Friday, January 21, 2011

Finished Product ~ Cora, the Race Horse!


With Hood & Shadow Roll

With Tack Removed
Ok, so that was fast!  Didn't expect to finish the design adjustments so quickly, but what can I say, we are in the middle of a blizzard!  There's not much else to do except go into project mode!  So, here is the finished, shop-ready version of Cora: Tadaa! 

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Work In Progress!

A while ago I posted that I was working on a design for a race horse, with all kinds of fun removeable tack.  Well, I started, and she looks pretty good!  So far, Cora has a removeable grey and green felt hood, complete with bright cupped blinders, green trim, and contrast stitching, with her running number (7) stitched front and center on the hood.  She also has a bright yellow shadow roll and brass bit rings, with smooth white ribbon reins.  And, her super thick black yarn mane is just so soft to the touch!  What do you think?  I'm thinking about changing the shape of the shadow roll, lengthening the reins, and adding green and/or yellow rein covers to go over the part that would be held....white gets so dirty!  Plus, a little extra color is never a bad thing!  Underneath all the tack, Cora is a nice dark brown (almost black!) with eyes and nose outlined in a smooth chocolately color.  She has a bold white star, that leads into a strip, that leads into a snip!  Great markings!  I can't wait to see how she turns out when she's finished, she is going to make some little kid (or adult) very happy!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Custom Order! ~**~ Meet Annabelle!~**~


I wanted to give an example of some custom work that I can do!  Meeting the customer's needs is of utmost importance to me, and I love to do custom orders, because it helps me to break out of the box a little and be experimental and creative! Hearing the consumer's ideas and design concepts helps me to plan for more marketable products in the future, and usually gets my wheels turning and a brainstorm brewing. 

I just received an order for a version of Lady, the Circus horse.  The little girl's favorite color was emerald green, to be incorporated into the bridle, along with shimmering gold accents and decadent gold tassel reins.  The soon-to-be new owner is young enough that maybe having a plume wouldn't be such a good idea, she may have perhaps wanted to pull it off and do a little redesigning of her own!  So, these, along with other color specifications of a dapple grey coat with a coordinating  creamy mane, went into the creation of my latest custom order:  Annabelle!   Annabelle is going out in the mail today, I hope her new owner will have her for many wonderful years to come!  Congratulations!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Paintings and Sketches


       

              "Contentment", Acrylic on Canvas, 2010           "Chrome", Acrylic on Canvas, 2010

I wanted to share a little of my artwork!  Painting on canvas is what I switch to when I have become completely overwhelmed and frustrated with painting on wood over and over again. This happens a lot, and as a result, there are actually a few select pieces that I am actually quite proud of!  When I found out last year that one of my horses, Rajah, had severe, life-threatening melanomas, I did a portrait of him - the one titled "Contentment".  That's the only painting that has any kind of real story to it, everything else has just struck me in the moment, from an experience or feeling.

"Watching", Charcoal, 2010
I'm not the type of person who can sit down and work on a painting for a days at a time, painstakingly adding minute details and tiny brush strokes.  Usually, unless I finish a piece the same day that I start it, it sits incomplete on the easel for weeks!  But, once in a blue moon, I finish something I start.  Here are some final products that I've done over the years.  I'm toying with the idea of making some of these available on canvas on Etsy, what do you think? 


"Rogue", Charcoal, 2010




"Connection", Acrylic on Canvas
2010
  

Friday, January 7, 2011

Gift Certificate Giveaway!


I have decided to do a little promotion, to attract a bit more attention.  So as a result, I'm giving away a $25 gift certificate!  That's more than 33% off any of my horses!  All you have to do to enter is become a fan of my Facebook Page! That's it, so simple!  Anyone with a Facebook account can enter, and there are no strings attached.  The gift certificate is absolutely free!  When I reach 100 fans, I will randomly pick a winner and send the gift certificate via PDF file or through the mail, whichever they prefer.  The $25 can be used on a horse, piece of artwork, or accessories for the horses, anything in the shop - you can even give it as a gift.  If you use it toward something that is less that $25, I'll re-issue another gift certificate for the adjusted amount, so you can do some more spending! 
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To Enter:

1) Visit the Painted Pony Shop Page:(http://facebook.com/PaintedPonyShop )

2) Press "Like"

The winner will be contacted through
Facebook as soon as he or she has been
selected.  Have fun!

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Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Meet My Inspiration!


Rajah and I Showing 1st Level
Isaac Royal Farm

Cora Relaxing at a Show
Isaac Royal Farm
In my last post, I referenced my Throroughbred, Cora.  I actually have two horses, Cora's companion is a beautiful Lipp/Thoroughbred gelding, Rajah.  These guys are as juxtaposed as you can get!  Cora is a punk with a chip on her shoulder (who somehow has found it within herself to love me) but Rajah is a sweet, cuddly, laid back teddy bear who comes running when he hears me and gives hugs and kisses upon request.  I've given Cora a mohawk, it seems appropriate! They are both trained in Dressage, Rajah hovers between First and Second level, Cora is trained to Fourth Level/Prix St. Georges and has an AMAZING extended trot, enviable to be sure!  I got both of my babies from Isaac Royal Farm (http://isaacroyalfarm.com/), they are fantastic horses, and the training I received there will last me a lifetime! Since I brought my horses home, I ride mostly bareback, because I find that the feel and timing is so much improved - I haven't used a saddle in a couple years!  My horses are so special, and they serve as constant encouragement and inspiration. I just thought you'd like to meet them! 


  

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

New Designs! Thoroughbreds, Lippizans, and Donkeys, Oh My!

I have a head full of new ideas!  Thanks to a special request, I'll now be offering DIY Stick Horse Kits - so you can enjoy the creative process, personalize your horse, and have all the fun with only half the work!  I provide the head, with hole drilled, and signed by me (woodburned), a pre-assembled mane in your choice of color, ear material and pattern, and rein material if you'd like.  All you need is some acrylic paint, hot glue, a 1-inch dowel, and a bit of imagination to put it together! 

I'm really excited about all the new horse designs I've been dreaming up lately!  I've got big plans for a racehorse (named after my own tightly wound Thoroughbred, Cora), with a removeable felt hood, rein covers, and a rolled noseband.  I'm feeling like a lot of bright primary colors and pizzaz for this girl!

The next design I have in mind is for a Lippizan, modeled after the stately stallions of Vienna.  They have a beautifully luxe, red and gold theme, with perfectly groomed coats, manes, and tails.  All the tack is ornate and detailed, really breathtaking!  I might even try including a martingale (collar), not sure how that will work out with a stick body, but I'm willing to try!  I think kids would feel really special riding around on a toy modeled after these famous dancers.

Switching speeds, the last design I've been tossing around is for an adorable, rustic donkey, with a scruffy mane and primitive twine bridle.  I think donkeys are so cute!   I'm going to give him a nice blue-gray coat, with white accents on the face and big, soulful brown eyes.....oh yeah, and GIANT ears!  Look at that face - he's gonna be a heartbreaker! 

I want to know what you think....what's your favorite idea?  I'd love some input, feel free to comment! :)