Sangre Brava

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by Britt Zaist

Years ago in the summer, Texans could easily cross the border to come to Mexico and did come, especially to San Miguel, to avoid the intense heat back home. Back then I had been doing pet portraits here for a number of years in my ink gestural style. I generally got dogs and cats to draw — an occasional pet rat, parrot or gerbil — but mainly canine or feline household pets. And each commission came with a story – sometimes funny, sometimes sad, almost always memorable – from people who really loved their pets.

Cardinal
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The Klozmans had a ranch in Texas and one of their pets was a Red Simbrah Bull named Cardinal. I got lucky with the first fighting bull I ever drew, Sangre Brava, such that eventually some people came to think of him as a symbol of San Miguel. But Sangre Brava wasn't Cardinal.

Cardinal had a story of being gentle, of loving to eat a loaf of bread handed to him slice by slice by his owners. From the photo they gave me, he looked fierce so I drew him that way; but they said he was more like Ferdinand, the Bull with the Delicate Ego and so that's how I always think of him when I see my drawing.

Cardinal
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Britt Zaist was born and raised on Long Island, N.Y. Her grandparents were successful Italian and Spanish immigrants. After living on a sailboat for three years, cruising the Inland Waterway, making crossings to the Bahamas with her first husband, they hit dry land and moved to New York City. There she studied at the Art Students' League Of New York and became a Life Member. That marriage took her to Raleigh, NC, where she was active in several art groups.

Britt and Henry now open their home gallery and studios to the public.

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