124th National Horse Show and Family Festival Announces Gretchen Almy as 2007 NHS Official Artist

Wellington, FL - The 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival, an equestrian tradition since 1883, is pleased to announce Gretchen Almy as the competition's "Official Artist." Almy was chosen from a pool of talented artists to recreate the historic National Horse Show poster. The annual poster depicts a man in a top hat jumping over a post and rail fence. This year Almy has recreated that poster with her artistic excellence.

Gretchen Almy Designs creates traditional equine and canine portraits in graphite and pencil, and she is also a specialist in photography and in a new medium for portraiture: Digital Color Renditions.

"It's a great honor to be the Official Artist for the National," commented Almy. "It's an amazing opportunity. I've gone to the National Horse Show since I was about eight years old. When it was held at Madison Square Garden, the National always landed on my birthday, and my mother would take me to see the show as my birthday present. To be involved with the show from a new perspective, as the Official Artist, is very special to me."

As a long-time rider and horse lover, she started to draw horses and dogs when she started riding at the age of five. She later earned her Fine Arts degree at the Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, VA.

"After I lost my father six years ago to cancer, I decided life was too short," she said. "This was my inspiration for when I decided to pursue art full-time. He always encouraged me to follow my passions and for that I am truly grateful. I feel very lucky to be able to do what I love to do. When I made this decision, I was working in product development for a company that did picture frames. It wasn't very exciting," she laughed. "The best thing about being an artist is the freedom to create what you want and be expressive on a regular basis."

Almy offers commission work for clients in the categories of: Graphite/Pencil, Digital Color Renditions, Fine Art and Prints, Equine and Canine Photography, and Children Photography.

The National Horse Show and Family Festival showcases top hunter, jumper, and dressage competitors at their highest levels. This year's event will be held at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington, FL, from December 5-9.

To learn more about Gretchen Almy, please visit her Web site at www.galmydesigns.com.

Photo Credit: 124th National Horse Show and Family Festival Poster. Artwork by Gretchen Almy.