Spanish Quadrille Painting - Terri Miller

Several readers have asked questions about the painting “Spanish Quadrille” which I used on my Christmas card.

The inspiration came during a trip to Spain in the 1980’s. I was doing some photography work for the Spanish Tourism Bureau, and the assignment on this trip was the Feria Del Caballo in Jerez de la Frontera. (Jerez was the site of the World Equestrian Games in 2002.) This feria is all about Spanish horses, Spanish wine and Spanish dancing…. Talk about a peach of an assignment, huh? Did I mention that most of the Spanish horses were ridden by handsome Spanish men? During the day there was a big, multi-faceted horse show going on, with classes for breed horses and carriage classes for everything up to a six-horse hitch. (Continued Here)

Newest member Kimerlee Curyl has released a 2009 calendar. The images in her calendar are from an ongoing body of work called "The White Collection". All images are taken at Return to Freedom, American Wild Horse Sanctuary located in central California. The sanctuary is a safe haven to over 200 wild horses who are allowed to live in their natural herd environments. For the second year now Kimerlee will be teaching alongside with her friends Tony Stromberg and Neda DeMayo. The three of them have cultivated a unique and heartfelt photography workshop. Kimerlee will also be hosting wild horse tours at the sanctuary this coming year sharing her personal experiences at the sanctuary, herd and genetic information, as well as current wild horse issues as they arise.

Horses, Friends, Beautiful Light & Models!

Every year, and sometimes twice, v18c member extraordinaire, April Visel, hosts a grand photography workshop with Sherron Sheppard.

The dates are set, the hotel is reserved, the models are in the works and art is in the air!

This year we set the dates for the DIGITAL ARTISTRY IN MOTION “Equine Photography Workshop” in Santa Ynez Ca for May 15-20, 2009.

This Photoshop and photography workshop will provide numerous carefully planned horse photography shoots with riders in authentic costumes featuring some of the most beautiful and majestic equine photography subjects in the world, on location in once in a lifetime settings. This year the plan is to have more naked horses doing liberty and to add a little “couture” into the mix with great fashion and beautiful models.

I have been working hard on a using a ranch that raises broncs (bucking horses) for the rodeo. These horses live in large herds together, relatively untouched. The idea is to have some (good looking) cowboys move them around for us, allowing for a more authentic AND DUSTY wild herd feeling!

We often have Andalusians, Arabians, Luistanos, Paso Finos, Peruvian Pasos, Morgans, Welsh Ponies, Quarter horses and more. This year will be no different!

When we are not on location we will have a full schedule of hands-on Photoshop creative art training with Master photographer, and friend, Sherron Sheppard at the amazing 4 star Royal Scandanavian Inn in Solvang Ca.

Expanding on the basic knowledge you already posses. Our unique creative art approach will help you learn to merge the reality of a photograph with the artistic expression of traditional art mediums producing an entirely new creative style. Several styles of fine art will be explored in Photoshop as time allows.

To see more images from these workshops over the years click here. To register for the workshop click here. See work by April Visel or Sherron Sheppard.

Come enjoy the Santa Ynez Valley, good friends and, best of all, amazing horses! See ya soon, April

Ex Arte Equinus

Recently Art Horse Magazine held their second International equine art competition. The competition was open to artists all over the world in catagories of painting, photography, drawing and sculpture. I had the pleasure of judging the photography segment. The criteria for the entrants were to submit photos with a traditional wet darkroom look, rather than digital art.

I chose Jayne M. Silberman's "Tail Detail" for first place for its beautiful light, sweeping lines, texture and composition.

Second place went to Porthos Walking by Sarah Van Ouwerkerk. Winners and selected works will be published in a beautiful book Jan 09.

Levita, by Marie Cobb

As an equine photographer I occasionally receive a request for images of horses that have passed on. I recently received such a request. Levita was a special mare, and partner of Francie Stirling. Levita was a KWPN mare, by the famous dressage stallion Donnerhall. Friends of Francie wanted to give her a photograph to remember Levita by for Christmas and asked for my help.

Marie Cobb, Ree Photographics

Creativity starts with a single spark...

Being the newest member to the fierce and fine group of women. I am honored to be in their company, excited for the adventures and travels that lie ahead and know that the sparks are about to fly!

My passion is horses, all horses, but at the top of the list is the plight of America's Wild Horses. The joy I receive from sharing their stories with people from all over the world is endless. Being dedicated to this cause beyond measure but not having the voice to go to Washington to speak on their behalf, I photograph them. It is my greatest desire to use my imagery to educate, honor and celebrate these creatures this land was founded on. We must be the voice for these majestic mustangs. They are a living breathing history museum and a vital element in our heritage.


In this new and refreshing year I have hope for many things, one of which is giving people a glimpse into their world in hopes to inspire people living in more relatively urban environments a way to connect and help protect these creatures so close to mother earth. For the second year now I will be hosting a wild horse workshop with Tony Stromberg, held at an organization very close to my heart, Return to Freedom. The workshop is different in that it also explores the connection and effect these beings have on us personally and environmentally. A significant portion of the workshop goes directly to Return to Freedom and towards their outstanding goal of a wild horse preserve. The joy I received from teaching last year was astounding. I have also been brought on board this year at the sanctuary to host wild horse walks throughout summer 09.

Kimmerlee Curyl

Kim Vickrey

I’m not sure how I got the honor of being the mascot. The boss mares may have their reasons, but I think it has something to do with my being so nieve, optomistic and diplomatic. Not to mention my awesome design skills, love for pop tarts and my big fat head, some days its amazing that I can get it through the doorway.

My online v18c group email fixes are a daily must have and the get-togethers are, at the very least, a yearly must have for me. It convinces me each and every time that 1. We will have a publication of our very own and 2. We will all be on Oprah one day. Don’t laugh at me…its not funny, I’m serious…just you watch.

Kim at the Osbourn Overlook, photo by: Marie Cobb