Etsy Whoa Horse Art Team

February Members Gallery 1

2012-02-05T02:28:00.000-08:00

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.
You can check that a member is a bona fide 'whoa team' member by checking the list of members etsy shops, down on the left column of this blog.
Whoa team members don't forget to add the listing tag,
whoa team, to all your equine image listings in your Etsy Shops

Whoa Team 2012

2012-01-02T02:51:00.001-08:00

Wishing all our members a Happy and Successful Year ahead

Peaceful Christmas Wishes

2011-12-20T04:34:00.001-08:00

Wishing a Peaceful Christmas time filled with Joy to all our Members and Friends

Midsummer News

2011-06-21T03:42:00.000-07:00

NEWS; Alison Fennell's (eastwitching) beautiful watercolours have been featured with other Etsy artists on a US TV programme showcasing artists work, particularly art suitable for children. Go See, heres the link.
http://6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com/2011/06/etsy-artwork-on-studio-5.html

Top Scores in Dressage Artistry

2011-04-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

Just a sample from a few of our members work that incorporate Dressage into their Artworks.
equinoxphoto, JKistlerStudios, adreenharris, LaurieJordan, MoosePantsStudio, yholste, SilverWishes, cowgirlsforacause.

ACEO's, Miniature works of Art

2011-03-10T14:21:00.000-08:00

ACEO, a handy abbreviation for Artists Cards Editions and Originals, are a perfect way to collect art, where finances and sometimes wall space are limited.
Many collectors have their Aceo art framed, while others have them mounted within albums to view, akin to having your own private Art Gallery.
ACEO art is available in all the usual mediums, forms and subjects, watercolours, oils, and altered art to name just a few.
They are always within their own miniature sizing format for ACEO work, of 2 1/2" by 3 1/2 inches. Truly a delightful small wonder.
Just a few of our members aceos below are from....
KerryOriginals, danaelola, CarlaKurtArt, susanbrack, SusanMontyFineArt, and Pentip.

Farewell to JoAnn

2011-02-24T12:07:00.000-08:00

It is with extreme sadness and sincere condolences to her family, that we say goodbye to a wonderfully caring soul and talented artist in the form of JoAnn (westartglass).
JoAnn has just just passed after a recent illness leaving bereaved husband Harold, her daughter and two grand children.
For those members who were not lucky enough to have been touched by JoAnn, she was a kind and caring person, who always took time out to help others along the way.
She worked as an artist in many medias, including one of her favourites glass, in all its beautiful forms, stained glass, fused and Dichoric.
JoAnn loved horses, having owned, raised, trained and ridden her own in show classes and for pleasure.
As an artist she had won many awards and accolades, and cared about wildlife and the environment as well as people, and supported many charities.
I include a link to her profile on Ebay and Etsy, this is an extract from the start and end of the Etsy profile...
Please take time to read JoAnn's profiles, they are very inspirational, its starts with..
'I am married to the best husband in the world, we have one daughter and two grand children'
and ends with..
'and Always be kind to one another'
Etsy Profile
http://www.etsy.com/people/westartglass#

Ebay profile
http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=westartglass

JoAnn enjoyed celebrating her Cherokee heritage,in her many creations that feature Native American artwork.

Love of Horses

2011-02-14T03:28:00.000-08:00

St.Valentine's day is all about Love, but perhaps the Saint most associated with Animals and their Welfare would be St. Francis. Most Artists have a big heart and reading their blogs and profiles you will see their homes are usually crowded with a motley menagerie of rescued animals, here are just a few of our many members that donate a percentage of proceeds from their shop sales to homing and rescue charities.
Top to Bottom, are
DebLittle, for The Cloud Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping wild horses on their rightful homelands in the wild.
Equinoxphoto, for Cowgirls for a cause rescue equines and dogs
Ksantini, for Animal Welfare
Linda Shantz, for the Long Run Thoroughbred Retirement Society
EpicFarms, for Epic farms rescue and homing horses
MustangaDayChallenge, for Alder Hill Farm Rescue
SusanMontyFineArt, for Pure thoughts Horse and Foal Rescue

Model Horses

2011-01-30T05:57:00.001-08:00

Many of our Whoa members work in three dimensionable art forms.
Here are just a few.
Listed from Top to Bottom in order are beautiful works from
redwyvernstudio, feltability, bluedogrose, CrystallineHorse, Needlenags, KarenLaudeDesign,& promisespromises

IMPORTANT Please Existing Members

2011-01-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

IMPORTANT Please Existing Members... Not Yet transfered to the New Etsy Team Site, Please CHECK your ETSY CONVOS,
Re; 7th Jan 2011, and click on the LINK within and respond to transfer to the NEW ETSY SITE..Thank You
This is the only way I know to add you to The New Site.
I have posted several convos since the new site appeared to all existing members, in addition subsequently to all the members who have yet to respond, and on this site and chat threads etc. I realise that Christmas has taken up many artists time and personal committments, and situations change. Everyone may not wish to continue as a member, or some members are no longer using their Etsy Shops. So after another period of time has elapsed, to that end if no responses are made, I will eventually remove the shop links etc from this blog to keep this blog current and up to date.
If that comes about, you can of course rejoin again at any time in the future.

Congratulations

2011-01-07T00:54:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Sheona Hamilton-Grant for her success in the well known Ex Arte Equinus Art Horse Magazine annual show, her works 'Holding on' and 'Hurricane' will be published in their new book, out soon.
http://www.arthorsemagazine.com/exarte4/gallery_drawing4.html

Congratulations to Deb Little, when Jen opened up the latest edition of Horse Illustrated magazine, perusing their Holiday Gift guide. The first item in the guide were the popular horse pendants by a Whoa Team member, Deb Little!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/deblittle

Congratulations to Jen, Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor. Jen, herself has the honour of being an official Painted Ponies Artist, and has had her designs manufactured and has one of her creations featured in their calendar for January.
Just announced, on the Trail of Painted Ponies website, Jen's design, Appy Holidays, will be at the Atlanta Gift Show! I believe it will be available to collectors in July.
http://gypsymare.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Akiko,(artbyakiko) has recently had The Miniature Painters, Sculptors, & Gravers Society of Washington, D.C. (MPSGS) contact her saying that her "Lynx" aceo won Third Place in Birds & Animals category. This was her first entry to the show.
http://artbyakiko.blogspot.com/2010/10/great-news.html

To view their works click on the links. :)

Seasons Greetings

2010-12-23T14:13:00.000-08:00

Wishing all our Members the compliments of the Season, for a Happy and Peaceful Christmastide, and a Creative, and Successful New Year .

Painting by Sir Alfred Munnings

Snow Days

2010-12-09T01:39:00.001-08:00

Artists featured; LindaShantz , aleciaunderhill, delarenaissance artbyregant, equinepencilart, and grandhorse.

Through a Camera's Lense

2010-11-08T00:44:00.000-08:00

Just a few of our Etsy Whoa Team members Photographic artworks.

From Top to Bottom, etsy shops,

deblittle,Irelandrose, shanekelly, Grayhorsedesigns,

NatureVisions, Celticcatphotos.
Links to all Etsy Shops left
.

Jewellery for Horse Devotees

2010-10-13T08:19:00.001-07:00

The Etsy Whoa Horse artists Team has many members that produce Jewellery of in a wide selection of differing styles to suit many tastes, here is just a very small random pick.
Top to bottom order, sellers featured are listed with their shop links below photographs..

wonderousstrange
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wondrousstrange

purplecr2

http://purplecr2.etsy.com/

irelandrose

http://irelandrose.etsy.com/

SilverWishes
http://silverwishes.etsy.com/

ChevreFueille
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ChevreFeuille?ref=seller_info

Autumn Snapshot

2010-10-03T03:17:00.000-07:00

Paintings with an Autumnal Warmth to fill the chilly days ahead.
Artists and their Etsy Shop name links Listed for the paintings as shown
http://andreenharrisart.etsy.com/

http://sharonlamb.etsy.com/

http://eponastudio.etsy.com/

http://cindypriceart.etsy.com/

http://treesart.etsy.com/

http://yholste.etsy.com/

Mare and foal below, Artist
http://mybunnies3.etsy.com/

Sketchbook Auction Sold Today 20th AUGUST

2010-08-10T02:10:00.000-07:00

The Whoa Sketchbook first started in 2008, by the original founding group on Ebay, and its contributing members, The sketchbook is to be auctioned on Ebay, starting August 10th, for a 10 day auction period ending on 20th August, auctioned by by Jennifer, the well known artist of Gypsymarestudios, proceeds will be given to benefit a horse welfare charity.Shiloh Horse Rescue and Sanctuary
Many well known artists have contributed sketches and art for the sale. see link to view all their works...The Sketchbook started off in England with Danielle Barlows wonderful sketches from Dartmoor, Just click on this link... below..
http://whoasketchbook.blogspot.com/2008/04/danielles-sketches.html

2010-05-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,
I didn't know who to ask permission from to put a post here so feel free to delete this. I had an idea that I wanted to share with all of you. I received an email from an Etsy artist today offering to let me post two of my photos on her facebook page. She said that she was going to have an ever changing gallery of Etsy art. I thought, what a fantastic idea. She's not only helping other Etsy artists but she's bringing exposure to her own page and work. I wondered why we don't have a facebook page for our Whoa team? We could have different photo albums for different mediums and let members post a specific number of photos to illustrate exactly what they do. We could link with this blog and have new blog posts announced on the page as well as maybe news about our members. It would be a great way to advertise both the team and Etsy. I've been surprised when I post my Etsy news on my own facebook page that so many haven't heard of this wonderful site.
So, what do you think? You can reach me here to let me know, grayhorsedesigns@bellsouth.net
~Sande Elkins, Gray Horse Designs

Featured Artist - Timothy Riesing

2010-04-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

Whoa Horse Art Team would like to welcome Tim Riesing,

of Riesings Rockers, as our featured artist!

Be sure to check out his Etsy Shop for some really amazing and unique equine art.

Please tell us a little about yourself, Tim.
I am a Wisconsin State Fair Most Look Alike twin winner (the year shall remain my secret), have been married thirty nine (I think) years, am an empty nester with a daughter in Minneapolis, a son in Madison Wisconsin and another five miles from our home. We live in Franklin Wisconsin, a southern suburb of Milwaukee. I graduated from UW Madison majoring in Art, Science and History. I’ve worked as an art director in the advertising field for over twenty years. Bonnie and I were married when I was still at the UW and lived in Madison for several years. Those were happy times.

When did you first start in the rocking animal business?

We were in a Doctor’s waiting room when my son Nathan was small. He was having a great time on the simplest rocking horse you could imagine. “I could make that” I said in my big grown up voice. Some time later (thanks to my big grown up over thinking) there sat in our apartment, a full sized four legged horse with mane and tail whose saddle was four feet off the ground and required Bonnie to hold each boy in turn for the duration of his ride. They loved it, she hated it. I started again and created a legless horse, lion and rhino. Everyone was happy. Years later, in need of a hobby, I picked up where I left off. A series of downsizes brought me to where I am today.

What inspires you to create?

I have always been inspired by any form of expression, from the earliest cave paintings to the impressionists. Howard Pyle, Norman Rockwell and Andrew Wyeth have always been special. I admire those who create music as well. (I myself am tone def and couldn’t carry a tune to save my life) I’d have to say my biggest inspiration has been my twin brother Tom. He is himself a very talented craftsman. He is a great admirer of Native American art and works in the most authentic and traditional ways. The things he creates are of museum quality and he amazes me with his unquestioning willingness to rework or start again until he achieves perfection. I’ve been chided many times for my “I’ll get it next time” attitude. I have to say that his encouragement and pushing has been a great blessing. (By the way, he approves of where he has now brought me)

Is any one piece a favorite?

My favorite piece is always the one I’m doing now. My next favorite is always the one in my head. As soon as I can see light at the end of the tunnel, I’m planning my next project. In the past, I’ve often had as many as four pieces in different stages at the same time. Each piece is researched for accuracy, and I enjoy learning new information about the many unexpected ramifications of each. I try to tell a little story around many of my works and often try to have a little fun with that story.

Any Pets?

Since we took in a stray “for a little while” when I was in school, we have always had at least one cat. For the last twenty years or so, we have always had two. Our older cat is Ivy, a large long haired black Siberian. I’ve always called her “our dog” because she was always at the door waiting when I came in and followed me around (often underfoot) like one. I laughed heartily when on a recent “Cats 101” show; they referred to the Siberian as “the dog” of the cat world. In my piece “To Hounds”, her regal paws crossed way of relaxing can be seen in the attitude of my fox. Our younger cat is Hailey. We just adore her. She is so friendly and loving. The second she sees a pair of legs stretched out, she is up stretching herself out in the dip between the two. Many times we both remain longer seated or laying than wanted because we don’t want to disturb her. I call her my “shop cat” because she is always right there as I work on my pieces. She often sits on my drawing board or work bench. Many times she is on my lap as I’m sanding or painting.

Any future plans?

Over these many years, I’ve tried many venues for my rocking menagerie. All have been very limited and unsuccessful. My work isn’t for everyone. But as I kept creating, my house began to fill up. I resorted to giving them away to people who appreciated them.
My house and basement are full of rocking creatures (mainly horses). Etsy has been a wonderful find. While my work is pricy (a function of the many months work required) and is not selling any better, I’ve been able to share it with people all over the world.
To me that’s incredible. From my basement, brother, children and a limited few, to the world (if it cares to look), is amazing. My only plan is to keep creating and posting. (Although, that doesn’t help with my space problem).

Featured Artist: Sheona Hamilton Grant

2010-02-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

Our newest featured artist is Sheona Hamilton Grant who lives in Belgium.
To learn more about Sheona, please visit her website, blog or Etsy shop!

You can also become a fan of Sheona's work on Facebook.

How long have you been selling on Etsy? 1 year

What are your earliest memories of creating equine art? Drawing a big stallion on a chalkboard in school at the age of 13 and being upset when it was wiped off and replaced by algebra.

What is your favorite medium? Graphite: pencils rock! ;)

What artists have influenced your work or provided inspiration?

The most important influence has to be the words of wisdom given to me by my brother (a very talented graphic artist) “never forget the beauty of each stroke”. He has always been my most honest and constructive authority in a way only brothers can be. Mike Sibley has had a big influence by proving that the pencil has no boundaries and that it is all down to how we see.
I have also found inspiration in the work of the many masters.
Magritte for his skill for painting the obvious, his no-fuss technique and use of “less is more” to create confusion, shock and a lasting impression.
Degas, Rubens & Rembrandt for their terrific pencil and brush strokes.
Da Vinci the wisest most accomplished artist ever to have lived. His art & equine art is inspirational.
Hopper for his use of light & compositional strength.
Growing up I was surrounded by images of illustrator Rien Poortvliet and photographers Helmut Newton, Robert Doiseneau, Henri Cartier-Bresson & Bruce Davidson . They showed me an honest and sincere way of representing the world.

Please tell us a little about your pets. Basilika, my gorgeous Swedish Warmblood. She is now 20 and living out her years in a life of luxury in Brussels.
Oliver Tiddles & Jessy Jane our two cats. Both rule the house, are useless at moussing but very good and purring, eating, sleeping and pretending to listen to anything I have to say.
Johnny J0 is our part-time hound. Actually he’s my parents long haired Jack Russell now in his 15th year. He lives with us when my parents are travelling. He lives with us most of the year. He hates cameras, thinks he’s stronger and than a German Shepard and never tires of being with children.

Any future plans you'd like to share? Big Solo Show in Germany in the State Stud in Warendorf (10 April to the 2nd of May)I will be showcasing over 40 drawings old and new.
Finishing writing a book “My Colours of Graphite”, a retrospective of my work and how it all came about. The launch will be early spring.

"Zig Zag" - Click HERE to purchase this print.

Spotlight on Jennifer Pratt

2010-01-14T07:58:00.000-08:00

Our newest featured artist is Jennifer Pratt from Ontario.

To learn more about Jenn, please visit her website and blog.

For original paintings and notecards, visit her Etsy Shop.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?

I've been on Etsy for almost one year.

What do you like about selling on Etsy?

I love Etsy! It's easy for one, and there is great quality of work throughout the site. It has also made it easy to make my work available to collectors - both local and from other countries.

"Toby" 8x10 oil on canvas

What are your earliest memories of creating equine art?
Grade school - in my world, horses were the only subject! whether is was clay, plaster, wood, paint or paper!

What is your favorite medium?
Oil! I was a coloured pencil artist for years, but made the switch last year and never looked back.

Gran Gesto - Canadian Olympic Dressage Team, Beijing

What artists have influenced your work or provided inspiration?
I credit two specific artists who provide me great inspiration - Vicki McMurry for colour and John Singer Sargent for brushwork and direct painting methods. However I credit all artists and artwork around me for continued inspiration daily!

Please tell us a little about your pets.
Pets - my dog Maddie, about 11 +/-. a rescue Shep/Collie mix. I have a hard time wondering why she was a rescue, we love her to pieces. She has become my four year old son's best friend and means so much to us in our lives.
I've been a horse owner for many years, but late last year decided to take a break to focus on painting in greater depth. My lovely Dutch bred mare has gone to a friend for breeding and we are beyond excited to see a foal from her in the future.

Eye Study III

8x10 oil on linen

Featured Artist: Steph Hanson

2009-12-30T20:16:00.000-08:00

Our featured artist is Steph Hanson of StephHansonCreations. Steph lives in Arizona and donates a portion of all her sales to Dreamchaser Horse Rescue.
To read more about Steph, please visit her blog, Spirit Horse Art.

How did you find Etsy and how long have you been selling there?
I think I found Etsy while searching the internet for handmade jewelry. I was beyond excited to discover such an awesome online marketplace. I had dreamed of being able to shop for great handmade items for years! It was also a dream of mine to sell my art and use the money I made to help animals. I opened my shop in July, 2008. I began with acrylic paintings and ACEO's, then added clay pendants and clay art. Just recently I started beading Dreamchaser Horse Rescue's new pewter pendants, and realized that I really enjoy beading as well as painting and working with clay!

How long have you been creating jewelry?
I have always been really into art - especially drawing and painting, but when I became a new mom and was able to stay at home, I started dabbling in clay and other new mediums. I have been creating my clay pendants for about 2 years now. I am new at beading! I just recently tried my hand at it a few months ago, and I really enjoy it! I have become a gemstone and bead addict!

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I am incredibly inspired by the horses and other animal friends at Dreamchaser Horse Rescue. Words cannot describe how amazing these animals are, and what a privilege it is for me to call them my friends. I could be having the worst, most uninspiring day ever day ever - but a trip to the Rescue fixes that. Being around these beautiful, majestic creatures, as well as being surrounded by what I think is the most beautiful desert country in the U.S. is unbelievably inspiring.

Do you have any favorite artists?
Many! I love the Impressionists - especially Van Gogh. I love contemporary Southwestern Artists such as John Nieto, Pablo Milan, Aleta Pippin, Barbara Meikle, Earl Bliss, Nancy Cawdrey, Kevin Red Star, Ginny Hogan and many, many others.

Please tell us a little about your pets?
We have three kitties we adopted from Cat Rescues and two very LARGE dogs. Cody is a 90 lb mutt and was adopted from the County shelter. Daisy is half German Shepherd and half Australian Shepherd and she came from a German Shepherd Rescue here in Phoenix. I am very close to a horse at the Rescue named Sinatra. He is a "Pintaloosa" (Paint crossed with Appaloosa) and he is a five year old former Premarin foal.

Anything else you would like to include?
100% of sales from my new beaded necklaces goes to Dreamchaser Horse Rescue. They make great gifts for horse lovers! I enclose a Thank You card and brochures from the Rescue with each order.

Steph & Sinatra at Dreamchaser Horse Rescue

Whoa Team Spotlight: Gypsy Mare Studios

2009-10-06T05:02:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

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

July Spotlight Artist: Danielle Barlow

2009-07-08T06:18:00.000-07:00

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!

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

2009-07-03T14:56:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2009-05-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

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!

May Giveaway & Artist Spotlight

2009-05-18T16:27:00.000-07:00

I thought I would combine the artist's spotlight and giveaway this month. Sheri of promisespromises has graciously donated her gorgeous Wolf, Bear and Butterfly Appaloosa Horse Totem and I thought she would like to tell us a little bit about herself too.
The giveaway starts today, 5-18-09, and will end around noon Eastern time on 5-28-09. To enter to win Sheri's wonderful artwork please leave a comment on this blog post. If you are a follower, please let us know, you will get an extra chance to win. Also make sure we have an easy way to contact you if you are the lucky winner!

To learn more about Sheri's totem prize, please click here!

Good Luck!

Whoa Team spotlight on Sheri of Promisespromises.

How long have you been selling on Etsy? I've been selling on Etsy since February of 2008. I found it the previous month (embarrassed to admit I never knew Etsy existed before then).

What do you like about selling on Etsy? Etsy is a wonderful forum for artists to find and support one another; I love the incredible variety, talent and energy that makes up the site.

What are your earliest memories of creating equine art? My earliest memories of creating equine art -if you want to call it that- is prior to elementary school and involves play doh. I've had a love affair with horses my entire life. My grandfather gifted me my first horse on my 7th birthday, an ancient chestnut mare named Minnie; she was a great baby sitter.

What is your favorite medium? Clay is my favorite medium; I love the way it feels in my hands. I imagine I've never outgrown the joy of making mud pies.

What do you get your inspiration for your creations? Several years ago I had a vision of phantom horses emerging from the woods (we live on the edge of the Southern Kettle Moraine, a 20,000 acre state forest) which brought back memories of my great grandmother and her stories of animal guides and times long past. Though I was reluctant to speak of the incident and told no one about it for quite some time, seeing the herd of ghost horses was the impetus which drove the creation of Spirit Horses/Totems which I began making almost immediately.

April Winners!

2009-04-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

The winners of our April giveaway are...
1. Horse brooch created by mvegan5 - Veronica Lodge
2. Horse magnet created by mvegan5 - War Pony
3. Original ACEO painting by art2cee2 - A Bay Horse

Congrats winners and thank you to Michele and Crystal for your lovely giveaway pieces. Please check back next month for out May giveaway!

April Whoa Team Giveaway

2009-04-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

First I must apologize for my delay in getting this giveaway posted. With spring coming on in full force, most of my spare time is spent in the garden.
So without further ado, let me tell you about our three wonderful prizes for April!

Our first two pieces are by Michele who sells on Etsy under the name mvegan5. Michele is the founder and leader of the team Etsy for Animals and she donates 10% of her profits to animal charities each month. To learn more about Michele, please check out her shop profile by clicking here.
Michele's has donated a horse pin and horse head magnet for two of our giveaway prizes. Both pieces were made with vintage findings.

Our second artist is Crystal Harris Donnelly who has graciously donated an original ACEO (2.5" x 3.5") of a beautiful bay foal. Crystal sells on Etsy under the name art2cee2 and on Ebay under the name charrisart.

RULES
1. Three items will be given away to three separate winners. If you have won something in the last 2 months you may leave a comment but you will not be eligible to win this month.
2. The giveaway starts today, April 19, and will run until Wednesday, April 29, 2009. I will draw the winners names around noon Eastern time.
3. To be entered in the drawing you must leave a comment on THIS post. If you are a blog follower, you will have two chances to win.
4. You must leave some way for me to contact you if you are a winner.

Thanks for participating in our April giveaway! Good luck!
Jennifer - blog moderator

"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire." ~Sharon Ralls Lemon

New!

2009-03-27T19:19:00.000-07:00

Some newly listed items from Whoa Team artists. Click on a picture for more info or to make a purchase.

Drawing Winners!

2009-03-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

Original Palomino by Jana Johnson - Linda

Original Saddlebred by Gail Ragsdale - Youvegotmaille

Original Carriage Horses by Carol Buck - Pencil Sanity

If you are a winner and I do not have your email adress, please let me know so I can get your ACEO mailed to you.
A BIG thank you to everyone who entered. Please stop by next month for more great prizes!

March Giveaway - Original ACEOs

2009-03-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

For our March giveaway we have three lovely, original ACEOs. What is an ACEO you might ask?
ACEO stands for Art Cards, Editions & Originals. It is an offshoot of the ATC or Artist Trading Card. The only requirement for an ACEO is that they measure
2.5" x 3.5", the size of a baseball card. It's a fun way for the art collector to buy original art an inexpensive art prints.
There are all sorts of things you can do with ACEOs. You can put them in an album, frame them in a single frame or collage, give them as gifts or display them in a basket.

Here are our three giveaway pieces for March. Perhaps if you win one, it will kick off your ACEO addiction. Like potato chips, it's hard to have just one!

Click HERE to see other Whoa Team ACEOs for sale on Etsy.

Giveaway rules: Please leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win. Giveaway ends Thursday, March 26th, noon eastern time. Follow this blog for an additional chance to win. Please comment that you are a follower so we will know. The artist will contact the winner and mail their prize after 3/26/09.

Original Palomino ACEO by Jana Johnson.

Original Saddlebred ACEO by Gail Ragsdale.

Original Carriage Horse ACEO by Carol Buck.

Thanks for entering our giveaway!

"The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire." ~ Sharon Ralls Lemon

Spotlight Artist: Gail Ragsdale

2009-03-11T19:12:00.000-07:00

Our feature Whoa Team artist this week is Gail Ragsdale who sells under the Etsy name, Carpiss. Gail is from the great state of Tennessee and also has a beautiful blog you should be sure to check out.

Here's a photo of Gail driving her 18 year old Friesian gelding, Alpar, who sadly passed away recently.

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I have been selling on Etsy since Feb 2008.

What do you like about selling on Etsy?
It's user friendly, listing is inexpensive and there is a growing horse art movement! I also like the long listings and the fact you can have your work featured in a Treasury although I haven't been fortunate enough to snag one!!

What are your earliest memories of creating equine art?
I remember always drawing horses, that is all there was for me! My first real solid memory is when we lived in Japan and I drew a picture of the famous racehorse, Whirlaway. I had just read a story about him and how he was known for his long tail. Needless to say, the tail on this picture was extremely long! I was fortunate that my parents encouraged my art.

What is your favorite medium?
My favorite medium has always been charcoal and graphite followed by watercolors. I love the contrast of lights and darks you can achieve with charcoal and graphite. I don't do a lot of them now, have been using acrylics lately and am enjoying them greatly. I love oils, unfortunately the smell of the oil paint gives me terrible headaches!

What artists have influenced your work or provided inspiration? George Ford Morris to me is the ultimate and my charcoals are heavily influenced by him! Helen Hayse is another I have followed, C.W. Anderson has always been a favorite. The modern day artists are Richard Stone Reeves, James Walls, and James Crow.

Please tell us a little about your pets.
We presently have 4 cats in the house-White Socks, Charlie, Heckle and Little Thing-all females, 2 at the barn-Smokey and Neighgro and I care for an old feral cat at work, Little Guy.

Spotlight Artist: Lynne Anderson

2009-03-04T05:46:00.000-08:00

Our spotlight artist this week is Lynne Anderson of Raku4u. Lynne resides in southwestern Colorado and creates gorgeous artwork in clay.
Please take a minute to stop by her Etsy shop, website and blog!

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I've been selling on Etsy since May of '08. Originally, I had intended to market only my raku jewelry, but later decided to utilize Etsy for my complete line of work.

What do you like about selling on Etsy?
I like selling on Etsy for a number of reasons: exposure on Etsy is global, Etsy is an easy way for my existing customers to access my work when I'm not at Art Shows, & the Etsy community of artists is a wonderful support group! I find I can maximize my studio time and still reach a large viewing audience.

What are your earliest memories of creating equine art?
My earliest memories of creating equine art goes back to Elementary School. I was the eternal "doodler" in margins of my notebooks.....filling the spaces with drawings of horses. I remember continuing to draw horses throughout my school years and later began sculpting them out of clay.

What is your favorite medium?
Raku Fired ceramics is, without a doubt, my favorite medium. For me, it combines the freedom of creating in 3-D then using my other skills to add imagery to my pieces which finish out in the wonderful one of a kind metallic, iridescent coloration typical of raku.

What artists have influenced your work or provided inspiration?
Perhaps the single greatest artist of influence for me has been Georgia O'Keeffe. Her work is filled with visual rhythm and, while our subject matter is quite different, much of the rhythmic nature of my work has been directly influenced by this extraordinary artist.

Please tell us a little about your pets.
Pets which share my world and home consist of two cats: Scotch and Ms. Wings. Scotch has been with me for 12 years and is a butterscotch colored feline gentleman of the first degree! Ms. Wings, aka "Wingers" is a female calico Manx who was so named for her ability to launch herself so high that she appeared to be flying. She is quirky and delightful. Though I have owned several horses in the past, I am currently "horseless" due to the amount of travel required for attending the number of Art Shows I participate in. My love for them is reflected in much of my artwork.

A few nice Whoa Team pieces...

2009-03-03T10:18:00.001-08:00

And the winners are...

2009-02-26T05:59:00.000-08:00

Our first giveaway was a smashing success and we already have several artists lined up for March and April's giveaways! Thank you so much to everyone who left a comment.

So this morning I wrote down all 50+ names and put them in my daughter's little riding helmet. She loves it when I have a giveaway because she gets to pick the names.

The first name she pulled from the hat, and the winner of Linda's gorgeous prize, belonged to Solitaire Mare.

The second name, winner of Dale Ann's lovely ACEO prints, is Kitty Forseth.

The third name and winner of the Gypsy Mare Studios pendant is Meghann.

Check back in a few weeks for our March giveaway!

Our 1st Giveaway!

2009-02-16T04:25:00.000-08:00

We are very excited to announce today Whoa Team's first monthly giveaway. Every month we will be hosting a giveaway with items from our wonderful team artists.
This month you have three chances to win! All you have to do to enter is click on this link which will take you to an Etsy Whoa Team search page, and let us know what one of your favorite pieces is. You could also click on the box on the left sidebar that says "Shop".

You must leave a comment on this post only. Also, please make sure we have an easy way to reach you by leaving an email address, or having one tied to your blogger account. If we cannot contact you in a few days your prize will go to another person.

We will draw the winner's names in 10 days on Thursday, February 26, 2009.

And now, without further ado, here are February's giveaway prizes...

A very pretty pegasus purse mirror and magnet from Artwolf.

Two gorgeous ACEO prints from De La Renaissance

"Bunny Ears"

"Beauty and the Dragonfly"

Handpainted black horse pendant from Gypsy Mare Studios.

Horse Love

2009-02-13T16:24:00.000-08:00

Check back Monday to enter our first giveaway! We will have three wonderful prizes.
Hopefully every month we will have a giveaway with different Whoa Team artists.

In honor of Valentine's Day, a few Whoa Team member offerings...

Artist Spotlight: DeLaRenaissance

2009-02-10T05:37:00.000-08:00

This week our featured artist is Dale Ann Widen, aka DeLaRenaissance. Thank you Dale Ann for answering my little Q & A!

Dale Ann with her first horse, a QH named Dan Fe Chock Tone (Chalk).

How long have you been selling on Etsy? The DeLaRenaissance shop was opened February 4, 2008.

What do you like about selling on Etsy?
I love the friendly welcoming atmosphere I felt the moment my shop was open. To heart fellow artisans, to feature them in captured treasuries, plus the opportunity I am given to converse with visitors and patrons brings a sense of positive community to Etsy, a wonderful community working together.

What are your earliest memories of creating equine art?
I can't be quite sure of the age, but every year at Christmas my Aunt would give me a brand new box of crayons which were always used to draw horses, some as my parents have shown me over the years, were added illustrations in my childhood books (ooops). When we were traveling by car, short trips or long, my doodles would materialize on the backseat passenger window. Frosty windows were always the best, but warm breath on a cool window worked just as well, and when they evaporated away the window was ready for new horses.

What is your favorite medium?
My favorite medium now is Prismacolor Pencils. No fumes, very little mess, and there is no dry time. Graphite is also wonderful, but I love to create art in almost any medium, oils, pastels, ink, wax/bronze, etc, etc.

What artists have influenced your work or provided inspiration?
The first artists that influenced my work were Charles Russell and Frederic Remington. Later in years I became very interested in the work of Maxfield Parrish, Leonardo da Vinci, Carl Larsson, John Frederick Herring Senior (one of my favorite paintings 'Barnet Fair'), and the living artist Scott Gustafson.

Please tell us a little about your pets.
Well, Benjamin is my 6 year old gorgeous red Mini Rex rabbit who we have had since he was a wee bunny. He adores attention and is so trusting of me that a few gentle strokes can send him into a bunny slumber cradled in my arms.Our cats are Bummble (a beautiful, very sweet and super lovey, but clumsy blue eyed seal-point mix), old Bert (our lovable black long hair grandpa cat), Carbon (a gentle, shy, black shorthair who adores only the person who feeds him, whom we adopted after he found his way to us as a frightened wee kitten), aging Fuzzy (a grey longhair who also is very lovable, but can be overly silly most of the time), and Tigger (a grey tabby, who's queen of the cat clan, claims my lap as her own, and follows me everywhere).My pet French Alpine goats are, Thorlief (queen of the herd), Collette (very sweet but very shy), Blueberry (very sweet and not shy), and Champagne ( a more lovable goat could not be found). On days that I sit on a large low rock with the girls, I am amused to watch as each goat pushes their way to spend time on my lap!And last as well as my largest pet is Maundo 'Special Effects', our solid bay 3/4 Egyptian Purebred Arabian gelding who will be celebrating his 28th birthday this spring. What a guy with personality! He talks about his grain bucket at meal time (how it needs to be filled), he talks about visitors (to be sure I know they are visiting), and he talks of the sweet ripe apples on the tree in the fall (oh please don't walk past the tree without one (or more) apples in your hand)! Did I mention he loves to stick his tongue out at the photographer when his picture is being taken as well? We so love him!I love them all, my dear pets!

De La Renaissance Website

Artist Spotlight: Artwolf

2009-02-03T05:41:00.000-08:00

This week our featured artist is Linda, aka Artwolf. Thank you Linda for answering my little Q & A!

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
10 months

What do you like about Etsy?
There's real feel good atmosphere to the whole site, I really love it.
I know it sounds like a promo, but the staff are great, and everyone is just so helpful and pleasant to deal with.

What are your earliest memories of creating equine art?
I know this sounds stone age, but scratching with a nail on roof slates. Chalking on pavement(sidewalk).
Paper was at real premium, children were not given the luxury of sheets of paper.
My older sister, would bring scrap paper home from work, then I would attempt to draw Mr.Ed and Champion the wonder horse.

What is your favourite medium?
Its always been Mixed media combination of Pastels the harder chalk ones,soft artists pencils,watercolour,and ink all together.
I must admit I'll grab anything that works, your coffee dregs probably aren't safe Jen!

What artists have influenced your work or provided inspiration?
I remember the images, but don't know the names of the earliest ones, they were the wonderful illustrators of books like Black Beauty, Jill has Two Ponies. As I've grown older I've recognized Arthur Rackham, Dulac,and many wonderful artists from very early years. These were books my Mother bought from jumble/yard sales, so many were full of illustrations from 1920's to1950s,
Today one of my enduring classic favourites are Munnings oils.

Please tell us a little about your pets.
I have one elderly 7/8 Thoroughbred cross Irish Hunter, Bay Mare, Now is she 34 or 35 Yrs old!
She and I used to Compete in Eventing together,She was very brave and bold, and beautifully mannered in and out of the Stable.
Her name is 'Wednesday's Choice' , because she was bought at the Hereford Bloodstock Sales on the Wednesday.
Her Stable name is 'Woozle' from the Winnie the Pooh Story about hunting the woozle.
Poppy is my Black Labrador, my constant companion, a real sweet pea, always under my art table.
Sadly dear Poppy passed peacefully over the Rainbow Bridge 12th May 2009, Dearly missed.
17th August 2010, Sadly Woozle has also now gone to greener pastures joining old friends and Poppy.

Just the beginning!

2009-01-31T04:59:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to the new Etsy Whoa Team blog! I just started creating it yesterday so please be patient with me. I hope to add team member website and blog links to the side bar very soon.
In the mean time I can tell you what my hopes are for this blog.
I hope that every artist on the team will want to be added as a blog author. That will give them the power to write their own posts about upcoming sales, new work, work in progress, Etsy treasuries, etc.. I also hope that we can use this blog to promote our team by hosting giveaways and art challenges. Other posts you will find here are artist interviews, spotlights and bios.
I think it's going to be a really fun place.
If you would like to join our team, please contact either Artwolf or delarenaissance.
Please check back soon!
Jennifer - Gypsy Mare Studios