Custom Ponies!!

Today finds me working on my first custom piece of the year!!  A wonderful collector friend in Australia has commissioned a painted pony and I think it's going to be a wonderful addition to her "herd"!!  I haven't named it yet, but there's an animal theme to it...with owls, raccoons, skunks and rabbits involved!  I should have it finished by Monday, so I'll be posting pics soon!  Hope everyone is staying warm, dry and happy this first week of January!!

Christmas News!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!!  2012 slipped upon us here at AWESOME ASS ACRES!!  We've been so busy, but if you were to ask us what we've been doing, we'd be hard pressed to say!!  The Christmas holidays kept me in the studio, painting feverishly, sometimes getting up at 4:30am and not going to bed until after 11:00pm...those hours are for folks MUCH younger than I!!  I've been blessed with collectors that enjoy my hand painted tree ornaments and I've met new pony collectors this year!!!  My last ponies of 2011 are featured below...

I am so honored to announce that "Wonderful Season of Peace" was entered in TTOPP Holiday Design contest and won 2nd place in the Classic category...just found out today!!!  Thank you all for stopping by and visiting awhile...please come back!!

"Wonderful Season of Peace"

#2011-24

  2nd Place Winner of 2011 TTOPP

Holiday Design Contest
"SOLD"

"Spotted Bearing Gifts"

#2011-25

Pack, 2 oranges, 2 apples, 2 candy canes,

doll, teddy bear, ball, stick horse, lollipop,

building blocks, jingle bells, peppermints...

ALL hand sculpted by me!
"SOLD"

"Charlie Horse Christmas"
#2011-26
"SOLD"

Let's all look forward to the New Year...I wish blessings of health and happiness to all!

Finally back to "blogworld"!!

Does anyone else feel that time has a way of teasing you into believing there's LOTS of it??  I guess turning 55 in April, set the stage for all those things my parents and grandparents use to say..."Where does the time go?", "Time waits for no man", "Seems like time just flies", etc.  I don't remember worrying about time so much when I was younger...ahhh but now, where does time go?? ;-)

Well, there's been lots going on around our place, here in the mountains!  The summer was beautiful, but hot.  Put in several long days, putting up hay and working on some fencing.  Building a large chicken yard for our layers, a family wedding in July, our son building a new house up the road, a litter of Boxer pups AND finding out on July 1st, that I WON FIRST PLACE IN TTOPP ART COMPETITION (YEA!!!), has kept us on the go!!

To recap the competition...I entered "TUMBLIN' TUMBLEWEEDS" in the AMERICAN COUNTRY category, several months before.  The Trail of Painted Ponies staff chose finalists to compete for the winning spots.  It was then turned over to the public to vote on their favorites, with the winners announced on July 1st, 2011.  Thousands of entries were received, 10 finalists were chosen for the 8 categories, then over 35,000 votes were cast!  Even now, months later, I feel the thrill of finding out that my entry had won 1st place!!  I'm also VERY HONORED to have my pony chosen and included with such wonderful talent! 

With this latest blog post, I wanted to update pics of my latest ponies (since "Tumblin' Tumbleweeds").  I hope you enjoy them AND I hope that I can be more diligent about updating my blog!  It's a wonderful way for collectors, friends, family and new contacts to keep up with my work, so I've got to get "on the stick"...as my sweet daddy used to say!! 

PLEASE visit often and leave a comment, suggestion, even constructive criticism...at my age, there's always room for improvement and I'm old enough to appreciate others views!!  Thanks for stopping by!!

"ANTIQUE TREASURE"

#2011-13

"SOLD"

"COOL, CLEAR WATER"

#2011-14

"SOLD"

"UNITED, WE STAND"

#2011-15

"SOLD"

"HAPPY, APPY BIRTHDAY!"

#2011-16

"SOLD"

"ANTIQUITY"

#2011-17

COMMISSIONED PIECE -"SOLD"

"MISCHIEF MAKER"

#2011-18

"SOLD"

"SWEET HOME, ALABAM'"

#2011-19

Commissioned piece-"SOLD"

"NEW RIDE"

#2011-20

"SOLD"

"WONDER FALL"

#2011-21

"SOLD"

"NIGHT WATCHMAN"

#2011-22

"SOLD"

"COSTUME PARTY"

#2011-23

"SOLD"

I'd like to add that I offer my sincere, heartfelt appreciation to every one that takes the time to consider my work and to the wonderful collectors that support my art!  I love what I do and I hope that others will continue to enjoy the pieces that eventually evolves into a "transfer" of my imagination!

Only Days Left!

Only days left 'till July 1st...the winners will be announced in The Trail of Painted Ponies National Art Competition!!  I'm very honored to have been chosen as a finalist and I want to sincerely thank each and every one that voted for my entry..."Tumblin' Tumbleweeds"!  I've posted a pic of him below!!  Thanks again!!

"Tumblin' Tumbleweeds"

Finalist in TTOPP National Art Competition

June, 2011

Made it to FINALIST!!!

I'm so excited today...several weeks ago, I entered artwork in a national art competition, hosted by The Trail of Painted Ponies
(http://www.trailofpaintedponies.com/).



After weeks of waiting and thousands of entries, the finalists for eight categories were announced yesterday, June 1st. My pony, "TUMBLIN' TUMBLEWEEDS" was chosen as a finalist in the "American Country" category!!! I'm so excited about this honor!! I absolutely love painting these beautiful horse figurines and I am hoping, with the help of voters, to win this competition!


PLEASE click on the link below, to be taken directly to the category page...you'll find my entry (TUMBLIN' TUMBLEWEEDS)there. If you feel that it's deserving, please vote for me!! There is some awesome talent shown in the entries, and each person should be congratulated on this achievement!!


Please pass this on to anyone you know that might help me achieve my goal!! Sincere thanks to everyone!!


http://www.trailofpaintedponies.com/artists/competitions/competition-american-country/

LATEST ORIGINAL PAINTED PONIES

I'm absolutely loving painting these ponies!  I wanted to post pics of the last few that I've completed...

"40 Days..." #2011-7 --- Inspired by the Bibical story of Noah's Ark.

"My Only Wish" --#2011-8 --- Inspired by the many times of wishing for a horse of my own!

"Rearin' To Go" --#2011-9 ---  Inspired by the thought of horses pulling Santa's sleigh, instead of reindeer!

"Don't Fence Me In" --#2011-10---- Inspired by the old Western song with the same title & the beautiful wild horses of the West!

"Till We Meet Again..." --#2011-11----  Inspired by the thought of losing an equine friend...then hoping to meet them one day when we cross the Rainbow Bridge.

                                         All are sold...but am painting daily!!

Ponies & More Ponies

The latest from Magical Mule...

"COWBOY"...Inspired by my love of rodeos, fairs and horse shows! 

#2010-003

"CAPTAIN BOOTSTRAP BLACK"...Pirate Pony of the Carribbean!  #2010-006

"SOLD"

"HEALING GIFTS"...Inspired by the many healing herbs and plants, shared with us by the Native Americans.  #2010-005

"SOLD"

Watch for more!!!

Pictures! Pictures!

Well, I guess I've officially started with my original custom painted ponies!!  No wonder these are collected throughout the world...they're so much fun to paint AND they generate creativity on every level!!  Be sure to check out their site...
http://www.trailofpaintedponies.com/  for gift ideas for every age!!  I've finished 4 ponies at this time and I'm posting pics of 3...one is for a contest and will be judged in the next few weeks, so that one's under wraps!  I hope you like these!!

"In the Beginning..."

depicting the creation described in Genesis - #2010-004

"SOLD"

"Beauty of the Mountains" - #2010-002 Inspired by my many rides through the Smokies

"SOLD"

"Magical Mule" Inspired by my very own, very magical mule...King Solomon - #2010-001

"SOLD"

Thanks for stopping by!!

Welcome to my Painted Pony blog!

I've very recently started painting original painted ponies, using the "Paint Your Own" (by Enesco) painted pony designs.  When I started this, I was a little overwhelmed at the beautiful, imaginative, custom ponies that others were painting, selling and collecting.  I've decided to start this blog as a "window" to show my work and hopefully have discussion with others that share the love of the wonderful world of equine!! 
As I've researched the Painted Pony history and story of their growth, I've been amazed at the wonderful talent that is in the "soul" of the hundreds of artists out there!  Now, I've decided, that I would try and express myself through these wonderful, collectible horses...I've been "expressing" my love for these animals every day for 50 years, riding, showing, caring for...now, I will try to continue to do that, through my brush!  I hope you'll visit often and please leave comments or suggestions...I'm open to new ideas or constructive criticism!!  Remember, my blog is in the beginning stage, so bear with me as I gear up!!  Thanks for stopping by!