Painted Ponies by Jennifer MacNeill-Traylor

Antiquity

2012-01-06T09:55:00.000-05:00

Antiquity - any period before the Middle Ages, but still within the period of human history or prehistoty.

My newest Painted Pony for 2012 is inspired by an ancient Etruscan horse sculpture.

The Etruscan people lived around present day Tuscany, Italy. The horse held a special place in their culture and warriors were often buried with these small figures.

I love researching equine art and history and this image stirred something deep inside me.

"Wherever man has left his footprint in the long ascent from barbarism to civilization we will find the hoofprint of the horse beside it."

~John Moore

Mimbres Animal Dance

2011-09-13T10:18:00.000-04:00

My newest Painted Pony, now on ebay. Click here for auction.

On a recent trip to Cooperstown, NY we went to the Fenimore Art Museum. As we desended the main staircase, I nearly fell over because at the bottom was an original, life-sized Painted Pony, Thunderbolt Colt.

I couldn't believe how beautiful this Pony looked in person. The other wondeful thing about this museum is their large collection on Native American art. One of the pieces that struck me was a Mimbres hand painted bowl. I knew there was a Painted Pony brewing in my heard after seeing that wonderful design.

So here is my newest Pony, Mimbres Animal Dance. Inspired by the designs I've researched from the Mimbres culture. Not much is known about these people but they left behind some amazing pottery.

Mimbres bowl at the Fenimore Art Museum.

Original Lightning Bolt Colt

Distelfink Original Painted Pony

2011-07-30T18:32:00.000-04:00

My Distelfink Pony has cantered off the watercolor paper and onto an original Painted Pony figurine.

Now available on EBAY - Click Here.

To read more about my original design, Click Here.

Placed in the top ten in it's category in The Trail's last competition.

Emergence Embellished

2011-06-15T19:21:00.000-04:00

I completely repainted, from head to hoof, an Emergence Painted Pony. Thought I would try a black Pony which makes the Phoenix really pop!

Click here for the Ebay auction.

Price $175.00

Distelfink

2011-06-06T16:17:00.000-04:00

My design, Distelfink, was chosen as a top ten finalist in the American Country catagory

in The Trail of Painted Ponies 10 Year Anniversary Design Contest!

The public is invited to vote for their favorite Pony in each catagory.

Here is the link to the American Country catagory (you can only vote once).

Living my whole life in or around Lancaster County, PA (aka Amish Country), this Pony design is near and dear to my heart. My design was inspired by PA Dutch folk art. The Distelfink, or thistle finch, represents happiness and good fortune, the hearts are for love and the tulips are for faith.

I thought it would look great in black too.

If you decided to vote for Distelfink, thank you so much!

New Pony - "Best Friends"

2011-06-03T20:29:00.000-04:00

My newest Painted Pony figurine is part of The Trail of Painted Ponies "Happy Trails Collection". This is a new size Pony for The Trail, a little smaller than their others and offered at a more affordable price of $24.99. I am honored to have my design chosen as part of this first herd. Pre order from their website now for October delivery.

Original artwork for "Best Friends"

Very nice for a smaller figurine. They even got the silver hooves!

Signing Ponies

2011-05-10T10:04:00.000-04:00

80 'Emergence' and 80 'Unicorn's Garden' figurines arrived last week for me to sign.

The only free day we had was Mother's Day on Sunday so from 10 in the morning to 7 in the evening, my husband and I unpacked, carefully removed, inspected and lined up by base numbers 160 Painted Ponies.

After they were sorted, I signed and numbered 75 of each Pony and carefully placed them back in their box along with a signed and number certificate of authenticity. I now have a mountain of shipping boxes in my living room awaiting the Fed Ex carrier so they can go to their new homes.

I'm really happy with how these designs turned out, very similar to the original artwork.

The special limited edition Ponies are still available through The Trail of Painted Ponies website!

The Painted Pony army! This isn't even all of them, they took up all the available tables and counters in my dining room and kitchen!

Spring 2011 Herd

2011-04-01T13:27:00.000-04:00

Available for pre-order on The Trail's website.

I will have a few for sale when they come out next month.

The original Unicorn's Garden - sold to a collector.

The original Emergence.

Click on image for a large view.

Sakura

2011-03-18T11:01:00.004-04:00

"Sakura"

Japanese for Cherry Blossom

50% of the profit from ths pony will go to aid Japan.

Click here for auction.

Read more about Sakura on the Trail of Painted Ponies website.

Click Here

Celestial & American Idol?

2011-02-06T15:47:00.000-05:00

So strange (and a bit cool) to see my pony, Celestial, next to Ryan Seacrest on the Trail of Painted Ponies website for February! Both American Idol and The Trail are celebrating 10 year anniversaries.

Mythical, Celestial's sister pony, is available through The Vault on The Trail's website.

Click here to view and purchase this original pony.

Forget-me-not

2011-01-27T16:23:00.000-05:00

This pony is now on Ebay!

Lovely Bones

2011-01-12T16:02:00.002-05:00

$325 - Click to purchase through Etsy

Holiday Design Contest

2011-01-03T15:52:00.000-05:00

I was fortunate enough to win 2nd place in The Trail of Painted Ponies 5th Holiday Design Contest with my design, Christmas Carousel. So exciting. I know many of the other placing artists too, great job Vickie, Joani, Barbara and Fab! Click here to see the winners!

Celestial - Repainted

2010-12-30T22:00:00.000-05:00

Currently on Ebay - click for auction

Celestial figurine totally repainted from head to base.

Signed on the bottom and also marked - 'Embellished #1'.

You can purchase this figurine unembellished from The Tail of Painted Ponies website.

New Custom Painted Pony: Cree Beauty

2010-12-20T18:08:00.000-05:00

"Cree Beauty"

Based on a design I saw on a Woods Cree Indian saddle blanket from the 1800's.

Intricate floral design in white and grey hand painted on a black pony with four stockings and a blaze.

For all the latest updates about my work, please 'like' my Facebook page:

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New Original Holiday Ponies

2010-11-23T19:35:00.000-05:00

Holiday Horsin' Around

Both ponies are currently on Ebay!

Celestial Cuff

2010-11-09T15:27:00.001-05:00

Just saw on the Painted Ponies website that you can order a leather cuff bracelet with my Celestial design.

Pretty neat!

Mythical

2010-11-06T10:44:00.001-04:00

Mythical is currently available through The Trail of Painted Ponies..

Sister pony to my first Trail of Painted Pony reproductions, Celestial,

Mythical features a gorgeous, glittery pegasus on each side.

Leaping through the heavens, one sparkling feather has landed on the pony's base.

Silver metallic paint on the hooves, diamond dust glitter on the wings for a truly magical effect.

Celestial is available through The Trail of Painted Ponies.

"For Mythology is the handmaid of literature;

and literature is one of the best allies of virtue and promoters of happiness."

~Thomas Bulfinch

1st Place!

2010-11-02T21:57:00.001-04:00

Lucky me!

Pumpkin Patch wins 1st place in the Trail of Painted Ponies Fall Harvest Design Contest.

Will he be made into a figurine? Who knows for sure.

I have my fingers crossed!

My newest original pony is Deco Equus.

The leaping horse side was iinspired by art deco Cartier book ends.

Swirling sun design bursts through stylized clouds.

Currently available.

Caballo de los Muertos

2010-10-12T21:17:00.000-04:00

I've always been interested in the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead.

The bright colors, traditions, sugar skulls, altars, marigolds, honoring and remembering deceased family members makes this a very neat holiday. I got to thinking, what would a Day of the Dead horse look like and I created the painting you see at the top. Then I wondered what it would be like to create a Painted Pony based on my painting.

So here you have Caballo de los Muertos or Horse of the Dead...

Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-07T10:42:00.001-04:00

"Pumpkin Patch"

Pumpkins, a wee mouse and an owl flying in front of a full moon for autumn.

Jack o' lanterns, black cat and a witch flying in front of the moon for Halloween!
The original is available through the Trail's website.
Winner of the 2010 Harvest/Halloween design contest.

Sleepy Hollow

2010-09-15T17:53:00.000-04:00

Based on my favorite Halloween tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this pony features the Headless Horseman galloping on his black steed through the countryside. On the back I've painted Ichabod's mount, Gunpowder, grazing in the cemetery. Poor Ichabod hasn't been seen since his encounter with the Horseman on the bridge. On the base I have hand painted the Horseman's head, a menacing jack o' lantern.

Now on EBAY!

"The chief part of the stories, however, turned upon the favorite spectre of Sleepy Hollow, the Headless Horseman, who had been heard several times of late, patrolling the country; and, it was said, tethered his horse nightly among the graves in the churchyard." ~W. Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

"The Horseman comes. And tonight he comes for you."

~Lady Van Tassel (Sleepy Hollow movie)

Apparition

2010-09-05T11:19:00.001-04:00

My newest Halloween Pony for 2010 is a bewitched Appaloosa named appropriately, Apparition!

This beautiful black app's spots have turned into ghosts and a witch flying on her broom. She's got a little jack o' lantern (removable) sitting on her base to keep her company. The best part about this original Painted Pony is that it is a companion to my design Appy Holidays which was the Trail's last Holiday Design Contest winner and will be available as a mass produced figurine next year!

Apparition: An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural appearance;

a ghost; a specter; a phantom.

The original Appy Holidays - should be available next year as a figurine!

Sunny

2010-08-07T16:59:00.000-04:00

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....

Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape

Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

To see the Summer Sky

Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -

True Poems flee.

~Emily Dickinson

Now On Ebay!

Still available - "Night Cats"

Email me to make an offer - jmacneill@hotmail.com

The dog may be wonderful prose, but only the cat is poetry.

~French Proverb

Here Be Dragons

2010-07-14T20:22:00.000-04:00

"Here be dragons" is a phrase dating back to medieval times that denotes

territory on a map that is uncharted or dangerous.

On the front of my pony is a beautiful green dragon flying over his pile of treasure which includes some ruby red bead pieces and Swarovski crystals. I used metallic paints on the sculpted coins.

On the back are several dragonflies.

I've always been attracted to dragons. When I was a kid, I thought that they were real, just dinosaurs that survived extinction. :0)

"Never laugh at live dragons."

- J.R.R. Tolkien - The Hobbit

"It's hard to stop Muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the back garden - anyway, you can't tame dragons, it's dangerous."

- Ron Weasley

Arabian Magic

2010-06-21T19:30:00.000-04:00

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.

-Arabian proverb

Anyone who has ever been around an Arabian horse knows that they are in the presence of something quite magical. One of the oldest and purest breeds of horse, the Arabian possesses intelligence, gracefulness and an inner fire that is breath taking to behold.
Now on EBAY.

Phoenix Rising

2010-06-12T18:49:00.001-04:00

Own the original. Now on EBAY!

My newest creation! Inspired by the Phoenix's magical story of rebirth

and all the firey chestnut mares I've known.

Celestial

2010-06-01T13:02:00.002-04:00

It's official - my Celestial design has been turned into a Trail of Painted Ponies figurine!

Let the fun begin!

Caballo de Oro

2010-05-30T19:23:00.003-04:00

This "golden horse" reminds me of the flashy Peruvian Paso or Paso Fino horses. Graceful cresty neck, gleaming coat and lot's of chrome. On the base I have painted another Palomino horse with his mane flowing in the wind. Simple, elegant and full of brio!

Tribe of Equus

2010-05-22T07:40:00.000-04:00

2010 Original Painted Pony

Wild Flower

2010-04-16T18:06:00.000-04:00

Combining my two loves horses and flowers. This pony has 16 types of flowers native to North America: golden rod, knot weed, California poppy, Queen Anne's lace, Virginia blue bell, New England aster, Indian paintbrush, purple coneflower, sunflower, morning glory, bell flower, thistle, white clover, sneeze weed, Joe Pye weed and chicory.

Using native plants in your landscape can help save the environment. They require no watering, they feed the bees and butterflies and they require no fertilizers. Check out Plant Native to learn how you can garden with native flowers.

Silent Hunter

2010-04-14T12:54:00.000-04:00

My newest Custom Painted Pony, inspired by my obsession with the live barn owl cam.

Hopalong little pony...

2010-04-02T19:24:00.001-04:00

My newest Painted Pony, "Hopalong".
This pony features 5 rabbits; dwarf, lop, Dutch, English spot and a rex.
Now on Ebay - CLICK HERE.

It's Official!

2010-03-18T18:39:00.003-04:00

I've signed a contract this week with The Trail of Painted Ponies to have at least one of my designs reproduced into a figurine. Not sure when or even if I'm allowed to say which design. When the announcement is made, I'll be sure to post about it on my blog. If anyone is interested in a signed pony, you will be able to purchase them directly from me.

The Emperor's Horses

2010-03-18T18:36:00.001-04:00

Inspired by Asian horse art - SOLD.

Gypsy

2010-02-18T10:38:00.005-05:00

Meet my newest pony, Gypsy! I have been wanted to paint a Gypsy Vanner pony for so long. This one incorporates a few other of my favorite things, flowers, swirls and the colors purple and green. Needless to say, this pony is near and dear to my heart.

Currently for sale on EBAY - CLICK HERE.

Gold does not chink and glitter.

It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.

The Sun God's Horses

2010-01-28T14:49:00.003-05:00

My newest original Painted Pony is inspired by the story of the Navajo Sun God, Johano-ai.

You can read more about him and his 5 horses here.

This pony has just been listed on Ebay.

The Trickster

2010-01-16T07:59:00.001-05:00

My newest custom Painted Pony is finished! I've been wanting to paint this one for a long time. The Native Americans called the raven the Trickster. In their stories he created everything except the sun, moon and stars which he stole by playing tricks on the tribe that possessed them. On this pony he is hanging the stars in the sky. I've found the tiniest Swarovski Crystals - one is in his mouth, 2 for the pony's eyes, one on the feather on the base and one on the ponies hind quarters. They really sparkle in the sun!

For sale on EBAY!

Click for auction.

Painted Pony Designs

2010-01-13T10:29:00.000-05:00

Here are a few designs I submitted this year to The Trail.

The first one was for the Heart Ball contest and the last two were additional submissions to

the Holiday Design Contest.

"Carpe Lora - Seize the Reins"

"Jack Frost" a true snowflake Appaloosa

"Deck the Stalls"

If Wishes Were Horses

2010-01-07T14:54:00.000-05:00

New pony for the New Year!

Currently for sale on Ebay.

1st Place - Holiday Design Contest

2010-01-01T18:08:00.001-05:00

Yipee, I was choosen the winner of The Trail of Painted Ponies 4th Annual Holiday Design Contest! How exciting is that? Here is my design. Perhaps they will make him into a real pony someday.

Please visit my other blog The Mare's Tales for more.

Muzzle Nuzzle

2009-01-29T14:35:00.002-05:00

AUCTION LINK
New for Valentine's Day!

Spring Fling

2009-01-21T16:58:00.002-05:00

I was getting ready to start painting a new pony today and was going through my old photos to see what my favorites were from the past. I noticed I never put photos of my Spring Fling pony up on this blog. Sorry, he's long been sold though!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T15:53:00.003-05:00

Hey I know, maybe I should paint a pony this year. I have two left. Where to find the time???
I haven't checked this blog in ages and was SO SURPRISED to see that there were so many comments. I guess some others have checked this blog. Thanks for stopping by:)

If you would like to see my main blog click on this link: Gypsy Mare Studios.

That one is updated several times a week.

Also check my Ebay auctions, Etsy store and Cafepress shop.

TOPP Design Contest

2008-01-05T22:13:00.000-05:00

I manage to enter one pony in the Trail of the Painted Ponies 2nd Annual Holiday Design Contest and much to my surprise I got an honorable mention! A few of the other artists who got an honorable mention are official TOPP artists so I am in good company. Here is the link to the site:
Holiday Contest Winners

and a few pictures...

Holiday Ponies

2008-01-05T22:10:00.000-05:00

Here are two ponies sold on ebay. One for Halloween and one for Christmas...

Painted Pony #14 "Friesian Fantasy"

2007-07-22T09:12:00.000-04:00

"Friesian Fantasy" is a gorgeous custom painted pony with a Friesian horse painted on each side, mane and tail blowing in the wind. This original pony is absolutely one of a kind, painted by hand with artist quality acrylics. Many hours of work are put into all my ponies. Signed, numbered and dated. Sale pending as of 07/22/07.
I am a member of the the AAOPP (Artist Association of Painted Ponies). The AAOPP is a juried group of custom Painted Pony artists. Many of our members are official Painted Pony artists with figurines that have been mass produced by the company.

Painted Pony #13 "American Beauty"

2007-07-11T12:04:00.000-04:00

"American Beauty" is a gorgeous loud chestnut overo Paint Horse or Mustang. One of his eyes is blue. This original pony is absolutely one of a kind, painted by hand with artist quality acrylics. Signed, numbered, and dated. Pending sale to private collector.

Painted Pony #12 "Native Son"

2007-07-11T11:57:00.000-04:00

This original pony is absolutely one of a kind, painted by hand with artist quality acrylics. "Native Son" is a gorgeous chestnut blanket Appaloosa horse. He has striped hooves, mottling on his nose and you can see the white sclera on his eyes. On the base I have painted green grass and tiny yellow flowers. Signed, numbered, and dated. Sold to private collector.

Painted Pony #11 "Hallowed Ground"

2007-07-02T11:43:00.000-04:00

Introducing "Hallowed Ground" the third in my series of spooky ponies. She is absolutely one of a kind, painted by hand with artist quality acrylics. I have painted a cemetary scene which encircles the pony. On the base I have sculpted in Apoxie Sculpt three tombstomes and a fresh grave mound. I have also added a little apoxie sculpt to the base of the mane & forelock. I can't have a menacing pony with her ears pricked forward so I have removed them and resculpted ones that are pinned back. Signed, numbered and dated.

***This wonderful Painted Pony is still available for purchase as of 07/11/07. E-mail jmacneill@hotmail.com for details.***

Painted Pony #10 "Luna"

2007-07-02T11:34:00.000-04:00

Luna is a gorgeous pony painted in several shades of rich blue. I have painted a Luna Moth among Moonflowers on each side. Moonflowers open at night so that moths may pollenate them. On the base I have painted a crescent moon and stars. I have also added a little apoxie scultpt to the mane, forelock and tail for a real customized look. Many, many hours of work are put into this and all my ponies. When I was finished adding to this pony's mane and tail I had a little clay left over so I made a crescent moon pin. All handmade and painted. Clasp and artist's signature on back. Signed, dated and numbered. This was sold to a private collector.

Painted Pony #9 "Trinity"

2007-07-02T11:26:00.000-04:00

And God took a handful of South wind and from it formed a horse, saying:
"I create thee, Oh Arabian. To thy forelock, I bind Victory in battle.
On thy back, I set a rich spoil And a Treasure in thy loins.
I establish thee as one of the Glories of the Earth...
I give thee flight without wings."
-- from Ancient Bedouin Legend

Trinity is a gorgeous jet black pony with lots of chrome. She has a chestnut stallion on one side and a grey mare with a bay foal on the other. On the base I have painted green grass and tiny yellow flowers. Signed, dated and numbered. This was sold to a private collector.

Painted Pony #8 "Celestial"

2007-07-02T11:21:00.000-04:00

Here she is, Celestial, a real beauty! Celestial is a gorgeous cobalt blue painted pony with several metallic gold accents. She has a pegusus on each side soaring through the night skies. I really loved this horse! Signed, dated and numbered. This was sold to a private collector.

Painted Pony #7 "Storm Chasers"

2007-07-02T11:12:00.000-04:00

This painted pony was inspired by the beautiful Thoroughbred horses I work and live with on the horse farm. Storm is a gorgeous dark grey filly I have known since her birth. She is one of the fastest horse here so I have painted her with her two rivals on either side trying to catch up. Many, many hours of work are put into all my ponies. A swirl design encircles the black base to represent the dust clouds. Signed, dated and numbered. This was sold to a private collector.

Painted Pony #6 "Tapestry"

2007-07-02T11:06:00.001-04:00

One of a kind, custom painted pony inspired by the medieval unicorn tapestries. Many, many hours of work were put into this one. I have painted a unicorn lying in flowers on one side and two rabbits with flowers on the other. A leaf design encircles the dark green base. Signed, dated, and numbered. This was sold to a private collector.

Painted Pony #5 "Tall Horses"

2007-07-02T10:58:00.000-04:00

This one of a kind, custom painted pony was inspired by my 3rd favorite animal, the giraffe. I recently bought a bottle of wine from "Tall Horse" vineyard and I thought, this must be why I like them so much because they are nicknamed tall horses. I have painted a close-up giraffe on one side eating from the acacia tree and a cow and calf standing in the grasslands of the African plains on the other. The pony herself has been painted palomino to blend into the grasses. I have painted some grass around the dark green base. Signed, umbered, and dated. Sold to private collector.

Painted Pony #4 "Spooked"

2007-07-02T10:51:00.000-04:00

This was my second Halloween Painted Pony, I bet you can tell what my favorite holiday is! I have titled this bay Overo Paint Horse "Spooked" because her spots have turned into ghosts, a frightened cat and a witch on her broom. Her blaze has turned into a ghost too. The base has been painted in purples with a crescent moon in the corner and branches along the edge. Signed, dated, and numbered. Sold to private collector.

Painted Pony #3 "Hunter Jumper"

2007-07-02T10:34:00.000-04:00

This OOAK Painted Pony came from previous horse sign art as well as the lovely Thoroughbreds on the farm that I manage. She has a chestnut hunter on one side and a jumper on the other. Both are jumping a hedge which encircles her body. I have painted some grass around the dark green base. Signed, dated, and numbered. Sold to private collector.

Painted Pony #2 "The Kiss"

2007-07-02T10:20:00.000-04:00

The inspiration for this OOAK Painted Pony came from the collected works of Gustav Klimt with a primary focus on his most famous painting "The Kiss". Painted with metallic golds and rich brown shades. This pony depicts two Arabian horses touching noses. Signed, numbered and dated. Sold to private collector.

Painted Pony #1 "Night Mare"

2007-07-02T10:05:00.000-04:00

The inspiration for this OOAK Painted Pony came from my Halloween horse signs and artwork. She has a spooky night time scene complete with ghosts, cemetary, trees and houses. A witch is flying past the full moon and stars shine brightly in the sky. Her blaze has turned into a ghost. More ghosts are dancing around the base. Signed, numbered and dated. Sold to private collector.