Mehl, Joanne American, born 1960 A lifelong devotee of painting and riding horses, Mehl earned her fine arts degree in illustration from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Since 1996 Mehl has painted full time, being commissioned from across the country to paint both horses and owners. Her works have been featured on the cover of many national publications, including Keeneland magazine, and are in the collections of many Thoroughbred farms.
Menasco, Milton American, 1890-1974 Born in California, Menasco had a rich and full career as an artist before he devoted his rare genius to equestrian art. In 1948 he left his position with a large New York advertising agency and moved to Kentucky. His work is characterized by a sound understanding of anatomy. Many prominent names in American horse racing were among his clients. Mêne, Pierre-Jules French, 1810-1879 Son of a metalsmith, Mêne was a talented artist, especially in animal sculpture. He exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1838 while still in his 20s, and he became one of the most appreciated sculptors of the animalier school. Mêne enjoyed a fulfilling life in Paris, producing bronzes from his own foundry with his son-inlaw, Auguste Cain. Morris, George Ford American, 1873-1960 George Ford Morris was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and was largely selftaught. However, he did attend the Art Institute of Chicago in 1888 and the Julina Academy in Paris in 1925. He is known as a painter, printmaker, sculptor, illustrator, and a very active and astute equine art collector. He was a founding member of the American Animal Artist Association. He wrote and published Portraitures of Horses and George Ford Morris Animals and contributed regularly to equestrian and racing magazines. He painted horses for more than 70 years. Muhl, Roger French, 1929 – 2008 An established French artist, Roger Muhl was noted as a painter, draftsman, and sculptor. Muhl graduated from the National School of Decorative Arts in his native Strasbourg in 1948. He was first exhibited in Paris at the Galerie de Paris in 1960. Art expert Patrice Muhl noted, “He was a figurative painter of Provence and also of landscapes — a foremost painter of light and atmosphere. He used an impasto technique to establish the outlook suggested by the single color.” Munnings, Sir Alfred James British, 1878-1959 One of the two great masters of sporting art along with George Stubbs, Munnings began as an illustrator after attending art school in Norwich. A
keen sportsman, he hunted with both stag hounds and harriers, drawing and painting these events. Although he lost sight in one eye at age 21, his unique artistic vision and interpretation were unimpaired. Working in oils and watercolors and sketching wherever he went, Munnings documented racing and hunting horses, gypsies, and the sporting country life that he himself lived. Neiman, LeRoy American, 1921-2012 Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Neiman studied at the Art Institute of Chicago where he also taught for 10 years before moving to New York in 1962. He gained renown as official artist for ABC Television’s coverage of the Olympic Games of 1972 and 1976, and as CBS artist for the 1978 Super Bowl. In addition, he was an official poster artist for the Kentucky Derby. Neiman’s work is found in many museums and private collections. Oppegard, Sandra Faye American, born 1941 A graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, Oppegard worked as a freelance illustrator for 23 years for clients such as Max Factor, Redken, Giorgio, and Mattel Toys. Her knowledge of Thoroughbred racing, gleaned from years spent watching her husband train race horses and traveling with him to tracks around the country, imbues her equine scenes with authenticity. Oppegard has exhibited widely and has won numerous awards. Orpen, Sir William Newenham Montague Irish, 1878 – 1931 Sir William Orpen has been referred to as one of the greatest painters in Irish history. He studied art and drawing at the Metropolitan School of Art in Dublin and the Slade School of Art in London. Orpen was named Official War Artist in 1917 and later gained renown as portraitist to the London establishment. It is estimated that he painted more than 600 portraits in his lifetime. Orpen died in 1931 at age 53. Ostenberg, Thomas American, born 1949 At age 40 after a successful career in the financial world, Ostenberg entered the New York Studio School, moved on to the Kansas City Art Institute where he earned a bachelor’s degree in fine art, and then earned his master’s degree from the Royal College of Art in London, England. Primarily bronzes, his works are described by such words as whimsical, joyful, and magical. Pater, Andre Polish/American, born 1953 Now a resident of Lexington, Kentucky, the Polish-born artist received his master’s degree from the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Arabian horses were his first subjects, and he was quickly one of the most sought-after painters of this breed. In the late 1980s he developed a love of the Thoroughbred and
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