Hoof Prints And Footsteps by Julia Jordon

Artist Julia Jordon, a junior at Northwest High School in Greensboro, N.C., produced this mixed media painting titled Hoof Prints And Footsteps for an art class assignment. The 18″ x 24″ acrylic on canvas recently won first place in her school’s art show and art contest, and Jordon received the Underclass Award for her artistic talent.

“The assignment was to create a themed multi-media collage by incorporating many textures, including a real aluminum horse shoe, magazine cut-outs from the covers of several Chronicle issues, the picture of [my horse] Nicky, and acrylic paints,” said Jordan. “I chose to make my theme horse-related (of course).

“My work was inspired by the fact that I do not see Nicky as either a pet or as ‘my sport;’ rather, we are partners. In Hoof Prints And Foot Steps, the boots and horse hoof represent that we take this, our journey, along the ‘chronicled path,’ together and work as a team.

“I chose to use rich fall colors and the perspective of the path winding into the distance to enhance the depth of the scene, which reflects the depth of the bond I share with Nicky, and because the fall is one of my favorite seasons in which to ride, she added.”

Jordon, 18, Summerfield, N.C., is a C-2 with Triad Pony Club and events her appendix Quarter Horse mare. When not riding or painting, Jordon also volunteers with the Red Dog Farm, an animal rescue organization, where she specializes in raising funds to collect feed for the horses in need through Southern States.

This was Jordan’s first submission to the Chronicle’s Junior Gallery, which begins on p. 26.