I’m getting ready for the Allentown Festival this weekend. Shown below are some new paintings/studies that I hope to have framed for the show. Which one is your favorite? They don’t have titles yet… any suggestions?

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Well, I have been strolling down memory lane with this one. Truly. I mean, how many kids get to bring a hound home to have her puppies and then get to experience the joy of opening a stall door and seeing a litter of tiny foxhound puppies come bounding out!? Oh, what joy.

Daddy and Jumbo, Kelly and Top, Kim and Signal, Me and Rookie, Momma and Alfie

The cutest ever. So this week has been a sort of “happy time” revisiting for me. Just today I sat and talked with my sister about our experiences and memories of foxhunting in MS. Run-away horses that came from the race track who were hard to handle in the field but eventually made lovely hunters. Hounds… the Walker pair named Mason and Dixon. Too funny.

My memories of the hounds themselves were very sweet, jovial, loving and affectionate. How they listened to the sound of the horn and my father’s voice (the Huntsman).

Its hard to forget the sound of a hound on the trail of a fox, or the shout of a “Tally-Ho” (when the fox is seen). There is barking… and then there is the bay or cry of a hound. Much different.  The heart races… in the horse and the rider at the sound of a hound on the scent.

I recall waiting with a group of 20 or so other riders as my dad “cast” the hounds into a wooded area. Everyone quiet and listening. How exciting it was to hear the cry of one hound… then two… then the whole pack. The horses heads would pop up. Their ears pricked forward… listening.  As the pack opened in full cry, the horses danced- ready to follow.

I have never known of a fox getting hurt or killed when I was younger. It wasn’t until I was older that I hear of how different hunting could be. Our hounds “ran them to ground”… into their holes until another day.

There was the knowledge that if there were no fox there would be no sport. It was all in the chase. There were many stories of fox “playing” with their pursuers, running in circles, confusing the hounds and then going to ground. I hope that sort of hunting can still take place, for the history, the sport and lovely, bounding foxhound.

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We are pleased to announce that 15% of sales of any product featuring the Paris Hedge design (shown above) will be donated to Friends of Topiary Park in Columbus, OH during the week long Philadelphia International Flower Show. So stop by booth 535 at the show and support a historical jewel in the gardening community!

For more information on The Topiary Park go to their website and read on this blog about Michelle’s visit to the gardens last Fall with her family.

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Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your sweetheart! This design is titled “Smitten”. When I showed the sketch to Farmboy I asked him what he thought about the ears of the rabbit on the right. His response was “They’re great. He’s completely smitten. He doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going.” Love that!

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Ahhh. Paris. I’ve been listening to Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel to get into the spirit as I work… such fun! This design will be available at the Philadelphia Flower Show as a greeting card, blank notecards and perhaps 8 x 10 prints.  Hope you enjoy it!

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This is one of my favorite new designs! It is available online in Notecards, Linen Guest Towels, Lavender Sachets and Limited Edition Pillows and Prints. The Michelle Masters watermark does not appear on any of the products. : )

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I love dogs as you might have noticed… but I have a secret. I’m a cat person too! This design is based on my sweet Helen. She is my little companion. Here is her story. The cat in this illustration is a Russian Blue-type breed of cat. I hope you like it! Isn’t her little wren friend cute!? The design will soon be available online in Notecards, Linen Guest Towels, Lavender Sachets, Limited Edition Pillows and Prints.

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Take courage…

• a.) you can do it!
• b.) we’re right behind you!
• c.) we believe in you!
• d.) you are stronger than you think.

This design was created as an illustration for an Encouragement greeting card. The front will say “Take courage…” and I am considering the phrases above for the greeting on the inside of the card. I’m leaning towards a. or d. What do you think?

I love this little design. It will also be available as blank notecards and limited edition prints.

Believe it or not the inspiration for this design came from reading “The Pillars of the Earth” by Ken Follett! I was immersed in a story of castles, knights, monks and cathedrals. I especially liked all of the descriptions of the horses in the book;  war horses, coursers or a gentle palfrey.

A number of my customers have mentioned that they were sending a particular design or gift to a friend to cheer them up or encourage them through a difficult time. So, this design is meant to lift the spirits, bring a smile and encourage the recipient to mount up and get on with it (whatever IT may be)! Given these thoughts… which sentiment do you think works best?

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I’m supposed to be getting ready for the Philly Flower Show… making lots of inventory… but lately I’m inspired with many “must paint” illustrations. I’ve been mulling this little guy over for a while. The horse will be topiary (of course) and the bunny is holding a long carrot as a lance in his right arm. The reins will be a string of daisy flowers. The finished design will be on an Encouragement greeting card. The front will say “Take courage…” the inside will say “you can do it!” Simple and sweet. Now, the ears are so expressive on these little bunnies and I’ve been deliberating on whether they should be up or down. What do you think?

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