Meeting Artists Along The Trail

Many things distinguish The Trail of Painted Ponies from other collectible companies. But one of the things we are most proud of is the way what we do puts collectors and artists together. Be it the write-ups on the story tags, the feature stories on our website, the calendar of events we publish, the artist links we post, or the artist signing events that we organize, we do our best to create and support opportunities for Trail of Painted Ponies collectors and artists to come together and get to know each other.

This month, July, 2009, I would like to bring two special and very different opportunities to meet Trail of Painted Ponies artists to your attention. If you are traveling in the Midwest, you must make Lexington, Kentucky a destination over the weekend of July 16. And if you are touring the Southwest, a treat awaits you in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Reservation.

Leslie Gates signing the
autographed edtion of
"Tip Toe Through the Tulips"

Let’s begin with the extravaganza that will light up the Marriot Griffen Gate in Lexington for three days in mid-July: Thursday July 16th through Saturday July 18th. Located minutes away from the world-renowned Kentucky Horse Park, this promises to be one of the most exciting, well-attended roundups of Official Trail of Painted Pony artists that has taken place in a long while. Nine different artists from around the country, all of whom have created figurines, will be in attendance. You can not only schmooze with the artists, they will sign the figurines you bring, you can shop for custom painted figurines and consider their original artwork, and generally kick up your heels or relax and lay back, your choice. Contests and prizes will be featured, a banquet dinner has been scheduled, and all in all it promises to be the biggest and most memorable event along The Trail this year. (Click here for more)

If you are looking for a very different kind of experience that will also be memorable, consider the cultural treasure that awaits you in Navajoland. Four or five years ago I was browsing through the offerings at a Trading Post in Northern Arizona when I came across artwork that was a unique blend of traditional designs rendered with a contemporary flair on a wide range of products - from large paintings to gift baskets to handbags to decorative tiles. I was impressed with the artist’s palette - fiery reds, brilliant oranges, and other hints of rainbow colors - as well as a distinctive look that revealed a deep and sacred connection to Navajo culture. The artist’s name was Beverly Blacksheep and I immediately got in touch with her.

As it turned out, Beverly was primarily a self-taught artist who used to draw on rocks while she herded sheep. She came from an artistic family: her mother and grandmother were rug weavers and her father designed leather crafts. Beverly’s talent was cultivated with studies in interior design at Northern Arizona University, where she became interested in studio art, and in 1994 she was selected as the poster artist for the Gallup Ceremonial. She continued to paint and to explore the application of her talents on different media, including illustrating several children’s books. To my way of thinking, this made her a natural Painted Pony artist, so I invited her to paint an original Pony. She did, and the Maquette, “I Stand For My Horse,” sold quickly.

"I Stand for My Horse"
Beverly Blacksheep

I hadn’t heard from Beverly for several years and received a call from her just the other day, She wanted me to know that she had recently opened a new shop in Window Rock, nestled in the Navajo Nation Shopping Center in Window Rock, where she was continuing to create beautiful and vibrant designs that honored the timeless traditions of the Navajo people on diverse merchandise . She asked if we would mind letting Painted Pony collectors know about Blacksheep Originals, and invite them to stop in. I told her we would be delighted to do that. Beverly can be reached at (928) 871-4998 or via email: blacksheep_originals@yahoo.com.

World’s apart, these two artist experiences await you on The Trail of Painted Ponies.