Marrita McMillian is a bronze sculptor
with a raw talent for capturing the
essence of today’s horses and riders.
Having trained and shown horses professionally
for over 25 years, she has
an accurate appreciation for her subjects.
Sculpting Quarter Horses is Marrita's specialty. Her successful
training
in the Quarter Horse industry contributes to the realism and dramatic
animation of each piece of art. “There is no substitute
for using a live model”,
according to McMillian.
Marrita’s art career began in 1992 when she and a friend
visited several galleries
in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She realized that the works she was admiring
were great, but did not reflect what she saw in modern-day Quarter
Horses
or showmen (cowboys). Upon returning home she vowed to create
a sculpture
that would represent and immortalize the modern day Quarter Horse,
and her
sculpting career was in full swing.
She began working in clay and soon had her first piece cast in
bronze, which
has now sold out along with several other edition pieces. She
does many
“commission” pieces each year along with the edition
sculptures. She also enjoys helping other aspiring sculptors to get started.
She displays her art at a few prominent annual equine events
such as the Quarter
Horse Congress and AQHA
World Show. Stop by her booth. She loves to visit with
fellow enthusiasts.
At left are two good friends of Marrita's, Carol Harris and Rugged
Lark. Upon "Lark's" death in 2004, Carol commissioned this piece
with plans for it to stand over his final resting place. Click
Here for more information about Lark and the dedication
of this piece.
Marrita said of Lark, "He was such a beautiful horse and I’ve know him and watched him perform
since he was a 3 year old showing at the Congress. He was so intelligent and had a wonderful person
like disposition."
Here is an additional commission that includes both Carol
and Rugged Lark which commemorates their representation of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Marrita McMillian's passion for the American Quarter Horse dates
back many years. However, anyone who knows Marrita knows that
she loves her Chinese Crested Dogs as well.
Though she loves their company, Marrita is not just an enthusiast when it comes to Chinese Cresteds. She breeds and successfully
shows them for herself and her clientel. Click Here
to learn more about Marrita's Chinese Crested Dogs.
Staying involved in both the dog and horse industries allows
Marrita to travel all over the world. Her art career requires
extensive travel as well. TheTravelArtist.com
began as a means for Marrita to save a little when making travel
arrangements. Now, her entrepreneurial spirit has made it possible
for you to save, too. Check out her site to save on travel or to get advice regarding your next destination.