Former jockey now paints horses
From the age of four Clark Wilson-Little was attracted to horses and already wanted to become a jockey.
The family bread was delivered by horse and cart allowing him the opportunity to draw the bakers horse.
He started a 35-year career with horses at the age of 15 as an apprentice jockey at Randwick Racecourse.
On board "Pirate Birds", the media gave him the nickname of "Long Shot Little" for his ability to bring long-priced horses to the winning post.
For 13 years, Clark mixed owning and managing a livery stable, giving riding lessons, drawing and painting horses, and he enjoyed a few painting commissions.
Now the whip has been exchanged for the paint brush to further establish himself as an equine racing artist.
Clarks aim is to capture on canvas the beauty and the power of the racehorse with realism and details, but not in a photographic manner.
After attending the races, his saddle experience helps bring out the action as he recreates the race atmosphere in his mind and it flows onto the canvas.
He has other loves. One is American Northern Plains Indians lore.
He has made several paintings about their tribulations, culture and spirituality.
He has studied the history of the great chiefs, Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, Crazy Horse and many others. Seeing the work of Charles Russell inspired him to paint Indians.
Clark is essentially self-taught. He is stimulated by the challenge of non-photographic realism, accuracy, and the expression of feelings and emotions which are the results of his life around horses and artists.
Some of his work will be shown at the "The Peninsula Art Exhibition" at the Ettalong Beach Club on August 18 and 19.
He can be contacted on 4342 4651.
Bernard Craft, July 17