Today’s travel story is surprising and sweet, just like the moment in which it happened. The picture speaks for itself, and I hope it makes you smile, too (I can’t stop looking at it!). Joan shares how she combines her love for art and horses and her surprise encounter on a beautiful beach in Vieste, Italy.
My name is Joan Jannaman and I am an equine artist living and working near Nashville, TN. I grew up riding, “living and breathing” horses and that love never left me. After working as an art teacher, illustrator and raising our family, I returned to my passion for horses and art. I’ve joyfully combined the two creating Equine and Equestrian inspired artwork. My work has most recently been on the cover of the Chronicle of the Horse and featured in magazines such as Horses in Art, Sidelines, The Barn Book Cover, Polo Edition. My favorite Equestrian sport to watch….. EVENTING of course !
My husband loves Italy and because of him I love it too. My only complaint is that we rarely see horses there in our travels. Granted, the rolling vineyards are breathtaking but the views of grazing horses are few and far between.
Last year we spent some time staying at a small coastal resort town called Vieste ( if you see the “spur” of the boot of Italy…that’s Vieste) It has beautiful white cliffs falling into flat sands and calm waters of the Adriatic. We were walking along the base of the cliffs near the town when we heard hoof beats! As a guy was leading his horse down to the beach, his friend pulls up in a small car beside the two of them. This picture is what I snapped as I saw the horse being exercised Italian style….. two guys in a little car, talking and smoking; one with his hand stuck out the window leading the horse at a slow trot with their little dog following behind.
Yes, the Italians do have a different way of doing things!
Be sure to check out the incredible oil paintings on Joan’s website, Lakehill Studio plus more great moments captured on canvas and other thoughts on Joan’s Blog.
Thanks for sharing this moment with us, Joan! If you have any great travel stories involving horses, we’d love to hear about it! Email your thoughts, images, and a little about yourself to [email protected]. Happy travels!
