Trick or treat!

Treat yourself to a pretty PAM this Halloween! This lovely gal is on ebay through Saturday night (10/31):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170398788805

Pirate ponies

As it's "Talk Like A Pirate Day," I thought it fitting to post a picture of a recently finished commission on his improvised base, heehee.

Also, I have a cute leopard appaloosa CM Flash on ebay at the moment. He ought to be a fun halter and performance horse: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170384756369

I have had a busy summer, but I have been working steadily on custom orders and will have a few more to ship out this week. Pictures coming soon!

Lots of little horses heading out!

So how about that Derby? Calvin Borel's antics still have me giggling. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy! And how cool is it that Mine That Bird is a gelding? Hopefully, he'll have a nice long career.

For me, the Kentucky Oaks was even more exciting than the Derby this year. For those of you who didn't see it, here's the race on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRGvbUmqv-s

I don't know how to embed the video, but do watch it, and watch jockey Calvin Borel as they hit the turn. He looks back, but never once does he need to ask his filly, Rachel Alexandra, to run. She just draws off of her own accord and nearly breaks the stakes record in an easy gallop. Scary to think what she could do if she turned on the afterburners! I had an inkling that she would win and was working on a portrait already, but no one could have anticipated how she would win. Amazing! The portrait model is up on ebay at the moment:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170327943560

In addition to finishing up my Rachel portrait, I have been working hard on commissions, and I have 9 horses finished, boxed, and ready to ship today and tomorrow. Hooray for progress! One of those horses was an Enviado that I am particularly fond of. Such a lovely sculpture to work on, and I think he turned out exceptionally well. I love contrasting colors!

Painting up a storm!

I had hoped to have my backlog completed by March (why do I have this weird feeling of déjà vu?), but painting always takes me alot longer than I anticipate. I am making good progress though, especially now that the weather is starting warm up a little (other than the snow today, of course).

With the racing season really getting into swing again, I thought I'd post some progress pix, including two Thoroughbred portraits, George Washington and Artax. More to come soon! :-)

My NAN auction donation piece

He's done at last! More pix can be viewed on my website here. Proxy bidding has begun---more info on bidding can be found on the NAN site.

Eight Belles model on ebay to benefit ReRun

100% of the proceeds of this model will go to ReRun, a wonderful TB rescue.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170218267868

Triumph and tragedy

Today epitomized the highs and lows of horse racing. The high of course was Big Brown's dramatic victory in the Kentucky Derby despite his inexperience, his quarter-crack prone feet, and his far outside post. I have been watching and rooting for that colt since one of my racing forum buddies, a bloodstock agent, arranged his sale to IEAH after his impressive maiden win at Saratoga last year. Naturally, I was shrieking with delight when Big Brown swept around the turn and easily accelerated away from the field. What a thrill!

And then my excitement vanished when the cameras panned to a shot of the filly, Eight Belles, down on the track. Going into the race, I honestly didn't think she had a chance, but I was pleasantly surprised to see her run a game second to Big Brown nonetheless. I was utterly shocked to see that she had fallen as she galloped out after the race, nearly a quarter-mile beyond the finish line. In my 25 years watching horse racing, I have never seen anything quite like it, and sadly, it doesn't entirely surprise me. I could go on at great length about the evils of breeding for speed and precosity at the expense of soundness because that is exactly what doomed Eight Belles---a hulking 17 hand frame on legs too fragile to support it thanks to the unsoundness issues rampant in her sire line. I can only hope breeders will start to wake up and take notice of the damage they are doing to the breed and to the sport...

Nothing could be done to save Eight Belles today, and the breeding industry isn't going to change overnight, but something can be done right now to help other Thoroughbreds in need. I am working on a portrait model of Eight Belles already, a Classic Kelso model, and I will have her for sale on ebay within the week to benefit a TB rescue or research fund. I haven't decided which one yet, but I'll post details here as soon as the model is finished.