Although she conveys the distinctive characteristics of the horse with great detail and realism, Pamela Wildermuth paints the moment rather than a photorealistic interpretation. The idealic scenes she captures on canvas are harmonious and natural, as if it couldn’t have happened any other way. Avoiding looking overly pampered, the horses she portrays are sound and true to life, yet they exist in an atmosphere brushed with luxury.

The art of Pam Wildermuth has been evolving since her childhood drawing sessions with her artist-father, and tracing and copying from her favorite horse books. Her head was filled with stories of her great-grandfather Antonio Leiva, renowned vaquero of the vast Tejon Ranch in California.

Wildermuth studied graphic design in college, but later when friends commissioned her to paint their horses, it felt better than designing product labels.

Wildermuth remarks, “Of course, all that academic study hadn’t been wasted and I soon discovered that the basics of design and color were showing in my new horse paintings. My work found an appreciative audience.”

Wildermuth also took private art lessons. She learned how to soften colors, the importance of values, and how to produce more depth and distance in her backgrounds.

“I try to keep my work evolving. I work hard, really hard. Every painting is a struggle, and I try to keep my originality intact.”

When I find myself in a slump, I have to slap myself out of it, shut down and reboot. That’s when I just walk out into my backyard and one of my horses will nuzzle me, or turn and look at me with just that right look in his eye, or gaze at something in the distance, or roll, or scratch an itch, and I’m inspired again. It’s all about doing what I love.”

When Pam Wildermuth was a horse crazy little girl she received more attention for copying something, rather than tracing it. It was the first step in her evolution as an artist. Wildermuth remarks, “And I’ve been working for the applause ever since.”

Wildermuth is a full signature member of the American Academy of Equine Art, the Horse Artists Association and served as president of Women Artists of the West. Her paintings and drawings, praised for their authenticity and attention to detail, are included in the world’s most illustrious exhibitions of equine art.

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