Bridle c. 1938

Cecil Smith made this painting of a "Bridle" using watercolour, and gouache on paper. When I look at it, I imagine Smith carefully mixing pools of brown washes to catch all the details of the leather and metal. I wonder what Smith was thinking as he painted it. Was he picturing the horse? Or just the bridle itself? The metal pieces catch the light. And those leather reins – I bet they feel stiff and thick. It's like he's trying to understand how these objects work. The painting isn’t exactly photorealistic, but it feels real in its own way. He’s reminding me that painting, just like riding, is a way of feeling things out. It's all connected.