bs-ahp- Garren Schrom- Riding Still Garren Schrom

The watercolor presents a still life arrangement centered around equestrian equipment. A saddle dominates the composition, its leather surface rendered with a textured application of paint that suggests both suppleness and age. The artist has employed washes of ochre, brown, and russet to capture the materials inherent warmth and depth. A blanket or pad, draped beneath the saddle, introduces a contrasting pattern of vertical lines created through layered brushstrokes in shades of blue, purple, and grey; these lines disrupt the horizontal emphasis established by the saddle and suggest movement or folds within the fabric.
Arranged atop the saddle are various pieces of tack: a bit, reins, and stirrups. These objects are depicted with a meticulous attention to detail, highlighting their metallic sheen through subtle gradations in color and light. The artist’s use of wet-on-wet technique allows for soft edges and atmospheric perspective, softening the sharp outlines of the hardware and integrating them into the overall composition.
The background is indistinct, rendered as a dark, ambiguous space that seems to recede into shadow. This lack of specificity draws attention to the objects themselves, isolating them within the frame. The limited palette – primarily earth tones punctuated by cooler blues and purples – contributes to a sense of quiet contemplation.
Subtly, the painting evokes themes of tradition, craftsmanship, and perhaps even restraint. The stillness implied in the title suggests a moment suspended in time, a pause from activity. The careful arrangement of objects hints at a reverence for equestrian culture and the tools associated with it. Theres an underlying sense of melancholy or nostalgia conveyed through the muted colors and the aged appearance of the equipment; it speaks to a history of use and connection between rider and horse. The overall effect is one of understated elegance and quiet dignity.