Dressage Days

DRESSAGE DAYS Q&A

MEET DIANNE BREEZE

There’s no doubt that horses lend themselves to be the perfect subject matter for art, and many riders and owners aspire to have a portrait of their equine partner on the wall. One person who can make this aspiration a reality is Dianne Breeze – one of the UK’s foremost equestrian illustrators and artists. Dianne combines her passion for riding and coaching with time spent in the studio creating astonishingly lifelike works of art. Her work can be seen in many equestrian books and magazines and she is highly sought after for commissions. We caught up with Dianne, who lives with her ‘long-suffering’ husband Iain and dog Sydney in Powys, Wales, to fi nd out more.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS HAD A LOVE OF HORSES?

I’ve always had a fascination for horses and have drawn them for as long as I can remember. All my spare time after school and at weekends was spent helping at the local riding school. My parents were not horsey at all but eventually they gave in and bought a pony for my sister and I. He was an extremely mischievous, headstrong chestnut gelding called Chips – but that’s another story!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND IN ART.

My school teachers encouraged me to draw and develop my art skills, I was even allowed to stay in at play times and draw horses on the blackboard! After leaving school, I went to Birkenhead Art School to do a foundation year, which lead to a degree course at Liverpool Art School where I studied the work of George Stubbs, one of England’s most accomplished horse painters. After graduating with a BA Hons, I worked for a year at Liverpool Museum then returned to study at Liverpool John Moore’s University. Here I gained my PHD in the history of bird illustration – a bit of a change from horses! WOULD YOU SAY THAT ARTISTIC SKILL IS MAINLY INHERENT OR LEARNED?

I think it is a mixture of both. I defi nitely inherited skills from my mum. Although she had no formal art training, she was naturally creative and would tackle any sort of art or craft. She even took up watercolour painting at the age of 80.My sister and brother are also good artists.

AS A RIDER, WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE COMPETITION MOMENT?

Competing in Spain and winning on the Sunshine Tour with my lovely horse Ebe is top of my list!

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My parents were my greatest source of inspiration. They worked so hard to give me and my brother and sister the opportunities in life that they never had. As a rider and trainer, Carl Hester is my goto inspiration and, as an artist, it has to be George Stubbs.

WHEN SOMEONE COMMISSIONS A PORTRAIT, HOW DO YOU DEPICT THE SUBJECT’S CHARACTER SO WELL?

Being around horses for so many years and understanding their behaviour helps to capture their characters and personality. The really crucial part of the painting is the eye. This is what really brings the picture to life and the eye is the window to the soul.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CARTOONS.

As a child I always loved Norman Thelwell’s hilarious pony cartoons. But it wasn’t until I was working for Stephen Clarke that I started drawing my own cartoons showing horses on the yard doing silly things. We know dressage should be taken seriously but it’s always good to see the funny side of it. The cartoons became so popular I was persuaded to reproduce them on cards, calendars and sweat shirts and started a small business, Equestrienne Designs.

WHAT ARE THREE OF THE THINGS YOU’D PUT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

To train and compete a horse at Grand Prix again. To return to the Galapagos and dive with all the amazing wildlife. And to visit Canada and meet up with some old friends.