On Christmas Eve, when the world is quiet, still and white with snow, and a star-roofed sky twinkles above, the Christmas Snow Princess prances through the night, shimmering and sparkling as she carries beautiful snowflakes with her that she will release to create a dazzling, magical morning.
I am an artist who loves all the creative arts. I love to sing and dance, write songs and stories and draw and paint - bringing the things in my imagination to life. I have a great love for horses and I love, love, love unicorns!
Mrs. Claus had the great honor this year of getting all of Santa’s ponies ready for Christmas. As she went down the line of stalls she came to Prancer, who whispered, “The arctic air is so cold, my feet are always freezing. A pair of booties tops my Christmas wish list.” To his surprise, the next morning Mrs. Claus arrived carrying a coat made of red velvet and a pair of Inuit Mukluk boots to keep his footsies warm.
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.
‘Tis the Season is a tribute to the natural beauty of a northern forest whose wintry woods provide the decorations for a traditional holiday season… from snow-covered fir trees that give off a delicious evergreen scent, to garlands and wreaths that are crafted from their branches, to frosted berries and sparkling pinecones that add joy and merriment to the season.
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.
The holidays are here and there is nothing like Christmas in the city, when Christmas-themed traditions come to life; when public parks turn into winter wonderlands; when people munch on gingerbread and sip hot chocolate while watching holiday classics like The Nutcracker and Miracle on 34th Street; and when a Painted Pony, wearing silver bells and dressed in all the trimmings of the season, joins in the festivities.
Laura Robinson grew up riding and drawing horses at her home in Southern California. Sketching on any piece of paper she could find, she drew her favorite subject, the horse. She has always felt a deep connection with horses, and has been very blessed to have them in her life.
Winning awards in high school and college for art and design, it was evident that she should pursue the arts. So, after moving to Minneapolis, MN and getting married, she studied and worked in the graphic design field. Then, while raising a family of 3, she moved onto the fine arts. She currently works as a portrait artist and muralist. Her local horse community is enjoying their commissioned portraits of their beloved horses. She tries to learn something new from every painting she does, always trying to better her skills as an artist.
In addition to her art, she works as a groom and assistant trainer at a busy boarding stable, riding hunter/jumpers and dressage. In her “spare” time she landscapes her yard, mends fences, builds her own chicken coop, rides with her daughter, tries to keep up with her sons, and helps her husband with his electrical business! She finds that a little time in the barn is the best therapy in the world. The sweet smell of a horse’s breath, and a nicker from an old friend is very soothing and inspirational.
As the first snowfall of the year floats softly and silently down from the heavens above, the intricate detail that makes every snowflake unique seems to take on the larger aspect of a lace veil that coats a rearing pony, creating an image of grace and beauty and oneness with Nature.
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 buffalo was an important part of many Native American cultures. It gave them food, clothing, and tools, and was honored in songs, dances and prayers. With Buffalo Medicine, a Painted Pony has been decorated and adorned with assorted accessories to show respect and give the Pony sacred powers.
Kevin Kilhoffer is one of those artistically gifted people who doesn't know the meaning of "idle time." Around the house it's hard for him to sit still without doodling. When he goes outside, as often as not he's got a knife in one hand and a block of wood in the other.
He grew up on a farm in Elk City, Oklahoma, a town with a proud, pioneering history located along the historic Route 66. His dad raised cotton, corn, wheat, maize, livestock, and as a young boy Kevin was called upon to drive a tractor, build fence, milk cows and slop hogs, all before he caught the school bus at 7AM. "I think everybody ought to have a taste of that upbringing,” he says. "They did, they'd appreciate what they have a lot more."
Combining the look and feel of intricately designed hand-tooled leather with the flow and form of a beautiful horse – fantasy creatures and wildlife are this artist’s specialty – Horse Dreams leaves an imprint on the mind long after the gaze has moved on.
Amber Stirling grew up on a ranch in northern Alberta that focused on the stunning appaloosa horse. As a child, she formed a connection with these amazing horses and the region's beauty and wildlife. "From the time I was a small child, I have been trying to express that connection through my art, and to inspire those who view it." Mostly self-taught, Amber has expanded her arts education to include a diploma in fine arts. Amber uses an ever expanding variety of mediums to try and capture her imagination with as much detail as possible.
"I believe that beautiful art is created with passion and inspiration, and I am attempting to capture the essence of what inspires me, through my art." –Amber Stirling
The friendly interaction between two different species is sweetly rendered in this design that shows how comfortable birds are with horses, and horses with birds.
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.
While he sat smoking the sacred pipe with Sitting Bull for the last time, Chief Crazy Horse is quoted as saying, “The Red Nations shall rise again and it shall be a blessing for a sick world; a world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations; a world longing for light again.” Masked and wearing a ceremonial buffalo hide dyed red with the juices of wild berries and adorned with feathers and beads, “Pride of the Red Nations” stands as an icon of the Plains Indian Culture itself.
Being a realist artist I strive to capture the true spirit and character of each subject I paint. The eyes are a very important factor when I do a painting. I work in many different mediums such as feathers, rock, leather, bone, as well as traditional canvas and acrylic based mediums, along with my beloved painted ponies. I also do commissioned work for clients. My art has been a life long journey and will be with me as long as I am able to paint, it inspires me and takes me to a place of peace and tranquility in the many hours I spend painting.
The artistic inspiration for a Painted Pony often comes at unexpected times. This artist was enjoying a meal at a favorite restaurant in Maui when she noticed a picture on the wall of a woman wearing a beautiful flower lei around her neck. Her look was both calming and relaxing, a feeling the artist wanted to recreate by imagining a beautiful lei-draped horse walking along the beaches of Maui, taking in the soothing sounds of the ocean waves.
I don't really consider myself an artist, however, I did win a few art awards in school. I am creative and love Hawaii, so my Pony was originally named "Leilani," which is Hawiian for "Royal Child."
