“Slower Pace of Life” — Ruby on the Towpath
Original Oil Pastel by Ms Bella St John.
Titled “Slower Pace of Life,” this evocative painting captures Ruby, the beloved heavy horse of the Tiverton Canal, as she walks the towpath beneath an ancient stone bridge. Guided by her handler and framed by the quiet beauty of Britain’s countryside, Ruby continues a tradition that dates back centuries – one slow, steady step at a time.
The textured softness of oil pastel enhances the peaceful mood of the scene, with morning light filtering through trees and the still water mirroring the calm rhythm of the journey. This is not simply a portrait of a horse – it is a portrait of a way of life nearly forgotten. The rope stretched across the bridge, the weather-worn coat of the handler, the gentle curve of Ruby’s stride – each detail speaks of heritage, harmony, and human-animal connection.
“Slower Pace of Life” is a tribute to those who honour the old ways, to the working horses who shaped our waterways, and to the quiet dignity found in doing things the long, slow, beautiful way.