Whoa Artists on Etsy

Just a few of our members artworks, an ever changing gallery...
To find more wonderful Equine works,from our Etsy Team members, just type in the two words, whoa team into the etsy search box.

Whoa Team Spotlight: Gypsy Mare Studios

October Spotlight Artist: Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor of Gyspy Mare Studios

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I opened my shop in January 2008. I'd been selling on Ebay since 1999 and was fed up with their fees and policy changes and wanted to branch out.



What do you like about selling on Etsy?
I love their low listing fees, 20 cents, you can't beat that! They also charge a low commission when something sells. I also really like the people I've met on Etsy. I traded art with another seller and made a great friend!


What is your favorite medium?
That's hard to say since I've worked in many. I would say the medium I use most is acrylic paint since it's easy to use and clean up and it dries quickly. I enjoy painting in oils the most - I love the way they blend and the rich colors. I also really like sculpting in paper clay and hope to do more when I have the chance. Lastly, I love photography. I haven't sold any of my pictures but I take my camera where ever I go!

Where do you find inspiration for your art?
In short - everywhere! In my garden, on weekend trips to Longwood Gardens, horse shows, the zoo and museums. Reading children's books to my 3 year old daughter, driving around the beautiful Lancaster County countryside where I live. I think most artists are always looking for things to inspire them - there is beauty all around us! I'm always looking at things - from clouds to bugs - thinking, how would I paint that?

Do you have any favorite pieces?

Right now it's a painting of a thoroughbred stallion I used to care for. I painted him in oils this year and the painting hangs next to my art table. This horse was a real jerk and one day he bit me when I was walking past his stall - nearly took my arm off! I still have a large bump on my arm and the scars to prove it!
I also love Halloween. The Headless Horseman plays a key role in a lot of my work this time of year.

Any tips for other artists just starting out on the web?
Blog, blog, blog! Number one tip. I've been saying it for awhile now but I noticed that the Artist's Magazine had this in their top ten as well. It's free, it's easy, people will get to know you and want to buy your work. I have had my Gypsy Mare Studios blog going since 2007. I've made some really great friends through blogging!

Any pets?
We have three cats - Meemee, Zazu and a new ginger kitten named Pumpkin. I had a horse that I raised from a foal but I had to sell him to buy our house 2 years ago. Very sad but family comes first and I know I will have a horse again someday.


How do you envision your artistic future?
I'd love to take some college art classes since I'm mostly self taught. I'm also working on illustrating a children's book about horses and Halloween. One of my customers, and now friend, has come up with the wonderful text, I just need to work on the art. Illustration is one of my favorite art forms. I would love to be known someday for illustrating children's books.

You can find more of Jennifer's work on her blog, The Mare's Tales, and on her website.

Become a fan on Facebook.

Follow Gypsy Mare Studios on Twitter.

Whoa Team Spotlight: Moonlight Photography

Meet Whoa Team member, Deborah Lehman, of Moonlight Photography.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I will celebrate my 1 year anniversary this week.


How do you like selling on Etsy?
I love it! It is so easy and convenient.I get instant feedback when listing a new item,and I simply love the treasuries!

What is your favorite medium? Photography

"A Boy and His Horse" - click to purchase

How do you find inspiration for your art?
Nature and color, beauty in all things actually.Recently the horses!

Do you have any favorites?
Baffler Love, because I feel it was a one in a lifetime shot! Strike a Pose, because it is a great combination of photography and photoshop and finally A Boy and His Horse, my grandson and Baffler!


"Baffler Love" - click to purchase


Any pets?
Sadly I lost my fabulous Doberman (Gretyl) a couple of years ago,but I have two cats Tink and Jet and now my new stallion, Mr. Man. I have fallen head over heels for him, he is quite a character!

How do you envision your artistic future?
I really don't know where photography will take me. I have only been at it seriously for about 2 years and I know I still have a lot to learn.I just focus on learning and creating whatever comes will be a bonus. I am grateful for the inspiration Etsy and Whoa Team have given me! Being a part of a group is wonderful and joyous. I look forward to all the new creative avenues to explore in the coming years!



"Strike a Pose" - click to purchase

Whoa Team Photography

To Find Wonderful Equine Photography from some of our talented members,

Available as Prints,Cards, and on Gift Items.
See new snapshot of members work, re 30th September

Just type the words 'whoa team ' or 'whoa team photography' into Etsy search.

July Spotlight Artist: Danielle Barlow

The Whoa Team spotlight artist interview this month is Danielle Barlow from Devon, England. Drop in on her blog, Notes from the Rookery, or her Etsy Store, you will be delighted by what you find!

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How long have you been selling on Etsy?
Since the beginning of 2008.

What do you like about selling on Etsy?
I love that it is such a vibrant arts and crafts community. It is a great looking site, easily navigable and with loads of great features, especially the treasuries! Oh, and the fees are very reasonable - particularly when you consider what you would have to pay a gallery in commission.

What are your earliest memories of creating equine art?
We had a book of Thelwell cartoons when I was very young, and I spent hours painstakingly copying his drawings. I was probably about 6 at the time.

What is your favorite medium?
Watercolour, for it's luminosity and unpredictability, and Indian Ink, used with a dipping pen, because I love the liberating spontaneity it gives my drawings ( I have a tendency to get bogged down in unnecessary detail if I am not stopped!)

What artists have influenced your work or provided inspiration?
Many artists, but it always tended to be the illustrators who made the greatest impression. I grew up on a diet of Arthur Rackam, Edmund Dulac and Aubrey Beardsley. These days I have a growing collection of children's books, unable to resist the beautiful illustrations. My favourites are Charles Keeping (whose illustrations for Alfred Noyes poem, 'The Highwayman' are absolutely awesome!),
Errol le Cain and Helen Ward.

Please tell us a little about your pets.
Oh, there are several!
Magpie, a Labrador collie cross, my faithful shadow!
Beetlejuice and Miu, two cats.
Red, my beautiful 15hh appaloosa , nearing 20, but still a handful!
Matthew and Foggy, my girls ponies, 12.3hh and 11.3hh respectively, middle aged geldings,
Marlene, a 4 year old Dartmoor mare, and Sandpiper , a 2 year old Dartmoor x Highland filly.

The Virtual pARTy; Art Experience

Love Equine Art, Then this ones for you...wether you are an Artist or an Appreciator of Equine art , or of course both. :)
What's a Virtual pARTy?
A "pARTy" is where artists create work from the same reference material.
A "Virtual pARTy" is when this happens via the internet.
http://the-virtual-party.blogspot.com/
Use the above link to travel to the virtual Party blog and view all the June entries which was themed The Belmont pARTy "Field"

The Hosts of this innovative idea are
the wonderful Artists
Linda Shantz http://www.lindashantz.com/
and
Kimberley Santini http://www.turtledovedesigns.com/
who was also Photographer who provided this months reference photograph for the July
Virtual pARTy (viewing soon).

May Giveaway Winner!!!

Our winner for the May giveaway is Black Feather Farm! Thank you so much to everyone who entered and a BIG THANK YOU to Sheri who donated her gorgeous horse totem for our prize. Please check back in coming months for more artist spotlights and giveaways!