The Artist is a Horse
By Renee Chambers
The canvass depicts splashes of color and varied brush strokes. A unique
vibrancy highlights this art. But what makes this palette so intriguing is
the artist. For the artist is a horse named Cholla.
Cholla - isn't that about the worst thing you can come across in the desert?
Yes it is. The Cholla cactus, that's what the cowboys named him. You
couldn't tie him, you couldn't pick up his feet and you could barely touch
his head. He loved to buck and rear - but now he gently holds the artist
brush in his mouth to paint beautiful watercolor originals.
An intelligent animal, Cholla is also aware of the strength associated with
his massive frame. He stands at 15.2 and is over 1200 pounds: a volatile
time bomb ready to go into instinctive, mustang survival mode at any given
time. Proud cut and fearless in a quarter horse sense, Cholla is not spooked
by silly distractions. He's 50% mustang, 50% quarter horse, and 100% artist!
Renee Chambers acquired Cholla in 1990, just before his fifth birthday.
Renee's first foray into horse ownership was quite a challenge. "I just fell
in love with him, and recognized his intelligence instantly." Over the years
Cholla has become a well-mannered, loving companion to Renee. "He just
wanted to be respected, that's all any of us really want isn't it?"
After years of patience, praise, consistent guidance, discipline and plenty
of carrots, Renee has enabled this beautiful copper buckskin to blossom into
the creative creature he is today. Resembling Spirit, the Disney star,
Cholla thrives on new challenges, but still loves a good ride. "We go on
saddle rides with the tom thumb snaffle bit, staying close to home, and ride
bareback with the halter in our outdoor area" says Renee. "He has an array
of "stupid pet tricks" but it is obvious he loves to paint. He will come in
out of the green pasture into his DG corral if he sees me setting up his
easel. I don't even have to call his name. Sometimes he comes a trotting."
So there you have it. The artist is a horse. And this horse is on the other
side of the brush.
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