New Book & Calendar

You can click on either preview to go to lulu.com and purchase your copy. Both are perfect gifts for the horse lovers on your holiday gift list!
Preview of the calendar:
Preview of the book:

Another Print Giveaway!!

FaceBook FAN page for grayhorsedesigns.com

Ok, I need to get 25 fans on my new Gray Horse Designs page in order to create a unique url.....soooo, please click on the link and like my page. I've decided that to promote the new page, I will be giving away another print of your choice (one 16x12 or two 8x10.5s) on December 20th to one lucky GHD fan! And for every person who "likes" the page on your recommendation, you get another chance to win! So click on the link above and get on board:))

New FaceBook Fan Page

I have no idea why I didn't think of doing this before. Afterall, grayhorsedesigns.com and this blog are the hub for all of my other sites, blogs, and facebook pages. So, why hadn't I thought to have a separate FaceBook fan page for Gray Horse Designs? Well I remedied that yesterday and I've created a new GHD fan page on FaceBook. Check it out and please, "like" me.:)

Also there have been several new posts over on Danny's blog and in case you don't already know, I'm giving away a free print (12x16 or Two 8x10.5 of your choice) to one of Danny's fans. All you have to do to be entered is to "like" Danny's facebook page or "follow" his blog. A winner's name will be drawn on December 15th!

Won a Challenge

Chasing Her Dream won the Dreams challenge in the 4 Winners Only group on redbubble.com.
Thanks to everyone who voted for this image! :)

Featured on RedBubble.com

Equine Art and Photography Group, Thank You!

Two images featured in the Equine Art and Photography Group
Fire and Ice 
and
Mountain Morning Sunshine 
Thank you all so very much! I’m honored to have my work included with such wonderful art and photography.

A Few Shots From Cades Cove and the Smokies

Horse Show

I attended the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Benefit Horse Show at East Fork Stables near Jamestown, TN this weekend. I was there only as an observer; I did not show or photograph the show. I did meet a lot of great horse people and horses and even got some decent shots of quite a few of them. You can see more photos and get info on the shows over on my Tennessee Equestrian page.

Dancing For the Horses

My friend, Erica Adams, a well know eventer and trainer from Knoxville, TN, is participating in Dancing for the Horses, a benefit for Horse Haven equine rescue, on Monday, October 11th. You can click on this LINK and vote for Erica or one of the other participants by donating to the cause. Each dollar donated counts as a vote for the contestants and helps a very worthy cause. Horse Haven is Tennessee's oldest and largest humane organization. 865-609-4030

New Photos and Art Work

I've been re-examining those photos taken just two short hours after Danny's birth on, May 1st. These shots were all taken around 8:00 a.m. on that morning. I think Mousie fell in love at first sight....and so did I:)
posted on redbubble.com and etsy.com:

The Whoa Team Sketchbook Project

These are a few drawings by my friend, Linda Woolford, which are included in a beautiful collection of equine art by world renowned artists which is being auctioned off on Ebay with proceeds going to a horse welfare charity. This is the link to the Etsy Whoa Team blog. This is the link to the sketch book where you can view all of the wonderful art. The auction began on August 10th and will end on August 20th. Whom ever wins this auction will be receiving an amazing prize.....and giving a wonderful gift as well to horses in need.

The Artwork!!

 I received my wonderful work of art from Linda Woolford today and she was right, it is even more incredibly beautiful in person. The detail work is just amazing!! I wasn't expecting the original. I thought she'd send a print and I would have been happy with that but there are no words to express the joy I felt when I first saw this incredible work of art. What a talented, kind and generous person Linda is. I wish there were someway for me to photograph this portrait of Danny so that you could see just how beautiful it is but a camera can never do it justice!

Gorgeous Portrait

Linda Woolford did the most wonderful portrait of Danny. She is such an amazing artists who possesses not  only amazing technical skill but the ability  to capture the spirit and personality of her  subject. I  certainly  think  she did that with this portrait. It is so beautiful that I started crying when I saw it.
You can find more of Linda's  work  in her etsy.com shop Art Wolf Etsy Shop and read more about all of the marvelous things that she does on her blog, The Briar  Rose Gate.

A little Mouse....

Since she is really the one that this blog is all about, I thought I'd share my latest photo of Mousie....all by herself (which doesn't happen very much these days:).

3 new composite pieces:

ABOVE, Chasing Her Dream

LEFT(below), On the Wings of a Horse

RIGHT, My Angel

Blog for Danny Boy

I've set up a new blog just for Danny to serve as a diary and save memories as he grows and also as a chronicle of our life and lessons learned together. This is all so new for both of us;)

The Baby has Arrived!!

We're still iffy on the name. Started with Midnight Dandy Dancer, moved to Traveler's Sensational Dancer and are now toying with Fly By Danny Boy since Danny Boy is what we call him anyway:)

Mouse is obviously in love with him, so are the other horses who stare at him for hours, and Sadie, our dog, thinks she's his Auntie and sneaks a kiss whenever Mama Mouse lets her get by with it. And how do Steve and I feel about this handsome little guy....I don't think our lives will ever be the same:))

SALE on Etsy

Gentle on My Mind (8.5x10 inch print for just $25)

I've redone my Etsy shop and will continue adding photos throughout the week at the new low price of $25 for a 8.5x11 inch print (with 1/4 inch border all around, actual image size is 8x10.5 inch) that is usually $30. It is the same high quality print created with archival ink on acid free, glossy, professional photography paper; only the price has been lowered. I did this because I've changed the shipping policy and also decided to only sell 8.5x11 inch or smaller prints on the site. I've had some problems with shipping being extremely high on larger prints especially when I have to ship outside the country. By shipping with USPS flat rate priority in their boxes, I have a certain price for both US shipments and international and I also have a very sturdy box that I can cushion well to ship the print without fear of damage. It seems like a win-win to me and you get $5 off as well.

Blue Point Stables First Show of the Season

Go to the Blue Point Stables/McDonnell Performance Horses website to find the entire schedule. I also think it is posted on this blog. They have an open show every month. All classes, all disciplines plus trail and jumping and classes for gaited horses.

Here is a shot of a young girl making her final adjustments before the judge looks them over during the gelding and stallions Halter class at yesterday's show.

My friend, Tammy, with her horse, Ransom, which was recently diagnosed with advanced EPM (Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis).

Two shots from the NABA rodeo March 26th & 27th at Roane State Expo in Harriman, TN. I was there to photograph the drill team (top photo) but also handed out information on The Tennessee Equestrian. I will be at Blue Point Stables today for their first show of the season. 

I'll be at the first show of the season this Saturday at Blue Point Stables in Kingston, TN. I'll be handing out info on The Tennessee Equestrian and taking a few photos but I won't be competing myself this time around....maybe I'll take Django to the May show if he behaves himself after a Winter's vacation.

Three New Prints Offered on Etsy

Moonlit Serenity

Titian

                                                     Gentle On My Mind 

                                                      the first I've offered framed

Click on Titles to be taken to the webpage of that image.

The Tennessee Equestrian a Comprehensive Guide for the TN Horse Owner

Well we're off to a good start but we still need your help. Please, let all of your friends, especially those who have horse related businesses however small, know about the TN Equestrian. And also, please, let us know about any shows or events across the state where we can distribute info on the magazine. To make the TN Equestrian as comprehensive as I want it to be, I need to find those small businesses who are more difficult to locate but also the most in need of the wide spread and economical advertising that The Tennessee Equestrian offers.

We are at the beginning but I still need to mention that the cut off for submitting listings and ads is September 1st, 2010. So get them in early. The listings start at just $15 by check or cash (receipt will be provided with all ad/listing purchases) or $18 by credit card (the extra $3 fee is to help cover the expense of providing this convenience to our advertisers.) Full color ads start at just $150 for a credit card size ad. Not only are these prices very much below the average for magazine advertising but they will provide you with an entire year of state wide exposure to your target audience. And we will do our best to insert your ad within the section of the magazine that concerns the type of business you have.

We are also doing something a little bit different. Since The Tennessee Equestrian will be provided free of charge to the public, we need to pay for all of the pages printed. That not only includes the pages paid for with listings and ads but also the many informative and entertaining articles that we hope to include and such sections as a travel guide and listings for non-profits and rescues groups which we'd love to provide for no cost. In order to pay for these pages and provide no-cost exposure for charitable organizations, we are offering page and article sponsorships. If your company purchases a sponsored article or page, you will also receive a 1/4 to 1/2 page, full color ad within the article or on the page stating your sponsorship and also a 1/2 page (for joint sponsorship between two businesses) to FULL page, full color ad (full sponsorship) for your business. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about sponsored articles and pages.

If you would like to receive a brochure and ad/listing application by mail or just want more information on The Tennessee Equestrian, you can contact me, Sande Elkins, at 865.458.1420 or grayhorsedesigns@bellsouth.net.

The Tennessee Equestrian is On-Line!

It's now official; The Tennessee Equestrian website is up and running and we're ready to take your orders for listings and ads!

Blue Point Stables Show Schedule & Info

This comes from my friend, Brandy McDonnell, at Blue Point Stables:


Hello to All!

It is once again the beginning of the show season. In 2010 Blue Point Stables will be hosting several All-Breed Open Horse Shows. We have added some new classes this year and will be giving away High Point awards and ribbons at every show and at the end of the show season. In addition all of our shows this year will be PAC (Paint Alternative Credit) approved by the APHA.

New for this year we are offering membership to the Blue Point Stables Saddle Club. Members will be eligible for our year-end High Point awards. Membership privileges also include reduces show fees, drop-in riding privileges at Blue Point Stables, and free classified ads on the Blue Point Stables website.

I would like to thank Kathy Kear from the Horse Emporium, Sande Elkins from the Tennessee Equestrian and The Valley Co-op for being sponsors this year. We still need more sponsors so if you know of someone who may be interested let me know and I will send you a sponsorship form. Sponsorships can be in the form of monetary or product donations and start as low as $10. For each sponsor you recruit you can earn “show bucks” to be used towards your show tab or at the concession stand during any one of our shows.

Unfortunately, the ugly winter weather that we have endured lately has forced me to cancel the March 6 Schooling Show. Therefore, our first show of the season will be the April 3 All-Breed Open Show. Below I have listed all of the dates for the 2010 show season. You can go to www.bluepointstables.com to download a show schedule.  If you are just starting out, needing to school, or just want a fun, relaxed atmosphere to show in then you need to come to one of our shows!

April 3 – All-Breed Open ShowMay 1 - All-Breed Open ShowJune 5 - All-Breed Open Show
September 4 - All-Breed Open Show
October 2 - All-Breed Open Show
October 30 - All-Breed Open Show

Please forward this information to all of your friends!

Three more features on RedBubble.com

Redbubble.com is a site where photographers and artists can display their work for sale on prints, posters and cards. There are groups within the site which feature specific themes. Two of my images, both composites, were featured in groups this week.
She Walks in Beauty was featured both in Simply Horses and Equine Art and Photography. That's my lovely Mouse of course!

Gentle on my mind, which features both Red Riley & Mouse, was featured in Equine Art & Photography.

Announcing the Tennessee Equestrian

I'm launching a new magazine, The Tennessee Equestrian, on February 15th. It will be like a beautiful, classy yellow pages for the Tennessee horse owner. It will have listings for every equine professional, service, and product imaginable. It will also have show listings and information on organizations and events by breed, discipline and open shows. And it won't just be a directory for equine needs, there will also be informative and entertaining articles on a wide variety of equine interests, a travel guide and map for the equine traveler and trail rider, and we're hoping to include a stallion directory and product reviews. The best thing about all of this, besides the fact that it will be such a comprehensive, go-to guide for everything horse, is the fact that all of this will be available for FREE!


I plan to pay for publication and all other costs through ads and listings. This will be a way for those in equine businesses to reach a much broader range of their target audience and to let them know exactly what they offer. And it is also a very economical way to advertise your service or wares because listings start at just $15 and there will be discounts for multiple full page ads. Also, after publication, both ads and the magazine itself will be available on the website as well as distributed at horse businesses, events and shows across the state. Web listings are free with the purchase of a listing or ad.


And, best of all, all of this comes in a beautiful, glossy, high quality, full-color package that the horse owner will not only keep close at hand for all of the information and articles but because of how attractive it is and enjoyable to read and view.
 

I've launched the blog for the magazine and a fan page on facebook. I'm currently working on the website as well as revamping all of my websites and I hope to have that ready for view by the end of this week and ready to take orders for ads and listings by credit card by the 16th. Check out the blog and fan page for more information and updates and contact me if you want more information, 865.458.1420 or grayhorsedesigns@bellsouth.net.

Great News on Redbubble!

Not only were photos of both of my boys featured in two groups this week....first time ever having two features in one week: Riley, Shake, Shake, Shake in the Backyard Photography group and Django, The Weather Outside in Frightful, in Equine Portrait Photography group....but also my collaboration with Geno Praag, The Storm of Passion, has topped over 6000 views!! It is a composite work featuring two photos of mine, Mouse's eyes and fire, and a beautiful shot from Geno of two battling wild stallions in the Utah desert. Thanks to all who made this happen.

I'll be donating all profit from my sales through the end of the month on zazzle.com and redbubble.com to Haitian relief. You can find the links in the column on the right hand side of this page.

I just found out that this photo of Riley playing in the snow is one of five winners in a Holiday Image competition sponsored by Tiffen filters. He is a handsome boy!

Late Winter video
A video of my snow photos set to a beautiful new song written by my extremely talented friend, Daryl Lunsford, entitled, Late Winter.