English (United Kingdom)
As the dreams of all children, when the Dutch artist Deirdre Hekking was a child she dreamed of having her own pony.
She had a lot of large and small toy horses, and they came to life when she played with and named all of them.
Deirdre is 4 years younger than her sister and she always accompanied her to the stable to watch her ride. She was not yet allowed to ride but, she was allowed to brush a shetland pony and walk with him.
Of course, instead of walking she always chose to braid his hair and wash his feet.
Finally, when she was 8 years old, she was old enough to ride and she will never forget her first ride: It made her feel like a princess, so proud.
That strong and beautiful feeling never went away from Deirdre’s memory, as she still enjoys riding her own horse.
What changed her life forever was not just the pleasure to spent time with these magical animals but also just sit in the grass and watch their majesty. The bond with horses made Deirdre who she is today.
Horses taught her to care, be patience, be kind and to work together as a team. “And when you whisper you will be heard”.
In the painting it is possible to see a girl holding her hobbyhorse. She is dreaming of having her own pony. This dream is just behind, where it can be seen the little girl on top of a pony. This painting represents her first real ride.
And there in a third stage, finally there is Eef: the chestnut mare, who Deirdre still adore: It’s her own horse.
“So, you see me, my dream as a child which became reality. And still have the privilege to enjoy the presence of a horse in my life.”
Something about Deirdre Hekking and her equine art
Deirdre Hekking was born in the Netherlands in 1991. While she was growing up, horses were always a big part of her life.
After she lost a foal due to a virus when he was only six weeks old, she wanted something to honor him. From that moment, she started sculpting with modeling wax. She made little foals who reminded her of him and his personality. And she also decided to bring some of the foals to the foundry to be cast in bronze. She is still expanding the series with other foals and mares.
In 2021, Deirdre became a member of the Paard Verzameld Collective, a group of artists who have an online platform. They inspired her to start painting with watercolors and so, she began to paint and to get to know the Medium. The members of the collective really helped her to improve herself and now she makes also sculptures and watercolor paintings.
Deirdre Hekking, 1991, Netherlands.
FB: Hekking Art
IG: hekking_art
Information on submitted work
Terug in de tijd / Back in time. Medium: watercolor and aluminum gold leaf on 300 gr arches paper, 22,5cm x 17cm.
Deirdre Hekking is a member of the Paard Verzameld Collettive.
Through international collaboration between Paard Verzameld and the Horse Museum Foundation, the painting will be exhibited during the Pratoni del Vivaro World Championships in September 2022.
