Connected by design
Construction is moving forward on the new Equine Instincts Gallery at WEC Ocala. Behind these unfinished walls, a new home for art, artists, and collectors is taking shape—one created for discovery, conversation, and connection.
Sometimes the greatest gifts arrive at the most unexpected times. With a master’s degree in exercise physiology and plans to open a sports performance facility, Jonathan Noon thought he knew his career path. But the sudden pause in the world during the 2020 pandemic became the opening he’d been unknowingly waiting for his entire life. Jonathan used this extra time at home to study and hone his artistic skills. He then took the courageous move to Boston to receive guidance from Boston’s Academy of Realist Art. From there, Jonathan’s calling only grew, a creative curiosity that had been quietly waiting since childhood.
Jonathan always had a strong love for the American West, making it a fitting subject as the center of his work. Knowing this inspiration was one thing; developing the method for bringing his visions to life was another. Influenced by all around him, Jonathan is always seeing the world through an artistic lens. “The ideas will fertilize in my head, and then I go and refine it”, he explains. Once the idea has been formed, Jonathan must move on to one of the most technically challenging steps, assembling reference images that will later translate into a painting.
Jonathan pulls elements from various sources for the reference images, whether it may be photos, natural landscapes, or scenes from a movie. Once the image is organized, Jonathan paints a small version to use as a roadmap for the final piece. Sometimes, certain elements don’t translate quite as well when scaled up, requiring small adjustments to be made along the way. It’s a meticulous process that demands both technical skill and attention to detail.
While he focuses on the traditional American West, challenges arise with the location of Jonathan’s studio being in Arizona. The geographical distance from his subject matter creates a fundamental obstacle when it comes to this process: without being physically present in these vast Western spaces, Jonathan cannot always observe and capture the environment with his own eyes. “If you’re in these landscapes and among these elements, then the references are happening all around you. That would be ideal,” Jonathan admits. To combat this challenge, he prioritizes giving the reference gathering and research proper attention to detail before starting a piece.
This dedication to authenticity stems from his early connection and respect for the subject matter itself. That fascination and appreciation for the aesthetic and the stories have become the artistic foundation of his career. “The reason I landed in the Western art world is that these are the stories that feel the most nostalgic and American. It’s quintessential America, especially with the spirit of the horse,” he explained.
When Jonathan thinks about how he wants people to experience his work, one word comes to mind: beauty. “I hope when people see my work, they think it is beautiful,” he says simply. But there’s nothing simple about achieving that goal. He wants viewers to be stunned, to look at his paintings with a sense of awe and think, “Wow, why didn’t I think of that? It just looks like an image that was always supposed to be.” He takes pride in the final presentation of his pieces, knowing that every detail contributes to that overall impact.
These paintings reveal much about Jonathan’s artistic passions, but who is the person behind the canvas? When asked what flavor of ice cream he would be, Jonathan boldly said, “Mint chip because I think it is both sophisticated and fun.”
Like his ice cream answer, there’s both sophistication and fun translated through his artwork. From the technical training and the thorough reference-gathering process to the joy of experimenting with brushwork strokes, he feels the thrill of creating something beautiful that moves people.
Explore more of Jonathan’s artwork online at equineinstincts.com or in person at our Pop-Up gallery inside of Indoor Arena 2 at the World Equestrian Center.
Construction is moving forward on the new Equine Instincts Gallery at WEC Ocala. Behind these unfinished walls, a new home for art, artists, and collectors is taking shape—one created for discovery, conversation, and connection.
Construction is moving forward on the new Equine Instincts Gallery at WEC Ocala. Behind these unfinished walls, a new home for art, artists, and collectors is taking shape—one created for discovery, conversation, and connection.
David Barkby was seventeen years old when he first learned what wood could do in the right hands, and he’s never stopped learning.