Karin's AOTH entry

I always say there are as many ways to make art as there are artists, but in the model horse hobby, there is one way that is valued above all others. That's okay, but it can also be stifling, especially for those of us who - for whatever reason - aren't capable of creating something that looks so real it might walk off the show table. I'm really glad there are artists like Karin Hullatti who aren't afraid to show off their big, messy, perfectly imperfect work. This is Karin's 2025 Art of the Horse contest entry.

The Making of the Goddess

by Karin Hullatti

I've been thinking a lot about art, as I'm elbow deep in it right now.

There is a huge emphasis on realism in the model horse hobby. There are tons of amazing artists that create art that you almost expect to breathe. That…is not me. 

Jennifer Buxton recently wrote a series of blog posts asking what people would do differently in the hobby if live shows didn’t exist, if we took the competition aspect out of the hobby. One of the most common answers was that people would be more creative. if their work wasn’t being judged and compared to other hobby artists, they would do more of it. They wouldn’t spend as much time prepping. They wouldn’t focus as much on being flawless. 

I almost quit this piece before I started. I cut the Arab apart in Feb? March? There were Other Important Things to do, and then it was buying a house and packing and unpacking. 

Suddenly, I only had two weeks to do it, so I decided not to. I couldn’t do it in time. It was impossible.

And then I threw all semblance of model-horse-level attempted perfection out the window and just made her in an week.

And this piece?

It's lumpy.

It's ugly.

It's got too many legs.

The sculpting isn’t smooth or particularly well done.

It’s more primitive, as befitting a goddess. It’s very different plastic pony art than what I usually make, or that anyone makes. This is not what we Strive For. 

I can’t even show it at the regular model horse shows, because it’s not equine enough. 

And even with all of that, making this thing that meets exactly zero of the expectations typical of the hobby, I’m still taking it to Kentucky. I’m still entering it in the Stone competition. 

I expect people to be horrified at the combination of ambition and imperfection. But maybe she will inspire people. Maybe they will feel brave enough to share their imperfect art, instead of giving up when learning is hard, or when their first attempts aren’t perfect. Maybe. Maybe.

In any event, she's mine and she's glorious.

Congratulations, Karin. I can't speak for anyone else, but you - and your Goddess - have definitely inspired me. Good luck in Kentucky!