Northern Lights

Cara VL has had a lifelong obsession with horses; when they were no longer a part of her life everything became disoriented. ​

At the age of nine, Cara began taking riding lessons and eventually found true love competing in the jumper ring. The stable taught Cara discipline and order, something sorely missing in her home life. Her barn rat friends became family and the horses offered a type of peace and kindness she desperately longed for.

This magical life with horses seemingly ended when Cara left her hometown of Ft. Wayne IN to study photojournalism at Western Kentucky University. She performed remarkably well with a camera, earning numerous awards including The Alexia as well as interning at newspapers throughout the country. Always a creative, Cara not only relied heavily on photography but also breakdancing and graffiti to keep her soul full. However, the loss of horses was marked.

After the fall of the 2008 recession, she moved to one of the last unrehabbed lofts in downtown St Louis. It was full of artists who encouraged her to paint. In 2011 Cara created her first painting, a 6' x 6' of two horses embracing. The only work she could find was as a carriage driver which reunited her with horses and reignited the passion that had been dormant for far too long. When she smelled her heavy horse sweating during a warm day (horses have a very distinct, sweet smell) there was an almost audible sigh resonating from her soul. She was back on track. 

Today Cara is a full-time artist, painting horses in thick, layered oils. Her career as an artist is an homage to the animals who brought her life color and meaning again. The horses are depicted with exceptionally long legs, reflecting their fragility and the fragility of life. The backgrounds are often simple in nature showcasing a laser focus on the subject matter. A variety of techniques and tools are used to achieve hyper textured oil paintings inspired by a true passion for process in both painting and horse training. Glazing, layering, and thinned paint along with the use of brushes, pallet knives, and fingers lend to the canvas’ depth and movement.

Cara is based in Williston FL, outside Ocala on a small ranch with two horses, a three-legged dog and a semi-feral cat.

Paper prints: Cold Press Natural acid free, 340gsm 100% cotton rag fine art paper with a warm textured surface. Printed with 11 color archival ultra chrome inks.

*Please see the Sizing tab below for precise measurements of image size and paper size. Paper prints come with white border.

Unstretched Canvas Print Acid free, 395grm matte canvas with a satin finish. Each canvas is printed with 11 color archival ultra chrome inks. Each print comes with a 3" white border and can be framed or stretched at home.

Wrapped Canvas Print Acid free, 395grm matte canvas with a satin finish. Each canvas is printed with 11 color archival ultra chrome inks. Canvas is stretched over 1.5” stretcher bars and ready-to-hang

Paper Prints:

Cara's original works are all unique sizes. We have formatted each individual piece to fit a standard frame size (listed above as paper size). Each print comes with a white border to allow for a matted look.

Frame size is equal to paper size ordered, unless specified or requested differently in a special order.

Unstretched Canvas:

Due to the unique sizing of each of Cara's original works, canvas print sizes will vary from piece to piece.

Canvas print sizes will be determined by the longest side dimension of each piece.

For a 12" x 16" unstretched canvas print, the longest dimension of the print will be 16" and the other dimension will vary based on its unique shape.

Each print comes with an additional 3" white border and can be framed or stretched at home.

Wrapped Canvas:

Due to the unique sizing of each of Cara's original works, canvas print sizes will vary from piece to piece.

Wrapped canvas print sizes will be determined by the longest side dimension of each piece.

For a 12" x 16" wrapped canvas, the longest dimension of the print will be 16" and the other dimension will vary based on its unique shape.

The 1.5” sides of the wrapped canvas will be a complimentary color from within each work.

Framing options are only available with paper prints.

Our wood frames come finished with plexi glass and an attached wire hanger, ready to hang.

Paper prints come with a white border, acting as a mat. Additional mat options are available upon request and for an additional cost. 

Please contact us for more framing options: Larger sizes, added mats or a more custom look.

All prints, canvases and frames are made to order in Gainesville, FL

Please allow 7-10 business days for your order to ship from our studio. 

Shipping time after leaving our studio will vary based on your location.

All orders are shipped UPS Ground, unless otherwise requested. Please email us at ShopSWPF@gmail.com after you've place your order to see if expedited shipping is possible on your specific order. 

Unframed paper or canvas print orders are shipped in a triangle tube and all framed art is shipped boxed. 

Please note: all prints, canvases and frames are made to order in Gainesville, FL

Please allow 7-10 business days for your orders to ship from our studio. 

Shipping time after leaving our studio will vary based on your location.

For International Orders:

If you would like to place an order outside of the United States, please contact us at ShopSWPF@gmail.com.

We currently do not offer international shipping at checkout, but are happy to work with you on your order and find the best international shipping solution.