I Got a Fever

I'm honored to be chosen by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) to design and paint the 10th Anniversary Horse Fever prototype presented by the Marion Cultural Alliance. Because I was asked not to share the latest design with you before the big reveal, I will tell you that his name is "World Champ". He illustrates the thoroughbred industry here in Ocala, Florida aka The Horse Capital of the World. But I've said too much...

It's safe to give you a peek of  "the herd" at the warehouse:

Laboriously being liberated from their shipping crates.

"World Champ" suspiciously eyes his transport to the FTBOA.

Here's the original "Champ" prototype, still looking great after ten years. He represents the racing silks of 14 prominent thoroughbred breeding farms here in Marion County. Posing in front of the FTBOA offices, he was also sponsored by the FTBOA who also sponsored the first Horse Fever project and...who also sponsored...me.

The flip side of "Champ", photographed at Double Diamond Farm.

"Above & Beyond" was painted by moi for the Race Track Chaplaincy of America for their annual White Horse Awards. He represents the heroic backside workers at the racetrack. A & B took me to the Breeders' Cup at Lone Star Park in '04.

I also designed and painted "Cultural Champ" who was the foal belonging to the original herd. He represented the major cultural aspects of Marion County and Ocala, but I'll be darned if I can find a photo of him!

"It is, after all, the dab of grit that seeps into an oyster's shell that makes the pearl, not pearl-making seminars with other oysters." - Stephen King

Reception at FTBOA

She'll Heir winning the Cinderella Stakes at Hollywood

If you're in town for the OBS Two-Year-Olds & Horses of Racing Age sale next week, I'd like to invite you to attend an opening reception for the Equine Art Exhibit at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders's and Owners' Association. Upstairs in their light and airy gallery, you'll find an diverse selection of artwork along with some fascination racing memorabilia. There are some surprises, I can promise you. Monday afternoon, June 14th from 2-4pm. All welcome.

"Honestly, I expected to get a cold reception because of my subject matter. But when editors took a look at the story I had to tell, and saw that this was not a parochial story at all, they really warmed to it." - Laura Hillenbrand

Artists Do Lunch

It was my great pleasure to finally meet landscape painter Linda Blondheim today. I've been a follower of her blog for a long time, and she is just as articulate, wise and generous with her vast knowledge of all things art in person. Joining us was my good friend, artist Jackie Schindehette. Both Jackie and Linda are Florida landscape painters, however, their style of painting and approach is so distinctly different. Check out their blogs to the right. And...both are terrific marketers of their work so you can imagine the exchange of ideas, suggestions and brainstorming that was bantered about over lunch. How refreshing to be in the company of real pros making a living with their art careers.

After lunch, we headed over to the FTBOA to view the equine art exhibit.

l.-r. moi, Linda and Jackie

Linda lives north of Gainesville, so we all agreed to meet again - this time in the Tally Ho wagon of the Misty Morning foxhunting club!

"When people are like each other they tend to like each other". - Anthony Robbins

Reception at FTBOA

A few photos of our reception at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association last Wednesday evening. Courtesy of photographer Steve Floethe and Ocala.com.

Realtor Lorrett Fisher, Quarter Pole Tack Shop owner Jim Au and realtor Becky Faircloth.

My book partner Dale Jarusik and a couple of art lovers.

Friends and art lovers in front of my painting "On the Grass".

Sculptor Mindy Colton with one of her bronzes.

And of course moi in front of my nine-panel piece, "Diagonal".

-on seeing his 1967 retrospective
"It gives me the feeling that I should continue heading in the direction I am taking". E. J. Hughes

Reception Tonight

The opening reception for the Florida Thoroughbred Charities Equine Art Exhibit 2008 is today, October 1st. Viewing begins at 2:30 with a "meet and greet" the artists between 4:30 and 6:30. All this takes place at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association at 801 SW 60th Ave. in Ocala.

Michael has assembled a diverse group of artists representing painting styles from realism to abstract. Same for sculpture. Besides my huge piece "Diagonal", I've added this painting that I blogged about a couple of weeks ago.

"On the Grass" oil on canvas, 34" x 60"

I'm pleased with the color. Throughout the years I've studied Johannes Itten and Josef Albers along with color field painters Ellsworth Kelly and Morris Louis. I recall a painting teacher making us cut up expensive Color Aid paper for projects to duplicate Itten's color theories. His book "The Art of Color" became my studio bible.

In the last few years I've discovered a modern colorist, Nita Leland. Not academic as the aforementioned, her book "Exploring Color" is still fun to browse through.

"Only those who love color are admitted to its beauty and immanent presence. It affords utility to all, but unveils its deeper mysteries only to its devotees". - Johannes Itten

Great Shout Out

As Michael and I were hanging the Florida Thoroughbred Charities Equine Art Exhibit 2008 last week, we were interviewed by Lashonda Stinson Curry, entertainment features writer for the Ocala Star Banner local newspaper. In her reliably excellent journalistic style, she covered our show with insight and articulate observation. A fabulous story resulted that you can read about here. Unfortunately, the online version doesn't illustrate the fantastic photographic spread featured on the "Arts and Travel" front page.

Many thanks to Lashonda, photographer Erica Brough and the Ocala Star Banner!

“Publicity, publicity, publicity is the greatest moral factor and force in our public life” - Joseph Pulitzer

Installation

Michael and I have spent the last week preparing for the Florida Thoroughbred Charities Fall Equine Art Exhibit 2008. You see, Michael as curator must attend to all the paperwork involved in addition to acquiring the artwork and fielding phone calls. Events Coordinator Betsy Whitaker and Public Relations Coordinator Meredith Woods have lent their invaluable help with all facets of organizing this event.

Michael has his hands full. Not to mention his wife dumps the monumental task of hanging her huge nine-panel piece, "Diagonal" It took almost two days and required a lift to install the upper canvases.

There were logistics of weight and balance to be considered. During creation, I often pondered how the heck we'd hang the ever growing artwork but was told..."just paint it and we'll worry about that later". Uh-huh, as one canvas begets another and another.

A request that we minimize the impact on the wall led to further challenges. The bottom third of the piece is suspended with the gallery hanging system and the top third is secured directly to the wall.

The back of the canvases are secured with t-braces and the top three pieces are reinforced with one long horizontal aluminum brace. Because the gallery hanging system would not allow the cohesive unit that I originally intended, a bit of velcro and tape secured the transition into the top canvases. Of course, this won't be an issue when permanently installed.

"A painting that makes me stretch beyond the comfortable and easy is one that makes me want to paint more. Too many of the easy ones and I'd be looking for something else to do". - Gary English (I hear ya, Gary)

Building Relationships

There are times that I experience frustration that sales here at home in Ocala are somewhat lukewarm. After all, this is the self-proclaimed "Horse Capital of the World". Fact is, while there are many wealthy, gorgeous horse farms here, the well-heeled owners just don't shop in Smalltown.

So I shrug off the pity jacket and focus on the wonderful business relationships I've developed that are of crucial importance. These connections take time to form and are strengthened through trust and reliability. My primo gallery, The Paddock Room Galleries here in Ocala is one essential association. The University of Florida Equine Veterinary Hospital is a new and promising one. Countless individuals also fall under this relationship subject.

The Florida Breeders' and Owners' Association is a significant affiliation for me. They appreciate my good will contributions to the racing industry and in return, generously support me with invaluable publicity by using my artwork like this:

This invitation is sent out to the FTBOA members (over 2,000 nationwide) to attend the annual Membership Cocktail Party on October 5th during the festivities of Ocala Week.

Michael is busy curating a terrific exhibit of top equine artists from across the country to be installed in the FTBOA gallery. A portion of the sales will benefit the Florida Thoroughbred Charities. My artwork, again, on the invitation:


More info on the exhibit to come.

“Business is not just doing deals; business is having great products, doing great engineering, and providing tremendous service to customers. Finally, business is a cobweb of human relationships.” - H. Ross Perot

Champions Now and Future

Great day of racing, huh? Curlin didn't disappoint and performed as the bona fide champion he is. Let the glut of Curlin paintings begin! Got art?

All the races from Dubai were broadcast on HRTV today. Way cool.

Congrats to the connections of Diamond Stripes as well. A card of well wishes is in order seeing that they're my clients. Their farm is just up the road from moi. I'm thrilled for them and it was fun to see the joy in the winner's circle. Oh yeah, and the big gray is a Florida-bred.

Big Brown hammered the Florida Derby easily and was reminiscent of another three-year-old monster who campaigned a couple of years ago. Oh so impressive.

In between the races, we ran over to the Live Oak Championship Combined Driving. I wanted to visit with some artist friends who were there exhibiting as I'm only mildly interested in driving. Anticipated event is the obstacle course which was in progress when we arrived. As I wandered over to take a look, a horse had fallen over a fence in an obstacle and got tangled up. Who knew such a genteel sport could be so dangerous?

Someone quickly showed up with a - get this - chain saw. Um, what, no hammer and crowbar? They even put up the blue screens for I what imagine was in case of a slip and/or wayward flailing leg.

The rest of the team would have no part of the buzz saw and broke loose. I don't blame them.

Thankfully, the freed horse walks away unscathed from the horrifying power tool.

And the games go on...

Florida Thoroughbred Charities

Last weekend hosted the annual Florida Thoroughbred Charities fundraiser. It was held at the Ocala Hilton providing elegant surroundings and delicious food. As an artist, this organization tops my list for donating.

The following photos were provided by my dear friend, photographer extraordinaire Cindy Mikell.

Dick Hancock, Executive Vice President of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association gives a hug to daughter Ellie.

Gene Stevens, (Post Time U.S.A.), Carolyn Hine and Frank Stronach.

Todd Pletcher.

Moi's large giclee reproduction "Harrowing" slated for the live auction.

The artist with partner V.P. in charge of marketing, sales, research and debt collection.

What I Did 2007

It's that time. I know I've bored some of you with my multiple Year in Review posts. Here's what I actually accomplished in the past year. Being a high-strung overly ambitious type, this exercise reassures me that, yes, things are happening and I'm making headway.

Exhibits:
Group exhibit: "Masters of Horse Racing" sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association.
Gallery Central, Hot Springs, Arkansas: two person exhibit during April, coinciding with their monthly Art Walk and the big stake races at Oaklawn Park.
Equidae Gallery, Saratoga Springs, New York. Group exhibit during the summer race meet. I also painted on the sidewalk for a week in front of Soave Faire who carried my giclees.
Fayette Gallery, Lexington, Kentucky: solo exhibit through October during the Fall Keeneland Racing Meet.

Cover Art:
Program cover for Horse Shows in the Park. Great publicity and networking opportunity.

Marketing Workshops:
Alyson B. Stanfield at Manatee Art Center, Bradenton, Florida
Southern Regional Conference on Self-Employment in the Arts, University of Tampa.

Outdoor Shows:
Little Everglades Steeplechase, Dade City, Florida
High Hope Steeplechase, Lexington, Kentucky

Out of Hand Artists Salon
I kicked this idea around for a couple of years and finally did what was needed to launch. One of my proudest accomplishments for the year. Eleven (total) dedicated, hard working artists determined to succeed, supporting and promoting each other. Our salon focuses on business and marketing with the emphasis on networking and sales. Our first exhibit as a group was held this past summer at the Bank of America in Ocala, Florida.

Purchases:
2007 custom ordered 6'x12' Lark Cargo Trailer. Initially, this was purchased to deliver a very large commissioned canvas to Connecticut, with the intention of being resold. It's so versatile and easy to haul - we think we'll keep it!
Santa Fe III double masted easel with a marine-type winch. Holds huge canvases and saves my back adjusting the canvases up and down.

Contacts:
Acquired numerous new clients and commissions.
Made very good friends with the North Florida Farm Credit. They included me in some of their very fun events. I always have some pieces hanging throughout their offices.
Visited and made great contacts with the Museum of Racing at Saratoga Springs this past summer.

Giclees:
This was the biggest year ever for my giclee reproductions according to my books. Wonderful cash flow. Just when I'm thinking we're not getting them in enough venues...I sold to several commercial clients who are exhibiting the giclees in very public places. I also released my first "open edition" or "print on demand" and it was extremely well accepted by my galleries and clients.

Community:
Participated in the Marion Cultural Alliance's "Artist Within" fund raising project. I was teamed up with Executive Chef Randal White (of the Ocala Hilton and cable program "Dishin It Out"). Randal created a great painting and was a blast to work with.

Artwork:
I had another commissioned filled year. What a blessing. I also established working relationships with some major VIP clients. That's my main focus.
I'm very happy about my breakout piece "Diagonal". It's about 13'x13.5' and says I'm way more than a 4-F painter (foals frolicking in fields of flowers).

Entries for Competitions:
I entered Art Business News Emerging Artist Competition for an exhibit space at ArtExpo in New York. No word yet on the results.
I applied to the 2008 Professional Development Workshops sponsored by the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs. No word yet on the results.

Books, movies, etc.:
I read Barney Davey's "How to Profit from the Art Print Market". Great info for those in the reproduction business. No movies or other books really standout and I don't read nearly as much as I should be. Studio all day, crashing at night.

Travel:
Michael and I logged 25,000+ miles traveling to and from galleries, shows, delivering artwork, etc. No moss on these two stones. I still love the road trips where I'm able to get away from the business and studio and - think! Some of my most creative brainstorming occurs during extended hours on the blacktop.

New Painting

It's finally completed! I've been working of this piece forever (in between projects) and now we have to contend with the very real logistics of weight, size and of course, the diagonal format. Our house is too small to assemble it for photographing so we carted it over to my good friends at the FTBOA. Puzzle pieces on the floor and then upstairs to their gorgeous gallery to shoot down below. It's still destined to be professionally shot, but we wanted an image to begin marketing.

Nine canvases of various sizes. I took my inspiration from an old b&w photograph that I've had for years. I carefully considered a graph with negative space. Half inch equaled one foot. Dimensions are approximately 13.5' x 14'. We couldn't eliminate the angle, even from hanging over the upstairs railing - the pros will do that for us. Michael just left to discuss the project with the photographer, Cheuvront Studios. Al and Allen are actually looking forward to taking this one on. Ha!

The floor of the FTBOA. It looks like a wall.

My intention is to take this genre painting and crossover to the mainstream. I'm attempting something fresh, edgy, and innovative. Asking myself constantly, "...how do I present this tired old subject with a new approach that won't alienate my clients and still stay true to myself?"

Scale photo. I'm about 5'6".