Custom Mini Model Horses

Here I tried a new art supply. Model not for sale. As an artist, I enjoy sharing my work. And if I get a little positive feedback, it feels nice. Maybe a model I painted won a ribbon at a show, was given as a gift to a loved one, or was purchased by a happy customer.  But sometimes there isn't any feedback, positive or otherwise. Sometimes a model in my shop ( https://sarahtregay.com/shop.html ) doesn't sell. This can be a learning opportunity. Is the color wrong for the breed? Are the markings too plain? Has everyone already seen that mold in that color? So the next time I reach for a model to paint, I can choose a different mold, a different color, a different pattern. I can try again. It can be easy for artists to fall into the trap we see with OF Breyers in the wild—that palomino Family Arabian Stallion with no ears and so may rubs you can't tell what is yellow plastic and what is the paint—for $100! It's a Breyer! It must be worth money! Or in the artist's case...

Most of my custom mini work is realistic with an occasional touch of whimsy with a cat or a bow, a rolling horse, or a misbehaving pony—so I finally tried my hand at some Halloween decorator customs. Boo with his cat Binx, and Jackie O. The idea began with tiny gaming sculptures that wear capes and cloaks. Would there be a way to have "fabric" sculpted on a model horse?  So... there is! I used Milliput in Fine White. This is a two-part epoxy similar to Aves Studio White or MagicSculpt White. I found it at Michael's and also at Great Lakes Hobby & Toy here in the Detroit area. I rolled the epoxy out like pie dough in between two pieces of sandwich bag plastic, using water to keep it from sticking too much. Sabrina and Silk   These sheets of epoxy became my models' sheets—their spooky Halloween costumes painted purple, black, and green with contrasting colors underneath. The sheets are supported and connected to the models on the underside with more Milliput. Sabrin...

Need support and inspiration for your next customizing project? Join the  International Customizing Equine Event (ICEE) Facebook Group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/133596534164710 ) and challenge yourself this fall. Diana MacDonald, one of the administrators, shared that "The sign up will be your Artist Declaration (in the Facebook Album on the ICCE page) - description and photo/sketch, etc. You will then have 60 days to complete your project equine - don't forget to ask questions, give us updates with photos, etc. Share tips, tricks and ideas. Then once compete, where you feel there are no more major changes to make, then you upload your completion photos (in the appropriate album here). Your prize is your completed equine. No entry fees. No entry forms. But you can still hashtag what team you are on - country, state/province, name, type of project, etc."   It couldn't be easier!     My project is going to be a new hairdo for the Stock Horse Mare by Maggi...

I've seen some great hobby posts on social media, from sculpting a beautiful model in oven-baked clay (instead of hobby-norm-two-part-epoxy), to building a barn from scratch (inspired by a hobbyist who lives in another country), to collecting carts and harnesses of all types (not just competitive, live show quality ones), to creating a custom model just for the fun of it (not for show nor sale). I love the creativity. I love the way these people are embracing the "hobby" part of The Hobby. I think we could all learn from them. Some of my Albys After attending Breyerfest, doing pick-ups for friends, selling at Artisan's Gallery, and showing in the open show this summer, I could use a deep breath. I could use a little time and space to enjoy the hobby as a hobby. I need to remind myself of the following: Not everything is a competition. Sometimes attending an event is about seeing old friends and meeting new people. Not everything is a business venture. Sometimes it...

National Retro Vintage Month is a customizing challenge for artists working in a vintage style. For the month of August you can join Sarah Minkiewicz-Breunig and others on Facebook as you work on your project. For me, this is a great time to break out a G1 Stablemate! I think I’ll work on a Maureen Love Standing Thoroughbred foal. Such a cutie! So to participate in NaReViMo, just follow these parameters: ~ Customize any model in the vintage custom style. ~ Use any methods and media, old or new. ~ Don’t copy any vintages or other people’s work. However, if you created a vintage custom in the past that you’d like to attempt again or it’s been destroyed and you’d like to recreate it, go for it. ~ You can just do a repaint, a repaint/hair, or a full blown repaint/remade/hair, it’s your choice. Sculpted manes and tails or original manes and tails are okay. ~ All participating models must be signed and dated for posterity. ~ All models must be created only within August as defined as August ...

  I entered NaMoPaiMo - National Model Painting Month . I'll be painting my International Customizing Equine Event (ICEE) model, Porter. He's going to be an Appaloosa mule inspired by two mules on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muleatahorseshow/ and https://www.instagram.com/half_and_bad_ass/   If you're up for some inspiration and motivation this winter, I'd recommend joining in. National Model Painting Month is a challenge—not a contest—so you pick your own project and goals. My goal is to paint a complex bay Appaloosa pattern.   The NaMoPaiMo Facebook Group is friendly and supportive: https://www.facebook.com/groups/234123470349077 . Register here by January 31: https://braymere.blogspot.com/2022/01/lets-paint.html Good luck! Update February 12: I’ve got some color on my project. No appy spots or dark points yet. Valentine’s Day Update: I have spots! February 28th Update: I did it! I was waiting for a good day to put a final coat of spray on him. Thank goodne...

 As usual, I was not on the ball. The International Custom Equine Event is a fall "event is to motivate artists and non-artists if all skill levels to challenge themselves in a supportive community to customize a model in 2 months, October AND November (61 days)." An thank goodness the sign-up was extended to today. For more information, visit https://iceemodels18.wixsite.com/icee My project is going to be a Breyer Stablemate Indian Pony to a mule. I'll probably keep her gait the same and focus on the details that will make her a sweet little molly named Lacie (named after my inspiration). Check out this beautiful girl: https://premiermulesale.com/lacie/ I'm thinking I might try my plastic ears that I did on my Vintage Custom Challenge ASB. More soon! Wow, this little mare is a tricky one to work on... her cannon bones, heels, and neck didn’t match up to my references at all. And then there’s the new ears! I hope this is progress, but I’m not 100% certain. Take a lo...

Meet Harlem Road, an American Saddlebred Stallion!   I'm doing National Retro Vintage Month (NaReViMo)! Every August artists come together (on Facebook) to complete one custom in the vintage or retro custom style. Hosted by Sarah Minkiewicz- Breunig, the group can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/694618414328297 My project is a G1 Saddlebred, a mold that has always made me smile ever since I discovered Stablemates in the late 1980's. (And is also on my website's list of Stablemate molds in need of a custom: https://sarahtregay.com/smmolds.html )  I've moved the head a little bit, replaced the ears and added to the tail. Right now I'm in the prepping stage: G1 ASB in progress I'm trying out an old technique that I used to make new ears around 1990. I was an industrial design major at RIT and as part of the program we made models of products out of plastic. The plastic started out as flat sheets and could be heated to form different shapes.   I used...