Danielle Annis
Equine Artist
This is a brief history of my life, past and present.  I was born in 1971 and grew up in
York, Maine with my three older sisters in a very creative family.  Our interests range
from writing, dancing, choreography, photography, painting, poetry, sculpting and
music.  I have a BFA degree from Syracuse University in Art Education with a
concentration in Sculpture.  I was initially exposed to the casting process during my
freshman year which sparked my passion for this medium.  Sculpting is the primary
focus of my work, but I also enjoy painting.  My favorite subject matter is the horse.  
My love of horses is deeply rooted; I have been drawing them for as long as I can
remember, and started riding at age six.  Ironically, I didn’t cast my first equine
sculpture until four years after my 1992 graduation.  I cast my sculptures in bronze,
hydrocal, or resin and my paintings are primarily created with oils.  My art is
influenced by abstract expressionist, Franz Marc, and the works of; Rodin, Van Gogh,
Bridget Riley, and Debra Butterfield, but I have carved out my own unique style and
character.

My husband Craig and I have two children, Dailyn, and Brady, and a wonderful Rottie,
Cheyenne.  I am finally the proud owner of my first horse, Tommy, a stunning Friesian
who joined our family in August of 2006.  The newest member of our clan is Bugsie,
another beautiful Friesian.  Currently I work out of my studio at home in Portsmouth,
New Hampshire.  In addition to my art I also enjoy teaching adults the art of sculpting
and casting, and writing poetry.  I am a member of the New Hampshire Art
Association and was juried into the group for my sculpture in the fall of 1999.  
                              Artist Statement

As an artist my goal is to touch the viewer with my work.  My paintings and sculpture
are a reflection of my emotions when I conceive, and create a piece.  My art is a
result of my life experiences: a photograph I've taken, a relationship, or simply the
process of making the artwork itself.  Horses are my main subject matter because
their incredible presence, beauty and strength ignite my passion as an artist.  I am
amazed how a creature can be so powerful and wild yet so gentle and trusting.  In a
way they are self-portraits, I speak through them, they are my voice.  Most of my
artwork is titled in a descriptive way, which helps the observer enter my world and my
horse's hearts.  My mission is to draw the viewer into the same intimate relationship
with the piece that I had while creating it, allowing them to share the majesty of the
horse as well as a little bit of my mind.

The process for my sculpture starts with the initial concept in my head, and away I go.
I then build the piece on an armature (if necessary) out of plastacine (oil based clay).
Next I make a rubber mold with a plaster mother mold.  My sculptures are cast in
resin, or bronze.  I then apply a metal-based paint on my non-bronze sculptures with a
patina to simulate a bronze.

There is a vast contrast in style between my painting and my sculpture.  My oil
paintings are vivid, I use bright, bold colors so the horses I depict are much less
realistic and more linear.  I use a palette knife to paint, which allows me to overlap
colors making the piece more textured.  My sculpture is realistic but not so detailed
that every vein and hair is depicted.  Sculpture is my main love and it is the focus of
my current work.
Horses are angels in disguise
Just take a look into their eyes
They were made for heaven but it’s here they’re sent
A bit of paradise that we can all rent
Just get on a horse and believe
Horses can sense each and every reprieve
They’re our heroes, our saviors, our saints
And can be ridden on love with no constraints
They’ll teach you a lesson or two about life
Whether it’s anger, or love, passion, or strife
Horses give answers without saying a word
It’s simply up to you to treasure what’s heard
So thank the Holy Spirit for this gift
Horses are real, they’re an angel’s kiss.
Danielle Annis
My goal as an artist is to invoke emotion in my work, no matter how
small or large the piece is.
While I'm creating my art I develop an intimate bond with each horse
I'm sculpting.  It is a work of passion for the spirit and beauty of the
horse.  I have an overwhelming connection to these creatures, it is a
deep mystical love affair I have always had.  I am blessed to be able
to depict them in the way they touch my eyes, my mind, and my heart.
~ Danielle  
Elegantly Equine.com
About the Artist