Posts Tagged ‘Kyley DiLuigi

The Family Business

Ammo at 8 weeks old taking a ride on Blitz

My Dachshund Ammo has been assisting the Trick Ponies since he was about 8 weeks old. He loves pony rides, pony kisses, laying under the easel while the ponies paint and of course eating pony poop. So after 1 full year of “assistant” duty I decided its time for Ammo to join the ranks as an official member of the Trick Ponies of Chincoteague. What do you have to do to be a member? You have to be able to paint!

So a couple weeks ago I started working with Ammo on his paintbrush skills. We began by targeting a paintbrush – which Ammo took to in no time. Then he was rewarded for licking the brush, and eventually putting his teeth on it. We’ve now progressed to picking up the brush on his own and pretty soon I will ask him to target the brush to the paper. Below is a video of Ammo practicing his new brush skills.

Dog Paddling over to Chincoteague

Although this is the first time Ammo may be picking up a paintbrush – its actually not his first painting. After a painting “mishap” ammo helped Minnow to create this wonderful work of art! Its now proudly hanging in my Studio at home. I can’t wait to add lots more of Ammo’s creations to my walls.

-KD
www.ponypaintings.com

Tags : , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Christmas Card Blast from the Past

Since 2005 I have been attempting to make Christmas Cards for my family. I usually design one for my parents to send out and I (along with my graphic designer husband) design one for us to send out. Usually the cards feature our pets and/or the family and we TRY to come up with something funny to say. Here’s a little history of past cards we have sent:

Now that we’re well into the 2009 Holiday Season, its that time of year to design some Christmas Cards. This year my parents have opted to do something with the Trick Ponies – and I plan to feature our Dachshund Ammo yet again.

…Stay tuned because tomorrow I’ll be posting some photos of my attempt at a Trick Pony Photo Shoot. Sometimes 3 ponies isn’t better than 1!!

-KD
www.ponypaintings.com

Tags : , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ammo gets painted

Sharing a video of my mom painting with Blitz. While she was away visiting her sisters in Arizona a few months ago I taught Blitz to paint. I originally bought Blitz in the Summer of 2008 but eventually sold him to my mom when I discovered he was much happier to go a slow a steady pace (I was looking for a speedy pony).

So when my mom returned home from her trip I announced that I had taught her boy to paint. Since then we didn’t have time to work with him again, but on November 29th I pulled out the easel and got him painting again. I asked my mom if she wanted to try it with him….after a few “But I don’t know how to do it” I convinced her to give it a try. So here’s the video of Blitz and my mom painting.

Oh and yes – Ammo the Dachshund gets painted in the video. His favorite spot to hang out when the ponies paint is right under the easel. He’s hoping the ponies will drop a Cheerio or a bit of grain for him to nibble on. This time he caught a paintbrush on the head. By the end of the session he looked like he had a multi-colored mohawk.

-KD
www.ponypaintings.com

Tags : , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Whats on your list?

When I was a kid Breyer Horses were always on my Christmas and Birthday lists. I wanted them all! I would spend hours adorning them in hand-made blankets, taking them on trail rides in my back yard, and practicing dressage tests in my tiny dressage arena. (Don’t judge – I was the abnormal kid who loved to do dressage and definitely didn’t think it was boring).

As a adult grown up supposed-to-be grown-up person I still have Breyer Horses on my list. I have boxes upon boxes of Breyers in my basement – but the special ones make it to display on shelves around my home. And if you haven’t guessed the special ones are real-horse look-alikes. Mainly models that I have painted to look like my own real-life horses. But this year I’m making an exception to this (sort of), because I’ve found myself (and a Minnow) look-alike Breyer Model.

Thats right, Breyer has ripped off my likeness! Ok, well maybe not really – but I’m going to claim they did anyway so I can feel a little special. Breyer has come out with the very first mounted games rider and pony. I think the sport has finally arrived if we have a Breyer Model now! Yipee!

This model features a female rider with thick RED braids – tip off #1 that its me. When competing in mounted games I usually wear my hair (my RED hair) in 2 HUGE braids because trust me, you have never seen a red-head with as much hair as me. Not only that but the rider is on a paint pony, that may not look like Minnow’s clone, but there are some similarities.

So maybe I’m not the muse for this model (a girl can dream can’t she?) – but its fun to pretend. And if you have read my blog before, you know that a dream of mine is to have Chincoteague Minnow made into a Breyer Model someday. I’ll have died and gone to heaven when that day comes.

So if your a kid or a kid at heart like me and would like to own Breyer’s very first Mounted Games Model you can purchase one here.

-KD
www.ponypaintings.com

61035
Classics® Pony Games Set
breed: Pony
pattern: sabino
recommended age: 4 and Up
related item: #61037 – Classics® Trail Ride Set
date available: Nov 23, 2009
description: Will this rider clinch the trophy for her team? She has to rely on her pony to gallop as fast as he can in the relay race and then stop on a dime so the next rider can go. In this event, the rider is part of a team and teamwork is what it’s all about! The set includes a Classics scale Sabino pinto pony, ready for the race with his bridle on, and a rider ready to hop on and ride for the trophy in her paddock boots and riding tights, vest and helmet.

Tags : , , , , , , , ,

New Paintings!

"Fence Painting" by Chesapeake Lightning

I’m happy to announce the release of 4 new paintings. Chincoteague Minnow has painted 2 works of art and also for the first time EVER we are offering 2 paintings by Chesapeake Lightning (Blitz). Blitz only recently just learned to paint and I’m happy to report that he’s enjoying it just as much as his older brother Minnow. I find it fascinating that Blitz has a completely different technique when it comes to painting. Minnow prefers to be a little more “wild and crazy” with his brush strokes, while Blitz is very precise and methodical. He really likes to paint up and down strokes and is very deliberate about where he puts the brush. I like to call his style “fence painting”, because thats exactly what it looks like.

Anyway, you can check out all the boys work by visiting their online shop here. The paintings make a great gift for friends and family. And don’t forget that by purchasing a Pony Painting you are helping to support the wild ponies of Assateague Island. Two Christmas gifts in one!

-KD
www.ponypaintings.com

Don’t forget to bid on Minnow’s Christmas Ornaments to help raise money for the Main Line Animal Rescue.

"Sugar Plum Dreams" by Chincoteague Minnow

Tags : , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,