I discovered pastels in November of 2005 after reading Jenn Danza's customizing how-tos in Just About Horses (JAH). My first attempt was so disastrous that I gave up pasteling and went back to working with acrylics. After creating several more flat, lifeless acrylic custom wanna-bes I started tentatively using pastels with acrylics, and, guess what? They worked! I slowly got back into using pastels, and I now use them almost exclusively for body coats and some details. Pastels can be used for a lot more things than most people imagine; I now only use acrylics for black or very dark basecoats, eyes, and hooves, and a lot of the time I simply cannot get the detail and realism with acrylics alone.

 

Using another JAH article, I prepped and painted my first resins to great success. I have since finished several SM size resins, one Classic, and have my first Traditional size resin on order. Prepping and painting a resin is a very rewarding experience; there is nothing like creating a beautiful work of art from start to finish. Not to mention using a much better "canvas" than those old Breyers!

 

In addition to pasteling, I am also getting somewhat into etching. The reason I say "somewhat" is the fact that I have only completed two partial etches so far! I find it very enjoyable and relaxing, however, and am hoping to bring my etching up to live show standards.

 

I have a growing collection of OF (Original Finish) Breyers, customs, and resins that now numbers around 135. In addition to model horses and customizing, I take weekly riding lessons, write original songs, draw, and raise Nigerian Dwarf goats, a miniature dairy goat breed from Africa. If you have any questions about customizing or comments on my work, feel free to e-mail me at: dancing_angels211@yahoo.com.

 

All material © 2006 Meghan Namaste/Rogue River Studios