My first custom was the 'John Henry' Breyer mold repainted to a black Thoroughbred with high stockings and a wide blaze. I had no idea how to repaint corrrectly, so I simply painted over a (probably mint *groan*) John Henry mold (in the Indian pony run) with acrylics. Acrylics tend to dry fast, so I unknowingly went go over the almost-dry paint and mess it up with brushstrokes, so she has quite a few of those (brushstrokes, mess ups). But I thought she was the best and played with her anyway, so she got paint chipped off and I would fix her (probably making her worse) and play with her more. Barely Photo Show Quality.
#2 - Chippendale - 1997 or 98
This is the cutest little pony. He is the Classic Quarter Horse Stallion repainted to a chestnut. His paint job is a lot better than Ember's, with much less brush marks, but is still plain acrylic on body. He is photo show quality, and I still sometimes photo show him, but he's not very big competition in the CM classes. I'll never do anything to him because he's so cute! His name? I thought he looked like a 'Chip', but also like a 'Dale', so what better a name than Chippendale?
#3 - Pixie - 1997 or 98
Stablemate Arabian Mare repainted to a bay pinto. She's still acrylic on body, but by now I had found an internet article about repainting, and learned how to shade the black to brown on her legs and nose, but did not even know about muscle highlighting. I also put clear nail polish on her eyes, ears, nose, and hooves. The black to brown shading was quite nice for being my first attempt on bay shading. She is only photo showable because her white markings are terribly raised above the brown, which her pictures don't show. Funny story, I experimented with a Finish on this horse that I found with my mom's acrylics -- it was the brush-on type for painted boxes and stuff -- and glossy, too. But I started putting it on, anyway (because I didn't know all that). When I started putting it on the neck, and realized it was glossy, I tried to wipe it off with a paper towel. The paint came off (a small portion of her neck, luckily). I cried. Really, I did. I was so proud of her and she was ruined. Luckily, superdad came to the rescue and helped me lightly sand the bad edges where the paint had peeled down, then I repainted that part and she was pretty again! ~My first lesson on having patience with model horses and not jumping to conclusions~!!
#4 - Let's Fiesta - 1997 or 98
I know, it's the name of a resin, but I'd seen it once in the model gallery and remembered it because I liked it so that's what I named her. I cannot exactly remember when I finished her - that bugs! I think in the summer of 98 . . . or 97. !!! She has no glossed eyes or nose or hooves, but I know I white primed her before painting, and am pretty sure I gave her a basecoat (more wonderful internet articles!). I also gave her a little braiding on her tail with string, but it isn't much. She's only photo show quality. This was my first attempt at body shading and dappling, which turned out pretty well for where I was in learning.
#5 - Prince Charming - 1998
CM SM Arabian Stallion. Base coat, primer, just about everything on the right track with this guy but sanding the seams (hadn't even heard of it!). He's very handsome - placed 8 out of 13-15? in CM Arab Stallions at my first live show! He's got the cutest pinking on his nose, too. I don't show him anymore though, since competition is so stiff.
#6 Tuxedo - 1998
Classic Rearing Stallion repainted to a black pinto. I repainted this guy along with my friend as she did one, too, so she could see how repainting was done and copy (only I didn't know as much as I thought, I now see). His seams weren't sanded, but he was primed, had a basecoat, one (not exactly the best) blue eye and one brown eye, and finish, and glossed eyes, ears, and hooves. Only Photo Show quality because you can kinda see through the white markings. Since my friend's mom actually bought the horse I repainted, (she bought them to try out repainting on but hadn't gotten around to it), she (my friend) kept him.
#7 - Snowflake - finished in 1998
SM Standing Foal to black blanket appy. 2 cute! Placed 8/19 CM Foal Stock Breeds and 8/12 "Best Butt" Challenge Class at my first live show! However, I do not show this little girl anymore since the competition has become stiffer and she is not the most LSQ foal anymore. But she's still a cutie!
#1 - Burning Ember - 1997 or 98
