Selling the Farm!

Testimonial pending from friends, Sandra & William, who commissioned this portrait of their sold home. They wanted a piece to commemorate the many joyful years at their farm.

The Beedle Family portrait by Melanie Eberhardt

A few years ago I had to go out of town for a week. This is never easy to do given the daily care required for my horses. Its difficult to find someone that KNOWS horses who also has the time to feed twice a day. But I was fortunate that horse friend, Kelly Beedle, was able to babysit.

And I love a good barter. Kelly and I swapped – horse sitting service for a family portrait. I had a chance to visit Kelly’s home and take photos of her family and their pets including dogs, finches, chickens and a few goats. At the time, Kelly was just starting Flights of Fancy Farm specializing in breeding goats and heritage chickens. Since, her business is a great success. Please check out her website.

For me, this was another great chance to collaborate on a family portrait. You’ll note that the composition is similar to Grant Wood’s painting, “American Gothic”.

Abbey the Dog loves playing fetch with her owners

Testimonial to come as soon as I finish a third portrait of Zoey the cat for the Lodosios.

Lia and OTTB Marcus make a competitive jumping team

Testimonial to come as soon as I finish a third commission for the Lodosio’s!

My cat Timmy exudes personality. I couldn't resist doing a portrait

My cat Timmy is a terror. He is like the terminator (the TIMinator). He is very small but loves to boss the other animals and he never backs down from a confrontation. His body is a little twisted (though he’s never been injured).Watching him walk from behind is like watching one of those old pick ups that drives a bit katy-whumpus down the road. He is such a character! Every step forward is over exaggerated like a stomp. I think it’s just another way to show that he’s in charge. This very simply portrait is Timmy stomping down the driveway.

You can read more about Timmy by visiting Aunt Mel’s Animals.

Commission for a Wedding Gift

Adrienne commissioned this portrait as a wedding gift for close friends. I seldom meet the people I’m painting which is not a problem. Each portrait is a collaboration which starts with photo references. Adrienne provided many great photos of her friends, their home and pets. Through a series of conversations I learned enough about each person to include the details that make these commissions unique. For instance, tattoo, shorts, colors.

I could never create these portraits without input from the commissioner. That’s what makes these pieces so fun to do. YOUR input directly results in the finished piece – I think that’s pretty cool.

Alex was the best dog in the world!

Alex was my wonderful black lab, my side-kick for 14 years. I painted this portrait just before he died. During his lifetime, Alex was seldom farther than 4 feet from my side. For many years I would only work fulltime for companies that allowed him to accompany me to work. He was a wonderful old soul and never met a stranger. I could talk or write about him endlessly. I had to paint this simple piece that I could look at everyday and remember the joy of Alex.

You may navigate throughout my site to read more snippits about Alex, Eberhardt Working or Aunt Mel’s Animals.

Susan rescued OTTB Audi a few years ago. Since, they've built an incredible bond of trust

Horse pal, Susan Vickery, commissioned a portrait of her OTTB (Off the Track Thoroughbred), Audi. I packed my camera and met up with Susan and Audi at their boarding barn.

It had been a while since I had seen them together. Their connection had grown a hundred fold. Tacking up, Susan simply left Audi’s lead line hang to the floor. He stood quietly while we talked and she tacked. They’ve spent a lot of time doing ground-work and it certainly paid off. Audi was confident and comfortable with all the attention.

I took a bunch of photos while they had a riding lesson in the covered ring. It was great to see how their riding had advanced. I was particularly inspired by their closeness and decided to emphasis their relationship rather than riding in their portrait.

So the finished piece was composed around those quiet moments before and after every ride.

Earlier this year, I met my second OTTB, Detroit Iron — or AndyMan, as he is nicknamed. I never planned to get a second horse, but this one stole my heart, and I had to have him. He is gray, like Monarch, but the similarity stops there.

My “Slockbower Boyz” — as everyone at the barn calls them — are as differentas night and day. And I love them both very much. I must have hundreds of photographs of the two horses, but a little while back I realized that I needed something special, something that captured their essences, not just their physical appearances. So I asked Melanie to do portraits of my horses. I had seen some of her other work, and I love the way she uses lines and color to create an impression that is so much more than a simple representation of a person or an animal or a scene. Melanie knew me and knew my horses, so I just gave her free rein (pardon the pun) and let her get creative!

The two portraits she produced are just phenomenal, and she also created a cartoon based on my two horses that is just so amazing and so funny that I have copies of it hanging in the barn and in my office.

What I love most about the portraits Melanie did for me is that they are so PERSONAL. A lot of artists can do excellent pet portraits that look exactly like your cat or dog or horse, but these portraits go way beyond that. Just look at how different the portraits of Monarch and Andy are — each picture captures not only the way each horse looks, but also how each one moves and even thinks.

I just love these portraits, and I’m hanging them in a prominent place where everyone who comes to my house can enjoy them. The cartoon, also, will get pride of place in my house, so my friends can see the funny side of my horses’ lives.

Suellen Slockbower

Note: You can read more about Suellen and her wonderful horses by visiting the website of Bits and Bytes Farm. 

When I learned that my son was getting married, I was absolutely elated. His girlfriend, Linda was such a special person and a wonderful influence in Don’s life. With her, he came alive. Consequently, I wanted to find a wedding gift for them which was unique and special. After seeing Melanie’s art, I knew I had found the ideal gift for Don and Linda. Her style perfectly matched their taste, furnishings and quirky-fun approach to life.

Melanie took the time to ask questions about Don and Linda and to develop an understanding of who they were and what made them click as a couple. I shared photos and memories of them with her. She took that information and created a portrait which personifies their life and personalities to a “T”.

The chance to give such a customized, personal and long-lasting gift meant the world to me. Don and Linda positively adore the portrait and it hangs in a special place in their home. Feedback from friends and family was overwhelmingly positive. I am proud that, thanks

Cheryl Harbin Story