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Sunday, July 16 2017 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Jane Gaston: Art, Horses and Never Giving Up

Jane Gaston and Lumiere at Jane’s farm, Hound House, in The Plains, Virginia.

By Dani Moritz-Long

Portraits by Isabel J. Kurek

A solid black stallion with an indomitable spirit. A Chincoteague pony born to wild horses. For many of us, these characters defined our childhood. For equestrian artist Jane Gaston, they defined her life.

The iconic equines not only bolstered her passion for horses and ignited her love of art, but they also taught her, as they did so many, an invaluable lesson: never give up.

Jane’s painting of “Talon” – a beloved Treeing Walker Coonhound who was well known at horse shows.

An Artist’s Touch
As a young girl, the willful characters of Jane’s books inspired a passion for painting and the determination to bring the details of her favorite equines to life.

She started with paintings of those characters themselves — Black Beauty and Misty of Chincoteague among them — and the sweet, spotted ponies she imagined herself adventuring on before graduating to the subjects she favors today: graceful hunters and hounds relaxing after a day in the field.

But, while her subjects have changed, the self-taught artist’s style remains very much the same.

Rooted in her parents’ support of her work and their insistence on Jane pursuing her passion with both fondness and skill, Jane executes her painting with great detail.

“When working on a specific animal, I try to capture its personality or a component of what makes them special,” she said. “This is particularly true when I do equines or canines.”

Jane with her longtime partner Philip Bourassa and Jane’s horse Baltimore, who was Horse of the Year in the High Performance Conformation in 2016. Baltimore was also the leading money earner for the International Derby Series.

All in the Details
Of course, Jane’s aptitude for detail also features in her riding, which has led to a successful career as an amateur hunter owner and several Horse of the Year awards.

“As a more detailed painter, I think horses and art complement each other because both pursuits are so detailed,” she said. “It carries into everything I do.”

Growing up as a weekend riding warrior, some of Jane’s eye — and feel — for detail can be ascribed to her do-it-yourself attitude and years as a self-taught rider.

Jane and Because show off their blue ribbon.

“While I’ve had amazing help and training, I grew up in North Carolina with nothing around,” she said. “My brother and I were given ponies by a friend of my dad; we learned to ride in the beginning by books.”

Determination has also played its part in developing Jane’s equestrian success. Learning early on to never give up and possessing a distinctive sense of optimism, Jane has endured substantial setback while continuing to enjoy victory. Smiling, she recalls a recent triumph with Because, a 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding who was named Amateur Owner Horse of the Year and the Grand Champion Amateur Horse.

“I only had him for a year and I was hurt six weeks after getting him and spent three months on the ground,” Jane said of the gelding. “Him being Horse of the Year was not in any sort of plan, but it happened.”

Her determination also led to great success with Lumiere, the 2010 Amateur Owner Hunter Over 35 Horse of the Year. Today, her trusty steed of 12 years is happily retired.

“Lumiere rules the roost on my farm Hound House,” Jane said. “Lumiere was Horse of the Year in the Amateur Owners in 2010 and 2011. He was also a huge WCHR champion. He is retired and in charge of all the new horses. He is still ridden most every day and takes the new kids cross country. He is a very wise and reliable friend.”

Jane’s painting of a hound from Orange County Hound.

The Perfect Balance
You might think it’s too much — between painting, riding and finding time for the necessities (like eating). But for Jane, it’s the perfect balance. The cycle of riding in the morning, painting in the afternoon and caring for the horses in the evening provides Jane with a sense of calm and purpose.

“I probably have more passion for the horses, but the painting is a wonderful thing to fall back on and express yourself, and it balances your day nicely,” she said. “I have a very physical part of the day and a quieter, but still physical part of the day.”

And nothing gives her more satisfaction than the end of the day when, no matter the progress made on her latest commission or if her ride went as planned, she finds renewed peace as she feeds her horses in her four-stall barn in Virginia.

Jane and Because competing during Hunter Week at the 2017 Winter Equestrian Festival.

While she can’t exactly pin down what it is about evening feed, she said, “It seems the best way to end a day. Plus, they’re never going to appreciate you more than when you’re feeding them.”

If, like Jane, you’re a rider balancing your passions, she has some simple advice. “Like what you do,” she said, “and never give up.”

Photos by Isabel J. Kurek

“Lady in Waiting” by Jane Gaston

Double D Trailers Info

Tagged under: dani moritz-long, equine art, isabel j. kurek, jane gaston

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Make sure to feature your Pony or Junior Riders in Make sure to feature your Pony or Junior Riders in the July issue of Sidelines magazine. Congratulate your rider or feature your products -clothing, ponies, ribbons, horses, tack and more! Email
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Jan Lukens has always felt blessed to be an artist Jan Lukens has always felt blessed to be an artist, turning his observations into works of art, but it hasn't always been easy. “My biggest challenge starting out was fitting in to the equestrian world as an artist, not a rider. Although I spent the better part of two decades exhibiting 15 weeks a year at national horse shows, there’s a massive 
difference between an artist who paints horses and someone who has been climbing into the saddle since they were 5 years old, surrounded by all aspects of the horse 
world.”

A prolific painter working mainly in oils, Jan’s original and commissioned works of art hang in the collections of the likes of individual gold medalist Joe Fargis and Rodrigo Pessoa, as well as many other Olympians and owners. One of the most influential 
moments in Jan’s career was in 2014, when Ralph Lauren acquired two of his equestrian paintings. “I was still recovering from the 2008 recession at that time. There  is a unique part of a painter’s reputation that is based on who has purchased or commissioned his art, and when I promoted that sale, my phone didn’t stop ringing for a 
year and a half.”
For more information visit janlukens.com

Read Jan’s full article at the link in our bio. And never miss an article by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine! 

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Yay for June! We have another great edition for yo Yay for June! We have another great edition for you all that we can't wait for you to read. Up first are Evan and Ashley Donadt a dynamic duo that has won the hearts of many! Stay tuned for many great stories like this by following us on Instagram and Facebook or subscribing to get your very own copy of Sidelines Magazine!

What happens when a horse-crazy equestrian girl meets a never-touched-a-horse-before guy? If you’re Ashley and Evan Donadt, it might just be the beginning of a happily-ever-after that includes a solid dressage program and extremely popular social media channels featuring good-natured humor and horses.

Ashley, a lifelong equestrian, began her horse experiences with the local 4-H club, progressed to lessons with the local dressage trainer when she was 10, then her own pony when she was 11. Conversely, Evan grew up in Massachusetts, without any horse experience to speak of. The odds of them meeting were fairly low, until fate landed them both in Southern California.

Evan knew from the start that spending time with Ashley meant spending time at the barn. In fact, Ashley told him straightaway, “The horses come first always; you’re going to be second!” Evan wasn’t deterred, and instead found the loophole: spending all his own free time with her at the barn.

Read Ashley and Evan's full article in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine! You can also click the link in our bio. Don't forget to subscribe to get your very own copy delivered right to your door! Thank you Evan and Ashley for allowing us to share your story!
📸Portraits by Jeni Jo Brunner

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