Kristian Beverly

So this is going to shock all of y’all.

In 2018, I finished painting a model. From start to finish. 

I know. It’s shocking.

For the past few years I’ve posted pictures of in progress models. Very few were actually finished.  My lack of ability to finish a model can be blamed on two things. First, usually as I go along my technique gets better, so I end up with this:

If one half of a model is semi good and the rest is trash, it’s real hard to call it finished. 

The other reason is the ugly phase. Every piece of art goes through an ugly phase. Tack goes through an  omg this is terrible buttttttttt I’ve made enough tack-ish things to know that it’ll come out well if I push through. 

But with finish work, it’s a no.

BUT I FINISHED A MODEL.  

My trainer, who is also Penn State’s IHSA Team, lost her heart pony in 2017. Comet was a willing gray mare that was constantly half clipped because of her thick fur. She died the morning after I took this photo. 

Myself and another barn friend decided to give my trainer a portrait of her favorite pony. 

It took a year for me to do her. Comet 1.0 didn’t come out right. But with Christmas 2018 creeping up I knew I had to push through. So Comet 2.0 began. 

I painted Comet in a mix of pastels and acrylic. 

When searching for a photo to include I discovered one I’d forgotten about. What better way to remember a beloved pony than a picture of her with ears forward, looking over her stall guard, ready to welcome whoever had stepped through the barn door? She ran the barn, even after she stopped being ridden.

I framed the photo and both items were given to my trainer.  I’m really happy I finished painting her and shut up the inner critic. 

Now to figure out what I want to paint for National Model Painting Month!

At the Happy Valley Show I was organized. I had my documentation together a head of time and my classlist all figured out. But as I unpacked and eventually packed I realized I was missing a piece.
Pony pouches. I had some but not enough for all of my models. Pony pouches are the easiest way to be organized during a show. No worrying about bubblewrap or any other type of fabric to protect models.

Today I decided to pull out my sewing machine and start fixing that part. Even though I rarely sew, I do enjoy it once I get into the rhythm of it.

I made Harry Potter themed pouches.

Walking Dead/Zombie pouches.

And Game of Throne ones.

In total I sewed 16 pony pouches. Each one has a lining of fleece. I still need to make more, but I’m well on my way!