Twisted Ponies – Where the Love of Art and Horses Found Each Other - Spring 2009 Issue of Horses in Art Magazine

“Twisted Ponies” – Where the Love of Art and Horses Found Each Other

by Karon Leigh

Magic Charm – Twisted Wire, 12” by Brenda Péo.
Brenda Peo, a metal & jewelry artist residing in St. David Arizona, brings her love of horses and art together with her “Twisted Ponies,” friendly horse sculptures of wire and beads. A jewelry artist for years working in sterling silver, gold and copper, she found one day she had some extra wire and started what she refers to as “three-dimensional scribbling.” Through the scribbling process, her first pony was foaled.

The ponies start out as just a wire form and each takes on its own character and personality – so much so that Brenda has names for all of them, Burrito, Scooter, and Shanti to name a few. Various types of wire are used: different colors, gauges and even chicken wire for the larger sculptures. Sculpture sizes range from tabletop to monumental floor versions. The large chicken wire horses are stand on real horseshoes. New in 2009 is the smaller horse that is mounted on a real horseshoe. Inside each wire-formed pony is a heart, affectionately crafted out of copper wool. “Every one of my horses needs a heart since real horses always have so much love to give.” All horses come with nameplates with their “foaled” date on them.

Molly – Raffia/silver floral wire with black wire accents by Brenda Péo.

Brenda’s family moved to the Southwest from Chicago when Brenda was a young child. She grew up in the Tucson area and lived for years on a ranch with her husband, horses and cattle. Arizona’s famous sunsets, open ranges, metallic mountains and shimmering deserts Brenda absorbed, appreciated and interpreted into her work. Vibrant coppers, subtle silvers, and mellow red brass found in her art mimic the hues of the Southwest. Her life has always included horses and art and recently with the birth of her “Twisted Ponies,” these loves have come together. The ponies, like the many breeds Brenda has owned and ridden, take on the full figured form of her last love, her 27-year-old Trakehner, Baby.

“I work on the jewelry all day, but at night I get to do these horses which have become the fun thing for me to do. The response from people has been absolutely fantastic. People have asked for other animals, but horses are what I know”

Shanti – the winged angel horse, is made of soft steel wire, copper wool in his wings and red brass wire. He measures approximately 10”

Whether it’s through jewelry, belts or horses, Brenda, has an obvious love for metal art and said she can’t imagine stopping. Brenda’s jewelry and “Twisted Ponies” can be found at Feminine Mystique Art Gallery, www.femalartgallery.com in Tubac, Arizona, Mardon Frost Gallery www.mardonfrost.com, in Tucson, Arizona, Gallery of Dreams, www.agalleryofdreams.com on Hwy 80, Saint David, Arizona, The Fool on the Hill www.thefoolonthehill.com in Jerome, Arizona and through her online gallery and store at www.bpeo-designs.com.

Just like real ponies these “Twisted Ponies” are individuals but if you would like one similar created just for you, please drop a note to Brenda at bpeo@bpeo-designs.com Brenda will be showing her “Twisted Ponies” at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, February 12-22, 2009 www.scottsdaleshow.com.

Brenda with Burrito. Burrito is approximately 4 feet tall.

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