Midsummer News

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

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

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.

Congratulations

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. :)

Snow Days

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

Through a Camera's Lense

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
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Featured Artist - Timothy Riesing

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).

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.

Horse Love

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: Artwolf

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!

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