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."
