Favorite Artist Series - Model Horse Artist Molly Pengra

Molly with her horse My Dun Cruiser (Kid)

I met Molly Pengra of MP3 Model Horses and Tack around 2007 when I was holding American Heartland Live Show in Platte City, Missouri. 

It was a pretty instant friendship and we have had a lot of fun times since then. 

She is one of those hobby artists that does amazing work that has won several NAN cards, but she seems to be on the fringe of the hobby. Her books just recently closed, not due to hobby people filling them up, but real horse owners that want portraits of their horses. 

Molly works in pastels, pencils and acrylics and does a fantastic job in all colors. She has also made tack. Many of her pieces have NAN qualified for their owners as well as top ten'd at NAN. 

Breyer Classic QH - finish work by Molly

Breyer Traditional Indian Pony - finish work by Molly

Breyer Traditional Smart Chic O'Lena - finish work by Molly

Breyer SM G2 Stock horse - customization and finish work by Molly

Breyer SM Arabian - finish work by Molly

Breyer SM Foal - finish work by Molly

Breyer Traditional Wixom - customization and finish work by Molly

Peter Stone Chip Mule - finish work by Molly

Breyer Traditional Proud Arabian mare - finish work by Molly

Molly has been a show holder of several live shows over the years and always works to bring new blood to the hobby. She is always pushing for youth and novice showers to join in the fun. 

She has held virtual meet ups through most of the summer of 2020 to get hobby people working on models and communing with each other because there aren't any live shows to attend right now. They are always fun as the hobbyists that join share painting ideas and help each other out. 

I have a few models and tack my Molly. Her attention to detail is amazing. 

Burn This - ASB weanling filly in chestnut - Breyer ASB weanling - finish work by Molly

Alas Grey Earl - dapple grey Arabian - Breyer SM Arabian - finish work by Molly

Felix Felicis - Jumping Jack Resin to Appaloosa - finish work by Molly

Felix Felicis - Jumping Jack Resin with base and jump all done by Molly - finish work by Molly

Flash in the Sky - Paint mare - Breyer SM QH - finish work by Molly

Classic scale Western Saddle Set by Molly Pengra

Keep an eye out on Molly's offerings, her work is always something you need in you collection.

Favorite Artist Series - Model Horse Artist Morgan Haberman

 

Morgan with Brenda Batty Atty

I met Morgan Haberman around 1999 or 2000. She is the owner of Brenda Batty Atty - the brindle horse that so many people in the hobby copy for the brindle patterns on their horses. 

Morgan and Melissa meeting up in 2020 and playing it safe

Brenda Batty Atty

She owns Brindle Horse Productions and has done so many brindles over the years as well as tack and artist resins. I have been truly blessed over time to own a few of her customs - she does not do a lot of customs, her brindles take a lot of time and energy. She doesn't have open commission books any longer sadly. 

She did three artist resins - Asti, Bat Girl and Miss Penny: 

Asti

Miss Penny

Bat Girl

     

These are some of the wonderful brindles she has done:

Carol Williams Matriarch resin finish work by Morgan Haberman

Carol Williams resin finish work by Morgan Haberman

Kilimanjaro resin, Moody Wings, finish work by Morgan Haberman

Morgan and I sat in her basement and looked at Bones McCoy resins that we both had. After seeing Harry Potter and falling in love with Thestrals, she and I created  the first Thestrals.

Morgan's 1st Thestral - Bones McCoy Resin - finish work by Morgan

My 1st Thestral - Bones McCoy Resin - finish work by me

These are the customs done by Morgan that I have I have been able to own . 

 

Riabhach - the brindle Unicorn - Kilimanjaro resin - finishwork by Morgan

Holey Dry Peppy - model of real horse - BHR RESIN -finishwork by Morgan 

Jay Spark BeBe - model of real horse - BHR Resin - finishwork by Morgan

Feather - model of real dog - unknown resin - finishwork by Morgan

American Idol - champagne Brindle Miniature Horse - WBP Howard Huge resin -finishwork by Morgan

Live showing with Morgan is always an experience and in the 2005-2010's she started the UNNATURAL trail set up. I have never been this ambitious in my set ups! hahaha. She is always adding new and exciting things to it, so each time it comes out there's something more. She has a traditional and classic scale set up. 

Unnatural Trail - Classic Edition

UnNatural Trail - Lions and Tigers and Bears - OH My

Morgan is one of the nicest hobby people. She is always willing to help others and especially new showers with their setups. She is one of those hidden hobby treasures. 

Monthly Model Painting Challenge - November 2020

 Model Monthly Painting Challenge - Facebook Group 

I was considering what to do and it took a whole probably 30 seconds. I am thankful this month for the firefighters who risked their lives to save the Estes Valley from the East Troublesome Fire (Thompson Zone). 

This is the model I started with -the Breyer Stablemate Warmblood/Driving Horse. 

I cut strips from the local newspapers and did my Thank You FireFighters model. 

Thank you Firefighters for saving my home, my town and my favorite National Park!!! 

Monthly Model Horse Painting Challenge - October 2020

Model Monthly Painting Challenge - Facebook Group 

And I started with cutting up the Stablemate Croi model (the other model is for a different project) 

I am working on 3 project models at once as well as some painting only projects! 

I did some magic sculpt work to create the ground erupting and start on the tombstone. 

Now on to more sculpting. 

And then primering. 

Now to get all Halloween on this Pony!

Still have a ways to go but getting there! 

On October 22, 2020 my town was evacuated from a flare up fire due to the East Troublesome Fire on the OTHER side of the Divide in Grand County. The fire came down into Rocky Mountain National Park and the entire town of Estes Park was evacuated. At this time (Sunday 10/25/20) - all of my models are still in my cabin in Estes Park. I was unable to complete the model before the end of October. 

I was finally able to get back into my cabin on 11/2/20 - and today (11/7/20) I managed to finish my October challenge horse.

Evacuation - Estes Park - a personal experience

On October 22, 2020 my town was evacuated from a flare up fire due to the East Troublesome Fire on the OTHER side of the Divide in Grand County. The fire came down into Rocky Mountain National Park and the entire town of Estes Park was evacuated.

I was able to evacuate a few things - clothes and that, but not really anything more. I was to worried about older neighbors and their pets, helping the hospital where I work and that. I really was not prepared for the events that happened. It wasn't until I returned home that I found this checklist and now keep it on my fridge. 

I was lucky that when the flood of 2013 happened, while I slept a couple nights where I worked at the time, in the office, I did not have to leave my house for more than two days and I was still in my town. 

With this fire I had to leave town. I was so surprised at the outpouring of help I received from my friend Morgan Haberman who got me a hotel for 2 nights out of her own pocket, to all of the people that sent me funds via paypal or gift certificates for food, gas, etc. To my friend Joann Thomas who put me up in her house in Fort Collins for several days and my coworker Meagan who put me up in her house in Estes for a few days. 

Sky at 2 PM

It's a terrifying experience and I am not a person easily scared by nature having spent most of my childhood in Kansas with Tornadoes. 

I think the worst part is the not KNOWING from day to day if the fire will erupt and become worse, where will the money come from, am I being a burden to my friends and family, will I lose everything I own, will insurance cover it, and so many other questions and concerns. 

I want to thank all of the people that have helped me - if I have missed your name, please know that I didn't mean too. There are no words to describe what you all mean to me:

My mom - for raising such a strong girl and never letting me know how scared you were that your daughter is a crazy mountain girl and if at all possible would have been more in the thick of things that I already was. I LOVE YOU. 

Morgan Haberman - for her initial post to let people know about my situation, for talking me out of the trees multiple times and for the hotel room to land those first few nights.

Fabian Rodriguez - for putting out the word for me  

Jason Busey - my brother from another mother - for checking on me and giving me pep talks. 

Joann Thomas - for letting me stay in her home for several days and making me feel welcome. 

Heather Roell - for the funds you sent 

Jennifer Buxton - for the funds you sent

Teresa Buzell - for the funds you sent

Natalie Graham - for the funds you sent

Meghan Namastee - for the funds you sent

Carra McClelland - for the funds you sent and the Red Lobster gift card 

Kay Lonning - for the funds you sent

Randa Garrett - for the funds you sent

Nancy Dement - for the funds you sent

Sarah Rose - for the funds you sent   

My landlords - for being such wonderful and caring people - checking on me while I was evacuated and just being awesome

For my neighbor Renne for being so wonderful and caring and checking on me as well

Meagan Lopez for letting me stay in her home in Estes so I could get to work easier when the hospital opened back up

And for anyone else that I have forgotten. 

As of 10/27/2020 - I am still on Mandatory evacuation. The hospital is opening the on the 28th and I am returning to grab some items that I left behind that are important and then nap at a friend's house then work. 

It is so frustrating not to be able to return home. And to have to worry about my job and my home. I can't imagine what it's like to leave everything to come to another country and be put in a cage. I can not imagine the stress involved. 

As of 10/28/2020 - my home went into Voluntary evac but had to be able to leave within to 1/2 hour. I stayed at a friend's place on the other side of town until 11/2/2020 because it was easier to sleep at a place where if I was sleeping during the day I didn't have to worry about burning up because I slept through the alerts. 

On 11/2/2020 - this was the best news I could have received. I have been home since Monday the 2nd and I do have to say it is so great to be in my town and in my own home. THANK YOU to all the fire fighters and support staff that got us through all of this. 

LETA text

I am glad for this experience and hope I never have to repeat it. I feel for the families that lost their homes and possessions, as well as having to spend weeks displaced. I hope that their lives can return to them soon.