"What A Show"

 
"Put On A Show" - June 26, 2010 Fan Hanover Stakes from Thomas Allen Pauly on Vimeo.

One of the top honors that an equine artist could receive is a commission by the owner to portray their fine champion. Unfortunately, this usually happens after the horse is retired and one does not get to experience their subject's racing career. Owner Craig Henderson loves horse racing and he loves to share racing with his friends...On the 32nd anniversary of my introduction to the sport, I was commissioned by Craig to portray Put on a Show. She is a very talented 3 year old champion filly by Rocknroll Hanover, she's a millionaire and happens to be a harness horse. Although it has been years since I painted a Standardbred, my heart and roots are in harness racing.

On Thursday, I received a call from Mr. Henderson inviting me to watch his filly race. Not just any race, it is the $666,000.00 Fan Hanover Stakes. Not just any track, it is Mohawk Raceway in Toronto, Canada. And not just any plane, it is a Beechcraft Hawker private jet.

We arrive at Chicago Executive Airport at 2:30 pm and we take off at 2:39pm. No security, no x-ray machines, no shoe removal and you could bring on bottle water.  Wow! This is the only way to fly...We arrive 52 minutes later in Hamilton, Canada  and limo to the track. Weather is perfect. Mohawk Racetrack looks great and is packed (compliments of casino gambling). We have tables reserved on the terrace overlooking the finish line. Drinks and fine food were abundant. The host was beaming.

It was like going back 32 years, clicking hundreds of pictures of the breed that started me on this journey. Talking with Hall of Fame driver Dave Magee, who has 3 of my paintings, including my very first harness driver portrait (see image). Meeting driving legend John Campbell and reminiscence about his portrait that his wife commissioned me to paint 22 years ago.  Experiencing the paddock again, forgetting that numerous races are harnessed here at once. The barn was filled with much energy, excitement and anticipation.

"Put on a Show" is #5 in the 5th race. The favorite at 1:1.  She is trained by Chris Ryder, driven by Tim Tetrick. One minute to post: I decided not to photograph her race from my usual position at the finish line. I wanted to experience the race with Craig, his co-owner Richard Young and their many friends.  Nerves are setting in, everyone is pacing(pun intended). And They're Off...she breaks slowly from the gate and is 7th at the clubhouse turn. Her usual style. At the 8th pole she is is flying on the outside like a Hawker jet. Just misses at the wire. An awesome race, with a little quicker pace she would have won going away. But, it wasn't meant to be... She is the best filly in the sport and she will get them next time.

10:30pm: the car takes us back to our jet. I am home by midnight.

WOW!!! One of the greatest experiences I have ever had in horse racing. Thank you Craig for "Putting On A Great Show"  and returning me to my roots.

Thomas Allen Pauly (circa 1986) up on one of my pacers "Royal Rhyme" that I co-owned with trainer/driver Robert Williams Jr...I used to help jog my horses at Sportsmans Park every weekend. I miss those mornings.

Thomas Allen Pauly Featured in American Art Collector Magazine

...The June issue of the American Art Collector magazine will feature my oil painting titled "Moulin de Longchamp" in their special section titled "The Art of the Horse." It explores the history and majestic power of the horse by art expert John O'Hern.
My artwork is featured in this story along with fellow equine artists Joseph Piccillo, Mikel Donahue, Jean Requa Lubin, Hazel Morgan, Sandra Oppegard and Veryl Goodnight...This issue introduces our genre to a national audience...

To view a PDF or to order a copy: http://www.americanartcollector.com/index.php

Dennis Hopper - Actor, Artist and Racing Fan

...I just heard that Dennis Hopper passed away today at 74 years old. Mr. Hopper was a great actor, an avid racing fan and a prolific painter. I had the opportunity to discuss artwork with him on numerous occasions. This is a photo of us at the 2003 Kentucky Derby.

Thomas Allen Pauly - "Derby Day" Art Exhibit

Thomas Allen Pauly Art Gallery 2010 Kentucky Derby Video on Vimeo.
Thomas Allen Pauly Art Gallery 2010 Kentucky Derby Video on YouTube

What a great experience I had exhibiting at this year's Kentucky Derby. It is an extremely rare opportunity for an equine artist to be invited to have a one man art show at the historic Churchill Downs Racetrack during the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. Except for the huge storms that arrived on Derby day, I couldn't ask for anything better. The gallery spaces was absolutely perfect and the management/sales teams were incredible. It was great to see many of my longtime collectors as well as meeting new ones.

My exhibits were located at the 3 main gates, displaying 38 of my original oils, watercolors and graphites.  I had the wonderful opportunity to have my oil painting of "Derby Day" published as the "Official Commemorative Print of The Kentucky Derby 136" along with numerous licensed Derby products.

But, the highlight of the weekend was painting on location and discussing my portfolio and painting style with collectors, racing fans and aspiring artists. My portrait of "Zenyatta" was a crowd favorite, especially since her rival Rachel Alexandra came in second in the La Trioienne Stakes earlier on Oaks day.

Although I didn't get an opportunity to shoot many of the undercard races, I did get to photograph my 12th Derby/Oaks. This year, I had a team of 5 shooters capturing many of the pivotal scenes of the 2010 Derby. My photos will be published by GIA Marketing as licensed Derby/Oaks Winners Prints.

I would like to thank The Game, Gloria Irwin and the team of Gia Marketing for making this event an amazing success.  Also, a very special thanks to Shawn Toth for assisting me with my artwork displays.

I'm already making plans for my 2011 Derby art show....

The Kentucky Derby Features the Equine Art of Thomas Allen Pauly

http://www.horseartist.com/

LOUISVILLE, KY (April 29, 2010) --- I will have the great honor to present a one man art exhibit at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky during the 2010 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. The show will run April 30 - May 1 at several gallery locations throughout the grounds of historic Churchill Downs and at the Kentucky Derby Museum on May 2, 2010.

My exhibit will feature original oils, watercolors and graphites along with numerous official Kentucky Derby licensed art products. Among the highlights of the exhibition will be my commissioned portrait of this year's Kentucky Derby champion which will be published in a very limited Derby edition of 136 fine art prints.
Throughout the event, I will also have the opportunity to be painting the great champion
"Zenyatta" in Churchill's paddock and also at my main gallery
located near the walking ring.



..........

Thomas Allen Pauly's Artwork "As Seen On TV" in Undercover Boss

My "Undercover Boss" viewing at Pair O' Lakes Lodge in the Northwoods

It was a very surreal experience seeing my artwork on the huge Plasma TV screens deep in the heart of the Northwoods.  The Pair O' Lakes Lodge in Trego, Wisconsin (pop. 885) was a perfect venue to share this special event with my friends over beer and the lodge's famous fish fry.  Not only was it an honor to have my work displayed in pivotal scenes, but it was great to see my friends at Arlington Park and view horse racing in a positive light.  Thank you to Undercover Boss, Arlington Park, Producer Rachelle Mendez and CBS for including my artwork in their #1 hit reality show.

The paintings that were featured in

Arlington's board room and the executive office.

"Longchamp" - Print on Canvas,
24" x 36" - Board Room

"Waiting for Secretariat" - Print on Canvas,
  24" x 36" - Board Room

 "Red, White & Blue" - Oil on Canvas,
 20" x 30" - Executive Office

"Longchamp" - Oil on Canvas,     
16" x 24" - Executive Office

Undercover Boss scene featuring Thomas Allen Pauly's artwork in the executive office.
Air Date: 03/14/10
Video time: 1:25 minutes
C.O.O. Bill Carstanjen reveals his identity to Arlington Park valet Kenny Rice


 Link to "Undercover Boss - Churchill Downs"
Full Episode, 42:55 minutes, Air Date: 03/14/10

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/undercover_boss/video/?pid=EmuM0xef3jz3heV1EOhIErKwye3BiA9s&nrd=1

Undercover Boss TV Show Features Equine Art of Thomas Allen Pauly

 "Arlington Park"

This Sunday, there is a very good chance that 8 of my paintings will appear in the hit reality series Undercover Boss.  Last summer, I received a phone call from Arlington Park and CBS requesting to use my artwork in numerous shooting locations. They will be featured in Arlington's board room and the Executive Suites. It was tons of fun taking part in the filming and it should help promote horse racing.

I hope everyone watches.


Stay tuned and get your VCR, Tivo, DVR ready.

Sunday March 14, 8pm CST


Here's a preview....Undercover Boss - Churchill Downs ... The COO of Churchill Downs Bill Carstenjen goes undercover at his own racetracks where he must face his fear of horses and is brought to tears after working for one employee.

To view preview:
 Undercover Boss