Equine Portraiture | Yaheya Pasha

Using bright colors, equine portraiture artist, Yaheya Pasha, creates art that reflects the mood and movement of horses.

Yaheya Pasha is an equine portraiture artist fascinated by the effervescent movement of horses. Her grandfather was a keen polo player, and her parents both grew up with horses.

For years, Yaheya spent her time working in a corporate environment to earn a living, but at 29, she decided it was time to give way to her artistry. She embarked on her art journey by applying to the Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design where she graduated with a BA in art and design. In 2009, she began observing horses, visiting stables, watching and doing study drawings of their physiques as they moved. “This drawing continues to form the foundation of my research before committing any horse to canvas,” Yaheya says.

Equine Portraiture Artist Captures The Effervescent Movements Of Horses

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Reflecting movements with colors

Yaheya enjoys capturing horses in their moments of liberation and euphoria. According to her, that’s where the magic lies. As their bodies catch the light intertwined with shadows, all she sees are dazzling colors that she expresses with her audacious color palette.

equine portraiture Yaheya Pasha — Euphoria: Size 120cm X 120cm The painting shows the horse boldly twisting itself to the right whilst in a dramatic rearing pose, head slightly bowed and mane wildly tousled. The colors for him are deep red oranges, purples, and turquoises. This was an audacious project and a rewarding one!

Artistic influences

Her artistic influences are an eclectic mix that includes Mikhail Vrubel, Bob Peake, Tom Thomson, Rodin, and Yoshitaka Amano. Also, she mentions being a huge fan of Manga anime. However, she specifically gives credit to Howard Tangye, one of her drawing tutors at Saint Martins. “Through his guidance, I was able to strengthen my drawing and I also learned the importance of observing one’s subject,” she says. “It freed me and gave me the confidence to move forward.”

{ French Artist’s Original Horse Paintings }

Working on a vivacious Andalusian horse

Currently, she’s working on a stunning portrait of a very vivacious Andalusian horse on a canvas sized 120cm by 90cm. “His head is in profile whilst his body is moving forward towards the view,” Yaheya says. “He has a spectacular tail flaring outwards to add to the momentum. His chest muscles and neck are detailed in lemon yellows, dove greys, and pastel pinks whilst other parts are in deep rust-brown, shades of aqua blue and violet hues! I see every horse’s body as a kind of landscape made of beautiful shapes that come together to form these beauties.”

Artistic expectations

“My work is collected by horse lovers and non-horse owners alike with no boundaries on age or gender,” Yaheya says. “There is something for everyone to enjoy. I want this to continue through my work, using it to introduce, acquaint and garner peoples’ appreciation for the beauty, energy, and dynamism of the horse.”

Artistic style

Yaheya describes her style as contemporary figurative equine portraiture, expressionistic in style with overlapping abstract elements.

Artist personal statement

“My philosophy is to freely explore my potential through experimental drawing and painting, in search of new techniques and ideas. I am on an exciting adventure, destination unknown. The possibilities are endless!”