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Print of Davy Greasewood
Painting # 20 in the challenge |
Why I am painting a mustang a day for a year and beyond.
by Linda L Martin, Artist
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"Spirit"
Expressionist Painting of Corona
A pre-painting for the
Mustang A Day Challenge
by Artist Linda L Martin |
Two months beyond the first year of the Mustang A Day Challenge Project, It has come to my attention that there are many people new to the project. I am so glad to have each and everyone of you following the project's daily painting phase.
Many of our new friends and followers don't understand the goals or how it works. So I have updated the information and hope that this will dispel many of the misconceptions and myths surrounding what has become a personal challenge and daily passion for me in supporting Wild Mustang Horses.
I have also decided to include some of my work over the past decade so you can see the different styles I have worked in. Please enjoy and know that everyone of you is special and much appreciated in your support of this very difficult and amazing challenge adventure that benefits so many Mustangs and the people that love them.
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The Mustang A Day Challenge: It's personal!
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Abstract expressionist painting
of wild horse spirits
by Linda L Martin, Artist |
The Mustang A Day Challenge was begun as a yearlong personal painting challenge in which I collaborate with photographers all over the country to put a name to a face of a living mustang every day for 5 days a week except holidays and certain vacations. It has become so popular that I am continuing to paint through out 2012.
The research and organization for the main project began in the Spring of 2010 and the formal project was Announced in November 2010 to begin December 1st.. The daily painting phase of the project will end formally sometime in January of 2012 after the completion of painting 260.
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Mustang A Day Challenge painting #
4 by 6 inches Watercolor
Sold
by Artist Linda L Martin |
My Purpose and Goal in the Mustang A Day Challenge:
The purpose of this challenge is, first and foremost, to tell the stories of Living American Mustangs from every aspect conceivable in a positive way. The Goal is to eventually bring these stories and paintings to a wider audience that is not readily in contact with our legally protected wild horse heritage.
How The Mustang A Day Challenge is set up and who it benefits:
I do sell the paintings to help fund the project.
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Alder Hill Farm's Caramel
Mustang a Victim of Orphan Foal Syndrome
oil on canvas board
Painted for the Mustang A Day Challenge
$300.00
by Artist Linda L Martin |
All of the paintings are done on Spec, except for those that are commissioned directly. When I use the photographs of a collaborating photographers, a portion of the proceeds from the profit ( after expenses) go to the photographer or the non-profit organization that provides the photography. I do this to not because I have to, but because It is my way of giving back to those who are doing something I admire greatly. These are people and groups who are on the front lines helping to solve problems the best way they can by documenting, preserving, helping in adoptions, rescuing and/ or rehabilitating Mustangs.
Some people have asked how I determine the amount that is given to individuals and designated non-profits. That figure is individual to the size of the painting and whether I have met the break even point for the month. I'm bound by some new IRS rules for small businesses and if I make that break even point for that month the percentage of the donation is larger. So the amounts are on a case by case basis. Generally, I try to give between 20% and 50% of the profit of Original paintings.
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New Foals
by Artist Linda L Martin
Abstract Expressionism |
In addition, I help promote these organizations and individuals by getting their stories out. Giving them an additional platform to bring people in to support them and hopefully give them another avenue of outreach that they would not normally have. Organizations and individuals that benefit from the sale of the paintings and have benefited from the promotion tend to cross promote what I’m doing on their blogs and websites and on facebook. Those who don’t tend to loose a great opportunity to help with their own fund raising.
How I am classified the IRS
I am an independent Artist and Writer
I am not now nor have I ever claimed to be non-profit. I have however worked with non-profits in some capacity since 1974. I enjoy doing this sort of promotion and project to help with fund raising and awareness. My most recent activities and more well publicized have been The Mid Atlantic Pug Rescue 2008-2009, Alder Hill Farm Rescue 2010 - present and Teens Opposing Poverty. The large folk realism painting I did for Teens Opposing poverty is now on tour at Churches and other locations throughout Virginia for the remainder of 2011 and will be auctioned off sometime in 2012 with 100% of the proceeds raising money to care and feed homeless through out Virginia and Washington DC.
My Background:
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Breakfast Meeting
Folk Realism Acrylic on Paper
Corporate Collection
by Artist Linda L Martin
( I just add it because it's a favorite) |
For my background I’ve been a horse painter nearly 40 years now. As a Natural growth from my art background I became a horse sport event photographer in 1994. I did that almost exclusively for 6 years. I have also been a horse sport feature reporter on and off for the past 18 years. I also hold a BFA in Fine Art.
I don’t copy photographs per say. I paint for this project in one of two ways: as a watercolor artist I paint shadows and light, in which very good photography is most helpful. As an oil painter my work is a little more impressionistic and I tend to sculpt the images with the brush.
I’ve always been some what of an illustrator and with my imagination I’ve never found it necessary to copy or plagiarize other artist’s work. And my sense of honor forbids it. I have on occasion had other artists copy my work, from time to time, usually for their own learning experience and on one recent occasion to profit.
I am relatively new to hard core realism. One can see how my skills are refining by starting at the beginning of the Mustang A Day Challenge Blog and viewing the paintings in comparison with some of the more recent attempts. My main forms of expression have been folk realism, for which I am best known, impressionism, and expressionism.
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Sunday Brunch
18 by 24 acrylic on paper
$4,000.00
by Artist Linda L Martin |
The Mustang A Day Challenge project its self took over 9 months to develop before it was announced publicly. Some people met the announcement with skepticism mostly because the idea of a daily painting was so foreign to them. Painting a daily painting in stark realism is one of the most challenging of all types of paintings. Add to that the fact that these are actually portraits of living animals, well the out come even amazes me sometimes.
How to have a Mustang Painted for the Mustang A Day Challenge:
Remember when you provide photography you are also responsible to get permission for me to paint from the photo and you are responsible for all fees associate with its use. I will not deliberately infringe on anyone's copyright, so if you didn't take the photo yourself, you need to provide permission in writing from the photographer before I can begin the painting and include it in the challenge.
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Picasso
8 by 10 Acrylic on Canvas board
$265.00
Mustang A Day Challenge Painting #2
by Linda L Martin |
I am always open to suggestions for the painting of Mustangs and the sharing of their stories. So far I have only painted the living, except for one little foal that we lost at the Sand Wash Basin HMA this past spring. I do not require anyone to commission a painting if they want their horse included in the challenge, however, If they want to buy the painting I try to keep the size affordable or use the current special so that cash strapped trainers and owners can afford to purchase the painting of their horse.
To ensure it the painting fits your budget its always better to communicate with me and commission a painting in a size you can afford. I do take payments for those on a budget. I will gladly work with anyone who wants to be involved.
Yes, I do paint other commissions as well. The secondary subject focus of my art has always been companion animals and animals frequently seen as a part of Virginia country life.
What is Next for the Mustang A Day Challenge:
(and how you can be involved)
Phase 2 of the Mustang A Day Challenge:
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Penny Lane
Mustang Challenge Painting #135
Watercolor on Acrylic Paper
$300.00
by Linda L Martin
Currently in Virginia Gallery Location |
Currently, I am looking for business and individuals that would be interested in helping to Sponsor the Traveling exhibit. Part of the tour would be a special program/ reception to tell the stories of the horses represented in the exhibit. This would also present to the general public opportunities that are available for them to own mustangs, become involved with their preservation and support the activities of some of the more proactive groups that are helping find hands on solutions.
The idea would be to book two traveling art collection tours in 2012 for targeting areas east of the Mississippi that would end in locations near adoption centers or Mustang Heritage events that could help promote those events. If you know of anyone who might be interested in this phase of the project please pass the word along and have them contact me at LLMartisticServices@yahoo.com(all lowercase) please write Traveling Exhibit in the subject line.
I just found out yesterday that in addition to Tennessee that there are plans for a major Mustang event possibly in New Jersey or another area in the North East as well. These are in addition to regular TIP and BLM Auction events. All of these TBA.
Thank you for reading the update and please feel free to email me your questions.
Very Sincerely, Linda L Martin Artist
Here is a current list of Organizations that benefit from sale of specific Mustang A Day Challenge paintings.When the items are listed for sale there will be a statement saying that a portion of the proceeds are designated for that organization or a specific individual photographer :
Mustang Heritage Foundation
International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros
Nancy Roberts and the Sand Wash Basin Wild Horses Club
Mustang U
Alder Hill Farm Rescue
*note some of the above mentioned organizations are pending donations waiting for the designated paintings to sell. Once a buyer comes forward a portion of the proceeds, after expenses will be donated directly to the organization. Also not all organizations are listed that receive donations. Generally lessor known /one time designations are not listed above.
