Horse Artist Interview – Gloria S Hager

Name
Gloria S. Hager

Website & places you can find my work
Website: www.theartofme.net
Facebook: Gloria Hager
Follow Gloria on twitter: @Artistseyes
Gloria recently won 1st place for her work at the Rockbridge Arts Guild Annual Valley Fair art contest. You can view her entries on her awards page. Congrats Gloria! 😀

Where I am
I live in the Fancy Hill area of Natural Bridge Va.

Tell us a little about you, what is your background & where do you come from?
I come from Augusta Co. Va. near Waynesboro, just up the road from where I live now. I was born in the country and loved horses ever since. Got my first pony at age 8 and have had horses most of my life, to just trail ride.

Lived in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountians for 30 yrs, where I had endless mountain paths and trails to ride on. I lived secluded on 7 acres in the Mtns. and had rescued cats for years and raised my own steers, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, goat, and had lots of farm animals from time to time.

People would bring me wild animals they had hit with their cars or found injured for me to nurse back to the wild, (before there were wildlife centers).

A lot happened there, and I met a man I married in 2002, moved down here and we only have two horses and want to do the ranch horse thing before we get too old to ride.

When did you first start drawing horses?
Since I could hold a pencil and knew it would make a mark on paper, walls, books, envelopes, brown grocery bags and…

What is your favorite breed?
I love them all, different breeds for different reasons. They are all majestic creatures, that allow us to be part of their world.

Arabs are beautiful to paint as are many exotic breeds, Friesians, Gypsy Vanners, etc:…Walkers to ride in comfort. Quarter horses, easier to get on and off and to work cattle.

Who are your main influences?
Photographs of horses and animals.

Do you (or did you) have an animal that is the muse behind your work?
I was told that as a child when I watch movies about horses, and Roy Rogers, that I became obsessed with them.

I remember well an old movie called Snowfire that I cannot forget as a lasting impression on me. (wild white stallion that talked to a little girl).

Do you have any secret rituals you do to help you get in the zone for your art?
No, it is hard to get in the mood, and then goes quickly. Viewing others artwork and beautiful photos inspire me to get going sometimes.

Is there a particular place that brings you inspiration?
Virginia Horse Center of Lexington Va. We go there often, stop by every weekend. R.F.D.T.V.

What effect do you think the Internet will have on art in general?
I just wonder if it will have a negative impact. There are millions of artists like me on there, lost in the seas of time. There are just too many choices.

People used to hire local people from word of mouth in their own areas, now it is to broad and they look too far.

On the other hand, it has allowed artists to find beautiful photographs to work from.

Has it had an effect on yours?
NONE.It has had none, what so ever, at all. I do not exist as far as the public is concerned I guess. I think if your nobody, you’ll always be nobody, no matter how good you are and how passionate you are about your art.

It takes money to make money. Not skill.

Which one is your personal favorite piece?
Black Magic, and the newest, the young Arab. Black Magic was done in honor of Magic (a black walking horse I used to own).

Would you ever sell it?
Yes, I have my prints

What else are you passionate about?
Wildlife, and vehemently angry with the amount of people around here that are being allowed to starve their livestock and animals.

Working on anything new?
Right now I am working on two art paintings, a Romping Grey Arabian Stallion, (thanks to Ainslie Giles Photographer for the photo to work from) and Two Fox kits peering out of a tree stump, (thanks to Jack Nevitt Photographer for that photo).

It is extremely hard to find photos to work from, as photographers want to sell them, and I can understand that, but most won’t give you the right to use them for your reference to make YOUR ART from.

A photographer I am not.

More to Come

Thanks to Gloria for answering the interview and sharing her art. Be sure to check back with her art website periodically for updates about her latest works.

Also stay tuned for more interviews with horse artists and photographers.
Are you a horse artist or do you know an equine artist you’d like to see featured? Add your name and website in the comments below or drop me a note to get involved.