This success also paved the way for a licensing agreement with Enesco, LLC in 2010, allowing them to create intricate small-scale reproductions for the collectibles market. Each Painted Pony in The Trail of Painted Ponies collection serves as a canvas for original artwork, each telling its own distinct story. Crafted from stone resin, every figurine is beautifully packaged, making it perfect for gifting. Additionally, each Pony features a mark on its base that includes its name, the artist’s name, the edition number (1E, 2E, 3E,…), and a sequential number within the edition.
We currently have just one Painted Pony in our collection, and I must say, Cloud Hunter is an absolutely breathtaking piece that showcases incredible artistry. Crafted by the renowned equine artist Janee Hughes, this stunning figurine is made from stone resin and stands at 10.5 inches tall. This Paint Horse is depicted in a dynamic rearing pose, serving as a tribute to this beloved breed. In the colorful vernacular of cowboys, the spirited movements of a bucking horse were often described in vivid terms. When a horse leaps into the air, mane flowing and hooves thrashing as if aiming for the heavens, it’s affectionately termed a “cloud hunter.” By portraying a Paint with markings reminiscent of thunderclouds, Janee adds a deeper significance to this classic equestrian expression. A passionate horse enthusiast, Janee draws inspiration from the beauty and unique personalities of horses in her artwork. For more information about the APHA, visit www.apha.com. To discover more about Janee, check out http://janeehughes.ipnshosting.com. This exquisite pony would be a fantastic addition to any horse lover’s collection. The intricate details are truly impressive. It serves as a stunning decorative piece that sparks conversation, and my husband was thrilled to include it in his collection of animal figurines.
I’m excited to add “Blood Brothers,” “Trail of Tears,” and “Stand By Me” to my husband’s collection next. There are so many amazing pony stories to explore, but we’ve carefully selected a few of our favorites, specially chosen for Dad this upcoming Father’s Day. War Eagle by Kevin Kilhoffer – “Native Americans shared a deep connection with all animals, particularly valuing eagles, hawks, owls, and other birds of prey for their keen vision, speed, and fearless spirit—qualities essential for a successful warrior. The golden eagle, known as the “war eagle” among Plains Indians for its bravery in hunting larger prey like foxes, coyotes, and sheep, was regarded as the mightiest creature in the animal realm. This reverence is reflected in the use of its feathers in the headdresses and war bonnets worn by chiefs during battle.” The Night’s Watch by Vince Slate – “Beyond enhancing a tribe’s mobility, the horse served as a vigilant protector at night, alerting its riders to lurking predators. The sounds of bears and wolves seeking prey would often trigger snorts, kicks, and rears, waking sleeping families. Inspired by this, the Phoenix, Arizona artist envisioned a Painted Pony as a guardian, adorned with native symbols of the wolf and bear in its mane, providing a protective charm against nighttime threats.” Photo Finish by Janee Hughes – “In the thrilling realm of horse racing, a ‘photo finish’ captures the intense moment when two or more horses cross the finish line almost neck and neck. This exhilarating scene is brought to life in ‘Photo Finish,’ where three horses dash toward the finish in a race so close that the ultimate winner is determined by a photograph.”
Need help finding the perfect Painted Pony? Take a look at the entire Trail of Painted Ponies. Collecting Trail of Painted Ponies model horses is the perfect hobby for anyone looking to invest in beautiful works of art.
About The Trail of Painted Ponies
The Trail of Painted Ponies is one of the premier fine art and collectibles companies in the world, crafting one of the most treasured collectibles in America, Painted Ponies figurines. Born and bred in Santa Fe, The Trail of Painted Ponies stampeded into the artistic landscape as a public art project that dazzled spectators throughout New Mexico, the Land of Enchantment. The Trail of Painted Ponies is celebrating 13 years of horses in art and this extraordinary brand is synonymous with artistry, quality, craftsmanship and its philanthropic commitment.
About Artist Janee Hughes
After graduating from Willamette University with a BA in art, Janee taught in Junior High School for thirty years. When she retired in 1997, she began a fine art career, painting and writing, winning awards and building a reputation. Her paintings are usually realistic and involve animals, and she works in pencil, pen, watercolor, acrylic and oil. Her artwork has graced the covers of numerous magazines, she has illustrated three children’s books, and her cartoons have been published in newspapers. She was the lead painter on the Salem Riverfront Carousel, an authentic, hand-carved and painted carousel, and in her spare time can be found hiking with her dogs and husband.
About Enesco, LLC.
Enesco, LLC, is a global leader in the giftware and home and garden décor industries. Serving more than 44,000 customers worldwide, Enesco distributes products to a wide variety of specialty card and gift retailers, home décor boutiques, mass-market chains and direct mail retailers. With subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, France, Canada and Hong Kong, Enesco serves markets operating in Europe, the Americas, Australia and Asia. The company’s product lines include some of the world’s most recognized brands including Heartwood Creek® by Jim Shore, Foundations®, Our Name is Mud®, Gund®, Boyds®, Country Artists®, Walt Disney Classics Collection®, Disney Traditions™, Border Fine Arts ™, Cherished Teddies®, Bilston & Battersea Enamels®, and Lilliput Lane®, among others. Further information is available on the company’s Web site at www.enesco.com.
Landing Spot has to be my favorite.
Those are really beautiful and detailed! Definitely a great gift idea for a horse lover.