SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Sidelines Caps
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Monday, September 28 2020 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Nancy Smyth: Bringing Horses & Art Together

By Shya Beth

Nancy Smyth has been surrounded by horses and art all her life. From growing up in the natural beauty of New Jersey to living in the equally beautiful — but slightly more humid — state of Florida, it doesn’t matter if there are mountains or everglades on the horizon. As long as horses are there, Nancy’s palette and brushes are sure to follow.

Catching the horse bug at an early age, Nancy’s pony experience started when she was about 2 years old, being led around on a pony. That stable is gone now, replaced by a large shopping mall, but those memories are still vivid in her mind. 

“Horses have been a huge part of my life,” Nancy said. “I have photos of me as a toddler all decked out in my cowgirl vest and hat in the driveway of our home. 

An Equestrian’s Mind

Drawing from a young age, Nancy’s first horse, an Appaloosa named Jody, became the subject of her portraits when she wasn’t riding.

“Jody was my present when I graduated from high school,” Nancy said. “I worked after school to pay his bills, and he was the best first horse I could ever have asked for.”

Whether she was exploring the valleys and mountains on trail rides or training in the ring, Nancy has used her skills and knowledge of horses to assist her with training and riding throughout her life. 

She has owned Appaloosas, Hanoverians and off-the-track Thoroughbreds, and has ridden dressage, hunt seat and Western. Dressage is Nancy’s current challenge, and one that she enjoys learning while also bonding with her horse. 

“During college, I rode hunt seat and worked with Jack Benson at his Briarwood Farm in Oldwick, New Jersey,” she said. “Years later, my horse and I were in dressage training with Chistophe Theallet at Waterbury Dressage in Warwick, New York. I was fortunate to have taken clinics with esteemed trainers such as Michael Godfrey, Isabel Judet, Lendon Gray and Gail Carmona.” 

After attending college and graduating with a bachelor of fine arts degree from Montclair State University, Nancy entered the corporate world and realized that she wasn’t going to have much time for her artwork. She would create a portrait every so often for her own enjoyment, which was enough to keep horses and art close in her mind and spirit.  

“My enjoyment comes from learning and riding,” Nancy said. “My dear friend Ailene Cascio has been my eyes on the ground for many years, helping me polish up my riding and keeping me on course with practicing dressage. When it came down to showing my horses, I let the professionals do that. I love to learn and continue to become a better rider.”

Life Through Art

Artists tell stories with their paintings and Nancy is no exception. “I’ve always tried to tell a story in my art that others can relate to,” Nancy said. “Commissions range from a personal portrait of a client’s horse to candid shots of a young child and her pony.”

One of her favorite works of art is a pastel called “Waiting,” depicting a dressage horse tacked up without his rider. His rider was fighting cancer, which is shown by the pink ribbon on his saddle pad, and he is patiently “waiting” for her return. 

“This piece was my own personal story that I wanted to tell. I used my horse Luc as the model for this portrait. Luc was a huge part of my life for 24 years and he taught me so much about riding. All of my horses hold a place in my heart,” Nancy said. “But he was my horse of a lifetime.” 

“Waiting” and other artwork has been exhibited in art competitions and have won various awards. One of her proudest moments is when she won the Art Spirit Gold Medal award in the 84th National Exhibition for the American Artists Professional League in New York City. Nancy’s works also grace many homes in the U.S. and abroad. 

Starting a new Journey 

Moving from her home of New Jersey to Hobe Sound, Florida, has had its ups and downs. “I recently moved out of the state where I had lived all of my life to take care of my elderly parents,” Nancy said. “I’ve been fortunate to have made many new friends through our common love of the horse. Before my move to Florida, my dear friend told me that no matter where you relocate to, if you’re ‘into and around horses’ you will always make new friends. And her advice was spot on!”

Continuing to be involved in the equestrian community has been a great part of Nancy’s new journey, from meeting new riding buddies to expanding her art portfolio. 

“Being around horses has given me the opportunity to study them up close, observe their characteristics such as conformation, movement, muscular and skeletal forms, hair growth patterns, color variations and facial expressions in order to hone my skills and train my artistic eye,” Nancy said, adding that this has been instrumental in helping her create realistic depictions of horses in her artwork.

“Although I’m actively creating art later in my life, I now have my perfect career, one that makes people happy while allowing me to do what I love: be around horses and make my art,” she said. “Growing as an artist has been a lifelong journey.” 

As the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our everyday lives, Nancy is waiting it out like thousands of other equestrians. “I’m lucky for sure,” she said. “Since I’m staying home much more than I used to, I have more time to delve into new mediums such as oil paints and watercolors.”

As far as her plans for the future are concerned, Nancy can’t wait to return to riding and training. For now, she’s working on her equine and dog portraits.

“My plans are to grow my art business, hone my craft, get my work out for the public to see,” Nancy said, “and use the talent that has been given to me to bring happiness to people’s lives through my art.”

For more information, visit www.nancysmythfineart.com and @smythfineart on Instagram.

Art Of The Horse is the world’s first equine art platform, established in 2014 by Shya Beth. With weekly articles featuring up-and-coming as well as world-renowned artists, exhibitions and art news, Art Of The Horse is the premier source for all things equine art. Visit artofthehorse.net 

Double D Trailers Info

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: art, artwork, dressage, equine art, painting

What you can read next

The Many Hats of Sue Ashe: Judge, Grandma and More
Becoming a USEF Licensed Judge: An Impactful Passion in a Space Where Most Don’t Look Like Me
The Winning Ways of William Fox-Pitt

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Jessica West always rode any horse that was availa Jessica West always rode any horse that was available to her throughout her Junior career, so she knew she had an advantage when she decided she wanted to ride on an NCAA team in college. Now a senior at @@auburnu and majoring in psychology, Jessica has enjoyed everything about the equestrian team and is ready to move on to her next adventure. 

Read more about Jessica at the link in our bio!

#ncea #ncaa #equestrian #collegiateequestrian #huntseatequitation #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #collegelife #showjumper #hunterhorse #horseshow #sidelinesmagazine
In the unique and challenging sport of combined dr In the unique and challenging sport of combined driving, Jacob Arnold has proven himself to be a bona fide star. It’s been said that success develops from a recipe based on hard work, perseverance, learning and sacrifice, paired with a love of what one is doing. Since the time he was a boy, Jacob has had the right combination of all of those ingredients, which have culminated in a meteoric rise to stardom.

Beginning his career as a Junior, Jacob earned the coveted @usequestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year award in 2011. Since then, he has taken the combined driving world by storm, competing successfully in four @fei_global World Championships. He also won the USEF Advanced Pair Horse National Championship in 2020 and 2021, among other victories—all before the age of 28, in a sport that has historically been dominated by older drivers. Last September, he placed 12th—the highest of any American driver—at the 2021 FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs in a field of over 100 top-level drivers.

Read more about @jacobarnoldcombineddriving at the link in our bio!

@alex.banks.photography #combineddriving #drivendressage #dressage #driving #carriage #horsedriving #equestrianstyle #equestrianlife #horselover #drivinghorse #carriagehorse #showhorse #sidelinesmagazine
@rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the f @rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the first equestrian Major of 2022, winning the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters. In doing so he also claimed an additional bonus for non-consecutive Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping wins, following his victory at CHIO Aachen last year. The German champion’s outstanding performance riding his trusted partner Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z once again makes him the live contender for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Catch up on all the action and watch the free highlights video on the Sidelines Show World blog (link in bio!)

#showjumping #rolex #grandslam #rolexgrandslam #showjumper #dutch #netherlands #dutchwarmbloods #equestrianlife #hunterhorse #hunterjumper #equestrianstyle #showhorses #showjumpersofinstagram #jumpinghorse #grandprixjumer #grandprixhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 ac Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 acres in Jupiter Farms, Florida.

Jupiter Farms is an equestrian community with a trail system and a sand riding arena at the park. Charming home features vaulted ceilings, custom trim, custom lighting in master bedroom that changes color with a remote. Granite countertops in kitchen and laundry room. New 2022 stackable washer/dryer. Privacy fenced backyard with beautiful tall pines for shade, many palm trees also on property.

Secure fenced  25’ x 25’ pen with wood fencing , for a horse, dogs or a garden.  Wonderful property in desirable Jupiter Farms. 45 minutes to Wellington, 25 minutes to Jupiter Dog Beach. Perfect oasis for dog and horse lovers, close to everything in South Florida. MLS# 10778333, Agents welcome.

$655,000
Contact 561-246-9317
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • Two Stalls Available!
    Allison Pras - Piney Glen Equine Rehabilitation Full Service Rehab Stable Heated barn, excellent footing Cameras, horse gym, Treadmill Laser, shockwave and more Colts Neck, NJ - 561-512-4022 Allison Pras - pineyglen1@aol.com Piney Glen is a full service Equine Rehabilitation stable that offers the best of care with A fully heated barn for the winter months,

    [Read more]

  • Tex Sutton Equine Air Transportation
    “Industry Leader for Domestic Flights” East Coast (352)497-6062 West Coast (626)482-2923 www.Texsutton.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022
  • Better Business with Malvern Bank: Michael Meller’s Secrets to Success
  • Third Annual Painted Ponies Art Walk takes over Southern Pines, NC!

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Jung Ends as He Began — On Top — at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™
  • ROLEX TESTIMONEE DANIEL DEUSSER WINS ROLEX GRAND PRIX AT 2022 DUTCH MASTERS
  • STABLE VIEW IN AIKEN POSTPONING ‘A’ RATED $400,000 H/J CHALLENGE SERIES DUE TO RESTRICTIVE MILEAGE RULE

Category

Recent Posts

  • Blessed Are the Grooms

    By George Williams “Behind every successful man...
  • Caitlin Boyle: From Horse Family to Horse Professional

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller  ...
  • July 2022 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Bill Rube: Giving Many a Reason To Smile

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...
  • An Industry In Need of Your Talent

    By Rob Jacobs   Like most Junior riders, w...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!