Vicky Mottart - KCHOY Cover Competition Winner

Vicky Mottart - KCHOY Cover Competition Winner by: Jon Tootill

The winning entry for the cover of this years 'Horse of the Year' catalogue was painted by Gisborne artist Vicky Mottart.  

Vicky is originally from the UK where she studied art before travelling the world.    She has been teaching art since 1990 in Kenya then Costa Rica, Central America, before settling to live by the sea in Gisborne with her husband Sam and their two children, Rosie and Reuben.  

Vicky says about her art and the winning entry, " I have always used natural forms as inspiration for my work and so spending time with Rosie and her pony, Soda, naturally led to a lot of horse photography and a series of blue horse paintings, influenced by one of my favourite artists, Franz Marc.  " Feels like flying" (the title of the winning entry) came from a comment Rosie made when first learning to jump; "Mum, when Soda goes over the jump it feels like we're flying".

For the HOY painting I wanted to illustrate this energy and excitement through a vibrant use of colour and abstract forms. Also important to me was the need to show the relationship between the human and the horse; the passion and partnership, which I hoped to convey by the large caring hands and rounded contact.

The overall aim being to imagine the thrill of competing at HOY, when, with a winning ribbon it "feels like flying"!