Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Johnno — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 06:34:47 GMT

Beautiful and such a thrill to see that the immortal Phar Lap from Downunder is still remembered in America. He came he saw and conquered...yet only a glimpse his greatness was seen before his untimely death. I have two gods and they both walk on water...on 4 legs - Phar Lap and Secretariat. Thank you for a thrilling article.

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Anncat — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:03:08 GMT

The driftwood horses at Portland (Oregon) International Airport are not Thoroughbreds, but they are beautifully constructed.

www.horseproject.net/other.htm

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

grisk — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:23:05 GMT

Beautiful work!

I love the statue of Secretariat at Belmont, Seabiscuit's at Santa Anita, and Man O'War's over his grave.

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

deb — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:49:18 GMT

I love your work, I hope you can put it in every state, wherever there are horses, and maybe some where they need them!

Great work!!!!

I hope you can keep doing this.

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Old Timer — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:18:24 GMT

If you ever get up to Grand Rapids Michigan, you have to stop and see the great horse sculpture at Meijer Gardens. It never ceases to impress me when we go there.

(although I am not sure if technically it is "thoroughbred related")

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Freetex — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:17:17 GMT

Beautiful work and inspiring. I am sure the artist will remain his own boss in the future.

One of my favorite works is a bronze bust of Man o' War and I am sorry I don't know the artist. I have a photo of it on my computer and use it as my desktop screen. Its quite something to behold.

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Thoroughbreds are the best — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:54:48 GMT

Though not thoroughbred art per say, some absolutely fabulous equine sculpture is at Brookgreen Gardens south of Myrtle Beach SC.

Beautiful gardens as well.

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Karen in Indiana — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:21:06 GMT

Chris McConnell, you are going in my 'If I ever win the lottery' list. :-) You show a gifted eye and a lot of self-dicipline. I'm sure some of these pieces took a long time to complete. Please keep up the good work and persevere with this - you have talent!

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Dawn in MN — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:37:40 GMT

Thank you for this look at a present-day artist and his work.

My two most cherished pieces of Thoroughbred-related art are black and white photographs. They pre-date digital photography, and recall the era of dark rooms and film. They are stunning photos, even to people who don't know who the horses are. They are framed 8 x 10 photographs of Secretariat and Sham.

The Secretariat photo was taken by Raymond G. Woolfe and autographed by Ron Turcotte. It graces the cover of the book; The Horse God Built by Lawrence Scanlan. The irony is that in the photo, taken during a work, Secretariat is ridden by exercise rider, Jimmy Gaffney. It captures the beautiful muscular structure and power of Secretariat.

The photo of Sham is at the wire at his Santa Anita victory. It was taken by Bill Mochon. That photo is featured on page 118 in Mary Walsh's book; Sham In the Shadow of a Superhorse. Again this photo portrays, in a way only black and white photography can, the beautiful musculature of a great horse in motion.

The photos are hung together because I credit the beautiful Sham for pushing Secretariat and helping Secretariat to run his blazing speeds in the Triple Crown races. They are beautiful horses in beautiful black and white glory. It is uncanny how similar the horse's position of stretch and stride and riders stances are in the photos.

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Zen4Zen — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:02:52 GMT

An inventive, thoughtful, and very talented artist. Thanks so much for sharing his work and thoughts!

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Stellar Jayne — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:02:53 GMT

Kudos! The Steel-bred is a very creative and interesting work of art. McConnell did an excellent job as the sculpture looks as though it is really in motion. Obviously he is very talented as exhibited by the additional photos at all.

Thanks for sharing this!

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Needler in Virginia — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:46:05 GMT

Well done and beautiful, Chris. Lovely movement and elegance.

My favorite? Hands down it's the Thoroughbred Park in downtown Lexington, and do you really need to ASK WHY??

Cheers and safe trips.

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Sugarfoot — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:14:47 GMT

This artwork is very beautiful and interesting. I would never have thought to use the materials the artist used and applaude his imagination and talent.

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

Kristen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:52:04 GMT

Truely amazing! And at 25 years old. His work is beautiful. This would be something to see in real life. Thanks for the story and pictures. I wish Chris the best. And 35 different jobs at only 25 he definetly found his niche.

re: Steel Horse Art Inspired by Phar Lap, Secretariat

merlinmerry — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:24:14 GMT

Great story. (And the artist is so young!)

Personally, I'm rather fond of the statue of Secretariat in the Belmont Park paddock.