2013 ~ A New Year and A New Start

 

With it being 2013 and being able to focus on my art, I decided it was time to restart my blog. In order to do that, I thought that I would introduce myself by posting my artist bio! Thanks for reading and I look forward to posting some of my favorite pieces and all of my latest works in progress!!!

 

Artist Bio

      The Horse holds constant fascination for Rickelle Nelson, an established artist specializing in equine racing, conformation, and portrait painting. Focusing almost exclusively on horses as her field of study, she is best known for capturing the true essence and personality of her equine subject.

      An artist since she could hold a pencil, Rickelle has explored all types of media. Through her self-taught methods, she has acquired a fondness for Prismacolor and Oil. She grew up with horses and quickly became drawn into the world of racing while watching the heroic duels of Affirmed and Alydar. Having lived in Lexington, access to some of the world's greatest thoroughbreds and horsemen has helped influence her style, and the accuracy of her work.

      After many years of working as an artist, framer, and photographer, Rickelle was finally able to focus on her painting career and become a full-time artist. She has gained recognition as an equestrian painter as a result of completing portraits of notable subjects, such as Horse of the Year Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra, Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup winners Unbridled and Street Sense, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro, Breeders' Cup Classic winners Blame and Drosselmeyer, and Grade I winners Student Council, Harlan's Holiday, and Lava Man. Rickelle has experienced great success exhibiting her work across the country in many art exhibitions and gallery shows, resulting in her pieces now hanging in numerous public and private collections. In addition to her well-known works, Rickelle has also won awards in International Art Competitions, most recently Ex Arte Equinus 4.

   Using her work to give back to the profession through charities is also very important to Rickelle, as she is very active in helping the Bluegrass Farms Charities. A charity that benefits the men, women, and families of the thoroughbred industry, it is the “heart and hands of Thoroughbred racing”.

      Rickelle's unique and detailed artwork captures the beauty, life, elegance, and personality of the equine, in exclusive, highly professional works of art. Her work can be seen at South Hill Gallery, located at 1401 Versailles Road in Lexington, KY, or by visiting her website www.deckthestalls.com and Facebook page Deck the Stalls.