Lal-I Abdar
Lal-I Abdar was sculpted by Judy Renee Pope and introduced in earthenware ceramic in 2001. He represents an Arabian stallion and is approximately 1:12 scale, or in plastic model horse terminology, Classic scale. He was created as a special run for Shay Canfield's October 2001 Break a Leg Live Show. Twenty or fewer pieces were produced, each painted by Joanie in a different color. The bright chestnut in the second row had been in Judy's own collection, which was done as a portrait of the real stallion Lal-I Abdar aka Abu Zeyd. Click on the pictures below for larger views.
Lesli shares this story about the rose grey Abdar above that she glazed: "Since I was able to deliver him over the weekend, I can share one of the recent horses that came from the kiln - and a story about why I made him. As I have mentioned before, as a young woman I was in an abusive marriage. Around that same time I met another equine artist - Judy Renee Pope - who was also obsessed about horse color. Mail from her was a bright spot in what was a dark time for me. We remained friends until her untimely death a few years ago. Slow producer that I am, I still had a bisque of one of her last sculptures, and I decided that he belonged with Judy's long-time partner, Paula. My goal was to glaze him in a way that I would imagine Judy doing, if she was going to make a gift for Paula. Kilns don't always cooperate, and I have never been so happy to pull something out of the kiln looking like it was supposed to! I am sharing this long explanation because Judy and Paula had no way of knowing back then how much their letters meant to me. I hid how bad my situation was from even my closest family. But those small lifelines meant so very much - far more than the gift of a shiny pony could ever repay. You never know when some small act of friendship or kindness can mean a lot to someone."
Photos of the bay pinto in the first row and the satin dark chestnut in the second to last row are by Carole Clinky. Those in the second row, that of pinto in the third row, and the mugs in the last row by E. Bouras; show photos of bay and fleabit grey in the third row by T. Tran. The photo of the palomino is by M. Miller. Photo of rose grey is by L. Kathman. Thank you everyone!!