In 2011 this piece was the debut piece for the Parelli Art Gallery.   I am honored to have been the first.

                              Horses and Art... life's passion

The only memoir I have of my High School art accolades.  I am so thankful that I attended school when art production was encouraged by contests and dedicated hours of specialization.

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The High School counselor asked, "Teresa, would you rather take art or Chemistry?".... hmmm that was easy.  And so went my High School education, down the path to right brain creative discoveries.  My art teacher, Mitch Mertes of John Marshall HS, Oklahoma City, instrumentally pushed his students to compete for art scholarships.  I won many scholarships thanks to his direction and guidance.  Colored pencils were introduced to me in 1989.  My first colored pencil piece was a drawing of a great little horse, Tekka and my husband.  I entered it in one contest earning a Merit Award.  The following year I worked from a photo my brother had taken and entered it in the WAOW (http://www.waow.org).  It was my first professional show.  I did not win a prize but was honored to have my piece accepted.  It happens to be my husband's favorite piece to this date.  In 2011 I entered the piece Lightning and Thunder into the International Colored Pencil Show ( http://www.cpsa.org ).  Again, I did not win but was accepted, which was an honor.  This was my first international show.


My passion for horses has outlived any other passion I've had in life.  As young as I can remember I loved horses.  At the age of thirteen my mom and step dad bought the family two horses.  Two years later we moved our horses to a stable that hosted play day events.  I took my favorite horse, paid my two dollars and entered up... I learned quickly I knew nothing about events.  Weeks of practice only worsened my skills.  My mother knew someone who knew someone who was a professional trainer.  The arrangements were made that I would perform what ever lowly task needed in return for a few lessons.  That was the beginning of a love affair that has defined my life. I eventually earned the right to ride some great horses, reining, cutting, pleasure, trail and team roping horses.  What a dream! in 1978 I married a man that could ride better than me.  Together we have had two sons and taught them every life skill we know.  In 2004 I had a riding accident that caused me to discover natural horsemanship.  To say the least, I've been intrigued.  It has been the most amazing psychological journey I have ever been exposed to.  My horizons have been so expanded that I have dedicated my life to sharing this same journey with whomever will traverse the same path. My obsession is horses my desire is for others to experience the vibrancy of life through horses.  Because I have had more personal growth and growth in my horsemanship due to the Parelli program I have donated much of my art work to their scholarship fund, Parelli Education Institute ( http://www.parelliinstitute.org ).   What else could I possibly due to return the gift I have been given? 


All of my pieces have a story, a reason for being they are a reflection of a meaningful moment, experience or emotion that stirs my creative juices. I love art, I love horse and I love my family.  I am indeed a blessed woman.