OklahomaHorses Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

November/December 2020 • OklahomaHorses 15 Horses in Art OKLAHOMA ARTISTS INSPIRED BY THE MAGNIFICENT BEAUTY OF THE HORSE T he first known depictions of the horse danced across the caves of Lascaux in southwestern France, dated 17,000 BC. The thought to domesticate this majestic animal came around 3,500 BC. The anatomical evolution of the horse is noteworthy, evolving over 50 million years. For some of us, I think knowledge of horses is in our DNA. “For me, there was always art and horses.” That is the common thread among the Oklahoma artists I had the privilege to interview for this issue. Oklahoma is the fourth most horse- populated state in the country. Its open plains complement beautiful skyscapes, allowing one to contemplate the art of riding and the art of capturing the magnificent beauty of the horse. An artist inspired by horses myself, I set out to find other artists who are similarly inspired by horses. What mesmerizes the creative mind to use the horse as its muse? Perhaps it is the fact that creating art is nonverbal language, much like equines who use body language. Conceivably, it is the horse’s intuitive sensitivity and expression that artists desire to depict in their artwork. Horses invite us into their world by only allowing truth in their midst, all the while making us strive to be better people. Whatever it is that inspires us about horses, it has done so for millions of years. Though we all live in different parts of Oklahoma, the same thing rings true: horses are our language, and somehow humans are mystically connected to that expression. Please join us in understanding what inspires Shelly Presley, Kathryn Leitner, Matt Josef, Holly Fisher, Patsy E. Lane and Lisa Jewell to capture the horse in their artwork. WRITTEN BY: Jennifer Hustis EQU I NE ART I S T S “Get Me to the Sky”