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
Combining two prominent symbols of the American West – a wild horse and a wolf – into a single design, this artist, a former Illustrator/Photographer in the U.S. Air Force and a product of the West himself, has created a design that creatively captures the spirit of both creatures.
I'm a product of the west, born and raised in rural Utah, I received my inspiration from the natural beauty of the mountains, high deserts and abundant wildlife in the Intermountain west.
After being educated as a draftsman I became an Illustrator/Photographer in the U.S Air Force. For the next 21 years I was fortunate to live in several locations in the continental U.S and overseas and have an exciting and rewarding career producing art work for many luminaries in the military and diplomatic world, all the while pursuing my passion for fine art after hours.
After retiring from the Air Force I became a full time fine artist and for the next 20 years made my living selling my work on the art festival circuit and through a number of art galleries. My work has been purchased and sold through the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, the Rocky Mountain Mule Deer Foundation, The American Paint Horse Foundation and Ducks Unlimited. I have been featured in two coffee table style books, Artists of the West and Wildlife Artists of the World.
I currently sell my work through several museum events, and auctions I'm also represented by art galleries in Wyoming, Montana, Utah, New Mexico and Colorado.
My wife Virginia and I follow the seasons between residences in Star Valley, Wyoming and Green Valley, Arizona.
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.
As the leaves fall and the air chills, the ravens gather in a noisy celebration. Their black feathers glisten in the bleak cold sky as they dip and dive to the music of the autumn winds. The wisdom and courage of the ravens is brought to you in “Fall Gatherings.”
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.
Warhorses were bred and raised from foalhood specifically for the needs of war. From the day they were born they were kept fit. At a young age they were exposed to the sounds of battle. They were trained to be responsive to leg pressure rather than reins so the rider’s hands could be available to shoot bows and arrows and guns. But a foal’s first teacher is its mother, and with “Love of a Warrior Mother,” a mare, whose markings identify her as a war horse, is grooming it to follow her example.
I have done many paintings and drawings for my clientele and have even had art displayed in the Oklahoma State Capital building.
Easy to recognize by their striking orange, black and white markings, Monarch Butterflies are known not only for their beauty and their remarkable annual migration journey from Canada to Mexico, but for the superstitions that surround them. The saying “Butterflies are the heaven-sent kisses of an angel” was conceived with Monarch Butterflies in mind, as it is believed that if a Monarch Butterfly lands on you, a loved one may be trying to send you a message of hope or peace. But while we enjoy its beauty today, we should remember that its existence is fragile. Monarch Butterflies were added to the Endangered Species List in 2014, which means we must do our part to assure that they will be enjoyed for generations to come.
I’ve been in love with Painted Ponies since I walked into the store and saw “Motorcycle Mustang” in the corner of the room. That was almost 20 years ago – making me a fan since I was 7. I’m a writer by trade, but paint and design in my free time. These are just some I wish were in my collection.
An icon of American western culture, the Texas Rangers have a heritage that traces to the earliest days of the settlement of Texas. They first made a name for themselves as mounted lawmen covering vast territories on horseback protecting frontier settlers against marauding Indians and Mexican bandits. But as the frontier disappeared, the Texas Rangers turned to handling criminals within our own society: outlaws, train robbers and highwaymen. Today they are known as a professional investigative force dealing with major violent crime, public corruption, border security, and their mystique lives on.
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.
For weeks on end, the sun bakes the earth under a sweltering heat, until at last it cries for relief. Mother Nature hears the call and sends Rain Dancer, a horse of majestic beauty that possesses elemental powers, to the rescue. At the beckoning of her echoing neigh, a Thunderbird appears, beating its feathered wings and carrying clouds as it rapidly ascends to the sky and circles the plains. The clouds grow darker in color. And then, with a thunderclap, a storm floods the thirsty earth that sings with thankfulness for the gift from Rain Dancer.
My family is my greatest inspiration for everything I do. From a very young age, I was always involved in art. I started off with coloring books, and then progressed into pencil drawings. I learned shading techniques by looking at a simple arrangement of flowers in a vase. At the age of 10, I entered a coloring contest of a Macaw for a local newspaper and won first place. As I got older I expanded my skills with other mediums and styles. Exploring different types of paints, pastels, and even sculpture. Some of my favorite subjects include science, automotive, and animals. Animals in general play a big role in my life, both in art and personal. I actually own a mini-zoo of exotic reptiles, birds, and saltwater aquariums. Being an artist for The Trail of Painted Ponies is a great accomplishment for me because I have always dreamed of having a piece of my art work out there in the world for others to enjoy.
