When she was just a teen, this artist was gifted a mustang mare, descended from horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish conquistadors, that had been trained to barrel race. It was a dappled gray with a black mane and legs, caught as a wild filly in Mexico, and it had only one speed. Fast was all she knew. And she would burn that clover pattern at a blazing pace.
Art has been a hobby for Crystal since early grade school. She’s done a little of everything – charcoal, pottery, stained glass, glass etching and native beadwork. When she started collecting Painted Ponies, Crystal felt inspired and out come her first Painted Pony, “Tatanka Ska,” which is Lakota Sioux for “White Buffalo.”
Out on the open range, a trusted grey horse named Silver remains steadfast in his duty to move the herd to new pastures. Watching it disappear over the crest of a hill, Silver stops abruptly as he hears the bawling of a calf. Being a ranch horse all his life, he recognizes the sound as coming from a stray that has become separated from the herd and is in need of rescuing. Tracking down a little white-faced calf, he hoists it onto his saddle and returns him to his mother.
Lorna Matsuda has spent her life devoted to her love of art and all animals, though horses are her passion. Combining her love of art and horses, Lorna creates memories and meaning in her paintings and other artistic creations. She enjoys painting realistic art to share with others, and feels very blessed to have been given this special gift.
Legend has it there was once a brave and courageous horse named Standing Wolf who wore a shield on which was drawn the image of the wolf spirit within him. In his travels, Standing Wolf crossed paths with a wolf cub and they became companions. As these two wild hearts traversed the high country together, recognizing that they shared a spiritual likeness, a bond developed between them that would last a lifetime.
Lorna Matsuda has spent her life devoted to her love of art and all animals, though horses are her passion. Combining her love of art and horses, Lorna creates memories and meaning in her paintings and other artistic creations. She enjoys painting realistic art to share with others, and feels very blessed to have been given this special gift.
The art industry tends to focus on the romantic aspects of ranch life, showing less appreciation for the cow ponies that day in and day out, in rain, snow or shine, assist the cowboys in moving cattle, running fences and herding strays. “The Foreman” was inspired by the horses that assist cowboys in their daily work on America’s ranches. Guiding cattle, running fences and herding strays, he is not only the heart and soul of a ranch, “The Foreman” embodies the spirit of the West.
I have done many paintings and drawings for my clientele and have even had art displayed in the Oklahoma State Capital building.
Out on the open range, where cattle roam and danger lurks, every cowboy needs to be able to count on his horse to carry him safely, and has a perfect horse in mind. With “Desert Buckaroo,” the artist has chosen a flashy half-Paint Horse half-Appaloosa, dressed in the traditional tack worn by bridle horses in the vaquero tradition of horsemanship.
I have a BFA in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University and have enjoyed playing around with all sorts of artistic media for my entire life. My favorite subject has always been the natural world, and horses in particular hold a special place in my heart.
Camouflaged among rocky, snow-covered foothills, where their striking spotted coats blend seamlessly with their surroundings, a mare and her foal match their background and disappear into the landscape on their first Christmas together.
Lorna Matsuda has spent her life devoted to her love of art and all animals, though horses are her passion. Combining her love of art and horses, Lorna creates memories and meaning in her paintings and other artistic creations. She enjoys painting realistic art to share with others, and feels very blessed to have been given this special gift.
Snowy owls may look cute and cuddly, but they are fierce and solitary predators that are best appreciated in the wild. However, on rare occasions they have been known to bond with another species, and with “Alpine Snow,” a snowy owl, looking for a place to rest on Christmas Eve, has taken up residence on the blanketed back of a Painted Pony.
Art is an outlet I use to express the inspiration and beauty that I find in God’s creation. I have loved to draw since a very young age, and I enjoy working with both digital and traditional media. I am a recent college graduate with a BFA in graphic design. My primary interest as an artist is in illustration. My work often reflects my love for nature and fantasy, and I aspire to bring a bit of whimsy and joy to those who view it.
One cold and stormy Christmas Eve, a horse with a shimmering blue coat was traveling through a snow-covered landscape when he heard Christmas carols being sung. Following the sound, he came across a group of children who were helplessly lost in a snow squall. After guiding them to safety, the children decided to name the horse “Christmas Season Squall.”
Thomas's artistic journey began in his childhood, where his innate creativity first flourished. From an early age, he exhibited a natural inclination for artistic expression, which has continued to evolve throughout his life. Throughout his grade school and high school education, art classes were a consistent source of joy and inspiration for Thomas. In these classes, he explored various mediums and techniques, further refining his skills and cultivating his unique artistic style.
Thomas's artistic endeavors eventually led him to create Painted Ponies, a venture that was sparked by his desire to craft special gifts for his three beloved nieces. Inspired by their collection of Trail of Painted Ponies, Thomas began to experiment with this medium, ultimately developing a distinct style that captured both his artistic prowess and his affection for his family.
Shining down from above, a “Star of Wonder” was the guiding light to three wise men and the sign of a miracle to shepherds tending their flock. Positioned atop a Christmas tree during the holiday season, it serves as a reminder that we should never stop looking up to the heavens for magical happenings.
Lorna Matsuda has spent her life devoted to her love of art and all animals, though horses are her passion. Combining her love of art and horses, Lorna creates memories and meaning in her paintings and other artistic creations. She enjoys painting realistic art to share with others, and feels very blessed to have been given this special gift.
With Christmas only a few days away, “Tailgate Christmas” Pony is excited to join The Trail of Painted Ponies Holiday Herd. He watches anxiously as the faithful pickup turns into the farm lane with a freshly cut pine tree in back, stops briefly at the mailbox that is overflowing with good tidings and gifts, passes the snowman standing guard outside, and joins family and friends in decorating the tree with a popcorn garland and homemade ornaments.
Lorna Matsuda has spent her life devoted to her love of art and all animals, though horses are her passion. Combining her love of art and horses, Lorna creates memories and meaning in her paintings and other artistic creations. She enjoys painting realistic art to share with others, and feels very blessed to have been given this special gift.
Samplers are a holiday tradition, usually associated with a pleasing, elegantly packaged collection of mini-sized sweets that the whole gang will enjoy. This is why they make the perfect gift. Inspired by this tradition, a Painted Pony artist has created a “Holiday Sampler” that features eight snack-sized images of classic Christmas scenes, from a snowman to a gingerbread cookie to a holly bough.
"I have been doing some form of drawing, painting or crafts since I was very little. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, up near Mt. St. Helens, gave me perfect opportunity to draw lots of the wildlife I grew up around. After my first son was born, I started teaching art classes for children and adults in pastels and watercolors, then I moved on to learning scrimshaw and selling my scrimshaw on bone and fossilized ivory at trade shows and sportsman shows. That grew into designing teeshirts from scratchboard drawings and opening up several inline shops selling them, and also hand made mohair teddy bears. I had my next child, and after some changes in my life, decided to do more painting, and have been designing and creating one of a kind oil painted cloth dolls, painted and engraved gourds, also needle felting. I seem to always find something new I want to try. I am self taught, grew up with a family that was very creative, and so it is now how I live my life, I create every day if I can, and LOVE it! I spend my days taking care of my 3 sweet little cats, a lab named Bucky and my daughter Amy." - Sue Sizemore
A pair of cozy red pajamas are the perfect gift to go with a favorite teddy bear, making this the best Christmas ever for this adorable Painted Pony.
"I am a wildlife and fantasy artist that works in sculpture and other media. I enjoy customizing model horses in my spare time. I absolutely love taking the models that are broken and otherwise unwanted and breathing new life into them! Some of my past work has been seen in the Breyerfest Customs Contest, and shared on blogs and social media." - Aimee Skee
Turquoise, also known as the "stone of life," has a special significance in Native American culture, where it is believed to be alive because of its ability to shift colors according to its environment. A story is told about a chieftain's daughter who so believed in the protective powers of turquoise that, instead of traditional feathers, she would weave tiny turquoise beads into her favorite stallion's mane and tail.
I have done many paintings and drawings for my clientele and have even had art displayed in the Oklahoma State Capital building.
Combining her two loves, horses and flowers, this artist has created a Painted Pony that features sixteen types of flowers native to North America: Golden Rod, Knotweed, California Poppy, Queen Anne's Lace, Virginia Bluebell, New England Aster, Indian Paintbrush, Purple Coneflower, Sunflower, Morning Glory, Bellflower, Thistle, White Clover, Sneezeweed, Joe Pye Weed and Chicory.
Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Jennifer has had a love of all things equine all her life. Her mother first sat her on a horse when she was just three days old, and by six months she was an experienced trail rider.
Coming from an artistic family, she developed an interest and talent for painting and drawing early in life, as well as for entrepreneurial pursuits. Her first profits from her art came from the sale of horse drawings to her classmates for quarters during lunch when she was in elementary school.
Jennifer started working on horse farms at the age of 13, cleaning stalls and tack for the chance to ride aged Grand Prix dressage horses. After schooling she continued working horses and went on to manage a Thoroughbred horse farm for eight years. At the same time she supplemented her income as a fine artist (painting Amish buggy drivers for tourists), a functional artist (signs) and a picture-framer. Throughout it all, she says, “Nothing made me happier than creating one-of-a-kind works of art with horses as my subject.”
In Navajo mythology, Yei is the Navajo name for the benevolent supernatural beings who created the Navajo people, and taught them how to live in harmony with Nature. Depicted as kilted figures facing forward, with square heads, elongated bodies and raised arms, their image is featured in sand painting ceremonies and as designs woven into Navajo rugs and saddle blankets.
“Midnight Lullaby” is an artistic tribute to that magical time of day when the hustle and bustle of the day is over, the sun has disappeared like a taillight on the departing day, and beneath the emerging stars and a full moon the night has brought a quiet place of rest to the world.
Lorna Matsuda has spent her life devoted to her love of art and all animals, though horses are her passion. Combining her love of art and horses, Lorna creates memories and meaning in her paintings and other artistic creations. She enjoys painting realistic art to share with others, and feels very blessed to have been given this special gift.
“Tribe of Equus” is a reflection of the artist’s deep connection to the spirit of horses, capturing their grace and strength in a kaleidoscope of hues. For the artist, joining their tribe isn't merely about belonging; it's a quest to find kindred spirits who share a passion for equines and art, celebrating creativity and honoring the profound bond between humans and animals, fostering a community where art serves as a bridge to understanding and connection.
Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Jennifer has had a love of all things equine all her life. Her mother first sat her on a horse when she was just three days old, and by six months she was an experienced trail rider.
Coming from an artistic family, she developed an interest and talent for painting and drawing early in life, as well as for entrepreneurial pursuits. Her first profits from her art came from the sale of horse drawings to her classmates for quarters during lunch when she was in elementary school.
Jennifer started working on horse farms at the age of 13, cleaning stalls and tack for the chance to ride aged Grand Prix dressage horses. After schooling she continued working horses and went on to manage a Thoroughbred horse farm for eight years. At the same time she supplemented her income as a fine artist (painting Amish buggy drivers for tourists), a functional artist (signs) and a picture-framer. Throughout it all, she says, “Nothing made me happier than creating one-of-a-kind works of art with horses as my subject.”
As part of the legacy of Barbie™ and the commitment to inspiring girls to explore their limitless potential, The Trail of Painted Ponies is honored to introduce “Dream in Pink,” a new signature collectible by Emily Overman.
From the artist: “Growing up, my younger sister loved Barbie dolls, and her love for Barbie quickly grew on me. We would make elaborate setups, style all sorts of unique outfits, and make up imaginative storylines. We both have fond memories of all the fun we had. Barbie also encouraged my love for horses, with a wide range of horse related toys available. From a competitive show jumper to a western rider, and even a fairytale princess in a horse-drawn carriage, I could be the equestrian I always dreamt of being. It felt like owning my own horse. With Barbie, I could be anyone I wanted to be. Having nurtured my creativity in a significant way, Barbie will always have a special place in my heart. With bold style and confidence, Barbie empowers women to dream big and embrace their creative side.”
Haunted by restless spirits is he who runs like the wind,
when the moon shines full on All Hallows' Eve.
His hooves pound the ground as he wildly gallops on
like a melodic rhythm of drum and song.
- Poem by artist
Art has been a hobby for Crystal since early grade school. She’s done a little of everything – charcoal, pottery, stained glass, glass etching and native beadwork. When she started collecting Painted Ponies, Crystal felt inspired and out come her first Painted Pony, “Tatanka Ska,” which is Lakota Sioux for “White Buffalo.” Now Crystal has created her second figurine, "Ghost."
