The Sublime Equine Art and Sculpture of Laura A. Mehmert

War Horse is an award-winning watercolor

Laura Mehmert, a passionate artist residing in the picturesque town of Evergreen, Colorado, has dedicated over three decades of her life to the realms of painting and art instruction. Her journey into the world of art began at a tender age when her grandmother, recognizing her budding creativity, gifted her a set of oil paints on her eighth birthday. This thoughtful gesture sparked a lifelong passion, and Laura has been immersed in the world of painting ever since, exploring various mediums and techniques with an insatiable curiosity.

Initially, she embarked on her artistic career by experimenting with watercolor, a medium that allowed her to capture the delicate interplay of light and color. Laura spent many years mastering watercolor painting and has received many accolades for her exceptional work. However, her artistic exploration did not stop there; she eventually ventured into the rich and vibrant world of oil painting, where she found a another connection to her artistic expression.  Perfecting her drawing skills has always been a critical part of her work and central to her teaching other aspiring artists.

Three Amigos is an oil painting

Over the years, she has also embraced sculpting, adding yet another dimension to her artistic repertoire. Laura's diverse experiences and her continuous pursuit of artistic growth have not only enriched her own practice but have also enabled her to inspire countless students through her art instruction, sharing her knowledge and passion for creativity with others in her community.

She attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City, where she immersed herself in a vibrant artistic community and honed her skills under the guidance of several renowned artists. These artists, known for their unique styles and contributions to the field of art, provided Laura with invaluable mentorship, allowing her to explore various techniques and mediums. This rigorous training not only refined her artistic abilities but also deepened her understanding of art history and contemporary practices, which would later influence her own work.

After completing her education, Laura took on the role of instructor at the Bountiful/Davis Art Center, located in the picturesque city of Bountiful, Utah. There, she shared her passion for art with students of all ages, creating an engaging learning environment that encouraged creativity and self-expression. Her classes were designed to cater to a diverse group of learners, from beginners to more experienced artists, and she often incorporated elements of art theory, practical techniques, and personal feedback to help her students develop their own unique artistic voices.

Fine Artist Laura A. Mehmert

Laura's artwork has gained significant recognition, having been featured in prestigious exhibitions such as the juried Loveland Sculpture Show and the Best of the West exhibition held in Dallas, Texas. These events are known for showcasing the work of exceptional artists, and Laura's participation highlighted her growing reputation in the art world. Her pieces, characterized by their intricate details and emotive qualities, resonated with both the jurors and the public, further establishing her as a notable figure in contemporary sculpture.

In addition to her exhibition successes, her artwork has been acquired by esteemed institutions, including the Ramon Research Foundation and the Gates Family Foundation. These collections are known for their commitment to supporting and promoting the arts, and her inclusion in these prestigious collections speaks volumes about the quality and impact of her work.

One of her most significant achievements is the creation of an 8-foot commissioned bronze sculpture, which is permanently displayed at the Hiwan Museum in Evergreen, Colorado. This monumental piece not only showcases her technical prowess in working with bronze but also stands as a testament to her ability to create art that captivates and inspires viewers. The Hiwan Museum, known for its rich history and dedication to the arts, provides a fitting backdrop for her sculpture, allowing it to be appreciated by a wide audience and contributing to the cultural landscape of the region.

The Foreman

Side view of The Foreman

The artist with "The Foreman"

Her passion for her work is infectious, radiating a vibrant energy that inspires those around her. "Painting is a deeply personal expression of how I perceive a specific moment," she explains, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Every brushstroke is a reflection of my emotions and thoughts, a snapshot of my experience at that very instant in time. A painting must possess spirit and substance, capturing the viewer's attention and inviting them into my world. It is not just about the visual appeal; it is about creating a connection, a dialogue between the artwork and the observer."

She elaborates on her techniques, stating, "I work with both oil and watercolor, appreciating each for its distinct qualities and the unique effects they can produce. Oil paints allow for rich textures and vibrant colors that can be layered and manipulated over time, creating depth and complexity. In contrast, watercolor offers a fluidity and translucence that can evoke a sense of lightness and spontaneity. I don't prefer one over the other; rather, I immerse myself in whichever medium best suits the subject I'm depicting. Whether it's the delicate washes of watercolor, the bold strokes of oil, the tactile nature of clay, or the versatility of cloth, each medium presents its own set of possibilities and challenges."

"Takara" a watercolor painting

Distant Thunder is a large bronze sculpture

Steady Now is an oil painting

Mustang Three

Four Play is a watercolor painting

Into the Wind is a bronze sculpture

Art is not merely a hobby or a job for her; it is a lifestyle, an integral part of her identity. "I need to pursue it to maintain balance in this fast-paced world," she asserts. "In a society that often feels overwhelming and chaotic, creating art provides me with a sanctuary, a space where I can express my innermost thoughts and feelings freely. It is a form of meditation, a way to ground myself amidst the noise of everyday life. Each piece I create is a journey, a process that brings me endless joy and fulfillment."

The Black and The Paint oil painting

Through her work, she seeks to convey emotions and stories that resonate with others, hoping to spark inspiration and reflection. "I believe that art has the power to transcend barriers and connect people from different walks of life. When someone stands in front of my painting, I want them to feel something—whether it's nostalgia, happiness, or even a sense of peace. That connection is what makes the creative process so rewarding for me."

Laura currently teaches regular watercolor and oil classes out of her Evergreen studio and holds workshops in oil, watercolor, and drawing. Contact her for pricing and schedules.

See more of Laura's remarkable work at https://www.lauramehmertdesigns.com/

Laura Mehmert Designs

All images Copyright Laura A. Mehmert and Laura Mehmert Designs -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Laura A. Mehmert and/or Laura Mehmert Designs.

#lauramehmert #lauramehmertdesigns #fineart #equinefineart #horseart #equustyle #equustylemagazine

Revealing the Artistry of Susan Leyland: The Story Behind her Signature Style Horse Block Sculpture

Leyland's Signature Style, Horse Block Sculpture

Susan Leyland, born in UK,1952, has been living in Italy since 1978 .

Since 2000, Leyland has pursued her passion for Art and Horses, making horses her subject matter and elevating them to an expressive medium in her sculptures.  She searches for innovative solutions in both shape and composition.

Susan Leyland is known for her signature style, Horse Block Sculpture, which is characterized by flowing horse shapes merging with rigorous geometric figures with straight and angled lines.

---

Equustyle: What are your most important sculptures?

Susan Leyland: A 1 1/2 life-size Public War Horse Memorial which stands on the roundabout in Ascot, UK, to recall the suffering of millions of horses, mules and donkeys during WW1. 2018

Describing the process of creating the work, in an article by ArtUK.org, Leyland said: "I spent four years from receiving the commission to finalising the bronze at Black Isle Foundry, Nairn, solemnly learning about the First World War, drawing more than 200 sketches, reading and searching the internet, so that the war was part of me to interpret and transfer feeling into the monument, not as an onlooker or outsider, and to be able to portray this solemn monument with the greatest dignity and esteem for those animals recalling their suffering and hardship."

The sculpture does not portray any type of breed or particular horse. It was made considering the human loss as well as other equines, mules and donkeys.

War Horse Memorial Ascot UK

Sunworld Fountain Horses

5 horses with chariot sketch

An installation I designed and modeled five life-size bronze horses that pull the chariot of the Sun God Helios was installed at SunWorld Bà Nà Hills Resort, in Dà Nang, Vietnam. in 2020. Grand Cascade is a cluster of more than 40 artistic sculptures with the theme of ancient Greek mythology.

According to the writer of “Bà Nà Hills Launches New Project Grand Cascade on April 30-May”in Vietnam Insider, Leyland’s sculpture is “The most prominent in the ensemble of golden statues at Grand Cascade is the central cluster of statues at the fountain, where the sun god Helios controls the chariot pulled by five steeds. Viewed from afar, viewers have the feeling that the horse’s hooves are pedaling the waves, flying, leaping forward.”

Equustyle: How did your upbringing in the UK influence you and subsequently your art?

Susan Leyland: My upbringing in UK was a happy one. I was born in Whiston, Lancashire in 1952 and grew up in England near Cambridge. My grandfather gifted me a pony at the age of 4, establishing my bond with horses. I liked to draw and paint from an early age and usually horses but only later in life discovered sculpture.

My  first drawing and sculpture exhibitions where held in 1998 and 1999. One year later, in 2000, I held a solo show in Saratoga Springs, NY. The success of these exhibitions led me to take up sculpting full-time.

Susan Leyland, artist and sculptor in her studio

Equustyle:  Where do you work?

Susan Leyland: I work quietly and long hours in my Tuscan studio, an old stable, in the olive but I also love the excitement of travelling, exhibitions and meeting people. I have just returned from UK where my bronze and clay sculptures were exhibited at Gallery 8, St James’s, London, where six sculptures found new collectors.

Equustyle:  What is the process behind your sculpture?

Susan Leyland: I search for new ideas and elaborate the ideas by drawing and study sketching. I am inspired to explore and experiment, searching expression in innovative form from what I see and feel within.

I begin with a design, decide the size, make the base, the horses are then added and the forms take shape. Work on a sculpture can take a week to two months, depending on the size and the number of horses. The piece has to completely dry out before firing which can take another month. The sculpture is fired in a furnace for a week reaching over 1000 degrees

Companions in Crime + sketches

White horses painting

Susan Leyland in her studio

Equustyle:  What materials and techniques do you use for your sculptures?

Susan Leyland: I work in a coarse semi refractory water based clay, difficult to work with but beautiful and resistant to breakages when fired. I also work in other materials such as wax, non water based clays, polystyrene for enlargements, and in bronze.

Family Affection

In a Landscape

A Beautiful Day

White Horse Herd

Pinned Ears

Terra di Cavalli

Equustyle:  Who are your clients and where can people see your work?

Susan Leyland: My clients are from countries world wide, art lovers as horse lovers alike. My work can be found in the UK, USA, Canada, Thailand, China, Australia, Italy, Russia, Sweden, France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Asia and Arab countries.

My work can be seen in Italy at the Barbara Paci Gallery, Forte dei Marmi & Pietrasanta, the Brancacci Gallery, Florence and in Germany the Kunstgalerie Bech. My work is represented worldwide by Alan Kluckow Fine Art, Sunningdale, UK. She exhibits in the UK with The Country House & Stables Gallery, the Osborne Studio Gallery and the Norton Way Gallery.

Recent exhibitions took place at Gallery 8 London and Country House & Stables, Berkshire UK.

Equustyle:  What are the best ways for potential clients to connect with you?

Susan Leyland: I would ask anyone interested to look at my website www.susanleyland.com and Instagram Susan Leyland, to be able to see and understand my work in more depth.

Direct contact can be made via email susan.leyland@gmail.com or Instagram Message.

---

More About Susan Leyland's Horse Block Sculptures

Susan Leyland is known worldwide for her Horse Block Sculpture. Her work is met with international acclaim by art collectors as well as horse lovers for their uniqueness in form and concept as well as for quality, harmony and beauty.

Horse Block Sculptures are of original aspect. Her horses blend with the bases creating a flow of shapes and negative spaces. The bases are often architectural, geometrical, pedestal like or they ground the work with simple rectangles, squares or spheres.

Leyland undertakes preparatory studies before starting to work on her sculptures. A clay sculpture can take two or more months to make depending on its size and complexity . When a sculpture is concluded there are precise drying times to follow, after which, when completely dry,  it is fired at MITAL terre-cotte works Impruneta.

Susan Leyland’s sculptures are unique and original pieces, modeled in a semi-refractory artistic clay or made in bronze and come with a certificate of authenticity.

The Heir at an angle

The Heir Horse Block Sculpture

SusanLeyland.com

Instagram

Facebook

Exhibitions

Editor's Note: Sleeping Horse is a Horse Block Sculpture by Susan Leyland that I discovered over two years ago. I was immediately taken with the beauty and artistry of her equine sculptures.

Sleeping Horse by Susan Leyland

#SusanLeyland #horseblocksculptures #horseblocksculpture #fineart #equinefineart #horseart #equineart #equinesculptures #English/ItalianSculptor #SusanLeylandHorseBlockSculptures #SusanLeylandFineArtist

Capturing the Beauty and Spirit of Wild Horses: An Interview with Sandy Sisti

Sandy Sisti advocates for the innate wildness of all animals and their need to be free

"The Black Stallion" The wild mustang stallion, Mesquite, surveys the grand landscape of McCullough Peaks Herd Management Area outside Cody, Wyoming

EquuStyle:  What is it about wild horses that captivates you?

Sandy Sisti: Initially, I was taken in by their beauty. All horses are beautiful, but there’s just something about the wild ones. No matter how many times I see wild horse herds gallop past, their beauty alone never fails to bring me to tears. Once I began spending time with wild horses, I found that it was their toughness and their incredible ability to survive in the toughest of circumstances that really captured my heart.

EquuStyle:  Can you describe what it’s like to spend time wild horses?

Sandy Sisti: There’s nothing quite like spending time with wild horses. I find the experience to be very peaceful. When I’m upset about something, spending time with wild horses always makes me feel better. They really do have a calming influence. Most wild horses in Wyoming live in areas that are difficult to access, so you’re usually alone with the horses and I really enjoy that type of solitude.

"Lean on Me" This cute little colt was born in early September 2021 to the mare, Theya, and her band Stallion, Tahlequah.

EquuStyle:  How did you come up with name of Wild at Heart Images?

Sandy Sisti: I always liked the phrase “wild at heart”, especially after reading Tennessee Williams “A Prayer for the Wild at Heart…” while in college. To me it captures the idea of wanting to do something out of the norm, something that isn’t expected of you. The phrase also reminds me of the innate wildness of all animals and their need to be free. Now that I’m focused on wild horse photography and advocacy, the name really seems to fit.

EquuStyle:  How did growing up on Long Island influence your craft?

Sandy Sisti: Although there wasn’t much wildlife where I grew up, I always had a camera in hand and photographed whatever animals were around. This included our family pets, along with butterflies, birds, small mammals, and the turtles that frequented our local ponds. Once I started driving, Heckscher State Park and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge were two of my favorite spots for photographing whitetail deer and birds. Although I didn’t go there often, the Bronx Zoo was my favorite place to visit as it exposed me to nature and wildlife that I would never see in my neighborhood.

EquuStyle:  Did you grow up with or around horses?

Sandy Sisti: Unfortunately, I didn’t grow up around horses, but was always crazy about them. I grew up in suburban Long Island, and there weren’t many, if any, horses in the area. My best friend attended horse camp one summer, but my mom wouldn’t allow me to go with her because she was worried that I’d get injured. I did finally start riding, but not until I was an adult.

"Summer Thunder" When you hear the sound of whinnying and thundering hooves and see a cloud of dust appear on the horizon, you know a herd of horses is galloping past.

EquuStyle:  Did you ever formally study photography? If so, where? 

Sandy Sisti: I never formally studied photography, but always considered photography one of my favorite hobbies, even as a child. When I was attending SUNY Stony Brook as an undergraduate, I was a fine art major (drawing, painting) before switching my major to Biology/Biochemistry. After working in the sciences for many years, I returned to the fine art field as a photographer.

EquuStyle:  How was your professional career impacted after being published in National Geographic and National Geographic Kids magazines?

Sandy Sisti: At the time of these publications, I was mainly focused on wildlife photography in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Being featured by National Geographic helped me to become more well known as a photographer and led to more clients using my work for print publications.

EquuStyle:  What was your experience like when you were honored by The Smithsonian for your image “Surveying the Kingdom”?

Sandy Sisti: It was an incredible honor for my work to be recognized alongside many of the nature and wildlife photographers I looked up to at the time. I visited the Smithsonian a few years prior to receiving this award and made a point to see the Nature’s Best Photography/Windland Smith Rice International Awards exhibit. Even then, I never thought a picture I had taken would ever hang in the Smithsonian. It’s still unbelievable when I think about it.

"Battle at Red Rock" The pinto stallion, TNT Dynamite, lunges at band stallion, Kiamichi, as they near the edge of a steep cliff.

EquuStyle:  Which creative individuals have most influenced your work?

Sandy Sisti: When I began pursuing photography seriously, I focused mainly on wildlife photography. At that time, world-renowned nature and wildlife photographer, Thomas D. Mangelsen, was my greatest influence. I studied his style and incredible body of work and was really taken with his images of grizzly bears. Grizzly bears became my favorite subject, as well, and I spent more than ten years focused on bears, as well as, the other megafauna living in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

At the same time, I was also photographing the McCullough Peaks wild horses, who would eventually become the main focus of my photography. The incredibly talented and internationally recognized horse photographer, Carol Walker, was a big influence on my photographic work with wild horses. Over the years, Carol became a cherished friend. These days, I continue to look up to Carol, not only in her work as an amazing artist, but as a powerful and unwavering advocate for wild horses.

"Black Beauty" Frigid temperatures and frozen fog make foraging difficult for the horses in winter.

EquuStyle:  Do you have a safe distance that you maintain when photographing wild horses? 

Sandy Sisti: The requirement at McCullough Peaks is to stay at least 300 feet from the wild horse herds, and I do my best to comply with that. I usually don’t get any closer than 100 feet to any other of the more approachable wild horses. Many of the wild horses in Wyoming, run off when they hear a vehicle approach, so I photograph them from my vehicle or from a great distance with a super telephoto lens.

EquuStyle:  Have you ever found yourself in a precarious situation with a wild horse?

Sandy Sisti: In all the years I’ve been photographing wild horses, I’ve never found myself in a precarious situation.

EquuStyle:  Why is advocating for wild horses important to you?

Sandy Sisti: If we don’t continue to advocate for wild horses, in time there will be no more wild horses on our public lands, only livestock. This year, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to remove more than 10,000 wild horses from public land with the majority of these horses moved to long-term holding facilities where they will live out the rest of their lives.

"Thunder and Lightning" Lead mare, Taboo, guides her band to a nearby draw as a fast-moving thunderstorm hits the range.

Currently there are more than 60,000 once wild horses stockpiled in long-term holding. If the BLM has their way, this eradication of wild horses will continue. I don’t want to live in a world without wild horses and I know I’m not alone. That’s why I continue to advocate for them.

EquuStyle:  Do you believe social media posts are effective for changing the hearts and minds of people about the need to protect wild horses? 

Sandy Sisti: Social media is a very effective tool to help educate people about the plight of our wild horses. The majority of Americans have never seen wild horses and many don’t even know they exist.

Through the use of social media, we can inform people about the BLM’s terrible mismanagement of our wild horses. In time, many of these people will begin to care about the wild horses and some may eventually become advocates. I’ve seen this happen many times thanks to social media.

"God of Thunder" The stallion, Thor, postures towards a rival stallion intent on stealing his mare, Shakira.

EquuStyle: How has your influence on social media helped with fundraising and motivating people to take action?

Sandy Sisti: I believe that the more people learn about the McCullough Peaks wild horses, the more they care about them.

Sharing stories and photos of these horses on social media gets people involved in their lives and over time they develop a real affection for them. The deep feelings people have for the McCullough Peaks wild horses motivates them to want to help them when they can, with donations, petition writing, etc. Many people who contact me about the McCullough Peaks wild horses have never seen them, but they know everything about them and care about them just as much as I do. Without social media, I don’t think this could happen.

EquuStyle: What would you like people to know about the McCullough Peaks wild Mustangs?

Sandy Sisti: The McCullough Peaks herd is a small population of wild horses that have been effectively managed with PZP immunocontraceptive vaccine since 2011.  Thanks to the use of PZP, their average yearly population growth rate has held at 2% for the last ten years. Because of this, there had been no roundups since a 2013 bait trapping operation where 20 young horses were removed.

"Ice Dancer" Graceful as a dancer, the black stallion, Chippewa, makes his way through the fresh snow early on a December morning.

During the winter of 2023/2024, the BLM initiated a bait trapping operation at McCullough Peaks and permanently removed 40 horses aged from 4 months to 15 years. During the removal of these horses, nursing foals were taken from their mothers, families were torn apart, bloodlines were expunged and horses were injured. One horse, a yearling filly named “Kat Ballou” died from acute head trauma after running into the side of a holding pen while in the care of the BLM.

Now, more than two months after the conclusion of the bait trapping, the McCullough Peaks horses are still in disarray after the traumatic removal of their longtime family members. Although I’m heartbroken about what happened at McCullough Peaks, this happens every time the BLM rounds up and removes wild horses from their rangeland homes. The BLM destroys the horse’s families and the tight bonds that have been formed over many years of living together. In time, the McCullough Peaks wild horses will adjust as best they can to their new circumstances, but we can’t forget what happened to them as we continue our fight for not only the McCullough Peaks herd, but all the wild horses

.

EquuStyle: Are there particular horses in the McCullough Peaks herd that you have come to know and they recognize you?

Sandy Sisti: I’ve spent thousands of hours with the McCullough Peaks wild horses in the 15 years I’ve been observing and photographing them. I don’t only photograph the horses when I visit, but I talk to them too. Because I’m an almost constant fixture on the range, I believe that many of the horses recognize my voice and scent. It would only seem natural that they would.

"Stormborne" The stallion, Washakie, rears up to protect his newly acquired family from curious bachelor stallions.

EquuStyle: What do you believe is the best way for people to advocate for wild horses?

Sandy Sisti: One of the best ways to advocate for wild horses is to contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to inform them about the plight of our wild horses. The only way to truly protect our wild horses is for Congress to enact new legislation to protect wild horses and limit the grazing of private livestock on public lands.

---

Wild at Heart Images

Instagram

Facebook

Freedom for Wild Horses with Carol Walker Podcast

Saving the McCullough Peaks Herd: Interview with Sandy Sisti

All images Copyright Sandy Sisti and Wild at Heart Images -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Sandy Sisti and Wild at Heart Images.

#SandySisti #WildAtHeartImages #wildhorses #wildhorseadvocacy #fineartequinephotography #wildmustangs #McCulloughPeaksWildHorses #equineart #horseart #equinefineart #horses #equustyle #equustylemagazine