The second sculpture in the Lakota Winds series finished in bronze is this beautiful fellow named for the South Wind, Okaga.   In the Lakota legend, Okaga was the brother who won the “girl” in the story, making Yata, the North Wind very unhappy.  That is one reason why these two winds make their homes as far away from one another as possible.  Another spelling for the name of the South Wind I have found is Itokagata.  This sculpture has a more golden warm patina and a happier look than that of his brother, who is the more serious of the two.  Also a limited edition sculpture of only 62, Okaga is 19″ high, 15″ long from nose to tail and 8″ deep.  His patina is Sunshine Gold.

When someone asks me what I sculpt I say “animals, most often horses”.  Horses are in fact nearest and dearest to my heart – specifically wild horses.  I happen to love all animals, however.  I want to create them through sculpture.  Owl Ate the Blue Moon is the first sculpture in the Blue Moon Series, so named because this series features animals that are endangered in our world today and so are seen only once in a while.  I want my art to raise awareness for endangered species of animals in this series…just as my horses are meant to raise awareness of the diminishing quantities of wild horses left to roam freely on the lands that were legally set aside for them in the 1970’s.  The Blue Moon Series was also named this because once in a blue moon I will sculpt something other than a horse.  Then, there is also a personal reason I love this expression!  If you want to know why though – you must come see me at a show and ask me or ask one of the galleries representing my work why…and you could always drop me a note to ask.  Otherwise it will just have to remain a mystery.

“Look!” is the first sculpture in the House Horse series.  He is scaled to fit on a fireplace mantle because in our house that is where I saw him the day he was imagined.  He has attitude for sure, as I was upstairs on the landing and he was looking up at me as if to say “LOOK!  HERE I AM! CREATE ME!”   And so, I did.  He is 17″ high x 11″ long from tail to nose x 6″ wide.  The patina for “Look!” is called Baja Turquoise and Butternut.  I create each original in paper clay from which a mold is made- from that mold only 50 bronzes of “Look!” will be made and then the mold will be destroyed.  “Look!” comes with a Certificate of Authenticity – as does every one of my sculptures.  Having a Certificate of Authenticity every time you invest in art is important as it is one thing that can establish provenance.  Click here if you’d like to learn more about COA’s and art provenance.

“Relax!” is the second sculpture in the House Horse series.  She must love music because when I imagined her she was laying down all serene – just like you see her here – on top of our piano.  She reminds me to keep everything in perspective – to not stress out and forget about all the gifts in my life.  “Relax!” has a bit of pink in her patina – in remembrance of my mom, who wanted very much to live to be 100, but because of breast cancer, did not realize that goal.  “Relax!” is 9″ high x 20″ long from tail to nose x 11″ wide.  The patina for “Relax!” is called Angora Pink and Maple Granite.  Originally created with paper clay in a limited edition of only 50 bronzes, “Relax!” – of course – comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The day I imagined all the horses in the house, I saw “Look!” first and then “Relax!” – both from the upstairs balcony…once I walked downstairs I saw “Itchy!” trying to balance on three legs so he could reach an itchy spot on his nose!  He is the third house horse and has won three awards – two People’s Choice awards, not surprising since Mark and I noticed, when all the horses were on show during the Loveland Sculpture Invitational two years ago and Sculpture in the Park last year and again at other shows, everyone who saw “Itchy!” got a big smile on their face…he is such an adorable boy!  “Itchy!” stands 16″ high x 15″ long from tail to nose and is 11″ wide.  The standard patina for “Itchy!” is Picasso Jasper.  Originally created with paper clay in a limited edition of only 50 bronzes, each “Itchy!” comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Wind is part of our family out here on the Northeastern plains of Colorado where Mark and I live now after the House Horse Series was imagined at our city home in Fort Collins.  We have real horses living all around us and our own cows, chickens, dogs and of course, Phoebe Mae Kittenhead is here too.  The wind is a frequent companion out here on the prairie.  One day not long ago I was reading about the Lakota people who have a legend that explains the founding of the four directions; and the name of the North wind is Yata – who is burly and morose.   I thought – what a beautiful way to honor this aspect of the environment we live in!   I have named each horse in this series for the Lakota directions of the blowing winds – stay tuned for photos of Eya the West wind, Yanpa the East wind, and Okaga the South wind as they are finished later this year!  This sculpture named Yata has a beautiful gold veined accents over a gray/purple background called Subzero Gold Flash and he is 19″ high, 15″ long and 8″ wide.