What an opportunity we've been given this year with the 'Trail of the Painted Ponies Package.' What makes this special is that each pony has been hand numbered, hand signed, and donated by the artist who created the original work of art on them. Their generosity stems from wanting to support the mission of helping families whom are traveling to be with their child in a hospital. For those of you who follow and collect 'Trails of the Painted Ponies, you know the value of this package! Generally these ponies run from $40 to $1,500+ (individually) if wanting to purchase one. They can go higher than that if retired, and/or signed by the artist, becoming collectors items worth hundreds. Well, as of January 2010, Trail of the Painted Pony figurines will be made by a new manufacturer. All ponies from 2009 and before will no longer be being made. Essentially, all ponies will go to "retired" status. Serious collectors have been searching for a way to collect figurines that are hand signed and hand numbered by the artists who created the original works of art from The Trail of Painted Ponies. We have been blessed in offering not (1) or (2), but (4) "signed" & numbered ponies! Here they are:

FETISH PONY:

By artist Lynn Bean ... 'Fetish Pony' is a healing pony. Images of paint horses are incorporated in the sandstone patterns. Designed from the Native American stone animals called fetishes. To the native Americans, a fetish is any object that possess "spirit power." They believe that when the object is treated with respect, the spirit that resides within can bring forth good luck, good health. A power pack of feathers, beads, and shells on it back give the pony extra powers. To date, only twelve Painted Ponies have been crafted in this larger 9" size. Each is limited to an edition of 5000 and is cast in solid resin which gives them an impressive weight and size. They are a wonderful addition to any Painted Pony collection!

When artist Lynn Bean visit in Albuquerque, New Mexico art show, she stopped at the Indian Cultural Center in downtown Albuquerque to enjoy the Native American crafts, and was especially taken by Zuni fetishes. She purchased a beautiful bear fetish, and when she held it in her hand, she saw the spirit image inside. The idea of portraying the spirit within the fetish inspired a series of watercolor paintings of animal fetishes with their images inside natural rock patterns.

'Fetish pony' was artist Lynn Bean's first painting on a dimensional surface, and she decided to use the fetish/spirit theme for this piece for The Trail of Painted Ponies. She had help from her Native American friend John Bear, who performed a ceremonial blessing for her to work on her pony, and gave her special beads from his grandmother (who was a medicine women), for the original's power pack. Many blessing while working on this pony made it extra special for her.

In the special personalized replica edition, she personally build and hand tie the power packs with sinew. The unique power pack of each piece features natural parrot feathers, rabbit fur, turquoise and beads. Lynn Bean created an extraordinary "fetish pony" on which the spirit images of different horses seem to emerge from inside a sandstone carving of a host horse, who wears a "power pack" of feathers, beads and shells on its back. We cannot thank Lynn enough for her support to our mission!

NATIVE JEWEL:

This piece signed and dated by the artist Maria Ryan, is special. Native Jewel is adorned with jewelry of silver and turquoise, beadwork and ceremonial regalia. All of which are a defining element and recognized hallmark of cultural expression for North American Indians. Maria Ryan – an accomplished artist and designer from Coder 'd Alene, Idaho, has been winning awards and pleasing collectors around the world for decades. Her research into the meanings and symbolism behind the designs used in classic Southwestern jewelry, coupled with a fearless artistic style that leads her to experiment with different materials to achieve special effects in her art, resulted in this stunning tribute to the Native American love of jewelry.

This resin painted figurine 'Native Jewel,' measures 7 x 9 x 2.5 inches. Additionally, the award-wining 'Native Jewel' pony was one of three ponies that grace the cover of a third in the series of collectors edition 'Trail of Painted Ponies' books. Native Jewel is highly collectible, as demands for these figurines is tremendous and the availability limited. This pony not only is signed by the artist, but carries something very special that you won't find anywhere else outside of this auction. This 'Native Jewel' contains a real turquoise stone on the mount to which it stands right next to the signature of the artist! Additionally, the Native Jewel 1st edition 0088 - signed/numbered 25/250 is worth hundreds of dollars at this time. God Bless you Maria for your support.

TRIBAL PAINT:

From the Winter herd collection of 2009, Artist Vickie Knepper-Adrian, creator of the heartbreaking collectible ”Wounded Knee,” continues to use Painted Ponies to relate interesting and little-known stories about Plains Indian life. Warriors from tribes across the Plains often wore feathers that were marked and painted in ways that told of their accomplishments in battle. In this fashion they would sometimes intimidate opponents who would be scared off after “reading” the stories related on the feathers. But sometimes they would also become the target of warriors who sought encounters with powerful opponents as a way of gaining personal power.

Artist Vickie Knepper-Adrian has found creating these ponies a way to express her insatiable passion for Native American history. The Plains Indians have been a major influence in the creation of her artwork. She creates ponies that are unique, one of a kind pieces of art. Vickie is known for her achievement of historical correctness with each pony so it looks like it came from the period of history it represents.

LET IT SNOW:

During the holidays as a child, artist Vickie Knepper-Adrian, just wanted for Christmas a big fluffy snowfall so she could build a perfect snowman, decorated with a hat and scarf, sticks for arms, a carrot for a nose, and big black buttons of coal. Living in the Midwest, coal wasn't readily available, so her mother always had a tin full of buttons for the occasion. Now, as an adult, this Iowa artist still finds something magical about "big fluffy snowfalls," and created a Pony designed to take everyone back to a time and place where they too waited with anticipation for the holidays and the chance to build that perfect snowman.

'Let It Snow' won Honorable Mention in the Second Annual Holiday Design Contest in December 2007. The Trail of Painted Ponies then released this pony as a figurine in their 2008 Holiday collection. Wonderful festive snowmen have been added to the body of the pony. Color, and artistry is amazing, and a Christmas spirit that will light up your room at Christmas or any time of the season!

We are indebted to this brilliant and talented artist, Vickie Knepper-Adrin. Without her talent, generosity, and support, our mission would be harder to fulfill. Thanks Vickie for your support to the Ronald McDonald House Charities families who need to be with their child in a hospital.