Monumental Equines; Part 1

I have always had a "thing" for Equine statues. Mostly this stems from my love of all things "horse-y". As a kid I loved them JUST because they were statues of horses, and they gave me something to admire. But these days... my admiration stems from more than the fact that they are depictions of horses. Nowadays... I love them for their artistry... and the effort that it takes to CREATE these marvels of art AND engineering.

Many artists consider the sculpting of an equestrian statue to be the pinnacle of their sculpting career. It is a true test of their artistic vision, and talents to successfully create one of these monumental monuments. And, if successful, the artist is able to leave behind not only a testament to their skills, but a lasting testament to history.

I recently made it a point to stop at a particularly interesting Equine Statue... that of Don Juan de Oñate, in El Paso, TX.

Simply titled: "The Equestrian", this statue is situated at the entrance to El Paso International Airport.

I found reference to this statue, and it's creation YEARS ago; I'm not sure where... but it was probably RoadsideAmerica.com. It's story has intrigued me for years, but I only JUST managed to stop in El Paso (even though I've driven through the city countless times), to actually see it!

On first glance... this may seem like an benign statue of a Spaniard on a rearing horse. But... not so! This statue is actually very unique... in several ways!

First... is the world's Largest BRONZE Equestrian Statue! When planning started, the statue was slated to stand 21 ft tall. However, when sculptor John Sherrill Houser discovered that there was nothing in his contract stating that he had to keep the statue to 1.5 times life size, and that the current largest bronze equestrian statue was only a little larger than his original plan (I'm pretty sure the statue they were referring to is the Da Vinci Horse , which stands at 24 ft tall)... he decided to go for the record. Why not?? Right?

When completed, the horse and rider ended up at 36 ft tall... PLUS the 8 ft tall plinth it rests on. This allows the statue to stand four and one half stories in height. Standing beneath it... it is quite an imposing monument!

Equally imposing, is the historical figure that this statue was originally intended to commemorate; the Spaniard, Don Juan de Oñate. He was among the first Spaniards to colonize, and found settlements in New Mexico. He also supposedly celebrated "Thanksgiving" with the natives, in the New World... 20 or more years BEFORE the Pilgrims. Unfortunately, as construction on the statue began, the "facts" behind the Spaniard began to come to light. It was discovered that Oñate was notorious for his barbaric and torturous methods of dealing with the Natives (which included the severing of feet and other limbs...). Like most Spaniards, (Honestly, this isn't MUCH different than Columbus... but that's another story, and not something they generally teach in grade school. ~.^), Oñate's journey of discovery and colonization was punctuated by violence against the native people of the region.

So... in an attempt to either "sanitize" the historical significance of the statue, or to simply ignore it, the city of El Paso decided to title the statue incongruously, "The Equestrian"... rather than identify it as a statue of Oñate.

Once the truth behind the statue's subject was made public, it caused an outcry from the public, as well as a round of protests. Many groups referred to the statue as a "monument to terrorism."

Of course, the artist shot back at the public, defending his work against the outcry of protest(The Equestrian was originally envisioned as one of 12 sculptures set to grace El Paso. They were to be called the "XII Travelers," and depict the various stages of history in the Southwest. To my knowledge, the other sculptures have not been completed). He complains that the critics fail to understand what the 12 statues are represent. “They’re chapter heads for a certain era in history,” he said. “We’ve divided that whole history into 12 segments and we’ve chosen one figure to represent each segment. And that figure is not represented as a hero, it’s represented as sort of an icon for that era. So people are supposed to look at that – whether it’s John Wesley Hardin, or Pancho Villa or Don Juan de Oñate – and they’re not supposed to see a statue of a hero who was really an awful person. They’re supposed to see that the monument stands for a certain period in the history of the Pass of the North.”

Still... it seems odd that if that was your goal... you would choose a figure as potentially controversial as Oñate. But then again... that is what Art is all about; Getting the viewer to React. At least that's what my professors in college tried to convince me...

Despite the disapproval of many citizens in El Paso, the statue was completed. It was installed on October 23, 2006 at the entrance to El Paso International Airport. Despite it all; over 10 years in the making... the delays in completion... being over budget... and being redesigned so it would hold the record as the LARGEST Bronze Equestrian statue... they could hardly pull the plug on it's completion!

I see a lot of similarities between "The Equestrian", and the statue of Pancho Villa in Tucson, AZ; it has a similar history of controversy.

Pancho Villa (a Mexican revolutionary) killed American soldiers in raids across the border... and yet when the Mexican government bankrolled the statue, and ultimately gave it to Arizona... it had to find a home. Oddly... it was rejected by the Phoenix-area town of Guadalupe... only then did it settle in Tucson.

This is one of those statues that I grew up trying to catch a glimpse of every time we drove past it. I didn't care that the man it depicted was considered by many to be a murderer. It was a statue of a horse... that's all I cared about!

Then I went to Art School... and started delving into the historical significance behind these public works of art. It's the combination of History, and Art... that I think I find most interesting.

Honestly, violent history lesson aside, "The Equestrian" is an imposing, and skillfully rendered statue. The sculptural detail in the tack (saddle, bridle, trappings etc)... especially the bottoms of the stirrups... is pretty amazing!

And, now that I know that the sculptor's father, Ivan Houser, was an assistant sculptor to Borglum (the man who gave us Mt. Rushmore!)... I find it even more worthy of admiration. There is something about the sculptural quality of the horse's mane and tail, that I find reminiscent of Mt. Rushmore. It's interesting to view it from an artist's perspective; to see an artistic style and skill passed down through the generations, and to see it realized on such a grand scale.

Whether or not Houser's motivations in choosing to "honor" Oñate with his own statue are truly as benign as he tries to make them out to be... could be the subject of some heated, but interesting artistic debates. Either way, he did still give the public one of the most impressive Equestrian statues in the world; both in skillful execution AND stature!

To me... knowing the history and significance behind this statue, only makes it all the more interesting! Sure, it could be seen as a monument to terrorism and torture... but I don't choose to see it that way. While I remember, and acknowledge the events that lay behind this statue's creation... I still look at it and see a testament to the artist's skill and determination. Not only did he remind us of the region's history... but he also gave us a statue that is visually appealing. Hopefully it will stand the test of time, and go down in the annals of sculpture alongside Mt. Rushmore, the Da Vinci Horse, and other monumental works!

Animated Equines #1: "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron"

It’s very hard to keep yourself from going completely insane while you pack box, after box of model horses (both bodies, and your collection), as well as the random stuff that accumulates in your studio… without SOME form of amusement…

So today, I put “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” into my studio’s DVD player, to amuse me as I packed. Hey, it was one of the few movies left unboxed (I keep all of my “horsey” DVDs in the studio, for whenever I need to watch something to keep me ‘in the mood’ to paint), and it’s a pretty good one!

Alright… it does have some marks against it. For instance, songs sung by Brian Adams (of “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” infamy… I still like a lot of the songs, but at the same time… the man is a bit DATED for this movie). Matt Damon as Spirit, the equine protagonist, also rubs me the wrong way. I honestly think an ‘unknown’ voice actor, would have been better. Every time I watch the movie, it takes me a while to get visions of Jason Bourne out of my head! And yes, there’s the fiery inferno Spirit ‘single-hoofedly’ creates… followed by the AMAZING climatic jump to safety… after running for what, at least a mile? O.o Yeah… Could have done without that! (Or the nod Spirit gives to the Colonel… >.< Just a touch too much humanity for my tastes. Haha!) (1)

But even as there are some drawbacks, it still occurs to me that perhaps this movie doesn’t really receive the recognition it deserves. Sure, it’s not a groundbreaking, tug at your heart-strings, Pixar flick (2) , but it does have some very redeeming qualities that it should be applauded for; ones *I* don’t think many people recognize.

First, and most obvious… the movie is told from the Spirit’s perspective…. BUT he doesn’t utter a SINGLE human word! Sure, they gave him eyebrows, and messed with equine anatomy to make him seem more expressive, more human… But he doesn’t TALK! Definitely a first in the realm of Anthropomorphic animation! This was a pretty brave move on Dreamworks’ part… Had this been a Disney movie, Spirit probably would have spoken actual dialog.

One thing that has ALWAYS amused me about this movie, is the fact that people are CONSTANTLY including it in the Disney pantheon. While this drives me nuts (it’s a DREAMWORKS flick people!!! NOT DISNEY!!! ~LOL~), it’s fairly obvious to see WHY they would confuse it as being created by the “mouse house”:

1. It’s a heartfelt movie, told from the perspective of an animal. It certainly seems like it would be right at home alongside; Bambi, Dumbo and the Lion King.



2. The animation is top notch. This can’t be said for every Dreamworks animation.
   


3. This animated movie, in a lot of ways lacks the "star power" that most Dreamworks movies boast. Dreamworks never once, used the "names" of the various actors as a method of "selling" the movie to the public (unlike "Shrek", and "Shark Tale" did... flashing the names of each and every actor's name involved, underneath a shot of their "character").

AND… as far as animating animals is concerned… this is the FIRST, and quite possibly ONLY movie to animate the equine… ACCURATELY! 99% of all animated movies come close, but never seem to quite get the animation on their horses (generally relegated to the background scenery anyway) anywhere close to realistically. I’ve always likened the animation of most horses in cartoons, to the early paintings of thoroughbreds racing…

Sure… it SEEMS like they are flying over the land like that… and at one point in the gallop, all four feet DO come off of the ground… however; that pose is not made by a running equine, unless they are flying over a fence or other obstacle! ~LOL~

Next… this is probably one of the FEW Hollywood movies to portray both Native Americans, and Cowboys (in this case, actually US soldiers)… in a relatively “neutral” light. Ok, ok… I’ll give you the fact that the US soldiers are more violent and brutal as they try to “break” Spirit and ride him, and thus an argument could be made that they are supposed to be the villains... but c’mon… wasn’t that at least SOMEWHERE near the truth of it!?

And, I suppose... by comparison the Native Americans, it could be argued, are shown living a peaceful life... until they are harassed by the "bad guy" soldiers... Regardless! In a lot of ways, I believe this film tries to be less P.C. and more "historically" accurate (at least for an animated 'kids' movie), than many others that have come before it.

In a lot of ways, I believe that "Spirit" is quite an undervalued movie... at least in the realm of animation, and equine film genre. Sure, it's not the cinematic gold, that is "The Black Stallion" (still the most stunning Equine movie, period.), but there really is more to "Spirit" than most film goers have given it credit for. We can only hope, that some animation studio in Hollywood, will have the guts to take on another Equine Animated Movie... and step it up a notch, from where "Spirit" took us!

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(1) Of course, Elyne Mitchel used the same device (her main character, Thowra, also jumped off of a cliff in order to escape “man”). But for some reason, the gravity defying jump in her book, works. Go figure!

(2) Sadly, not all animation can come from Pixar. ~LOL~ If it did, we would be very BORED between their yearly releases. There has to be some ‘filler’… and sometimes, that ‘filler’ can surprise us. But that, may be a post for another time. ~.^

A Tale of Two Paisley Ponies....

Last weekend, I attended one of THE best concerts, I have ever been to! My husband and I braved the intense Texas heat, to attend Brad Paisley's 2011 "H20 II World Tour", in Frisco, TX!

Suffice it to say, it was fantastic! Brad never fails to put on one HELL of a show! And this year was no exception!

Possibly the best part... Brad was joined this year by, none other than Blake Shelton! I was uber excited about having the chance to see this rising star (even though, he has been in the business nearly as long as Brad has. ^.^) in concert! There aren't many country stars that I am willing to fork out money to go see... and this concert... offered two of them in one shot!

Blake was great... funny, endearing... and a hell of a performer! I will definitely be looking to attend more of his concerts in the future! And hopefully one or two more, will be on this current tour, with Brad!

Brad Paisley... is one of the few musicians out there, that has garnered my respect on several levels. Honestly... there aren't many artists out there that can be a triple threat like him: Singer, Songwriter... and one HELL of a Guitar player!

But that's not all there is to Brad... He is also quite an impressive artist in his own right!

Not only will he wow you at his concerts with his fabulous guitar picking skills... but he also treats you to his very own, hand done animations (generally set to his "instrumental" section of the play list)!

For example: Turf's Up - from the album, "Play"

Heck... almost all of his album covers... were his designs! Of particular note, the paintings he completed for his album, "American Saturday Night"....

Covers from the album, "American Saturday Night"

He is, quite simply, an all around artist! And for that... I enjoy his music all the more!

I have been attending Brad's concerts, since 2006 (when I attended my first concert... ON my birthday!!!). Not a year has gone by... that I haven't attended at least ONE of his concerts; and a few of those years, I was lucky enough to attend two!

But what does any of this have to do with the Model Horse Hobby, you might ask?

Well... not overly much... truth be told; other than the fact he inspires me as any other artist would. But, Brad Paisley: Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, & Artist... did inspire me to create a couple of special models. And now, we come to their story. ^.^

After I attending my first Brad Paisley concert... I had a flash of insane inspiration; why not etch a Breyer model... covering it with the Paisley patterns. The same Paisley patterns, that could be found on many of Brad's guitars, equipment, attire... etc?

Little did I know, just what I was jumping into when I started this guy!

It took me nearly 2 years of solid etching (while I was sitting at work for the most part), but I finally managed to finish this guy off. I dubbed him, "Time Well Wasted", after the album Brad released a few years before, and because I was technically "wasting" time at work.

At some point after his completion, I had the crazy idea to take the model with me to one of Brad's concerts. Maybe, I thought, just maybe, I could get him autographed by Brad.

Yeah. Sadly that did not happen. My buddy and I waited till the end of the show; then we tracked down one of the show security guards, and asked them if maybe there was a chance we could sneak the model in to be signed by Brad. The guard led us over to the backstage door. Once we were there, we were stopped by another guard at the door. No one was allowed through, unless they had a Meet & Greet pass.

However, they said... if I had a "gift" for Brad, they would be glad to see that it made it to him.

After some cajoling, I was convinced to leave "Time Well Wasted" with the guard... as a gift to Brad.

Yup... that's right. I gave 2 yrs of work.... away. I'm not even 100% sure if Brad even received the model from the security guard or not. Maybe one day... I'll find out for sure!

At any rate... I mourned the loss of my Paisley etchie. So, I set to recreating him... on a different model!

Thus.... "Ticks", was born.

Named after one of Brad's songs... appropriately titled: "Ticks". In many ways, he became the newer, sleeker model. His design is more "thought out" and "composed" than "Time Well Wasted's" was... (in all honesty, looking back at pictures of "Time Well Wasted", he really was a haphazard etchie. Lots of disjointed and random paisley patterns, slapped onto him as I found designs I liked. "Ticks"... has a much more organized, and unified design).

I envisioned him as a sort of "Where's Waldo" type model... Only Waldo... was traded for a bunch of etched "ticks", to be found in and around his Paisley designs. The idea of which was, to challenge showers and judges to local the correct number of "ticks" in his design.

I wanted him to be something of a "game". ^.^

I have been working on this guy (albeit sporadically, and less lately, than in years past), for nearly 4 yrs now... and he's STILL not 100% complete. I still have plans to extend and add to his design... and until recently, I was beginning to think I might NEVER actually complete him.

That is, until this last concert.

After all of these years, taking "Ticks" to shows... having him win, and put smiles on other collector's faces (including the best one, at Breyerfest this year; when one of the judges called me up, and told me about her intense fear of ticks! ~LOL~ Boy did she "get" him!!!)... I might just find the drive to finish him off!

All thanks to the music, and artistry.... of Brad Paisley!

Maybe one day... I'll be able to pose for a photo, at Brad Paisley's side... proudly holding up my autographed pony!