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Leslie Anne Webb: A Legal Insider Tip… with a $4500 prize!!

Sunday, June 27th, 2010
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Trio

THIS DRAWING IS NOW OVER, BUT PLEASE ENJOY THE POST ANYWAY…

You know how when you contemplate buying a lottery ticket you say to yourself, “Hmmmmm, I know the odds are against me but … I’m gonna do it anyway! (you say the last part really fast!)”  Or, on the flip side,  “I might as well burn this dollar as buy a lottery ticket…”

How ever you feel about the lottery, you know that the odds are basically against you winning.

Well, I have a hot tip on something wonderful that you could win…  The oddsmakers are with us on this one!   No one knows about this contest and therefore no one has submitted their names….   (I feel like a bookie.)

Charlie Blue Eyes

Ay  Chi hua hua!   Readers, I want one of you to WIN this!  If you do win, please please please let me know and I’ll write a whole post devoted to your story and your final prize!  OK, here goes…

LESLIE ANNE WEBB

Remember how I told you that famous artist, Leslie Anne Webb, has a drawing going on right now in which someone will win one of her ORIGINAL painting of their choice (here is the former post link).  Well, there are only a few days left and I know that there are hardly any names in the hat…

ON THE SWEET AND LOW

Big Butt

Well, I know Leslie’s work, but the only reason I have actually met her in the flesh is because she just so happens to live in the same small town where I live.  And, I happen to ride where she rides and I occasionally end up in the same room with her.  On one of these occasions recently, we were all chatting,  and she told us in an offhanded way that she has been so busy with her summer shows that she has spent no time promoting this drawing.

Hmmmmm.  My mind started whirring… a contest with no contestants?

Lend Me an Ear

I asked her what that meant… She said that there are hardly any names in the fishbowl.  WHA?!  Hardly any names?  Yup.  Very few people know about the contest.  Leslie has been too busy to pay any attention to promoting it. And, the contest is almost over (June 30th).   Hmmmmmm.  Let me do the math here…  Are there 10 names?  Are there 20 names?  Are there 3 names?  I have no idea.  I didn’t ask… but she indicated jovially that the lack of names in the jar was her fault due to her lack of free time and silly negligence.   “Uhhhhh,

Goofball

should you be telling me this?”   Leslie didn’t care.  She was just talking…  She was saying that picking out a name would be really easy at this rate and maybe she should dump the meager contents of the biggish fishbowl into a littlish soapdish.  Huh?!!

Wahoo!  The odds are looking really good!  I mean, the contest is happening and it WILL have a winner.  With those odds, it could be YOU.  What an opportunity!  I had to tell you readers!  (I did ask Leslie if I could spread the word and she was delighted for me to do the work….)  So, let’s go for it!

THERE ARE HARDLY ANY NAMES IN THE HAT AND YOU COULD WIN A $4500 PAINTING!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

RAFFLES AND CONTESTS ARE FUN!

Jerry

I mean, consider the jelly bean counting contest at the State Fair.  We all think we have a chance to win that.  Millions of people buy a lottery ticket when they are fairly certain that they won’t win.  I know that I buy raffle tickets/charity tickets/hot dog tickets/car wash tickets mostly every time one comes around.  And for all the aforementioned purchases, we have no idea of the odds.  We do it because it feels good, its fun and because we all like the “lucky” feeling of being chosen.  “I won!  I never win anything!”  We are tickled pink with our prized T-shirt caught from the cannon (wrestled from the 4th grader in front of you) at the local Triple A baseball game – yet we might not purchase the same T-shirt.

Kindred Sprits

I know.  I’m with you.  I still cherish the goofy over-sized sponge finger I won at the Giants’ Game…

But, what if you could win something huge, fabulous and unbelievable – easily?!   (Now I sound like an infomercial.)  I mean, wouldn’t it be fun to win easily instead of trying to turn up the corner on your ticket or trying to gauge exactly when to drop your ticket into the raffle box to make sure it is on top… you know what I mean…  There are no sure-things but what if the odds were against the house –  and for the player?!

INCREDIBLE ODDS

Baby

For me, I feel compelled to drive all the way to Costco (gas money…) in order to get more than I really need for more than I really wanted to spend.  Translated that means that I do get good deals, no question.  But, I spend more because I’m there, I use more gas hauling my load home, I have to open a recycling center to store all of the cardboard packaging that surrounded my goods and then I have to justify to myself why I just spent way more than I anticipated…  I do this once a month.  Those odds aren’t so good.  In fact, they are really bad but I do it because I like the experience, in a twisted way.  Costco makes me feel like I’m winning.

Cloud in the Sky

For Leslie’s contest, the odds are VERY GOOD to begin with!  Way better than most contests (or a Costco visit) and besides, you actually get a great item just for entering – not just a ticket.  And on top of that great item, if you win the contest, the prize is quite wonderful and significant!

Now, I’m not saying that the saddle you bid on every year isn’t a good prize.  It is.  And, I’m not saying the stuff you buy for charity isn’t a good cause.  It is.  What I’m saying is that you get potentially three wins with this contest.  You get a signed print of your choice for your investment, you may very well win, and you are also supporting equine charities indirectly because Leslie donates several paintings to Equine causes annually.  She donates a lot.  A lot.  Here is a link to her current donations and here is a link about her philanthropy.

EASY

The Blues Brothers

OK, here is how to get into this contest (now I really sound like a bookie!).

For anyone to get their name into the soapdish, you purchase one of Leslie’s signed and faboo prints ( small =$98).   If you purchase a small print your name goes in once.  If you purchase a large print ($300), your name goes in three times. Easy.

The winner will receive an Original Leslie Anne Webb painting of their choice ($4500) or an original to be created of the winner’s fav pet.

STEP BY STEP

1)  Go to the website’s store and shop for the print you like (click here).

The Guardian Angel

2)  Once on the page, to browse the prints, you can choose the color background you like (ie: click here for “shades of blue and green” background)

3)  Once in the background color screen, click on the first box which will say “Giclee Prints” (ie: click here for giclee prints in shades of blue and green)

4)  Browse and click on the one you want in the size you want!

5)  Leslie will SIGN the print and sent it off to you!

The Sweetest Thing

6)  Leslie will put your name in the soapdish!  Done.  Easy!

MY PERSONAL FAVS

I’m not having Leslie put my name in the hat because it would be weird if I’ve told you all about this contest twice and then I end up winning… That could be misconstrued.  (Even though, I am quite tempted!)  However, I did have a lot of fun picking out the prints that I would purchase.  And,

Oscar Kisses

I’ve been contemplating which photo of my Aladdin to give to her if I was to win…  Maybe you should start playing around with your photos, eh?

OK, here are my favs…

1)  The Guardian Angel: “Everyone has their own Guardian Angel.”

I love this one because the horses’ expressions are exactly how they are in a close knit group.  So perfect.

2)  The Sweetest Thing: “The sweetest thing in life is to love and be loved in return.”

I love this because the tenderness shines through.

3)  Oscar Kisses: “Kisses, anyone?”

I love this because I love when my horses give me the kissy-face!

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!!

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!
If you want an update on the Iron Man Rescued Foal Bucket Fund or to donate, please click on the photo (photo credit, Trish Lowe)

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Horse Bling for Valentine’s Day!

Sunday, May 30th, 2010
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To bling or not to bling, that is the question.  Well, not really.  It doesn’t matter to me whether you blingify your horse.  But, if you do, or were thinking about it, or didn’t even know there was such a thing — here is my introduction to bling.  Besides, it’s Sunday and we should talk about festive things!

In my bling travels, I have found different categories.  First, there is the Brow Band Bling.  That you can find all over Ebay or search Google.  Basically, some clever people have devised a way to weave or sew beads or crystals into the headstalls of various types of leather or plastic.  This seems to be more prevalent in the Dressage world but you will see brow band bling for the Western world.  Here are a few examples of Dressage Bling Bands that I found in my quest.  I was quite impressed with the volume of options presented by browbandswithbling dot com.  I think if you wanted some elegant Sunday Bests for your horse, you could find it here in this category.

Following Brow Band Bling  is the overall Headstall Bling.   Headstall Bling is the natural extension of Browband Bling.  The Western world has embraced this big-time.  I’ve attached a few pics of some selects I’ve chosen.  The first is a good example of the next level of Headstall bling (you can find them with less going on…).  I chose this artist because she has gone above and beyond with adding PAINT.  A new concept.  The other example is the full blown horsey bling attire – the total package.  I chose this one because it is so much fun!  I could see myself buying this for my horse for Christmas — like he’d care (*more on that later).  At this particular website, there are many full attires to chose from.  I particularly liked the Ed Hardy model.  It cracked me up.  I didn’t know Jon Gosselin had a horse…   Anyway, here it is in all of its glory!

Next we take a step back into “horse jewelry with a purpose” — or so they say.  This would be the Rhythm Bead Category.  Have you heard of these?  They are supposed to help you understand your horse’s cadence because you can hear the beat of the beads rattling.  They fit around the horse’s neck and fall around the chest.  Here is a picture.  You can find these rhythm beads on the Internet and I am listing an outlet here.  You can get just about any color and any design.  They range from $15 to a lot more.

I see that there is now a Rhythm Bead expansion category of Mane and Tail bling!  You can get clip-on bling and add it to those areas.  That seems kinda fun.  After all, the TWH people have been doing that for years.  Here are links to where you can find those in all shapes and sizes.

Lastly, I’m going to bring up my personal favorite.  This category I’ll call Bridle Tags. You’ve probably seen them before with either a simple I HEART MY HORSE or perhaps a I HAVE THE RIGHT TO RIDE IN HERE when the tag is for entry purposes.   But, this particular Bridle Tag goes to eleven for me.  It is unusual, hip and you can personalize it.  (They have dog collar tags, too.)  So, I present to you the Sweet Bird Studio Horse Bling. You can have your horse’s name engraved on it.  Or, talk to the artist and design your own from her wealth of found objects.   I bet you could have her do just about anything if you browse the human stuff on her site.  Very cool and all unique.  I like her human work for myself!   But really, isn’t it all for us?…  ;)

*I once had a horse psychic come out to speak to Aladdin because he was being very mean to my donkey (that story later…).  During the conversation, Aladdin piped up that he wanted a flashy bridle.  He wanted one that would sparkle in the sun like he had seen in the arena where he was boarded at the time.  Now, you may think I’m nuts, but I did go out and get him a headstall with silver.  And, I swear he puffed up the first time I put it on him.  He used to pout when I would tack him up without it.  And, now that he is retired, I can honestly say he nuzzles it whenever he sees it.  So, color me crazy, but I think they know what they are wearing.

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Leslie Anne Webb, Equine Artist, and a Small World Story…

Monday, May 24th, 2010
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Leslie Anne Webb is an Equine Artist local to where I live but her work is International.  Luckily, she is friends with people I know so I get to be privy to some of her pieces before they actually stand before the world. (This first photo is of one of her new originals named, Charlie.  From Leslie: Charlie is one of the most amazing horses I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing……a true spirit and healer in his own right….enjoy.”)

In one of these unveiling emails, Leslie sent out her newest works via jpeg for all of us to drool over.  I took extra note because she had painted about two causes dear to my heart:  PMUs and a particular mare named Angel.  So, that is my story for today.  I want to introduce you to Leslie, if you don’t already know her work, tell you about her contest and then relay the two small world stories.

Here is Leslie Anne Webb’s website.  (That is fun to say outloud, try it!)  You can get an idea of her style and then realize that you’ve seen if before, most likely.  She’s infused in the art world and continues to create truly original work.

OK, so I get this email with the jpeg of the new original pieces by Leslie.  When I saw the first image, my heart jumped through my chest!  That’s Angel!!  Angel is a mare who was rescued off of a feedlot (on her way to slaughter).  She is a palomino and had one foal by her side.  At that time, there were several pregnant mares at the feedlot and several mares that had just foaled.  So sad.

Heartbreakingly, before the rescuers could help three other mares, they were shipped leaving behind 3 new babies at the feedlot.  Well, those babies were rescued and brought back to where Angel had just arrived.  And, what did Angel do?… She let those three other foals nurse off of her as well as her own!  Yup.  Angel, this is how she got her name, let all four babies be nourished through her milk.  The rescue organization that had Angel posted this wonderful story and many folks stepped up to help with the care and feeding of these five horses.  Luckily, all four foals survived and have since been adopted out.  Everyone is doing just fine!

So, when I saw Leslie’s painting, I just had to tell the wonderful story.  I’m thrilled Leslie chose Angel and her brood for this depiction.  I think the piece is so special, especially when you know the love that infuses the story.  Above are pictures of Angel and her babies.

Oh, I also want to say that Leslie is having a contest.  To have your name in the hat, purchase one of her lovely and various prints and then you have the opportunity to win an ORIGINAL!  Wahoo!   The original could be one of hers or she will paint one of your animals.  Nice.  Here is her website and Facebook page.  The details are here.

OK, now onto the other Leslie small world story.  You know how our May Drop in the Bucket Fund is for the United Pegasus Foundation…  Well, another one of Leslie’s new paintings is of her favorite PMU horse that was originally saved by the UPF!  I love that!  Leslie says that once she “feels” the animal, the painting comes to life inside of her and then she can paint it easily.  Here are her words about her boy, Sam, who is represented in her new piece, Reflection. (Leslie titled the work Reflection because “to BE in quiet reflection, you will begin to KNOW your SELF”.)

“My big boy Sam, a PMU rescued by United Pegasus Foundation, was only 4 months old and never handled when I adopted him. He is one of the most majestic horses I’ve ever met, but even with his regal, calm and reflective manner, he still manages to show me that he has a bit of his “baby Huey” left. At 9 years old, he will still give off a squeal when he’s playing in the field with the other boys.”

So, since we only have one week left in May to fill our bucket for the United Pegasus Foundation, I wanted to pass on this story for inspiration.  UPF has done and continues to do wonderful work in saving equine lives (read here).  So, please click on the button and donate your $5 Starbucks money!


Also, don’t forget to check out Leslie’s other works on her website.  I think being able to enter a contest for an Original is an incredible opportunity.  Imagine having a work this fine of your favorite pet!  Ah, to have one of my fuzzy faces immortalized would be so lovely…  ;)

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

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Let’s Get Artsy! Let me Present Tamara Gooch… Enjoy!

Thursday, May 20th, 2010
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By the number of fans on her photography page, I might be the only one who hasn’t seen these incredible these images…  But just in case you haven’t found her either, I would like to present the photography of Tamara Gooch.

I felt so lucky this morning!  I opened the Horse and Man Facebook page and there it was!  A gawjus photograph of a ghost town.  Now, I happen to be a sucker for ghost towns so it especially spoke to me.  But, I know I’m not alone…  Anyway, I guess a friend must have joined us on Facebook and Tamara’s newest photo popped up for me to languish upon as a breakfast treat!

Suddenly, I found my self clicking furiously to find out more.  I wanted to see more.  I ended up on Tamara’s personal Facebook page which brought me to the rest of the ghost town photos.  Among those photos was a horse shot thrown in.  WOW.  I liked that, too!  So I sent Tamara a message.  “Could I use these, please?”  Sure!, was her response. She suggested that I might want to go to her website or Facebook Photography page.  Yes!  So, I did.

OMG!  I was like a furious clicker, my fingers flying on the keyboard, my mouse squealing in delight!  I dragged and dropped so many photos onto my desktop, it looked like a camera exploded!  I had images upon images and I couldn’t decide which to show and which to not show.  How do I group them?  Which should lead?  Do I add the stories?…  In the end, I couldn’t decide how to edit them so I’m posting all that I have on my desktop.  I didn’t pull every graphic landscapes or scenery shot, and I certainly didn’t pull all the wildlife shots, but here is a large smattering of wonderful exposures.

Please don’t just take my word for it; go find what you like best!  Thank you, Tamara, you made my day!

To read all about Tamara and view more of her arresting photographs, go to her website and/or her Facebook page.

Enjoy!

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

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Roger Archibald – Western Pencil Artist and Horseman, Come See!

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010
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Hi All:

Today is another day of video from my vault.  This time, I chose Roger Archibald, famous Western Pencil Artist and Bronze Sculptor.  His work shows in galleries across the US and is often featured in Western Art magazines. Roger invited us to his ranch in Arizona.  How nice!  He was so personable and lovely, the time just zipped by!

As you all probably have gathered by now, I love original artwork.  I especially love pencil drawings and bronze sculpture.  So with Roger, I hit pay dirt!  He works in both mediums.  Wahoo!  We were able to watch him work on a line drawing from a photograph that was so detailed it made my eyes sore just watching him!  Then, Roger took us through his gallery and told us the stories behind his original pieces.

To be honest, when we set up the interview, I didn’t know Roger was dabbling in sculpture.  So, when we arrived and saw the clay horse on the table, I was thrilled!  I just love watching an artist carve.  You wonder what do they see that makes them cut the clay exactly there…  I figure they must think or see in 3-D to know how to make clay into a muscled form.  (As you can probably guess, I’m not very artistic –  but I admire it greatly!)  And, for dessert, we got to watch Roger on his cutting horse!

In the video, Roger talks about how he got started in art as a kid and how he joined the rodeo circuit early in life.  Then, he moves into why he loves pencil work and bronze.  When we see Roger with his cutting horse, he explains how he couldn’t do his art if he didn’t understand and know the moods of his animals.  He expresses that he couldn’t see the intricate sculpting necessary if he didn’t understand how the muscles worked or how the expressions came upon the equine face.  You can see his intimate knowledge of the horse in his work.  That bronze was incredible…  It was so personal and special to watch him create it before my eyes!  I loved being there.

So, today I present to you the segment of our day with Roger. The video is not quite polished (no music and no titles, some rough edits) but I hope it is good enough to share with you all on an informal basis…

As an aside, if I get to come back in another lifetime, I want to be able to sculpt (and sing).  I loved watching Roger do his thing. Hopefully, you will enjoy our day, too!  Here is the link to the video.

HORSE AND MAN is a blog in growth… if you like this, please pass it around!

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