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Monday, October 06 2014 / Published in Weekly Feature

Turning Art Into Life

By Taylor Renner

It’s not often someone can transform their passions into their livelihood — even more rare is the selflessness to utilize those passions to give back to someone else. But this is exactly what Colorado artist Barbara Wright has accomplished.

 

Barbara Wright and Vic

Barbara Wright and Vic

Barbara’s artistic career began as a child, drawing the Disney princesses she had grown to admire. However, her artistic pursuits were temporarily put on hold when she earned her bachelor of science degree in business administration at Cal State L.A. She went on to pursue various careers in international business, including international sales and marketing for San Francisco area toy companies before returning to her passion for art — eventually becoming an artist, illustrator and art gallery director.

 

Her second passion didn’t begin as a child, however. Barbara became involved with the equine community 15 years ago. Her introduction was as a rescue volunteer in Colorado Springs, Colorado, during the peak of the PMU (Pregnant Mares’ Urine) farm controversy.

 

“El Pintado” – acrylic on gallery wrap canvas – 3 x 3

“El Pintado” – acrylic on gallery wrap canvas – 3 x 3

Barbara instantly fell in love with horses and acquired two locally that needed homes. She then adopted a PMU foal and, shortly after that, went to an auction to buy more foals but adopted a former Arabian halter champion named Victoor (Vic) instead.

 

After rescuing multiple horses, Barbara began her own rescue operation in 2002 called Harmony HorseWorks, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Conifer, Colorado. She later shifted in 2010 from rescuing to providing a sanctuary (and permanent home) for a herd that she uses in several therapy and riding programs offered at Harmony HorseWorks.

 

She had no idea how much her new equine sanctuary would impact her art. “When I started the horse rescue, I realized I had all of these wonderful models in my backyard. I studied them every day and it became clear that they were the perfect example of straight lines and curves. As an artist, you tend to paint what’s in front of you and that’s what I did,” recalls Barbara.

 

“Imperator” – acrylic on gallery wrap canvas – 3 x 3

“Imperator” – acrylic on gallery wrap canvas – 3 x 3

Barbara is a self-taught equine artist in the realistic tradition who aims to portray the horse as it is physically conformed as well as capture the personality and breed traits that help make each individual horse unique. “I try to get the personality in the painting so it’s not just a generic Quarter Horse or Thoroughbred because they do have such distinct personalities,” said Barbara.

 

Vic, the “spokeshorse” for Harmony HorseWorks, is featured as Barbara’s main subject in many large-format acrylic paintings in “A Horse In Art,” a series of 22 paintings in which Vic pays homage to a number of his favorite artists and their well-known works that have also inspired Barbara throughout the years. This exhibit, which debuted in 2010, is available as a complete show to any interested venues and can be viewed online on YouTube.

 

“Fly Sheet Boogie Woogie (Homage to Piet Mondrian)” – acrylic on gallery wrap canvas – 4 x 4

“Fly Sheet Boogie Woogie (Homage to Piet Mondrian)” – acrylic on gallery wrap canvas – 4 x 4

Barbara also accepts commissions for equine portraits and paints other current or former Harmony HorseWorks sanctuary residents of all breeds. While mostly finding inspiration for her paintings in her equine friends at Harmony HorseWorks, Barbara was also inspired to paint a series of portraits of Native American women based on the book “The 13 Original Clan Mothers” by Native American spiritual teacher Jamie Sams.

 

In order to keep up with the needs of the sanctuary and its herd, Barbara donates all of the earnings from her art sales to Harmony HorseWorks. In addition, the volunteers help run the sanctuary, which is fueled by donations from the compassionate public.

 

Among her accomplishments as an artist, Barbara is credited as the inventor of Equine Stress Control Therapy (ESCT), a method of de-spooking horses using bilateral brain integration with bilateral body tapping with the hand or a vibrating bilateral pulser. She also teaches Equestrian Performance Coaching (EPC) based on the PEAT (Primordial Energy Activation and Transcendence) energy psychology, modified for the horse/human riding relationship. This coaching technique helps bring fearful riders back to feeling confident and comfortable around horses.

 

“Save the Horse (Homage to Pablo Picasso)” – acrylic on gallery wrap canvas – 4 x 6

“Save the Horse (Homage to Pablo Picasso)” – acrylic on gallery wrap canvas – 4 x 6

Combining the two processes of ESCT (therapy for the horse) and EPC (therapy for the human), Barbara helps create a sound and trusting riding partnership between horse and human. Just like her art, all proceeds from sales of books, tapes, clinics, demos and seminars about ESCT are donated back to the horses at Harmony HorseWorks sanctuary.

 

Ever since she was a little girl, Barbara has had a passion for art, but it wasn’t until she was older that she realized her second passion of rehabilitating rescue horses and providing them with a second chance at life when no one else would. In purchasing one of Barbara’s paintings, buyers are supporting the cause of saving a horse from slaughter, neglect and abuse.

 

Barbara’s success in turning two of her biggest passions into one very rewarding lifestyle is something to admire and strive for. As the old saying goes, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

 

“Gives Praise” — acrylic on gallery wrap canvas, 3 x 3 — from the “13 Original Clan Mothers” series of Native American matriarchs, based on the book by Jamie Sams.

“Gives Praise” — acrylic on gallery wrap canvas, 3 x 3 — from the “13 Original Clan Mothers” series of Native American matriarchs, based on the book by Jamie Sams.

For more information, visit www.harmonyhorseworks.com.

 

About the writer: Taylor Renner is a college senior at the University of Georgia majoring in agricultural communications with a minor in animal science. She’s ridden and shown in the hunter/jumper and equitation discipline for 11 years and is an avid photographer and writing enthusiast. She hopes to combine her love of horses and journalism into a lifelong career within the equine publishing industry.

 

 

 

All photos courtesy of Barbara Wright

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Tagged under: Barbara Wright, EPC, equestrian, equine, ESCT, Harmony HorseWorks, horses, painting, PEAT, Primordial Energy Activation and Transcendence, sidelines-magazine, Taylor Renner, wrap around, www.harmonyhorseworks.com

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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

#dressage #equestrian #horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #dressagehorse #equestrianlife #showjumping #horseriding #equine #pony #pferd #instahorse #dressur #horselove #eventing #equestrianstyle #cheval #dressagerider #horselife #horselover #pferde #love #riding #jumping #pferdeliebe #horseofinstagram #horsebackriding #paard #dressurpferd
We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

 ✨ALVESTA OWAIN✨
Thistledown Arctic Lore x Alvesta Fairy Lustre
13.1hh, Welsh section B
Stud Fee $750 (plus collection)
AI only and EVA negative
Fairfield, VA

Contact Cheryl Maye at (703) 431-9096 for more information
https://www.mayeshowponies.com/more-info/stallions

You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

📸  SAS Equestrian
‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️ The purpose of this ‼️ROB JACOBS COLUMN‼️

The purpose of this month’s column is to help the young equestrians of our sport develop and maintain healthy friendships within the industry. Cultivating healthy relationships with other members within the industry is not as easy as one may think. As a young equestrian, it may be difficult navigating friendships at the barn and at horse shows. Typically, kids have friendships within the barn they ride at but also friendships with others from different barns in their area. 

Initially, it may seem as though making other friends in the sport would be easy and ideal; after all, there is the common interest of horses. However, because of the natural therapeutic benefits of horses, the sport has a history of attracting all types of people, with a wide range of personalities. This can be both an advantage and a drawback. We are now in an era that acknowledges the growing need to discuss and manage one’s mental health. 

One thing I have learned is that we are likely to notice mental health challenges at an age younger than most people may think. Some of the friendship dynamics I have observed over the years have caused me to pause and really think about the future of our sport. Without looking for a source to blame for the cause of this, i.e. social media, parents, school, teachers, etc., I think if all adults involved worked to encourage, affirm, love, and respect our youth, the likelihood of them developing authentic friendships with their peers may increase.

Both humans and horses were designed to have connected relationships. These relationships allow a greater sense of security when one experiences challenges in life. Cultivating the quality and authenticity of these relationships requires intentional work. 

Thank you Rob for providing your helpful insight on developing healthy relationships. Check out his tips in his column you can find in the link in our bio.
Never miss a story by subscribing to Sidelines Magazine🦄 

Photo by Blenheim Equisports

#horse #horses #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horseriding #equine #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #horselove #dressage #sidelinesmagzine
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