Visionary...Julie Keim

An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.   James Whistler

Labor, by definition, is the supply of work by workers for a particular job, industry, or employer.  Art, on the other hand, is not so easily defined, nor is the artist.  We simply cannot put a value on the vision and talent of our lead production artist, Julie Keim.  There is a part of Julie in each and every horse she touches, both in vision and in labor. 

Julie has been with Stone Horses for (13) years.  Julie came to Stone Horses in somewhat of an indirect manner.  One summer, when things were rather slow at the RV factory, Julie was presented with an extra week of summer shut down.  With nothing to do, and on the advice of a friend, Julie decided to take that week and spend it at Stone Horses.  Julie had always shown and collected model horses, but she hadn't contemplated actually working for a company that produced the models.  The rest is history as they say it!  Julie came for that week and never left!

Art, in one form or another, has always been a passion for Julie, and prominent in her life.   She said that she cannot remember a time when she wasn’t sketching, painting, or crafting in some type of medium.  Before airbrushing became popular Julie was custom painting model horses in oil!   She said that she found great inspiration in the book,“Tradesecrets and Methods of a Model Horse Artist”, by Chris Nandell.

Julie lives in a little town called Ontario, and as she puts it “…barely there.” She lives with her significant other of 33 years, Al, (2) miniature ponies named Scout and Cherokee, along with a beautiful black and white Paint named Tuxies Excoosive, and (3) dogs Alfie, Jack, and Milo. 

The Design a Horse program keeps Julie quite busy.  Julie’s hand touches each and every Design a Horse you receive!  She tries to find time to also paint and design a few of the One of A Kinds, and some of the auction pieces as well.

After (13) years in one place, you have a few stories to tell.  She told me about a model show that she had gone to a few years ago; one of the few shows that she was able to talk her husband Al into going to as well.  A class for “Ponies”, unrealistic color, was called to the table.  As Julie and Al stood there watching and looking at each pony they realized something…every model on that table had been painted by Julie.  Al thought it was just a hoot!  Julie said that even though the model that she was showing did not win that day, she still felt quite very rewarded.

You know James Lipton always asks his stars, at the end of their interview, to tell the audience their favorite swear word…have no fear I’m not asking that, although it could be interesting…I have chosen to close with this question: What makes Stone Horses special to you?  Julie’s response:  “Stone Horses are special to me because I feel like a little part of me is in each horse I paint, and I hope that others feel the same joy that I do when I paint them.”