I’m a life-long horse lover who grew up in Lewiston, Idaho. Like many little girls, I begged my parents for a horse. Unlike many little girls, my prayers were answered when my parents bought Valentine, my 1980 grey Arabian mare. In retrospect, our partnership had all the potential for trouble – we were the dreaded “novice horse/novice rider” combination – but after 20 years, our relationship is still going strong. Together we raised and trained her colt Banner, who was born in 1990 and was supposed to be a 6-month 4-H project (but he still lives with me too!).

Valentine and Banner waited for me when I left for college and even when I chased a career all the way to Washington, D.C. Now I’ve found my way back to the good life in Wenatchee, Washington State, and married my husband Andrew in September, 2005. I’m blessed to have a few more years with Valentine as she enters the last phase of her life, and as I begin my married one. As a grown woman, I have a new appreciation for all the values that horses are here to help teach us: patience, firmness, leadership, courage, humbleness, and understanding.

Much of my childhood was spent drawing horses, but I’m new to sculpting. I've always admired the Western sculpture genre - horses and riders caught in suspended animation, galloping in a frenzy of powerful speed with only a leg or two making contact with the wooden base. Western art makes history seem like yesterday; in it, the majestic horse is the link between man and the wild land he tries to both tame and nurture.

I come to sculpting as a novice artist (with only years of drawing in my past) but as an experienced animal lover. While I love Western art, I believe so much of humanity's relationship with the horse has yet to be represented in sculpture. My focus is creating pieces that illustrate the emotional relationships that humans (especially women) can form with horses. Anyone who has yearned for a horse since childhood will see an echo of herself in these unique pieces. And those who have been fortunate enough to own their own horses will surely see their memories captured in one of my bronzes.

Each piece is one of a limited edition and will be sold with a certificate of authenticity. Commissioned works may also be available upon contract. Contact artist@suzannegrassell.com or call (509) 264-1010.