Horse drawings
POWER AND ELEGANCE
Power and elegance are the two defining elements in Maike Sjåfjell’s horse drawings. Through line, surface, and form, she seeks to convey not only the horse’s physical strength but also its inner character. A tight linear structure combined with atmospheric shades of grey lends the drawings both a strong physical presence and a metaphysical dimension, allowing the animal’s inner life to emerge.
Maike Sjåfjell’s deep connection to horses originates in her childhood, growing up on her parents’ horse farm in the Münsterland region of Germany. This lifelong passion is clearly evident in her equine drawings, which reflect both her intimate knowledge of horses and her reverence for their elegance.
Working with classical techniques, Maike creates drawings of exceptional precision and sensitivity. The horses appear atmospheric—almost mystical and fleeting—yet firmly grounded in form. She allows the underlying structures to emerge just clearly enough for the viewer to sense the raw power contained within the animal. Beauty, elegance, and immense strength are masterfully balanced and sculpted in pencil, charcoal, or ink, infusing each image with an almost charged energy. To fully perceive the subtle details—the directional lines and nuanced structures—one is nearly compelled to use a magnifying glass.
