Turn turn turn

Yesterday two horses I never wanted to say goodbye to stepped onto a trailer and rode out of my life.

That's the nature of making friends at boarding stables. As lives and needs change, people - and their horses - come and go. Some goodbyes are hard, but they aren't usually final. Everyone keeps in touch through Facebook. There are occasional lunches and many happy reunions at the Stock Show, the Horse Expo and Dover. It's not the same, but it's fine.

Except, this time it's not.

The nature of this parting was so deliberately hurtful, it's hard to see any basis for a friendship going forward. 

I can not tell you how hard this has been. I've spent the last month questioning every aspect of the last ten years. Were we ever really friends? Was it all one sided? Did I just see what I wanted to see? I don't know, I don't know, I don't know.

As I stood in front of an empty stall this morning, I realized the friendship was real, but limited. What I thought was a lifelong, committed relationship, was actually a seasonal fling. It was a good season, a long season, but ultimately, just a season.

Yesterday two horses I never thought I’d to say goodbye to stepped onto a trailer and rode out of my life. I am sad to see them go, but also, I am relieved. 

It's time to move on to the next season.

Olive branch

Last November, I took a picture of Olive with her head over Judge's back. I really liked the photo and included it in a recent post, Happy Where I Am.

Karen Gerhardt read that post and was inspired by the picture. She writes: I loved the composition of Jennifer’s photo as soon as I saw it. I have never used a horse as a subject for an oil painting—at least as an adult. In fact it’s a private rule that my oil paintings will not be horses, since I put so much horse energy into the sculptures. But I decided to challenge myself with this small (it’s only 5x7”) work just for fun. And it motivated me to get over a block I had on a larger landscape that was stalled. So I decided Jennifer needed to have it.

The painting arrived yesterday. I didn't know it was coming - or even that it existed - so it was a wonderful surprise.

I love everything about it - the subject, the execution, the size, the frame... It's all just perfect.

Such a wonderful addition to my flat art by hobby artists collection!

This has been a really difficult month, but thanks to Karen's talent and generosity, yesterday was a little bit better. I don't know what I'd do without my hobby friends. Thank you, thank you!

Which one would you take, part four

I posted a collage of my resin collection on Facebook and said, "If you could have just one of them, which one would you take?"

WarLord, War Chant sculpted by Kathi Bogucki, painted by Kathleen Kirch and coveted by Christine Jordan

 The responses were immediate and overwhelming.

Rajun Cajun, Okie Rio sculpted by Carol Williams, painted by Chris Flint and coveted by Teresa Buzzell

Of course, I had to turn them into a blog post.

Raton Cebo, Brio Sambra sculpted by Sheila Bishop, painted by Tiffany Purdy and coveted by Teresa Fedak

Except, really, there were too many for just one post.

Love N Stuff, Matriarch sculpted by Carol Williams, painted by Susan Hurst and coveted by Susan Bensema Young

So I wrote a second.

MN Bonnie, sculpted and painted by Michelle Belisle-Locke

And then a third.

New York Doll, Strawberry Jam sculpted by Kathi Bogucki, painted by Susan Hurst and coveted by Emme Grace

And here we are at post number four.

Prodigal Daughter, Calamity Jane sculpted by Sarah Isherwood, painted by Hilary Schwafel and coveted by Breanna Scott

At this point, I know it's self-indulgent.

Wren, Wrona sculpted by Anna Dobrowolska-Oczko and painted by Lauren Hoeffer

But, also, I don't really care?

Zefyrr, Kara Kush sculpted and painted by Andrea Kessler and coveted by Susan Bensema Young

I've really enjoyed this series.

BFF, Scarlett sculpted by Stacy Tumlinson, customized and painted by Tiffany Purdy and coveted by Breanna Scott

The majority of my models have been packed up for more than a year.

Beethoven, Bourbon sculpted by Anna Zaharenkova and painted by Georgia Padgett

It's been so nice reconnecting with them this way.

Khemotigre, Aashiq sculpted by Edwin Bogucki and customized and painted by Tiffany Purdy

For the first time in a long time, I am inspired to get them out and play with them for real.

Balthazar, mule sculpted by Linda Lima and painted by Suzanne Feld

Thank you so much to everyone who "stole" a model from me this week.

Adonis Z, Valentino sculpted by Brigitte Eberl, painted by Tom Bainbridge and coveted by Kelly Weimer

If they're ever actually for sale, I'll let you know!

In deTENTion

The Tent Sale is to Dover what the NPOD is to BreyerFest.

The last four days have been entirely consumed by Tent Sale.

First there was set up.

Then the "Basement" items arrived. 

So.

Much. 

Stuff.

After that, it was Tent Sale itself, which is pure chaos. I was too busy to take lots of pictures, and most of the ones I took were of dogs.

We love our Dover dogs.

This one was named Vader. He was a staff favorite.

Speaking of staff, we all love the chicken socks, so most of us - myself included - wore them today.

Chicken chicks.

This has been a really fun, really busy couple of days. Tomorrow I have a day off. Thank the lord. I need to rest.

Friday favorites

 Spring is mud season.

I hate it.

The footing is slippery.

The horses are filthy.

It's miserable.

It's definitely not my favorite.

Over the years, I've seen several artists create muddy horse customs. Every time, I have thought, "Ugh, why?" 

Obviously, I get that it's realistic, but it's kind of like a peeing model. I don't feel like it's something that needs to commemorated in sculpture.

Well, it turns I just hadn't seen the right mud horse custom.

Jenn Constantine created this muddy version of Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig's venti scale Whirlwind resin, and he is chef's kiss.

The mud is distributed perfectly...

and so well done.

He looks muddy and happy, and honestly, this is a model I'd be happy to own.

Congratulations, Jenn. Mudlark is amazing.

Which one would you take, part three

A couple days ago, I posted a collage of all most of my resin models on Facebook and asked, "If you could take one, which would it be?" 

Kirsten Wellman wants Ginseng. She writes: Oh, that Gerhardt Vigil! ❤ I love that flaxen liver color on him. That resin was my holiest of holy grails for a long time. I was in high school when it was released, and I was so bummed when I wasn't drawn from the lottery to buy one. (I'm pretty sure it was a lottery.) I remember daydreaming about what color I would choose---bright bay with a blaze and four socks. I did finally acquire one about 10 years ago. He's a medium bay with chrome, so I'm thrilled.

Ginseng, Vigil sculpted and painted by Karen Gerhardt

Marissa Helling and Christine Sutcliffe chose Emma. Marissa says: Your pinto, cantering Mule. I think her name is Emma, right? I just adore her. She's so unique, versatile, and has such a lovely paint job. I love a good long ear, and she checks all the boxes.

Christine's explanations is simpler: Definitely Emma if I absolutely had to narrow it down - she’s so iconically Braymeresque to me!

Emma, Jasmine sculpted by Mel Miller and painted by Tiffany Purdy

I was surprised - and touched - that my local friends wanted models painted by me. Teresa Buzzell and Farbian Rodgriguez both singled out Formal Attire as a must have. Fabian says: Formal Attire. Honestly it was just love at first site. I absolutely adore this model, and I am truly his #1 fan!

Formal Attire, BHR Loper sculpted (I think) by Sue Sifton and painted by Jennifer Buxton

Heather Malone wants my 2018 NaMoPaiMo model, Maeve. She writes: I covet your fleabitten Brigid sculpted by Jenn Scott. I stupidly sold my blank. It’s a small run and they never come up for sale, but I love her so much. She has the air of packer in a schooling program, and I love the paint job especially since you painted her.

Maeve, Brigid sculpted by Jennifer Scott and painted by Jennifer Buxton

Another surprise: Jeanne Laverdt not only covets my Streetwise and knows him by name. This is an older piece and has only been featured on my blog once or twice. I didn't think anyone remembered that he exists!

Sweat Equity, Streetwise sculpted by Karen Gerhardt, customized by Jennifer Buxton and painted by Melissa Mistretta

Donna Allen expressed an interest in Octopurdy, saying she "could really put him to work on the ranch!"

Octopurdy, Oktopussy sculpted by Brigitte Eberl and customized and painted by Tiffany Purdy

Similarly, Diana Macdonald is excited about Jennibray's performance potential. She writes: The jumping mule. A) I do love a good mule and B) this one is versatile for performance in hunter/jumper, eventing and other: coon jumping or in hand trail.

Jennibray, Jumping Nancy sculpted by Brigitte Eberl and customized and painted by Tiffany Purdy

Teresa Botkins' pick is Hot Summer Knight. She writes: For me it would be one of the Morgans, of course, and although I find them all lovely, and I actually have copies of them myself, it's the Knightly Cadence that calls to me. Such a pretty chestnut.

Hot Summer Knight, Knightly Cadence sculpted by Carol Williams and painted by Sommer Prosser

Julie Brooks chose Gizette, saying she's always adored this lovely model.

Gizette, Giselle sculpted by Stacy Tumlinson and customized and painted by Tiffany Purdy

Randa Garrett wants Khemonahar Ali...

Khemonahar Ali, Khemosabi (body) and Nahar (head) sculpted by Sarah Rose and customized and painted by Tiffany Purdy

and Heather Visser covets Frank. She writes: I have always loved Khan, but am not a fan of the tail. The tail on yours makes him stand out with it so much more. It also probably helps that he’s an Appaloosa, and everyone knows that I’m crazy about appys. Also this is one of only two of this mold in appy I care for. Yes I am picky as can be!

Frank, Khan sculpted by Sarah rose and customized and painted by D'arry Jone Frank

Jennifer Lambert is making designs on Vulcan: Oh no another Dozen Roses resin whatever shall I do... (voice trailing off as a sidle away with said resin poorly hidden behind my back)

Vulcan, Dozen Roses sculpted by Kathi Bogucki and painted by Melissa Mistretta

Last and definitely not least is little Hawkward. No less than three people expressed interest in adding this one to their herds. Sorry, Suzanne Combs, Beth Patterson and Margaret Balch. He's staying here for the foreseeable future!

Hawkward, Hawk scan of real horse modified by Maggie Bennett and painted by Tiffany Purdy

Thank you again to everyone who participated. It's been so fun sharing my models with you this way!