Pet Portrait Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Greg Weaver, who won the Gift Certificate for a Pet Portrait by ShawnaLee at the Brass City Ballet’s Spring Gala & Silent Auction!

A hand rendered portrait of Greg’s horse, Topeka, a Belgian/Halfinger mix, has been created in Charcoal.

Artist’s Question to Greg: Could you tell me a little about what interested you in the Portrait Gift Certificate, and a little about Topeka?

Reply from Greg: “It is easy enough to take photographs and have them enlarged and printed, of which I have done, but in some ways having an artistic rendition is a more serious and meaningful statement. It is hard to image anyone passing down a framed photo of a horse to family, yet easy to imagine a piece of artwork being considered an heirloom just because someone took the time to create it.

As for Topeka, he is in many ways my redemption. The very first horse I ever owned, a rescue named Loki, turned out to be a very serious learning experience which, after 6 years of effort, culminated in a broken leg (mine). I’m very proud of the work and success that came from my years training Loki, but in the end I did not have one crucial skill needed to fix his last dangerous flaw. In the process of working him through all his other flaws I changed from an unflappable rider to a fearful one. Despite all of that I found myself unable to give up on him and unable to imagine doing so without another horse on whom to focus my attention.

Topeka therefore became my rebound horse, the fellow who did not have the same flaws, but was still in need of training. When I went to see him, he was being put up for sale due to his refusal to pull weight above a certain number of pounds. His owner had hoped he’d win him some ribbons pulling sledges of concrete at Ag Fairs. Fortunately the trainer convinced the owner that to force him to pull was to guarantee poor performance and damage his spirit and friendly personality. So Topeka needed a new career and I needed a new horse in need. The fact that Topeka isn’t terribly brave and bolts occasionally is actually just what I needed as well. Each time it happens my old confidence shoulders the newer fear aside and says, “I got this”. And as you may have been able to tell from the expression on his face, he is a kind soul, if a bit of a character.

Having artwork made of Topeka is my way of honoring him and what he is already doing for me and, just like the artwork, I expect to have him with me always.

-Greg

p.s. In case you’re wondering, Loki went back to the rescue from which I’d adopted him, per their agreement, and is now getting much more attention, medical and emotional, than I could ever give him and is doing really well. I still go to see him now and then, and I’m happy for him.”

Artist response: Thank you! What a story! Sounds like you are very dedicated to your horses and are making fantastic choices! Topeka sounds as if he has hit the jackpot with you for family! I know from my experience that horses like to have a job that they understand.
Thanks for sharing your story – it makes the portrait that much more meaningful, and I appreciate your putting into words how valuable hand rendered works are. We live in a world where digital is becoming the norm and it is my firm belief that portraiture will experience a re-birth in our time. Thanks for understanding!
ShawnaLee

“Topeka is a mix of Belgian and Hafflinger... His age is also something of a mystery. His former pulling trainer and the vet have guessed him to be around 10 now, but for some reason his specifics are unknown. And despite his name he’s from Indiana.” Greg has owned Topeka for two years now.

“I suppose my favorite thing about Topeka is his somewhat clownish personality. I’ve been around a fair number of horses and have liked pretty much all of them, but most are fairly neutral sorts, pleasant to be around but not very interesting to watch when out in the herd. From the very start when I went to meet him and he tried to take me water skiing after I asked him to trot for me, he’s shown himself to have a feisty spirit. When he met Loki, who tended to intimidate other horses, the two of them spent several days (quite rough at first) sorting out who was herd leader with neither wishing to back down. At his current residence he’s pretty far down in the pecking order but that hasn’t stopped him from befriending the herd leader (a good thing considering that’s his weekly trail buddy) or becoming play partner with a young, very tall and skinny, Tennessee Walker. The two of them look completely mismatched yet neither has the advantage as they spin and nip and rear up.

And that, besides how easy he is to work around, is my favorite thing about Topeka. He still has a strong sense of play and will accept praise as a reward for good work.” Greg.

Every Spring, the Brass City Ballet holds a Spring Gala and Silent Auction. This year’s event featured the performance ”Alice in Wonderland”. BCB is a non profit 501 (c) (3) organization offering Recreational & Pre-Professional Dance Classes for all ages. For more information, please visit: www.brasscityballet.org

For more information about Pet Portraiture by ShawnaLee, please visit:

www.shawnalee.com or visit Facebook: ”Portraits by ShawnaLee”

artist@shawnalee.com