BreyerFest Diorama Contest entries, part three

With everyone working from the same pool of photos, it's not surprising that many artists chose the same inspirational artwork for their BreyerFest Diorama Contests entries. In today's first post, we're going to look at some of the "twins" and "triplets".

Missy Shaw isn't the only one who chose Rosa Bonheur's beloved painting, The Horse Fair, for her diorama. Here's Michelle Montensano's take on it.

She calls this The Fighting Stallion Goes to the Horse Fair.

Here's another version by Crisandra Tephabock.

The Horses of Anahita was another popular choice.

Yesterday, I showed you Robyn White's interpretation. Here's Jodie_Havens'.

I especially love the side view. 

Emily Gillis' version is less a copy and more a reimagination. 

She calls this Breakaway.

Our next piece of inspirational art is The Return of Neptune.

Here's Shannon Ball's recreation.

I love that she took her photos at the beach!

Karon Radzik Aplin also tackled this piece.

She writes: I must have torn it apart and rebuilt it about a half dozen times. I've always loved the story about Neptune and his connection to horses.

Had I been allowed to enter this contest, it's likely I'd have chosen to recreate The Farrier's Shop.

Fortunately, at least two other people were able to do this lovely scene justice. The first is Amanda Stevens. She writes: I wanted to use Theo, so I had to put him inside to make everything fit into a twelve inch cube. 

There is a forge that lights up, as well as a chimney. Farriers tools are displayed, and the horse can move from facing in or out. This took more time than I care to admit. The roof itself was the hardest part. All stones are hand drawn. All accessories are by Breyer. 

Autumn Lopez-Esce's version is similar, but different. 

I really like how the grey tones match the original work.

Unicorns are perpetually popular, so it's no surprise the multiple entrants choses a tapestry called The Unicorn Rests in the Garde as their inspiration. 

Zoe Bee, was one of them. She writes: I drastically customized (my first drastic! shoutout to everyone in the NaMoPaiMo group who helped me) the rearing Andalusian into a lying down unicorn with a shimmery coat, beard, tail and huge horn to mimic the tapestry. It’s far from perfect, but hey, I’m thirteen so I’m still very happy with how it turned out!

Here's Mary Beth Shew's take.

She writes: I did the elements by digital vector trace/point edits and some vector drawing, then cut all the pieces out of colored paper with my craft paper cutter (a Silhouette Cameo 4 machine - like a Cricut). I colored the paper where needed with crayons and colored pencil. Tiny little paper pieces to assemble, but it was a lot of fun!  It felt like tack making!  Ha!

Tara Haskins' version is considerably more complicated. She calls this The Tapestry.

She writes: I've been obsessed with the Unicorn Tapestries since I was young and it was only amplified when I saw The Last Unicorn. The Tapestry embodies The Unicorn Rests In The Garden from the Unicorn Tapestry series made during the Middle Ages. My idea for this diorama was to pay tribute to this amazing work of art, with small details, textures and colors. The unicorn rests in the garden, within The Tapestry within the garden. 

The background is hundreds of hand-drawn wildflowers in Prisma color pencils over metallic watercolor pigments to mimic the threads in the tapestry. 

The Tapestry himself, is a clearware Breyer Andalusian Stallion also painted in watercolor pigments with hand-drawn wildflowers in Prisma color pencils. The Unicorn resting in the garden, along with other tapestry elements (hounds, stag, flowers, flag) inside the horse are a mixed media of watercolor and Prisma color pencils on a Shrinky-dink type plastic. There is a gold foil overlay framing the unicorn and tapestry elements inside of the horse as well. 

I also added twinkle lights to showcase the horse and the unicorn details. The base and fence are all handmade with wildflowers, grasses and the tall palm tree that is in the actual tapestry.

Congratulations, Michelle, Emily, Shannon, Karen, Amanda, Autumn, Zoe, Mary Beth and Tara. I am so impressed with the way you were able to take these popular pieces of art and make them your own. Good job and good luck at BreyerFest!