A Day in the Life of the Trailmaster

The blogs I am aware of read like online diaries. They contain reflections on daily life, political opinions, and commentary on hot topics. The Talk of the Trail blog has been more like a twice-a-month dispatch on a subject that happens to interest me, and that I think Trail of Painted Ponies aficionados might enjoy. In a nod to what is happening elsewhere, I decide to pick a day at random and make note of everything significant that happened related to horses and Ponies. I chose Monday, March 16, which turned out to be a fairly typical day….

7AM – The day officially begins when I let the dogs out of the house and traipse down to the barn to feed Shyloh. I love ranch chores. After sweeping her stall, I toss a couple of handfuls of grain into a black rubber bucket, and when she’s done, fill it with a mix of Bermuda grass and hay.

8:45 AM – The headquarters of The Trail of Painted Ponies is a ten minute drive away, with another five minutes added for a Starbucks stop. It bothers me that I’ve become an elitist when it comes to coffee. But it’s reached the point where there’s coffee and there’s Starbucks. And without a tall cup of Sumatra, my mental engines won’t start.

9AM – Our offices are located on the ground floor of a two-story, Pueblo-style, office building. Outside our front door there is a courtyard with a fountain. When you enter it feels as though you have walked into a Santa Fe Art Gallery – saltillo tiles, wood posts and beams, antiques, and private offices that look onto a common area full of art and every figurine that has been created, along with original Masterworks from our national competitions.

9:10AM – Dropping into my desk chair, I flip a coin in my mind. Do I check my In Box first? Or do I respond to the flashing light on my phone? I opt for checking the emails first.

Emails:

1.) The first email is from Monte Yellowbird, better known in the art world as Black Pinto Horse. He is a member of the Arikara and Hidatsa Nation and lives in Great Falls, Montana. He is an artist who honors his spiritual roots with contemporary paintings full of symbols rendered in vibrant colors. We have cultivated a relationship with him for some time and he is writing to say everywhere he travels he is asked if he has painted a Pony. He has an idea – titled “Rites of Passage” – and would like to submit a design. Of course, I write back. He will be a real addition to our “stable” of Painted Pony artists.

2.) The second email is not as welcome. It comes from the company that fulfills orders on the Official Trail of Painted Ponies Website Store. They are almost out of stock on the Paint Your Own Pony kit and they have checked with the manufacturer who admits that a re-order fell between the cracks. It will be at least three months before the kits will be available again. This is distressing. I know that inventory management can be a challenge, but the Paint Your Own Pony kits are a bestseller and a perfect gift for these times, when people are engaged in more activities at home and with their families. I fire off an email asking if there are any other Ponies out-of-stock before calling the manufacturer and registering my dismay and expressing my hope this won’t happen again.

3.) On to the next email from the manufacturer of something brand new from The Trail of Painted Ponies that will be officially available for sale next month: hand-painted art glass in the form of absolutely gorgeous Suncatchers and Candle Plaques. Like the figurines, these creations create happiness at a very affordable price. Attached for our approval is the image of the full page ad that is scheduled to appear in the April issue of Gift and Decorative Accessories, one of the top trade magazines. Featured is “War Pony” set against a Western landscape, and it never looked better. It is exciting to see the way Painted Ponies translate into different mediums. People are going to love the way the Suncatchers light up a room.

4.) Speaking of new manufacturers, the next email is from the VP of a handbag and accessory company who flew into town last week to make a presentation for a new handbag line inspired by Painted Pony designs. They are a classy group, and working together we are going to open up a whole new extension to The Trail of Painted Ponies brand. She is writing to thank us for our hospitality and to let us know that sample designs will be forthcoming. Look for the release of these items in July.

10AM – I check my voice mail and listen to a solicitation from a Travel Reservations company offering a discounted price for hotel rooms during the International Licensing Show in Las Vegas in early June. The last time we did a trade show was in 2003, when the Oasis Gift Show in Phoenix themed their entire event around the new release of Trail of Painted Ponies figurines. People who entered walked down a gauntlet of life-size Ponies. This will be the first time The Trail of Painted Ponies will be exhibiting since that time, and the call reminds me that we should get started on the planning and preparation that is going to be involved.

10:15AM – I start work on the writing of a proposal to the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, AZ to host an exhibition of the finalists in our next national art competition that will invite artists to submit designs for painting our new Rearing Horse form. I’ve spoken on the phone with the Executive Director, who was intrigued by the idea. Museums are having a tough time in this economy, and they are looking for fresh ideas that will elevate their profiles and attract new members. This just might be the ticket.

12:30 – I break for lunch. On my way to pick up a Greek Salad at The Bad Donkey, a nearby sandwich shop, I make a swing by the Post Office. The postal service doesn’t offer home delivery in the town of Carefree.

2PM - In the mail is a catalogue with images of our new line of T-shirts. We are going in a different direction this Spring. Instead of silkscreening the images of the bestselling Ponies on the front, we are coming out with a line of “Inspirational Tees” that draw on the appeal of our little inspirational book, “Ride the Sky,” which pairs lovely photographs of Painted Ponies with quotes that make us laugh, cry, think, remember special times, inspire us to do good. It’s a beautiful selection, designed for adults, ladies and juniors. “The Rainbows of Life follow the Storms,” is written in a lovely script beside the image of “Copper Enchantment. “The Journey is the Reward” is emblazoned over an image of “Grandfather’s Journey.” What could be more appealing than combining inspirational artwork with feel-good clothing?

3PM – I meet with Karlynn and Bryn, the Vice-President of The Trail of Painted Ponies and the Creative Director respectively. We catch up on what each of us has been doing during the day. Then we discuss what to do about Dillards Department Stores. Dillards is the largest Trail of Painted Ponies figurine account and for the third year in a row they have ordered an exclusive figurine that will be available only in their stores. This year they selected “Grand Prix,” a ceramic Pony created by one of our all-star artists, Janee Hughes. We had wanted to organize a launch party, attended by the artist, in one of their flagship stores. But we have just learned that the Pony is already selling in Dillards stores around the Southwest. Now that the Pony is already out, we discuss various ideas for building momentum from this point forward.

After this I meet with Rikki, our Customer Service Expert, who reports on any complaints or calls of interest she has received today. Rikki also handles The Vault, and she gives me a rundown on the treasures that have been “claimed” by collectors so far this month. This will help guide us what to offer next month.

4PM – Also in the mail was the latest issue of Southwest Art magazine, our media partner in the Native Art of Horse Painting competition. The April issue is dedicated to “Western Icons: Cowgirls, Horses and More.” Thumbing through it, I find the section devoted to artistic interpretations of the equine form the most interesting because it reflects in two-dimension what we are doing in three-dimension. It’s nice to see that one of the artists featured is Ritch Gaiti, who was a finalist in our competition with a Pony titled “Lost Chiefs.”

5PM – The dogs let me know what time it is. I look outside and notice the days are getting longer. If I hurry up and clear my desk there is enough light left for a quick ride. So I put the finishing touches on this blog and head home to saddle up Shyloh and chase the setting sun as though it were a taillight on the parting day.