Ellert frá Baldurshaga

The first prize Icelandic stallion, Ellert frá Baldurshaga, is known for his unique color, but he has a never-before-seen color called “ýruskjóttur” in Icelandic, which translates to “drizzled skewbald” or “pied”. This color is a combination of a bay dun base with a white, piebald-like pattern featuring extensive white on the face, legs, and belly, as well as a distinctive spattering of white across its body. The coloration is caused by a new genetic trait, a single nucleotide deletion in the KIT gene identified as the Dominant White 21 (W21) allele.

For the World Championships for Icelandic horses in Switzerland, I wanted to bring a few pieces to show that I can paint portraits, quite accurately for likeness, yet painterly for an artistic feel.

I got permission from both the amazing photographer Liga Liepina, Equine Photograper as well as from the owner and breeder, Baldur Eiðsson to paint Ellert.

Acrylics on canvas with some gold paint in the background, 50x60cm