commissioned portrait – Moose Pants Studio

New digs!

Joanna Zeller Quentin / artist, commissioned portrait, custom portrait, equestrian artwork, equine art, Florida, horse painting, Joanna Zeller Quentin, Moose Pants Studio /

Some of you may know that my husband and I both attended the Ringling College of Art and Design for our undergraduate degrees. What you may not know is that he and I didn’t begin dating until almost a decade after we graduated. (Not quiiiiite a decade, but close enough for the dramatic retelling of this tale.) By the time we decided to elevate our friendship to something more, he was already living in Dallas Texas, while I was still in Sarasota, Florida. Some long distance dating ensued, until I decided to risk everything for love and leave my tropical oasis for urban Dallas and whatever life the two of us might be able to built there together. Before I left, he promised me that we would come back to Florida “as soon as possible” so that we both might enjoy the best of what this state has to offer together.

14.5 years passed.

Texas was good to us. I built my business and he built his, and we made friends and memories to last a lifetime. But it wasn’t Florida.

Last month, he finally fulfilled his promise from long ago and we relocated back to the Sunshine State. I’m in a gorgeous little gem just north of Orlando, near enough to Ocala and within easy driving distance of Wellington. We are less than an hour from the water, and our backyard is a true “le jardin sauvage”, full of great rustling palm trees, overflowing bougainvillea, majestic live oaks dripping with spanish moss, and all manner of green living things and the myriad creatures that flourish in such jungle spaces. It’s heaven, you guys. Truly magical.

I’m in the process of getting my studio set up again and devoting a solid 6-7 hours every day to painting, drawing, learning, and growing my business. Look for new work coming soon, along with a brighter palette and perhaps some wildlife mixed in. Florida is where I truly learned to be inspired by the natural world, and every view out my window reinforces the idea of lush color, savage and beautiful nature, and the pure energy that comes from living close to the land. I’m excited to see what the future holds, and I hope that you will continue with me on this (sun dappled and fern bordered) path.

And fear not, Frankie gets his Florida retirement as well! He will be arriving shortly, just in time for spring break. I can’t wait to experience wild Florida from horseback!

In Hindsight…

Joanna Zeller Quentin / commissioned portrait, custom portrait, equestrian artwork, equine art, horse painting, horse portrait, Joanna Zeller Quentin, Moose Pants Studio /

Sometimes things are meant to be… I painted “Hindsight” in oils over ten years ago, and I loved the painting so much I never actively listed it for sale. I would occasionally bring it to shows to exhibit, and it has been a mainstay of my portfolio. In 2016, a woman contacted me after seeing a print of it exhibited with LOPE.org, an off the track racehorse organization I partner with for fundraising. It turns out that “Hindsight” was a dead ringer for one of her beloved and now sadly departed horses – a bay mare named Katie. The mane, the markings, the bay coat – it was all a perfect match, except for a few white socks. Miss Katie had her sock on the opposite foot. Because finances were tight, the woman asked if there was any way she could buy the painting in installments. As an artist and art collector, I understand all too well how it feels to fall in love with a special piece of art and not have the funds immediately available to purchase, so I agreed. She then asked if there was any way I could switch around the white socks to end up on the correct back feet, and I was happy to oblige. She sent some photos so I could see Katie’s uncanny resemblance to my Hindsight model and shared a few stories about Katie’s personality and behavior. In November 2018, she drove 8 hours round trip to pick up her painting and cried tears of joy in my dining room. I have to admit, I may have teared up a little myself.

There’s something so very special about the bond between horse and human, and it is an honor and a privilege to be asked to express that bond in the time honored tradition of commissioned portraiture. I am forever grateful for my job and the amazing clients who support me.