Commission Work

 

Horses have that “joie de vivre” we all long to have.

It is Julie’s belief that equestrian art belongs anywhere and everywhere. Her work reminds us that horses have the power to elevate any space with their presence—no matter the form. Therefore, the commission process is for both horse owners wanting a unique portrait of their horse as well as collectors or designers interested in equestrian-styled works to fit their aesthetic vision.

Julie creates a thorough and detail-focused commission experience for clients. The process starts by outlining the intended project and size and then either 1) scheduling a photoshoot for the horse or 2) reviewing images in Julie’s archive available for commission use. By establishing a relationship with both client and horse, Julie is able to provide a meaningful experience throughout the commission process.

Custom Portrait of Maury & Zev

A note from the client:

“Both of my horses. Both of my loves. In the process of developing this painting, Maury has retired to pasture life due to significant arthritis in his neck. He is about an hour and a half away now so I don’t see him as often, but I smile and cry a bit every day I see his painting. My two loves. My two heart horses. That give me so much joy. That I would ride into battle.  Thank you Julie for creating a beautiful memory for my home.”

Custom Portrait of Gracia

Gracia’s portrait was inspired by the vision of her owner who wanted a unique portrayal of her mare that felt natural, relaxed, and personable. Gracia has been painted to resemble how she would look if she was walking right up to her owner from pasture, her expression relaxed, yet attentive, and most likely searching for treats. The end result is an engaging portrait where the viewer truly feels as if Gracia is about to walk off the canvas.

Custom Portrait of Baranus “Bear”

Baranus was piloted for many years by Ian Millar, winning at shows of the highest level including victories at Spruce Meadows, GCT Miami, and Winter Equestrian Festival, as well as competing 16 times for Team Canada in Nations Cup competitions, and 28 times in World Cup competitions. With Julie’s client, he earned high AO at Derby Finals, was reserve champion at The National Horse Show, and won classes at Capital Challenge and Washington International Horse Show. Bear had a larger-than-life personality. One of his endearing “tricks” was whenever he wanted a treat, he would stretch his neck out and turn his head sideways, patiently waiting until he received his treat, which was the inspiration behind his “painted pose.” Besides being an amazingly talented horse with an impressive career, he had a great personality—and to know him was to love him. He sadly passed shortly after the completion of his portrait, but his memory lives on through his painting and is a meaningful commemoration of a very deserving horse.

Custom Portrait of Freddie B

The texture in the white backgrounds of Julie’s work is sometimes not as visible in the documentation images. Here is an angled view to allow you to experience and appreciate the texture in Julie’s portrait backgrounds. Note how it contrasts with the way the horse is painted. Using texture in this way creates a unique and dynamic energy to the background without taking away from the beauty of the painted subject. This contrasting yet complementary element of Julie’s work has been developed over time and can be seen as a common recurrence in her work throughout the years.