Bob and Barbara Ewell
A couple of true racing champions
By
Ann HauprichThe odds did not favor an equine artist whose home turf borders the world-renowned Oklahoma training track in Saratoga Springs being drawn to a small business in what was then considered a “one horse town” elsewhere in the foothills of the Adirondacks.
But the odds were even slimmer that Robert “Bob” Ewell and his wife Barbara would be seated in the print shop’s reception area at the exact time I would enter to preview proofs of the regional magazine I then published.
Roughly 15 years later, it is clear the Creator’s winning ways required us to be placed together in that cozy setting that I might be shown breathtaking images of backstretch mornings as painted by Bob.
This, in turn, inspired me to use my “Words of Art” to share news of Bob’s talents with readers of a diversity of upstate New York periodicals. But the best part of the “trifecta” blessing that began to unfold on that now long ago day has been the gift of time with a couple of true racing champions.
Bob, now 85, and Barbara, 83, whose home straddles the training track’s Fifth Avenue side, look forward to getting up early so they can watch the tapestry of equine action as it unfolds on the other side of their backyard fence.
One can almost hear Folger’s theme song about “The best part of wakin’ up . . .” in the background as Barbara pours freshly brewed coffee for her husband of 63 years – and any of the riders who wish to join them for a cup of java or tea after their runs are completed.
With lush flora and fauna worthy of gracing a cover of Better Homes & Gardens, Barbara is the hostess with the mostest, inquiring about the latest news in the lives of the riders – some of whom hail from faraway lands.
“They really know how to make you feel at home,” beamed British-born Vicki King in an interview I conducted with her about a decade ago. “I can’t imagine this place without them.” Chimed in Canadian-born Maxine Correa: “They take the time to get to know people on the backstretch. I always look forward to seeing them again each year at the start of the season.” Pat Meadows, nicknamed “The Galloping Granny” and “Queen of Riders” Lorna Chavez also had high praise for the couple during that interview.
The fact that The Ewells – as well as most riders – arrive at the Oklahoma when the first buds of spring are popping up and remain there until the last autumn leaves come tumbling down has naturally strengthened the bonds between them. (Like many of the riders, The Ewells also head for the sunny south before Jack Frost starts nipping at their noses!)
Although Bob grew up in Saratoga Springs, he and Barbara (who is also his manager) did not settle in The City of Health, History Horses immediately following their Eisenhower-era wedding.
Indeed the Ewells spent much of their married life in Scotia before moving to a charming old farmhouse in Galway as well as enjoying relaxing times at a cottage on Galway Lake. It wasn’t until becoming seniors that they fell in love with their current abode with “bedazzling” views of the quiet equine haven.
In addition to Fifth Avenue, the Oklahoma is bounded by East Avenue, Henning Road and Union Avenue – the latter in close proximity to the maple-shaded grandstand of the Saratoga Race Course.
Surrounded by fragrant pines, the backstretch is one mile in circumference with the inner turf course at seven furlongs as well as infield grounds for steeplechase horses. It’s little wonder that in 2002, the Oklahoma was selected as a location for the filming of some of the most beautiful scenes for the movie SEABISCUIT, co-starring Tobey Maguire, Jeff Bridges and Chris Cooper! (CLICK HERE to read a related feature in the Summer 2003 edition of Saratoga Living magazine.)
It is clear life along the Oklahoma is beyond inspirational for Bob for whom fascination with the whirl and wonder of thoroughbred racing began in boyhood. Turns out he spent many a morning as a lad on the East Side peering through fences to catch a peek of the ponies during their morning workout ritual. That childhood magic is captured in the watercolors Bob, a self-taught artist, has created over the past two decades. His works of art are proof that he remains awed by the beauty, grace and stature of equines.
Barbara, who grew up in a small town on the outskirts of New York City during the Great Depression, credits her “loving and intelligent parents” with making sure she got to experience Barnum & Bailey circus performances as a child where she marveled at horses and stunt riders. Attending Broadway plays as a teenager further broadened her cultural horizons while the hometown hospitality Barbara witnessed daily during her formative years contributed to the development of her outgoing and insightful nature.
It was while students at Alfred University that Barbara and Bob met and soon
fell in love. Wed in 1953 when she was 20 and he 22, the couple likes to say
they “matured together” while parenting Robert, Jr. and Karen, born in 1956 and
1958, respectively. The Ewells also have two cherished grandchildren (Zach and
Ira) and are excitedly awaiting the arrival of their first great-grandchild in
November 2016. Rising by 5 a.m. to capture what he calls “the infinite variations in contrast, color and depth” of the early morning light, Bob has created a collection that provides a rare glimpse of life as it gently unfolds on a side of the track that is seldom seen by racing fans who flock to the grandstand. His works of art have been widely praised for capturing the spirit of every detail that combine to make the Saratoga racing season so special, from the beauty and temperament of the thoroughbreds to the cadre of people associated with their training and care.
In addition to the hundreds of images that have been exhibited at the Saratoga Urban Cultural Center on South Broadway every other August since 2003 (the next show will be in 2017), Bob estimates he’s painted another thousand or so – including some acrylics and a handful that depict events that occurred at 5 o’clock in the afternoon rather than at 5 o’clock in the morning.
While not all of the equines Bob paints have names racing fans will recognize, they have faces or features he personally found captivating and wanted to preserve for posterity. Samples of the latter include two horses looking out of a van and a thoroughbred being led back to its stable following a morning workout.
Among his personal favorites are three works honoring Birdstone -- who won both the Belmont and the Travers in 2004. Owned by Marylou Whitney, Birdstone famously beat Smarty Jones in the Belmont and thereby derailed his chance for the Triple Crown. (CLICK HERE to read “Good reason why there’s so much ado about Marylou.”)
“When you saw Marylou arrive early at the Oklahoma training track, you
automatically looked for Nick Zito (her trainer) nearby and Birdstone out on the
track with top rider Maxine Correa aboard. A Birdstone workout was always a
sight to behold! The paintings I created of Birdstone working out and one of
Marylou and Nick Zito at the rail depict such a morning,” beams Bob.
A third Birdstone painting by Bob shows the thoroughbred being loaded to make
the trip to the Breeders Cup. The painting became even more meaningful to Bob
after Birdstone was retired to stud because of a chip.Other famous thoroughbreds painted by Bob have included 2007 Horse of the Year Curlin as the champion thoroughbred was being led to the starting gate. “I brought my digital camera over to the main track as he was being led to the starting gate. Curlin won the race, of course, and went on to be named the 2008 Horse of the Year so it seemed fitting to include two paintings of him in my 2009 show,” notes Bob.
Another thoroughbred of distinction to merit two paintings in one of Bob’s past Saratoga shows was Rachel Alexandra. “I arrived at The Oklahoma Track early in the season to take pictures of her and did my best to do justice to her in my paintings,” explains the Saratoga High School Class of 1949 alum who is widely admired and respected for his humility as well as for his great talent.
Meanwhile images that shared the spotlight in Bob’s 2015 exhibit were those
captured in paintings titled “Preakness” (featuring American Pharoah) and
“Reflections.”“Preakness” was inspired after Bob says he “was impressed with American Pharoah and his remarkable performance. I wanted to capture the jubilation in the presence of heavy rain and mud. This resulted in a technical challenge, among others. How to get the sense of rain and soaked track with fading landscape in the background with horses emerging. Anyway, working wet-in-wet in watercolor (which was fitting) worked out—— to my satisfaction at least.”
The story behind “Reflections” is related by Bob as follows: “The weather clears
after there has been rain, there is a whole new range of different images, The
sun lifts the spirits that the rain may have moderated --dampened might be a
little much. One not uncommon sight is the remnant of the rain—the mud puddle.
And often a reflection. These are a standard in the backstretch. Most times the
reflections are drab or partial or otherwise uninteresting. But occasionally you
see something unusual. As I was walking a road in back, I saw the basics for
this image and I followed, with my camera ready. And at one point an image was
captured that provided the essence for this painting. Then came the work of
composing, balancing and executing a watercolor that looked like reflections on
a brighter day.” One thing is certain. There are no ordinary backstretch images in the artist’s memory bank or in the collections of those far and wide who have been blessed to savor Bob's extraordinary works of art.
Those wishing to view additional works of art by R. C. Ewell may do so by appointment by calling his private studio at 518-584-4572. Additional works by the artist, who winters in Florida where he paints sea birds and sea life, may be viewed on a year round basis by visiting wwww.rcewell.com.
726 - Cooling Down
729 - Fog and Four
906 - Girl Leading Horse
1058 - Two Horses Nuzzling
1094 - Paddock Lady in Flowered Hat
1264 - Curlin Winning the Woodward
1268 - Two Horses Looking Out
1695 - Wise Dan On Turf
