Work is turning into amazing fun! Got the details all set out on three outfits today (just waiting on the suede to come so I can complete the entire look...crystals are already here) and in the meantime my oils are drying so fast (thanks to Sonya Johnson) that I am spinning through the work with blazing speed. I needed a pick-me-up and there it was~!

All done for the year!!!

Just judged the last show of the year for me!! It was mega fun and after all these shows I am taking a break...looks like my next one will be in June unless something else comes up!!

Here is a shot of my drastic custom Ideal Stock Horse that won every one's hearts in New York...I gotta download the pics of him completely finished...What a loser if you live in that region and missed this show!! It was amazing fun! I look forward to the next one; hope to be asked back for the clinic they were asking me about...Would LOVE to do a clinic for them!
I saw some incredible stuff. No lack for talent in that region; the dolls were amazing! I saw Jaime Baker's pastel work and it was beyond the BEST I have ever seen! I got to judge with Sonya Johnson who gave me some awesome tips on using my white oils; I really need to spend more time up there. Morgen was there and she is a hoot. My little Ed mule sold massive amounts of tickets, I was so pleased with the response to my work! I know the Ed had to have paid for my air fare alone! No telling what that ISH brought in!
I am so psyched and already back to work on a buncha stuff; got mega ideas and have already started using Sonya's advice on the oils!!




Minneapolis was a blast too...got to meet Tiffany Purdy and she wowed me with her mega talent! We sat in Bev's kitchen and she gave us some impromptu sculting tips! Got home and put them to work! OMG, I am so lucky! I look forward to next year...hoping to juice up my schedule with lots of shows and judging AND showing...my work has improved so much!

Heading out to Minneapolis tomorrow afternoon...will be gone until Sunday. Judging at the River Valley Live show in Hastings, MN. Here is the nearly completed raffle donation I created from the wonky Stone Chip drafter; she has had her legs shortened, her body re-built, the whole shebang to make her look more horse-like...love this girl...guess I need to make me one!

Working steadily and non-stop on a Novileirho, a resin Chip, Pandy and an ISH that I am taking with me to the New York show. I havent gone to the gym in a week (do I ever miss that!) but I got to get caught up around here so I can focus on the upcoming show and holiday season...

More when I get back home~~

Not sure what this guy's name is but he is a portrait model done for a client...he had a notched ear which gave me FITS! But I love his color when I got done with him!

Leaving for Bev's in Minneapolis on Thursday; should be major fun...the little Stone Chipper is almost done...I may be able to get pics of it by tomorrow!
Work has been nuts; here is what is getting done:
Pandy for April C.
Chip resin for Sandy
Novilheiro for Lizbeth
ISH for Region X
Stone Chip for Bev
Lonestar for Brenda
Matriarch for Mary
Custom reiner for Sandy
Mare & foal for Joe S

There is more but they are mostly on the backburner as I delegate most of my time to getting this stuff focused on...I must have painted for 12 hours on Friday! Cleo cut her foot so I have been only riding Crush and we dont have anything until late in November...I am the designated Thanksgiving Day cook for the neighborhood! First time in YEARS we will be here for T-day~!

This month has been wild...judged in Colorado, worked the driving show at the saddle club I belong to, and then went to Flagler Beach to judge OFs while Caitlin showed my resins...NAN qualified almost everyone...well anyways, those that mattered...My biggest thrill was Ziptasm winning the custom division, and my Sensational Outkast being a shining star!
Next weekend we are doing a 3 day show in Orlando, then onto the Paint/Pinto show (taking a ton of work with me as usual) as I am so bombarded (gladly) with work, that I am working a full 8 hour day, weekends, and lots of over-time! Riding every day too, getting the Crushpuppy ready for his debut in Pinto schooling classes with friend Michelle as competition and her baby boy...should be fun. The show next weekend is a 3 day Battle of the Barns and I am cooking chili, showing two horses, and planning on sleeping quite well with those gin-laced slurpees Barb and I do...So bad!!!

Colorado was wonderful...judging was the best! The Stone models are so impressive. I really thought there would be little to look at but I was so wrong!!! Gorgeous stuff! It inspires me to come home and get to work on those dozen Palouse bodies and those TWO dozen ISH bodies!
The cabins were fantastic! Like little houses! Cold and even snowed (I am a Florida girl!) but I got to wear my congress jacket and thermal undies...The hayride was a total blast. Nothing like a big cup of marguerita to enjoy while two gorgeous Belgians haul us over the country side...I met amazing people and reunited with old friends...I could hang with Theresa, Marianna, and Sheila (and Mary!) all the time! I miss them already!

Rode all weekend...it is so incredible to have your Ipod on and experience the sensation of your favorite song, riding out in the big world on a 1200 lb creature and singing (and not well I am sure) to Gwen Stefani's "Bananas" or to Bush, Live, maybe some Kelly Clarkson...Rode the water box to some Nirvana, flying lead changes to Colin Hay, some Black-Eyed Peas to get you thru the back thrus, and Bon Jovi to serenade the ride home thru the woods...
Life is good; I couldnt be happier...when everyone is out and happily grazing (rode three different horses) I can come in the house and find my current work is dry and ready to be sanded/further painting or sculpting...Got some heavy duty stuff going on too; two Infinitys with drastic changes, a Utopia with a new mane and tail, a Deseoso to a darkish light dapple gray bald faced part bred (Too cool...I am keeping this one!) two Desparados, a Majestuoso that is sold and leaving soon, as well as a custom ordered Lonestar and a Matriarch, which shall be a portrait model of a beloved horse that has passed away...
Time to go feed...I hear Foxy banging on her stall door!

Virginia was a blast...camped on a hillside...ate like a fat hog...walked MILES up and down these mountains...did damn little except walk and work on model horses. Sugar was by my side 24/7 and I saw precious little of the horse show as the arena was down a busy truck spewing highway so I didnt ride my Honda to the arena...I would be road kill...
More later...

WE're GOING to Virginia after-all!!!!!!!!!!!!




We leave next Monday night for a 15-20 hour drive...it is gonna be fun and I cannot wait to see VA!!! Also(this is sucha HOOT!) there is a Breyer Fun Day at the Lexington Horse Park on August 1st!!! Think I will sign up for it!!

What a week it was...rain, poured, lightening flashed, awnings blew skyward...Not our's though (thank you oh God of living quarters accessories!) But in the aftermath, we are not going to Virginia...Clyde, at 26 yrs of age, almost died so Jess never showed, Cara was well on her way to major success when Truman suffered some sort of attack (did I mention the heat?) and Amanda got stuck with the judge from hell...



Cara looked fantastic on Truman; he suffered some kind of heat stroke tho...poor old man! She has her new horse for next year and LOOK OUT as she is gonna be awesome!






Kailey did incredibly well with her 3 yr old Elmo (and wearing the shirt I made her! YAHOO!)

Well leaving for nearly a week...so sad to leave the guys behind...I am a sore NON-shower...I wanna be the one riding...oh well, swallowed my big girl pills and going to just hang out...Why am I even going? I support Caitlin; I think I am the emotional clothesline she needs...
I have a box of work, a stack of DVDs, my exercise tapes and my Honda...oh yeah and my dog...she sleeps when I go ride the scoot.
Next year I am going to Paint AND Pinto world shows...try n stop me...I will go alone if I hafto...well, me and Cleo...maybe Crush...
Guess I am feeling sad...I sold off such a HUGE bunch of my precious models...but they will go on and cheer others...I am keeping Gunsmoke, and a couple of the 5 Gaiters...Some of those guys just defy artistic description...Got more work today...when I get back I shall launch the next crowd of obligations...got one that is almost done, a lovely loping quarter horse...His shoes should be here soon and then he can scoot home to B. Then the Nov gets finished;the base is going look hot with it's vegetation and underbrush!
Must pack~

Oh well it WILL be a Happy Tuesday! Today I pitched several broken crapped out resins...Renee, if you are reading this, I owe ya, sistah...You give me the strength to say 'aw frak it'...Tomorrow will be Bloody Tuesday...Buh BYE to the Wixom from Hell (Thanks a crap load, BdV) You suck for the ruination and I rock for tossing the load of shit in the trash and doing a Sopppprano on it.



I have started selling off my dearest models...I hope people will appreciate them. I coddled them for the last 35 years and if someone else gets to love them as much as I did, go for it. I will miss them but I will not fear for them any longer. I foresee a disaster this hurricane season and I do not want to suffer again. My insurance is paid up on the trailers, the trucks, the horses...come get me...

Half the year gone...

I bought myself a new saddle today...sometimes doing that just makes me feel so attached to the world. The butter soft leather is going to feel incredible and boost my confidence in myself and Cleo's showing...it is a LONG ways off to the October Paint show. We are headed to Virginia in about three weeks to take a couple of the clients' horses to the Lexington facility for the southern Regionals show. I so wish I could piggy back another Paint show in like we did last year...it was amazing fun.
Anyhow the saddle is a French-made close contact Huntseat-er that I just couldnt resist. My Collegiate is fantastic but time to move up in the world.
Spent all day watching the world show live-stream on the internet and cataloging models...going to sell off everything but a very precious few...Some of my other artist customs I just will never part with like Sawyer (Sue Thompson) and my Carol Williams pieces. The other stuff is just that, stuff...The custom glazes will all stay, Leslie's especially but I am ridding myself and my cabinets of most everything else. Some of the pieces from the 1920s, 30's and 40's will stay as Caitlin says she wants them. I cannot believe I have close to 50 of those Peter Stone messes that are pure worthless...good thing I have so many custom orders for stock horses!
Here's one I will never get rid of...he is awesome and he reminds me of the fun I had in El Paso with Renee and Caitlin...

This is the show shirt I made Kaily.


View from my office window...


View from the other window in the office.

Pictured is me on Foxy, Caitlin on Cleo, and Evanne on "Crackhead" the rescue horse! This was from a recent show where the Paint gang RULED!

My truck is BROKE!!!!!!!!!! Dammit, I feel stranded! Yeah yeah, I can drive one of the other 4 vehicles sitting around here but I hate to be in a strange one...
Renan comes today to put shoes on the Crushpuppy...he is ready for them. Last weekend, once more, we were GRAND CHAMPION walk/trot horse at the open show...Not only that, we actually loped his first canter class and he ROCKED my world!!!!!!!!!!!
I also am back on Cleo and am so happy with my big girl...I missed her. Tho there is nothing wrong with Miss Piggy, I love riding Cleo huntseat...I am in the process of buying her a new english saddle...
Pictures coming...camera keeps getting left behind. We MIGHT show this weekend if it doesnt rain.
I am LOVING the gym...I am getting definition in my torso, and I actually am getting a cute ASS!!! Jimmy finally noticed! WooooHoooo! My english boots are too big thru the calf now...Caitlin says I will need new boots before we do the World shows~! Oh rats! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sewing again...got the coolest outfit almost finished for Kailey (so easy to sew for little girls!) and the just delivered the fabric from Joann's that I will turn into a new railshirt for me! I love this sewing machine, it is so much better than the Singer I had as a kid!

Busy as hell...as usual...bought myself a sewing machine and off I go...I sewed as teen and here I am, back at it again...I am making Kailey an outfit, most likely Amanda is next, and I am working on MY OWN too!
Showed all weekend...first time I have showed Cleo since last November! We earned 5 firsts, three seconds, two thirds...and nothing lower than that...I ended up Grand Champion Sr. rider and won an etched glass plate, huge long streamer ribbon, and an etched crystal goblet!
Caitlin showed Crush in green horse and ended up reserve grand champion! He was such a good boy! Caitlin's attitude towards him is finally changing.
We are joining the Silver Sands Bridle Club...love that place...
More to come....gotta go work!

Oh yeah...Fuzzy died. His owners are so sad...his portrait model sits in the middle of a memorial to him...faithful beloved horse owned by the same people all his long long life. Cleo's sire died last week too...

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The essence of showing...the anticipation is just killing me...this weekend will be a tough one as I am determined to start my foothold on making top 20 in the masters division in APHA...Me and Foxy can do it...and the way I feel right now after nearly three weeks at the gym, I may even start her back on poles/barrels and stakes to add the points...We shall see.

The Region X Roadtrip custom is coming along and is amazing...He is going to be a stand-out...I have never seen this position done before..(well anyhow) and no one will be able to tell what he started out as...poor little hurricane victim...

Here is a pic of the retired quarter horse I just finished...looks just like the ol' Fuzzy Man...(wonder what his registered name is?)

Yep behind again...what's up with me...well, I didnt go to New Hampshire thru no fault of my own (long story) but in the end I got a BETTER gig judging at Region X Roadshow...OMG mini NAN! Can't wait! That's in November!

Joined a gym...and I truly LOVE it! Working out with the stud muffins on the weight machines and eliptical machines...I am even running on the treadmill...I thought I would like manage a half hour three times a week but I find myself there every freaking day for over an hour!!!!! Now I know at my age, I will never have a beach-buff body but I am damn sure gonna give it hell...Actually my back feels much better!

The work is pouring in...who knew everyone wants a copy of their favorite horse...the one I am working on right now is so cute; he is just a coppery red chestnut but he is so loved, so cared for...it inspires me to work on that representation of him on this Lady Phase...he even has a notched ear!

What else...today it is pouring down, and has been since yesterday...I have done nothing but work on the models and clean house and barn...Cleaned out a whole new storage area in the trailer bay; think I will see about getting about 200 bales of hay in there. Nothing makes me happier than giving the guys all the hay they want.
Started riding Crush again but today he came in out of the rain on three legs...think he was running around the studio side of the pasture (HUGE amount of land) and hurt himself...Since he is going with us to Tampa next weekend, I gave him bute, another 10cc of penicillin and he will spend this week in one of the paddocks staying quiet.
Got to get shavings this week, and Renan comes on Tuesday to reset shoes...money in, money out...
Speaking of the studio, it dodged a bullet yesterday when a huge old oak fell during the rain storm and missed the studio porch by feet...C'mon, God, I have really good this year...don't take my studio again!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a picture of the beautiful orchid plant Jimmy got me for Valentine's Day...the bloom is incredible and there are like six of them! Wasnt the sports car I had asked for but close enough!
Well I didnt get selected for the cover...but that is fine; I have taken in so much portrait and flat work that I am going to close my books until I complete at least 4 of them. What an honor.
Going to New Hampshire next couple weeks to judge a large live show; looking forward to meeting some new northern hobbyists...betcha their resins will blow my mind!
Cleo has several people looking at her, Oklahoma, California, and even some one over seas. I cannot picture my big girl being so far away!

Here are two of the sketches that left TODAY for Texas~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!

My favorite artists!

Pictured is "Dirty White Boy" an original sculpture owned by Jimmy Daniels, created my ME!


I do love Carol Williams...not only is she talented, she is approachable and NICE! I also love Suann Wamsley, Cindi Williams, Sue Thompson, Lee English, and Lynn Fraley...talent isnt being able to do ONE repetitive thing; it is being able to step outside your box and brave the beyond.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I got everything done and the digital pics of my drawings turned out AMAZING! I also dredged up some really well photo'd customs from the live horse folks and scanned them in and will include these in my portfolio...Here is one:

Breakittomegently...a twh gelding

I forget this yearling filly's name but she is an original sculpture and I think her pattern turned out perfect!

Cruising through...all kinds of work done this week so far!

I have my portfolio all ready to go and am so excited to see what happens...and oh well, if they don't like it I am a big girl...no worry as the work is pouring in and I will do just fine...





Here is a horse I just got to call about...Zee Zee Hot and that is Ben Young riding him...Tommy Breedlove owns him and I would love to make him mine...
Crush is healing well and we should be back out at the shows in a month or so...in case I didnt mention it, he just about tore his hind leg off in a pasture accident...still trying to figure out how he did it.

This is a sketch I did when I was up in North Carolina at the 8 judge paint show on my sprained ankle and I couldnt even make it up the hill to the arena on my crutches...I love this one but sorry I didnt do it in prismacolor pencils...no worry tho, I got more to do...




This drawing is one from when I was in high school...it weathered a house fire and two hurricanes...but my ability to draw is never damaged by the elements but I just love this picture so much as I wanted to own this horse so bad.

I have been working hard to get this flat work done for the Paint Horse association...so excited to see if they like it (what's not to like?) and also get a horse ready to take to Oklahoma and Texas for the shows...only 4 months to go until Pinto world...

Today was the day...Crush was clipped, banded, and a bit cleaner than he is used to...for a white horse, he washes up very nicely! At first when I hit the road, I thought 1-4 would be miserable with it being race week in Daytona but I guess the crews were already up there...Silver Sands was packed, and the raceway was in full 'event' when I drove past...the skies were full of antique planes and banner planes...wish I could have gone to the beach but no where to ride a horse there anymore!


Anyhow I got registered for 3 showmanship classes opting to wait until after the lunch break to see about riding him in any classes...Well the show was very interesting...Crush was a total doll, clipped, got him banded, he washed up nice, and loaded up, traveled well, the show was well attended...I entered three classes, schooling showmanship, green horse showmanship and senior showmanship...since that is what I want to establish first and foremost when he is at a show; MY way and no other way! Schooling was just that, I poinked him in the shoulder with my finger to activate his pivot, and we didn’t place (BFD) but the next class was HUGE so I decided to go commando and do it like he knew it...WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I almost fainted...I was laughing so hard...Then our next showmanship class, he was really dragging and we came in last (6th) but no worry; I was so proud of him...he didn’t spook, rebel, bolt, run me over, well you know the whole list of misbehavior at unexpected moments...
Anyhow I took him back to the trailer to get some water, some hay and shade and I hear my name called over the intercom system to come to the office, Tracy Burke wants to see me...well I am thinking she wants to see me before I leave since it has been two years since we have spoken and we have always been horse show comrades...I go up to the office and she is rather upset to tell me someone filed a complaint against me!!! HUH??? Apparently I pissed off one of the "QUEEN BEES" of the open shows and she decided that she didn’t like me and my all white horse, so she filed on me for entering two classes I wasn’t supposed to (according to her...) Never mind I didn’t RIDE a single frigging class...Talk about petty...I was so pissed all I can think about THAT is why I do not show open any more...as much as I may bitch about the competition in APHA at least they are not petty bitchers and whiners who get hostile on a new face in the arena that could steal their walk/trot thunder...
Anyhow me and my boy had a damn fine showmanship class...he was so tired he got the hiccups after I loaded him back up (he always was a weirdo) and I bet you he is passed out cold in his stall this very moment.
I got some pictures but they are on my old 35 mm so will hafta wait until I shoot out the roll...Planning on taking him to another show the 23rd & 24th if my schedule is clear...I still have to ride Foxy.

So fricking excited...tomorrow is my first show with Crush...hauling up to Silver Sands in Daytona Beach for a chance in their monster indoor arena, otherwise we have to wait until April to take him to Tampa...anyhow, he is scrubbed white and after he eats supper, I will clip and band him...he wore a tail yesterday, I rode him, practiced showmanship, all the good stuff...of course he was a doll but can he do it in an indoor arena??????????????????????????????????????????????????
I feel like a little kid with my very first horse!




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Will be back later with updates; the crew is stalled and needs hay and I have been working all day on my flat work projects for the Paint Horse Association...am SO excited to see what they think and DO with my submissions!
We did the Tampa Florida State Fair paint show last weekend and I was high point amateur! Oh yay...my first show with Foxy in THREE freaking years...She tried her best to run the program but it didnt work; I took charge and she screwed up mightily in hunt seat eq but we won every thing else...I honestly cannot wait to get Crush out and make him my show horse; Caitlin has fallen head over heels for my big girl Cleo and they rocked at Tampa ending up high point 14-18. We won monogrammed cooler sheets; very nice!

Cranking on the New Year...

Caitlin on Cleo...

Yeah it has been wild here for a change...we have been to three shows since January first...has been fun. I want Cleo back although me and Foxy are doing just fine...and suddenly Cleo is no longer for sale. Caitlin is loving showing her...fine with me...So I am working on Crush.
I have been working diligently on my awards stuff (got the go ahead from the Paint horse board) as well as my chance to do the world show poster...If they accept my work, I am taking the mares and Caitlin out to Oklahoma and Texas for the summer...took much fun and opportunity to pass up.
Crush is coming along great...he went to another show last weekend and he actually got BORED! He was sighing and gazing out over the stall door watching me walk Foxy back to the arena, not freaking out or nothing...My boy! I love to ride him; he has the nicest lope!
Just bought Stroke 9 and am looking for more Post Secrets books on Amazon...Love to read those!
Back to work...

The push is on to get our year organized and planned...we may need a bigger horse trailer/living quarters so I can set up the studio...the demand for my work from live horse people is terrific and I am so glad I have it!

Here I am riding my "new" old horse Foxy. As usual, my kid has absconded with my other horse Cleo and while she WAS for sale, no more mention has been made of it...the little snot is out riding her right now...While I adore Foxy and yes, she IS my horse, I was so hoping to make Cleo the major champion she deserves to be...Anyhow I rode Foxy huntseat yesterday and long for Cleo...she is far more comfortable and better suited to riding english...I do make Foxy look bigger than her 15 hands as I am kind of a small person myself, I do so like a 16 + hander to post on...
More later...Emma, love ya and miss ya...How's Jasmine?

It has been a year I will always remember...for the art, it got better when I decided I did'nt have to stand in the shadows of someone who made little of my talent...AWESOME feeling to look at something I created for the reason I wanted to create it for, and LIKE IT! I use my LOVE of art to create and not to make it financial reason to exist!
As for my live horses, it just always gets better...recognizing where I made my mistakes with Cleo will get me further with Foxy...it is KILLING me to stop showing my big girl but getting back to Foxy will give me a boost of confidence...Radar and I have come to an agreement in the show ring; if he will stand still and not play with me, I won't smear Tiger Balm on my hands and make his nose twitch. And me and Crush continue to defy everyone's low opinion of him...he IS a good boy and by the end of '08 we will have points from the association and I may even train him to drive...
The good things in 2007:
Caitlin and Foxy in Tennessee being 1st in showmanship after an 8 hour class and 140 exhibitors.
Me losing all that weight!
Me and Cleo beating the two world champions in HUS in Conyers, Georgia when I went there by myself (me, Sugar, and Cleo) I feel like I could go to Oklahoma by myself now!
Ending up 25th in the nation in HUS.
Caitlin & Foxy ending up FIRST in the nation in poles!!!!!
Completing the sculptures for the presentation and getting the live horse art collectors as major 'fans'...what a terrific shot to my art heart!
There's so much more and I have decided NOT to list the bad things as I am not gonna dwell on them!

I feel like I have got my issues cornered...I have all my sculptures ready to present to the Paint horse board the end of this month, and even my notes typed out (no mistakes!) and so far it is looking like a very cool plan!

Happy New Year!