Happy New Year!

I don't generally make New Year's resolutions. I'm not very good at keeping them. But this year, I think some hobby related resolutions are in order. The first and most important is to finish the last few custom orders I have. I'm down to about 5 traditional models and a handful of minis with 4 more models completed or nearly so that I hope to mail out this week. Here's a mini Eberl Warmblood I painted for a customer in the UK:



I apologize for the photo being so dark. I love my photo cube, but I have got to upgrade my lighting system and get some new fabric to use for backgrounds. The backdops that came with the cube are impossible to unwrinkle, and ironing only melts them (not that I know that firsthand...) Ahem. I'm planning to hit JoAnn Fabrics tomorrow after a trip to the movie theatre to see Avatar. I'm thinking blue. :D

Besides boxing up finished horses and daring holiday weekend traffic, I'm going to be working on a new venture to get the Model Horse History website up and running for real. This is a project that has been in limbo for several years, but with the help and enthusiasm of other hobbyists, I am really excited to work on it again. At the moment, I've set up a Facebook page for the website where hobbyists can share memories, photos, etc, while I work on building the site itself. I've found what I think will be a good hosting plan, and I intend to transfer all the websites I currently run to it in the near future. More on that once I figure it all out.

And last but not least, I am resolving to update this blog more frequently this year. I hope to have some new sales items to offer in the near future as well as some fun contests and raffles. Stay tuned!

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