My Day With The Pryor Mustangs

What can I say about the day I spent amongst the Pryor Mountain Mustangs?

It was one of the most incredible things I have ever done. The whole trip was fantastic, but there was something so incredible about those horses.

I went with Steve & Nancy Cerroni of the Pryor Mountain Mustang Center and 5 other folks - 4 from South Carolina and one from Ohio and I don't think I could have shared that experience with a better bunch of people!

We managed to see 118/120 of the horses up there - which was a one day record for them! The weather was beautiful, as were all of the wild flowers that were in bloom up there. They smelled so amazing - I wish I could have bottled that scent and brought it home with me.

Of course - we saw Cloud. I got a little bit of a lump in my throat when I laid eyes on him for the first time. Having watched him grow up as I grew up, it was truly an emotional and magical moment.

He is certainly showing his age - battle scars and all. But he is still spunky and full of life.

The horses are so trusting and accepting of people coming into their home. That makes the experience that much more special. I was sitting on a little rock ledge just watching Cloud graze. It was like sitting in my own yard watching my horse graze. He was close enough to walk up to and touch.

Watching them interact and just BE horses was so fascinating! They truly are majestic creatures and it was so mumbling to watch these guys in person.

NOW - before I even got this posted - I ended up with 2 extra weeks off in between quitting my job ad starting at my new one so I decided I was going to go back to Cody. Then - I asked the folks at the center if they had any room for me to go and they had ONE spot left for the 23rd. I said "I WILL TAKE IT!!". So - back to the Pryors I go!! I cannot WAIT!!

 

EEEEEEK!!!! 2 Weeks!!

2 weeks until my amazingly awesome road trip!!

Wild horses, rodeos, amazing scenery and history.... for the better part of 11 days! I cannot WAIT!

Anyways - here are some photos from last weekend - after the rodeo I watched the draft horse pull. I love drafts. The size, power and beauty - there is just something so special about those gentle giants!

A Few From Today

This Trakehner mare was playing hard to get.... but I snapped some great photos of her! Enjoy!

Inspiration & Motivation: Where Are You?

When I wake up in the morning... I want to draw and paint.

By the time I get home from work, I am so drained and unmotivated that I cannot find the urge.

Art used to be one of my favorite things to do to unwind and distract myself. It is frustrating to not be able to have my ideas go from my brain to a piece of paper or canvas.

I have THOUSANDS of photos to work from. Anything you can imagine. I have unlimited access to horses and various other livestock. I take trips to places that have subjects that I WANT to turn into art. I flip through magazines that are dedicated to western art and culture trying to draw from them. I have wandered from gallery to gallery in Jackson Hole - like the Trailside Gallery. I have set eyes on some of the most amazing pieces of work that were going up for sale in Jackson Hole in their legendary auction. I have been to the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Whitney Western Art Museum  But I cannot make it happen.

My ultimate goal is to find myself as a successful - and well known western artist.

It is a tough goal to achieve. I am fortunate to network through social media with many successful artists. They work hard. They make it look easy, but we all know it isn't. One - who I have watched over the last 6 or so years - has gone from painting children's portraits and "dabbling" has come so far and has been making a name for herself as a western artist. However she has encountered some criticism and ridicule for her style. She is fabulous! There are two types of people in the art world: People who want to see you succeed and help you and support you and people who re jealous and want to see you fail. The same can be said for the equine world as well from what I have seen so far.
I am lucky to have supportive art friends.

A Few More From the Sleigh Rally....

No CFR Photos....

Well then.... I could NOT take photos at the CFR.... I was heartbroken! My lens was too big and they'd have confiscated my gear. Oh well... still had an AMAZING time! Farm Fair on Friday - I saw something there that I have been DYING to see for years! I spotted it from across the hall and I felt like a kid on Christmas morning! Here it is!!

'The Horse Gift', the mural mosaic project that Phil Alain started. I came into the equine art world and started networking with a lot of the artists involved in this around the time it was all coming to life. I cannot even express the humbling feeling I got staring at this piece. I had no idea I would be seeing it, so that added to the excitement! I got that full body goosebump thing too while I was staring at it. If you EVER get the chance to see this is person - TAKE IT! Photos don't do it any justice!

More From Montana!

Everyday - I edit a few  more of the 8500+ pictures I took n my road trip in June!
Please enjoy!