About Sheryl Leisure

What ever happens to horse loving girls?

About me...

I bought my first two Breyer horses, a charcoal running stallion and a palomino fighting stallion, when I was six years old back in 1969. It was my Christmas money, and boy was I proud to bring them home! Many long hours were spent playing with my best friend Diane who had her own collection. We would have great adventures in the wilds of my back yard, or in my bedroom when night fell. This is an early photo, before I got to pick my green shag carpet (because it looked like grass, of course!) and the horses were grazing on popcorn. I am on the left, Diane is on the right. Oh the days of making saddle blankets on the potholder weaving loom, and bridles from rubber bands and newspaper string. Many of us share the same memories, growing up a horse-loving girl!

I started collecting again when I met the man who later became my husband, and he talked me into picking up some Breyers at an antique toy show we attended together. His love of collecting toys from his childhood spurred me on to begin collecting again at the age of 19. We married five years later, and after 24 years of wedded bliss, he's became just as proud of my horse collection as I am. Who would have thought?

My degree in art, love of drawing horses and collecting models brought me to creating Horse-Power Graphics and it all began by silk-screening the designs of decorator Breyer horses on t-shirts and selling them to collectors. Then came producing the Model Horse Trader for 9 1/2 years, then the Jamboree which ran from 1992 through 2004. During that time, I was hired by Breyer to paint prototypes for them, and went on to paint for Stone, Hartland, and resulting in the creation of my own sculptures and a thriving custom painted horse business.

I have been painting professionally since the age of 15 and presently specialize in creating custom airbrushed and sculpted horse models. I still produce samples and prototypes for the model companies and my painted models are consistent winners from local model horse competitions up to the National Level.

My first job was teaching crafts to kids at the Ontario Parks and Recreation Department in my hometown in Southern California. I began teaching horse art at BreyerFest over a decade ago and continue to instruct children and adults in classes there every year. I have also taught air brushing and painting to many horse-lovers during my production of The West Coast Model Horse Collectors Jamboree from 1992-2004.

Private art and sculpting lessons are available. Please see my Leisure Art Center page for details.

This is me now with my cute little Paint mare Tootie at our little ranch in Mariposa, California.

	Model Horse Collector -When I bought my first model horses at the age of six, I never would have guessed it would affect the course of my life like it has! I went on to collect Breyer, Hartland, Marx, American Character and Hagen-Renaker horses and animals and displayed the 1,500+ piece collection in my home for many years. See photos of the collection on display HERE. In 2010, I sold my Breyer Collection. I built a house on my property with the proceeds and hope my mom will be moving into it soon!
	Jamboree -In 1992, I began The West Coast Model Horse Collector's Jamboree as a way for collectors to come together, buy and sell from each other and see the newest models from all horse model manufacturers. With support of my friends plus Breyer, Hagen-Renaker, Hartland, Peter Stone and others, it grew to become the largest convention of its kind until the last show which was held in October of 2004. For pictures of the special Run horses offered at Jamboree through the years, click JAMBOREE. I will be continuing the tradition of producing Model Horse Shows and other model horse activities from time to time.
	Flat Art -I began my business drawing animal portraits and silk screening my own horse designs including shirts for Jamboree and BreyerFest. You can see examples of my pencil portraits on the boxes of the first issues of Breyer's Hollywood Dun It, Wahoo King, Scamper and the cutting horse. See an overview of my work HERE.
	Prototypes -I painted my first model horse probably 25 years ago and began air brushing in 1994 painting prototype models for Breyer beginning back when their Big Ben model was new! I represented Breyer at Breyer Tour Events in 1999 and 2000. In between traveling to these events, I also designed models in the New Jersey factory, and produced BreyerFest in 1999 and 2000, all the while producing Jamboree too! I attend BreyerFest every year, come by and see me at the Artisan’s Gallery at the Holiday Inn or in the Arena! I also do prototype painting for Stone Horses and have produced several Artisan Hall and Extreme Makeover runs for them too. I have also designed the color schemes for Hartland Horses and produced their "Noble Horse" series models.
	Custom Horse Portraiture -Hundreds of custom painted horses have come through my studio in the past decade, and it's always a challenge to see how detailed a horse model can get! It's also fun to hear when a model horse I painted wins for it's owner in the model show ring. I'm especially known for my Appaloosa and dapple techniques. I am currently accepting custom orders. I've worked with Kitty Cantrell to create some beautiful gift and art items for horse lovers. Be sure to check out the CUSTOM PORTRAITURE gallery and FOR SALE page for more information.
	Sculpture -My real passion is sculpting. I have produced two sculptures overseas and have released four hobby resin editions. Click HERE to see my sculptures.
	Horse-Power Graphics, Inc. -I started my business in 1986, and currently offer my artwork and sculptures for sale. See my SALES page for a current gallery of painted horses, resin sculptures and original finish horse models for sale. I also take custom orders for painted model horses, portraits and logo design.
	Real Horses -I finally have the little horse ranch I've always dreamed of and now own two horses, some chickens and four kitties. I'm currently working with my friends to get my tovero mare under saddle, and also get my green broke mare trained as a trail horse. Click HERE to see the ranch and horse photos.

I keep myself quite busy with all of these activities, and enjoy my life in the mountains with my husband, my family and my critters. Let me know if you would like me to create that next special piece of equine art for you! Enjoy my site!

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Sculpture -My real passion is sculpting. I have produced two sculptures overseas and have released four hobby resin editions. Click HERE to see my sculptures.