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Raised in California, Jerilyn WeberÕs closest childhood friend lived on a 300-acre ranch. She fondly recalls riding bareback together-their steadfast Quarter Horses loping along scenic bluffs and expertly weaving through beautiful river trails. It was an idyllic time for Weber, an avid animal lover.
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She dreamed of painting professionally but other career opportunities and the birth of her two daughters, Ashley and Laura set her on a different path. When the girls started English Riding lessons in their middle school years, Weber joined them.
Learning to ride formally was a lot more involving than her carefree days on the ranch, ÒBut I knew if I didnÕt try, I wouldnÕt be able to fully appreciate what my daughters were learning,Ó Jerilyn says, ÒAnd it gave us a wonderful activity to share together.Ó Meanwhile, art was never she dabbled with painting horses and dogs as a hobby and
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enjoyed various art classes. Then two events set her on a new professional career path. She received great praise from distant relatives for an oil painting she had created of her lesson horse and she was introduced to pastels. Weber displayed her work at veterinary offices, horse and dog shows. Soon she began receiving calls for commissions. Today Jerilyn lives in New Jersey and is an active member of the New Jersey Equine ArtistsÕ Association. She has received numerous awards for her work including a Best in Show in the 2017 Pastel Society of New Jersey Members' Exhibition for her painting "Feeling His Oats.Ó Several of her dog paintings have received First Place awards in the New York Dog Fanciers Contemporary Dog Art Competitions. ÒI especially love painting horses. As a child, drawing a horse was a way of having a horse of my own. As an adult, I appreciate their amazing beauty. I love the way the roundness of their muscles contrasts with the linearity of their bone structure. I love the softness of their chests. Most of all I love the features of their head Ð their nostrils, their ears, and of course, their lovely, expressive eyes. When I am painting a horse, I try to imagine how it feels to stroke their coat, to feel their warmth, and to smell their particular scent. ÓJerilyn finds her long-awaited career very gratifying. She enjoys bringing a beloved animal to life in pastels for his or her owner and to know the client is happy with the work. � To learn more about JerilynÕs art visit www.jerilynweber.com To contact her directly email jerilynweber@comcast.net
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