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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.”
“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.
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.
“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.”
