For Thursday Art-Day I’m presenting three of Willa Frayser’s beautiful artworks from her ‘Wind’ series.
There are six drawings in the series and the three I have chosen are:
Companions of the Wind (top)
The Family (middle)
Messengers of the Wind (bottom)
It’s strangely prophetic when you consider the name of my book series is Daughters of the Wind.
Not only does this title relate to the Arabian horse itself it also continues the theme from book one ‘Tails Carried High’ which depicts the strength and determination of women as stud owners and breeders.
We see in book two of the series, titled ‘Voices in the Wind’, that my fictional family though devoted to their beloved Arabian horses find they are torn… The fabric of thier lives sorely tested.
Below an excerpt from ‘Voices in the Wind’.
‘…A two-year- old filly drifted across across the ground towards them.She had broken loose from her handler and, after dragging her lead for a frantic lap or two around the stable area, had escaped the confines of the yard. Like a puff of wind, she danced around Jessikah then paused, as if seeking comfort. She was one of those rare animals who preferred the company of humans to her own kind….
‘This is the filly I emailed you about’, Helene Cann explained. ‘She is related to your lines through her sire, who was bred by Luc Pascard.’ The filly stood quietly for Jessikah. Her fine limbs trembled and her nostrils quivered as she inhaled the strangers scent. She peeped from under her long lashes, reminding Jessikah of the twins. young and yearning for affection. Jessikah asked Helena to elaborate on her dam line.
Helene knew the filly was sold the moment she had appeared from the stables. For once, Helene thanked the clumsy girl in the stables….’
To purchase ‘Tails Carried High’ and ‘Voices in the Wind’ go to: www.carmelrowley.com.au
To see more of Willa’s artwork go to: www.willafrayserstudio.com
One Response
Willa Frayser
When I created this series of prints I was imaging all of the beautiful Arabians with their proud expressions, soulful eyes, nostrils flaring in the wind. This series began over 20 years ago with the creation of “Messengers of the Wind”, followed by “Seekers of the Wind”, “Companions of the Wind”, “The Family”, “Monarchs of the Wind” and finally “Spirit of the Wind”. Each time I had a different feel for the horses in the drawings. They were not the same animals, nor had the same look, head shape or markings. Each horse in every print is different, but with the same ancient feeling of time and noble breeding! I don’t think I have ever had the chance to describe how these prints came to be, but thank you to Carmel for selecting them to represent her new “Daughters of the Wind” series!!