Orpwood Fine Art

Dale Curtis Photography

BIOGRAPHY

I was born in Redhill, Surrey (UK) in 1983 and developed a deep connection with horses at an early age, beginning with my first pony ride at just two years old. Over the years, I have worked extensively within the equine industry across the UK, Barbados, Canada, and the island of Mustique in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

After moving to Barbados in my early teens, I taught horse riding alongside working as a freelance racehorse exercise rider for a number of trainers, including French trainer Jean Louis Beuzelin and local trainer Robert Pierce. Much of my work focused on backing and producing young thoroughbreds for Sir David Seale.

From there, I moved to the island of Mustique, where I taught both private and group riding sessions, managed equestrian activities, and led trail rides and island tours. Before returning to the UK, I spent time in Canada working as a freelance riding instructor in Stouffville, Ontario.

After returning to the UK, I rode thoroughbreds for Bill Smith (various owners), Arab horses for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Bill Smith’s personal hunt horses.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside and exceptional equine subjects, I continued to develop my skills as an artist, quietly oil painting alongside my equestrian career and accepting private commissions by request.

Today, I am based in the UK and focus my practice on portraying horses and the natural world around them. I am a skilled oil painter with a recognisable style, known for my use of colour, light, and contrast to create a sense of richness and depth in my work.

I am very selective about the reference material I work from and prefer to meet and photograph my subjects in person. Spending time with each horse allows me to capture their individuality, energy, and character, often supported by life studies for reference. This approach enables me to create thoughtful and accurate portrayals that go beyond surface aesthetics, capturing the essence of the whole horse.