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

Model Horses

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

Snow Days

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

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).

New!

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

March Giveaway - Original ACEOs

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

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.

Our 1st Giveaway!

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.

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