Etruscan Inspired

"Horses and dogs have been man's most intimate and faithful companions since the dawn of history, but the horse has certainly been the most useful. In sport, agriculture, transport and warfare, the horse has contributed more to human pleasure, ambition and progress than any other animal." ~ Prince Phillip

New original custom Painted Pony for 2012. Based on a bronze Etruscan horse figure. 

Now on ebay for 3 days only!

Click here for auction. 

Replica of Etruscan horse figure.

Custom Ponies

As an official Painted Pony artist I am permitted to take one of my figurines, like this one of Emergence, and repaint or embellish the Pony. I had an order this week for a black Pony with a crimson phoenix. I'm really happy with how he turned out.

If you would like to order an embellished figurine, they are $175 plus shipping.

Last week I had an order for a portrait Painted Pony of an Appaloosa mare named Honey.

Lucky for me Honey's owner took 50+ photos for me to work from so I could get her just right.

She reminds me a lot of Rosie, the mare I lease.

 I think Appaloosas have very unique personalities.

I  grew up riding my Aunt's large pony, also named Honey.

I'm the little girl in the photo. Don't we look grumpy!

Wedding Weekend

Last Friday we headed up to Ithaca, NY for the wedding of my brother, Andrew, and his new wife , Katie. Come with us and see how much fun we had!

The walk to the Taughannock Falls was a little soupy but the rain had at east ended.

 Zoe is dancing for the falls.

Beautiful ceremony.

Reception across the street at the pavilion facing Cayuga Lake.

Local wine from Six Mile Creek Vineyard.

(The beer was from Ithaca Brewing company and the catering by Ithaca Bakery, all very well done)

Everyone enjoyed skipping stones on the lake.

The next day we toured Ithaca. I love this old metal horse sculpture.

Such a fun town, I would definitely go back. Loads of great shopping and dining. 

And we visited the Cornell Plantations which were free!

Next we headed east to Oneonta to visit my friend Hope and her family.

Hope and I were neighbors growing up.

Love her dog Owen...

And kitty, Bon Bon.

Hope and Joe took us to Ommegang Brewery for a tour and some samples on Father's Day.

Delicious beer and really yummy frites and local cheeses in their cafe.

Next we went to Cooperstown to visit the Fenimore Art Museum.

You can imagine how excited I was when we descended the stairs and I saw an original. life size Pony from The Trail of Painted Ponies!

Lightning Bolt Colt by Dyanne Strongbow

They had a wonderful collection of Native American art.

The is a horse 'dance stick' below that is a War Record painted on hide. Both and Lakota Sioux.

We had such a wonderful time on our long weekend vacation!

Distelfink

I am honored to be chosen as a top ten finalist in the American Country category of the 

Trail of Painted Ponies Design Contest.

They are letting the public vote on their favorites in each category.

I entered my design called Distelfink as an homage to the place I call home, Lancaster County, PA.

Based on Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, the distelfink, or thistle finch, is a common motif representing luck and happiness. The tulips are for faith and the hearts are for love.

If you would like to vote, click on this link.

You can only vote for one Pony design per category.

Voting ends tomorrow.

Please share :)

Ponies in the Garden

My newest Painted Ponies have arrived and they look wonderful. I am amazed that they can take my original art and reproduce it into thousands of figurines. Still a bit strange to see my name on the bottom!
Here is The Unicorn's Garden in my garden. This one means a lot to me. It was the first Pony I painted that I had a really hard time parting with (back in 2007). I love medieval art, unicorn lore and everything to do with gardening.

I also had a Pony collector fall in love with Sakura and he wanted his own Pony similar to the first I created.

I love how Sakura II looks on the rearing Pony form. Part of the proceeds from the 2nd cherry blossom Pony will also be donated to aid Japan.

View from outside my studio window...

We have a lot of beautiful azaleas here planted by the original owners.

This crimson red one behind the house is my favorite!

Love this Lunaria that grows wild in our yard.

This is the most amazing tulip growing in my garden and I have no recollection of planting it!

My neighbor's yard is nothing but dandelion seeds.

Hope the wind doesn't blow them over here.

Pumpkin in the neighbor's jungle.

Bye, bye!

The Unicorn and the Phoenix

Sounds sort of like a medieval poem or something out of Harry Potter doesn't it?
Well, I'm happy to say that they are the subjects of my two newest figurines that will be produced by The Trail of Painted Ponies as part of their spring 2011 herd! How exciting!
The news was announced yesterday and you know I was just bursting at the seams to tell everyone.

I think they did an excellent job reproducing my designs. These are the figurines that will be available next month. I will have a few to sign and sell myself.

This is the original Phoenix Pony.



And the original Unicorn Pony.

I am so in love with the Unicorn Tapestries.

 Some day I will get to The Cloisters in NYC to see them!

Three mythical creatures, all look so nice together.

Now I just need to convince them that they need a dragon...

When I googled 'Unicorn and Phoenix, this painting by Thomas A. Launy came up.

 Isn't it beautiful?