Breyerfest: Things That Make Me Go Huh?
Live Shows
By now you know that Breyers are models of horses, so the term live show throws me off a bit. (actually it tends to make me snigger like a school girl.) Not knowing much about the model showing universe it surprised me how serious people take it all.
A live show is where the model is actually present at the show, as opposed to a photograph competition. The goal of these shows are to showcase the model in as lifelike a setting as they can acheive. Just like in real life the horses are shown in different classes such as halter or performance.
Top dollar is paid for quality models either original to an artist or a Breyer that has been altered or is in classic condition. A high premium is paid for quality painting and tack. In the end the prices being spent rival that of a real horse show for both animals and tack. Wow!
Collectors
The number of people participating is small (compared to that of an artshow that is) but they are very serious. These people would stand in line for hours just to get a good deal, or enter the swap meet.
The Holiday Inn West in Lexington, KY was completely taken over for 4 days. Most people who stayed at the hotel opened their rooms and sold their older models or whatever. You could walk up and down the hallways to find room after room full of Breyers and Breyer enthusiaists. They also plastered the walls with sales fliers showing the horses for sale and the room number. I would think this would do major damage to the wallpaper but apparently not, since the hotel hasn’t put a stop to it and the event has been held at the same place for many years.
I should mention that Stone has an event going at the same time at the same city. His event is called Equilocity. I didn’t run over there but that just goes to show how much interest there is in this stuff.
Competition
Carol is good as what she does. Her passion for her art and animals comes through in her work. She loves cows like I love horses. It’s just something in the gentics that is hard to explain. She used to do a lot of horses but over the past several years her work has focused more on the livestock side of things. And towards cattle in particular. Her business acronym is COWS. (Carol’s Original WorkS) Very clever!
Most of the people we met were great fun. The vendors and fest goers at the Kentucky Horse Park were all friendly. Our neighbor Nicolle at the artisans gallery was a hoot and made what would have been a rather stuffy experience a joy.
However, there was a select few people who held a rather high opinion of themselves and I think they tended to look down their noses at Carol. Mind you, some of these same people she helped get into the industry. Breyer uses a rather small stable of artists to create original work for new models. I believe having only a handfull of artists tends to increase the competitive edge for some. I mean seriously, had a few of them been any more Alpha Dog, they would have come over and pee’d on her table.
I did want to say not everyone gets cut throat when it comes to Breyer. Brigitte Eberl is the German sculptor who created the Alborozo model for this years event. She and her friend were a delight. Carol and Brigitte (Bri-gee-ta) are good friends and share much between them including information and a place to stay when one is visiting the others country.
Tags: Breyerfest
Hi Mona,
Really interesting stuff about Breyer — they come to the Equine Affaire, held annually near where I live, in Columbus, Ohio. They have a section in the kids area! Haven’t seen the frenzy you did, but did have an idea it exists from seeing the models and prices in some tack stores/catalogs. Did you get any interest in your work from that crowd? I enjoyed looking at Carol’s website, she is talented.
The panel is not posted anywhere as yet, I did two earlier this year for a mural that has yet to be unveiled. This is a mural that is supposed to be put together and exhibit soon. The sponsor of the mural is supposed to use the mural proceeds to donate to horse retirement and rescue. The murals are described at www.gloryofhorses.com. There is another mural being done by many members of the Equine Guild by another company.
I look forward to seeing some of your photos.
Angela
I did better than I expected at Breyerfest. I took only $10-$20 items with the exception of a couple of larger framed prints. When looking at $$$ earned it was actually quite a few small sales. I doubt I will return for a booth of my own, though I do wonder how I may have fared if I had bigger ticket items. Most really had saved their money all year for Breyer items. And as I have said sales are best for me where people are going to buy art. I may have a commission job though. Someone has a genetically rare mustang with prehistoric markings. I have never agreed to do a portrait site unseen but I did this time.
I had pondered submitting for the gloryofhorses thing but just have too much going on. It sounds like a fabulous project to be a part of. Did you have to paint in any one medium? Did you enjoy participating?
Glad you took a peek at Carol’s work. The site doesn’t really do the work justice. Her main business is creating sculpture for trophies for the major livestock organizations and so caters to that crowd. She has really become successful at it. The breyer thing is more like her past but she still has emotional ties to the event.
I still can’t believe people pay $1500 for a model horse plus $200-700 for tack. Not to mention the doll, backdrop, photography and any props. Carol’s unpainted cattle ran $65 a pop. A bargain in comparison.