The Sublime Equine Art and Sculpture of Laura A. Mehmert

War Horse is an award-winning watercolor

Laura Mehmert, a passionate artist residing in the picturesque town of Evergreen, Colorado, has dedicated over three decades of her life to the realms of painting and art instruction. Her journey into the world of art began at a tender age when her grandmother, recognizing her budding creativity, gifted her a set of oil paints on her eighth birthday. This thoughtful gesture sparked a lifelong passion, and Laura has been immersed in the world of painting ever since, exploring various mediums and techniques with an insatiable curiosity.

Initially, she embarked on her artistic career by experimenting with watercolor, a medium that allowed her to capture the delicate interplay of light and color. Laura spent many years mastering watercolor painting and has received many accolades for her exceptional work. However, her artistic exploration did not stop there; she eventually ventured into the rich and vibrant world of oil painting, where she found a another connection to her artistic expression.  Perfecting her drawing skills has always been a critical part of her work and central to her teaching other aspiring artists.

Three Amigos is an oil painting

Over the years, she has also embraced sculpting, adding yet another dimension to her artistic repertoire. Laura's diverse experiences and her continuous pursuit of artistic growth have not only enriched her own practice but have also enabled her to inspire countless students through her art instruction, sharing her knowledge and passion for creativity with others in her community.

She attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City, where she immersed herself in a vibrant artistic community and honed her skills under the guidance of several renowned artists. These artists, known for their unique styles and contributions to the field of art, provided Laura with invaluable mentorship, allowing her to explore various techniques and mediums. This rigorous training not only refined her artistic abilities but also deepened her understanding of art history and contemporary practices, which would later influence her own work.

After completing her education, Laura took on the role of instructor at the Bountiful/Davis Art Center, located in the picturesque city of Bountiful, Utah. There, she shared her passion for art with students of all ages, creating an engaging learning environment that encouraged creativity and self-expression. Her classes were designed to cater to a diverse group of learners, from beginners to more experienced artists, and she often incorporated elements of art theory, practical techniques, and personal feedback to help her students develop their own unique artistic voices.

Fine Artist Laura A. Mehmert

Laura's artwork has gained significant recognition, having been featured in prestigious exhibitions such as the juried Loveland Sculpture Show and the Best of the West exhibition held in Dallas, Texas. These events are known for showcasing the work of exceptional artists, and Laura's participation highlighted her growing reputation in the art world. Her pieces, characterized by their intricate details and emotive qualities, resonated with both the jurors and the public, further establishing her as a notable figure in contemporary sculpture.

In addition to her exhibition successes, her artwork has been acquired by esteemed institutions, including the Ramon Research Foundation and the Gates Family Foundation. These collections are known for their commitment to supporting and promoting the arts, and her inclusion in these prestigious collections speaks volumes about the quality and impact of her work.

One of her most significant achievements is the creation of an 8-foot commissioned bronze sculpture, which is permanently displayed at the Hiwan Museum in Evergreen, Colorado. This monumental piece not only showcases her technical prowess in working with bronze but also stands as a testament to her ability to create art that captivates and inspires viewers. The Hiwan Museum, known for its rich history and dedication to the arts, provides a fitting backdrop for her sculpture, allowing it to be appreciated by a wide audience and contributing to the cultural landscape of the region.

The Foreman

Side view of The Foreman

The artist with "The Foreman"

Her passion for her work is infectious, radiating a vibrant energy that inspires those around her. "Painting is a deeply personal expression of how I perceive a specific moment," she explains, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Every brushstroke is a reflection of my emotions and thoughts, a snapshot of my experience at that very instant in time. A painting must possess spirit and substance, capturing the viewer's attention and inviting them into my world. It is not just about the visual appeal; it is about creating a connection, a dialogue between the artwork and the observer."

She elaborates on her techniques, stating, "I work with both oil and watercolor, appreciating each for its distinct qualities and the unique effects they can produce. Oil paints allow for rich textures and vibrant colors that can be layered and manipulated over time, creating depth and complexity. In contrast, watercolor offers a fluidity and translucence that can evoke a sense of lightness and spontaneity. I don't prefer one over the other; rather, I immerse myself in whichever medium best suits the subject I'm depicting. Whether it's the delicate washes of watercolor, the bold strokes of oil, the tactile nature of clay, or the versatility of cloth, each medium presents its own set of possibilities and challenges."

"Takara" a watercolor painting

Distant Thunder is a large bronze sculpture

Steady Now is an oil painting

Mustang Three

Four Play is a watercolor painting

Into the Wind is a bronze sculpture

Art is not merely a hobby or a job for her; it is a lifestyle, an integral part of her identity. "I need to pursue it to maintain balance in this fast-paced world," she asserts. "In a society that often feels overwhelming and chaotic, creating art provides me with a sanctuary, a space where I can express my innermost thoughts and feelings freely. It is a form of meditation, a way to ground myself amidst the noise of everyday life. Each piece I create is a journey, a process that brings me endless joy and fulfillment."

The Black and The Paint oil painting

Through her work, she seeks to convey emotions and stories that resonate with others, hoping to spark inspiration and reflection. "I believe that art has the power to transcend barriers and connect people from different walks of life. When someone stands in front of my painting, I want them to feel something—whether it's nostalgia, happiness, or even a sense of peace. That connection is what makes the creative process so rewarding for me."

Laura currently teaches regular watercolor and oil classes out of her Evergreen studio and holds workshops in oil, watercolor, and drawing. Contact her for pricing and schedules.

See more of Laura's remarkable work at https://www.lauramehmertdesigns.com/

Laura Mehmert Designs

All images Copyright Laura A. Mehmert and Laura Mehmert Designs -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Laura A. Mehmert and/or Laura Mehmert Designs.

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Revealing the Artistry of Susan Leyland: The Story Behind her Signature Style Horse Block Sculpture

Leyland's Signature Style, Horse Block Sculpture

Susan Leyland, born in UK,1952, has been living in Italy since 1978 .

Since 2000, Leyland has pursued her passion for Art and Horses, making horses her subject matter and elevating them to an expressive medium in her sculptures.  She searches for innovative solutions in both shape and composition.

Susan Leyland is known for her signature style, Horse Block Sculpture, which is characterized by flowing horse shapes merging with rigorous geometric figures with straight and angled lines.

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Equustyle: What are your most important sculptures?

Susan Leyland: A 1 1/2 life-size Public War Horse Memorial which stands on the roundabout in Ascot, UK, to recall the suffering of millions of horses, mules and donkeys during WW1. 2018

Describing the process of creating the work, in an article by ArtUK.org, Leyland said: "I spent four years from receiving the commission to finalising the bronze at Black Isle Foundry, Nairn, solemnly learning about the First World War, drawing more than 200 sketches, reading and searching the internet, so that the war was part of me to interpret and transfer feeling into the monument, not as an onlooker or outsider, and to be able to portray this solemn monument with the greatest dignity and esteem for those animals recalling their suffering and hardship."

The sculpture does not portray any type of breed or particular horse. It was made considering the human loss as well as other equines, mules and donkeys.

War Horse Memorial Ascot UK

Sunworld Fountain Horses

5 horses with chariot sketch

An installation I designed and modeled five life-size bronze horses that pull the chariot of the Sun God Helios was installed at SunWorld Bà Nà Hills Resort, in Dà Nang, Vietnam. in 2020. Grand Cascade is a cluster of more than 40 artistic sculptures with the theme of ancient Greek mythology.

According to the writer of “Bà Nà Hills Launches New Project Grand Cascade on April 30-May”in Vietnam Insider, Leyland’s sculpture is “The most prominent in the ensemble of golden statues at Grand Cascade is the central cluster of statues at the fountain, where the sun god Helios controls the chariot pulled by five steeds. Viewed from afar, viewers have the feeling that the horse’s hooves are pedaling the waves, flying, leaping forward.”

Equustyle: How did your upbringing in the UK influence you and subsequently your art?

Susan Leyland: My upbringing in UK was a happy one. I was born in Whiston, Lancashire in 1952 and grew up in England near Cambridge. My grandfather gifted me a pony at the age of 4, establishing my bond with horses. I liked to draw and paint from an early age and usually horses but only later in life discovered sculpture.

My  first drawing and sculpture exhibitions where held in 1998 and 1999. One year later, in 2000, I held a solo show in Saratoga Springs, NY. The success of these exhibitions led me to take up sculpting full-time.

Susan Leyland, artist and sculptor in her studio

Equustyle:  Where do you work?

Susan Leyland: I work quietly and long hours in my Tuscan studio, an old stable, in the olive but I also love the excitement of travelling, exhibitions and meeting people. I have just returned from UK where my bronze and clay sculptures were exhibited at Gallery 8, St James’s, London, where six sculptures found new collectors.

Equustyle:  What is the process behind your sculpture?

Susan Leyland: I search for new ideas and elaborate the ideas by drawing and study sketching. I am inspired to explore and experiment, searching expression in innovative form from what I see and feel within.

I begin with a design, decide the size, make the base, the horses are then added and the forms take shape. Work on a sculpture can take a week to two months, depending on the size and the number of horses. The piece has to completely dry out before firing which can take another month. The sculpture is fired in a furnace for a week reaching over 1000 degrees

Companions in Crime + sketches

White horses painting

Susan Leyland in her studio

Equustyle:  What materials and techniques do you use for your sculptures?

Susan Leyland: I work in a coarse semi refractory water based clay, difficult to work with but beautiful and resistant to breakages when fired. I also work in other materials such as wax, non water based clays, polystyrene for enlargements, and in bronze.

Family Affection

In a Landscape

A Beautiful Day

White Horse Herd

Pinned Ears

Terra di Cavalli

Equustyle:  Who are your clients and where can people see your work?

Susan Leyland: My clients are from countries world wide, art lovers as horse lovers alike. My work can be found in the UK, USA, Canada, Thailand, China, Australia, Italy, Russia, Sweden, France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Asia and Arab countries.

My work can be seen in Italy at the Barbara Paci Gallery, Forte dei Marmi & Pietrasanta, the Brancacci Gallery, Florence and in Germany the Kunstgalerie Bech. My work is represented worldwide by Alan Kluckow Fine Art, Sunningdale, UK. She exhibits in the UK with The Country House & Stables Gallery, the Osborne Studio Gallery and the Norton Way Gallery.

Recent exhibitions took place at Gallery 8 London and Country House & Stables, Berkshire UK.

Equustyle:  What are the best ways for potential clients to connect with you?

Susan Leyland: I would ask anyone interested to look at my website www.susanleyland.com and Instagram Susan Leyland, to be able to see and understand my work in more depth.

Direct contact can be made via email susan.leyland@gmail.com or Instagram Message.

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More About Susan Leyland's Horse Block Sculptures

Susan Leyland is known worldwide for her Horse Block Sculpture. Her work is met with international acclaim by art collectors as well as horse lovers for their uniqueness in form and concept as well as for quality, harmony and beauty.

Horse Block Sculptures are of original aspect. Her horses blend with the bases creating a flow of shapes and negative spaces. The bases are often architectural, geometrical, pedestal like or they ground the work with simple rectangles, squares or spheres.

Leyland undertakes preparatory studies before starting to work on her sculptures. A clay sculpture can take two or more months to make depending on its size and complexity . When a sculpture is concluded there are precise drying times to follow, after which, when completely dry,  it is fired at MITAL terre-cotte works Impruneta.

Susan Leyland’s sculptures are unique and original pieces, modeled in a semi-refractory artistic clay or made in bronze and come with a certificate of authenticity.

The Heir at an angle

The Heir Horse Block Sculpture

SusanLeyland.com

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Exhibitions

Editor's Note: Sleeping Horse is a Horse Block Sculpture by Susan Leyland that I discovered over two years ago. I was immediately taken with the beauty and artistry of her equine sculptures.

Sleeping Horse by Susan Leyland

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In Conversation with Internationally Acclaimed Wildlife Artist Carla Grace

Painting "Envision" Oil on Linen 110cm x 130cm

EquuStyle: As an internationally-acclaimed, award-winning, realistic wildlife artist, can you share the story of your artistic journey?

Carla Grace: I have been on an artistic journey my whole life without realising it. I never wanted to become an artist, but once I started studying at university, I quickly realised that I didn’t want to do anything else.

In hindsight, I began my career at 14 when I sold my first painting and won a major school art prize. I spent many years throughout my childhood in different parts of Africa, which is where my passion for wildlife came from. We were living in Zambia when I started to earnestly pursue my skillset in pencil portraits, doing commissions for pocket money from the age of 17. I even had a waiting list at that age, and so figured I would end up doing something with my skills eventually.

I trained myself hard in those early years, often staying home when others were out being social. Even during university, where I studied fine art for two years before dropping out, I was doing art on the side for extra cash. When I dropped out of uni and moved to Australia at age 23, I dedicated myself to setting up my art business and pursing it as a full time career. It then took me 4 years to make that a reality as I slowly transitioned away from a supplementary full-time job, to doing more and more art, until finally it was my full-time career.

EquuStyle: Which piece are you most proud of, and what’s the story behind it?

Carla Grace: I am most proud of a very large scale painting of flamingos I did in 2023, and a large scale white on white painting of a horse entangled in fabric completed at the start of this year. Both of these pieces are significant in that they were made up from many different images which otherwise could not be captured in nature. I took my concepts for both pieces past reality, instead making a slightly fantasy, and slightly surreal composition. This is stronger in the horse painting than it is in the flamingo piece. I am proud to say my flamingos are now being displayed in a Museum in Wisconsin, USA.

Troupe Flamboyance Carla Grace

Carla Grace wildlife artist

EquuStyle: Can you describe your painting process, from the initial idea to the finished piece?

Carla Grace: My painting process begins with an idea. I always see the painting I want to create in my mind before I source imagery to support it. This is why my paintings often require many different images stitched together to make up the whole composition.

Once I have found images, or created images to make up all the different parts of the painting, I will put them together in procreate, on my Ipad. This digital representation of the painting needs to happen in order for me to see the ideas come together fully. Some elements I don’t need to see, but the overall structure needs to be realistic before I start committing it to the painting. Once I am happy with the composition on the iPad, I will begin my sketch on the canvas and let the process go from there. I have begun limiting myself to two passes of paint only. This means that I cram as much detail in each application of paint, but then force myself to walk away after the second one is complete. This means that my paintings are becoming more and more unrefined, and painterly.

I have a tendency to paint to perfection, but don’t want to continue in this way because I want to do what a camera cannot do - and that is create texture and expressive marks with my paint.

Cheetah painting Carla Grace

Carla Grace wildlife artist

Skin to Skin by Carla Grace

Horse Acrylic Mini Tutorial

Carla Grace wildlife artist

EquuStyle: You work with both oil and acrylic, sometimes on the same painting. What effect are you seeking to achieve when using the two mediums together?

Carla Grace: Acrylic is my speed medium, and so I tend to use acrylic for paintings that are required under a deadline, or that are smaller in scale. I will use acrylic for the base tones of the painting which is usually a very quick and basic application of paint to tone and block in sections of the painting. I am then able to begin working with oil paint on top of the acrylic base tones straight away, rather than waiting a full day for the base layers to become touch dry - which is what needs to happen if I used oil paint from the start. Acrylic also tends to be a lot more sharp in finish, where as oil paint has a higher blend ability and therefore I am able to create soft focus details a lot easier than if I did it with acrylic paint. Oil paint is much easier to work with (in my opinion) than acrylic paint for the larger scale paintings, which is why I will favour oil paint for those rather than acrylic.

EquuStyle: How do you approach the use of color in your work?

Carla Grace: I am self taught in all areas, so my colour theory is a little lacking. This makes me feel like I approach my use of colour with a lot of guesswork rather than accurate theory and understanding. Because of this, I have made colour theory my focus to understand and use as an asset to my process. Despite this, my colours always tend to be a little more neutral rather than saturated, leaning closer to what is accurate in nature.

EquuStyle: How do you approach the use of light and shadow in your paintings?

Light and shadow is everything in my work. Contrast and steep representation of value is key to my work. Just in the change between the values I am able to alter the colours to the point where they become vibrant - despite being over all very neutral. Contrast is one of my favourite ways to convey intensity and drama. Even the lack of contrast, when used correctly such as in my white on white painting of a horse, can convey something very powerful. So I approach it with care, and ensure that I get that part of each painting absolutely perfect.

Full Horse Portrait in oil paint tutorial

EquuStyle: You offer several hyper-detailed tutorials in oil, acrylic, or both paints on your website. Why are you motivated to share your creative process with artists around the world?

Carla Grace: When I began my career in earnest, I chose wildlife not only because of my connection to the animals I grew up with in Africa, but because I noticed a severe lack of wildlife artists represented in the timeline of art history.

There seems to be a huge gap between the artists who paint wildlife, and artists who paint everything else, and that could be due to many different factors such as vision, conceptual power and overall artist value, but I saw a lot of good artists making good wildlife paintings - not masterful ones. A lot of this is because no one really teaches wildlife artists how to become better. There isn’t very little in the way of intermediate and advanced courses that teach artists how to paint with more skill and run a better practice. So I decided that when I got to the stage in my career that other artists were asking me to teach them, I would do just that. Since I have a lot of content on my platform, I have chosen to create a subscription based access offer, rather than sell tutorial individually - this makes it much more accessible to more artists.

Ultimately, It is my hope that wildlife art as a whole will get better, and start to make an impact in the timeline of art history. Hopefully I can start that process by showing other artists how to level up their game and become masters in their craft.

EquuStyle: What inspired you to create the tutorials “Full Horse Portrait in Oil Paint” and a “Horse Portrait Acrylic Mini Painting”?

Carla Grace: All of my tutorials on my platform are requested by the students who learn through me. Somewhere along the way artists have requested a horse tutorial and so I have created that for them. There is a lot more available in my exclusive content sections for those who are subscribed to my platform on a monthly basis, in addition to the individual tutorials. Horses can also be really hard to paint, especially if you have no idea where to start and how to achieve the simple effects of short hair and the long mane. Seeing how someone else dose it step by step is incredibly helpful.

EquuStyle: How do you balance your artistic creativity with the business side of being an artist?

This is a really challenging aspect of the practice. The business side is a full time job, and the artist side is also a full time job. Being in control of both aspects is almost impossible. It gets to a point where you need to delegate some jobs because otherwise you suddenly realise its been days since you last painted.

I am currently building my dream studio, and the balance between building it all myself, painting and running my business is full on. I am lucky that I love the business side of being an artist, and that I have a husband who now works with me. He helps me with alot of the admin and running of my online tutorial platform.

EquuStyle: Can you discuss a time when creating art helped you through a difficult period in your life?

Carla Grace: There have been times through out my life where being an artist has been the core of what has made things difficult. The insecurity of income and lack of guarantee in sales can cause significant stress. However, even though the industry can be hard to navigate sometimes, I find myself overwhelmingly grateful that I am able to do this full time.

Knowing that I can do what I love every day, and that collectors all over the world love my work get me through every rough patch. Since it is my daily job, I don’t usually make art for the fun of it anymore, so often I have to take a break from the studio when life gets too stressful, such as when my father in law passed away. I didn’t turn to art to work through the grief, even though many artists naturally would do that. This is something that has become a consistent theme, the more art I do for work, the less I do of it for fun. I have become ok with this over the years, and instead will focus on painting with my kids for the fun of it, teaching them and seeing the joy it gives them. I have found this to be more therapeutic and fulfilling during the difficult periods.

Carla Grace Award-winning Wildlife Artist

EquuStyle: Given many of the environmental and wildlife crises around the world, what role do you think your art has in society?

Carla Grace: I want people to feel the animal through my work and experience creatures like they wouldn’t otherwise be able to. I want each painting to create a closeness between the viewer and the animal, and to feel like it could draw breath at any moment.

There is a process of immortalisation when something is committed to paint. I feel like it is incredibly respectful to recreate anything with care and true to life details.

As the artist, I am looking at the animals with much more intensity that I ever could in passing. Im taking in every detail and every imperfection that makes them the way they are. It’s more than what can be achieved in a photo. A painting takes a 2 dimensional surface and turns it into something that requires the very best of both the creator and her subject to succeed.

EquuStyle: How do you hope your art will impact viewers on a deeper level?

Carla Grace: I hope that my work inspires awe, that it takes the viewers breath away. From my classic range of wildlife portraiture, I hope that the viewer feels a kinship with the animal. This connection comes from the pure beauty of the animal itself and my technical ability to create it on the canvas.

My signature range is focused on creating a narrative, and I add elements that are intended to provoke a response based on the viewers individual understanding, for example, “Skin to Skin” has been known to provoke both admiration and disgust. Both responses to the painting are a success because it is the reasons behind the response that I am most interested in. If a painting can provoke an emotional response, while still being stunning in its own right then I have succeeded as an artist.

Carla Grace Art

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