiment with mixed media and a looser style.

My photo files are bursting with images of horses which I often refer to for inspiration, and there were some of Delfin which seemed to be asking to be painted. And so ‘As Light Falls’ came into being. The style, created using oil and cold wax, dictated itself to me as I surrendered myself to the process. For me this painting is a seminal piece, marking my farewell to realistic painting.

I don't often put my feelings into words, but since Jenny asked me to write about my inspiration for 'As Light Falls' I've realised it's a painting about loss. The loss of a remarkable being, and all that he brought to the world through the channel of Jenny. I’m pleased, and it’s fitting, that the painting will be with Jenny now.

This painting is for everyone who has been touched by Delfin’s soul.

His legacy lives on.”

Kristine Nason