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A Brief Interview with Carol Williams |
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Carol Williams is well-known for producing sculptures and custom models with amazing authenticity. She's generously shared many of her secrets for remaking and painting models in her book, Color Formulas and Techniques for the Model Horse Artist, available from Rio Rondo. Carol was kind enough to take a few moments to answer some questions I had for her.
Kristin Berkery: What is your background with "real" horses? Your background with model horses? Carol Williams: Regarding real horses, I've owned horses for over 20 years, and I've competed in local shows and rodeos in the past. I've been employed at several horse operations in the past in the breeding and foaling aspects and have formal training in breeding and artificial insemination. My involvement in model horses spans well over 25 years and includes operating clubs, newsletters, organizing, judging and competing in shows, doing lectures and demonstrations, sculpting, painting, and tackmaking. KB: Do you have a formal art education? CW: I'm self-taught. KB: How did you become the sculptor of the Ideal American Stock Horse for Peter Stone Company? Was the sculpture modeled after a specific horse? CW: The Ideal Stock Horse (ISH) is based on the original "QHS1" resin mold, which was originally sculpted after the Quarter Horse stallion Zan Parr Bar in 1988. In late 1998 I was approached by the Peter Stone Company regarding producing this piece in injection-molded plastic. KB: What are your most prized models or resins in your own model horse collection? CW: To be honest, I don't have very much of a collection here. I have a few models I brought home from the factory when I was there to do the Artisan's Hall "Providence," some which I painted myself, and a couple which were created by friends who were assisting me there, and given to me as gifts. I also have a few other resins presented to me as gifts or in trade from fellow hobby artists and those have the most sentimental meaning to me. The first QHS1 I painted is part of my collection, as well as the first Arabian Park Horse, and also the portrait model of "Okie Rio." (continued above right) |
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While I have a smattering of OF's and older remakes, there isn't all that much to see here. Until recently, I did not have any room to store or display very many models, so I didn't really ever get very deep into collecting. I do, however, collect pieces of tack and vehicles on occasion. KB: What words of wisdom can you give new model horse sculptors and painters? CW: Learn to truly look at the live horse and observe the details, either from life or photos. Practice makes perfect, and don't give up if creating models is your passion -- it takes time to learn and master many of the skills. All of my early work was quite pathetic compared to the first-tries of most people I see starting out now... so take advantage of any books, seminars or workshops you can... you can speed your progress by learning from the experience of others, and easily avoid making the same mistakes. Carol Williams' books and resins may be purchased through her site at http://www.riorondo.com.
-- Interviewed by Kristin Berkery, July 2001
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