Working from grounds, prepared surfaces for paintings, has become a defining aspect of Audrie Mergelman’s current work. Most paintings begin with an abstract design in which color relationships, textures, movement, and other basic design principles are the objectives. These painting grounds are often stored for months or even years before they are paired as the workable match for a specific horse image. Once an equine image is sketched on the grounds, it is a process of deciding what to cover, what to leave, and what to emphasize. Ultimately, the goal is to depict the form and gesture of the horse with accuracy and reverence while still staying loose and expressive. While the great painters of art history are a heavy influence, it is Audrie’s intention to create a final image that is as original as possible.

When she is not painting horses with a bristle brush, Audrie is often brushing a horse with a different type of bristle brush. The everyday handling of a horse is an important part of her process in understanding and rendering their form. The quiet time spent with horses on the ground is arguably as important to her artistic process as the time spent in the studio building  up painting grounds.