"On December 28th, 2001 the Snow Pony
sold for $12,100.00. All proceeds were divided between Girls and Boys Ranch, The Humane
Society and Coalition for Youth. The Snow Pony now lives in North Carolina."

In February of 2001 I was contacted to be part of an exciting statewide project called "HorsePower".
I was honored to be chosen as one of a select group of artists to participate in this project which will bring national and international attention to New Mexico and most importantly raise excitement and money for the under funded non-profits of this state. "CowParade", a similar project in Chicago, raised $3.5 million dollars for their charities and we hope to do even better.

My design was chosen by the BCA Medical Group in Roswell. The monies raised from the sale of my horse will go to Boys and Girls Ranch, The Human Society and Coalition for Youth. Dr. Beverly Elliott is responsible for my participation in this project.  She has been a long time collector and supporter of my work.

So, for a week in May I stayed with Dr. Elliott and her husband Clark and daughter Kate in their home and painted my horse.  We all shared a special time realizing our project to fruition.  They took good care of me including safeguarding me against alien abduction and probing.

I began with a fiberglass mold that had to be sanded and then four coats of primer applied before I could even begin the sketch.  I took a copy of the initial drawing of the horse with me when I began painting.  After all, I was taking a 2D design and placing it on a 3D surface and needed all the help I could get.  This was a first for me in the world of 3D.   I immediately realized that the contour of the horse, it's muscles and it's bone structure would decide the placement of the valleys of snow, the shape of the village and the setting of the adobe homes.

Living in a small Northern New Mexico town, I could not imagine a more timeless or endearing image of this town or New Mexico than snow laden lands and an adobe village under a blanket of stars.  From this idea the "Snow Pony" took it's birth. Across from my front orchard lies the Taos Pueblo Lands.  Here, their horses run free and are full of the energy and strength of the Tewa Nation.  My horse is those horses running through the town of Arroyo Seco taking with them the stories told and families united behind each turquoise door and window.

With my embellishment almost complete I felt a real sadness come over me.  I really liked painting that horse and I was glad that I had saved my favorite part until the end like I do with all my paintings. The night sky.  In my paintings, you are encouraged to enter the night sky and explore.  In the "Snow Pony" the stars and night sky cover the horse like a blanket at the end of her enchanted journey.

Here now is the "Snow Pony" from start to finish. If you would like to learn more about "HorsePower" or enter a bid on "Snow Pony" go to Trail of the Painted Ponies.