The horse,
beyond likeness.

Some subjects are chosen.
Others seem to choose the artist.

For Tara, the horse has been a constant presence in her creative life. From her earliest childhood drawings to her work today, she has remained captivated by the extraordinary combination of strength, elegance, movement, and quiet sensitivity that defines these remarkable animals. Friesian horses, in particular, have held a special place in her imagination, their dramatic beauty and commanding presence inspiring her since childhood.

A self-taught artist originally from Milford, Michigan, Tara has spent more than two decades developing her craft as a professional equine artist. Her career began in the specialized world of fine art model horses, where her hand-painted creations have earned numerous championship awards and top honors in competition. This demanding discipline fostered an intimate understanding of equine anatomy, color, and form, providing the foundation for her evolving artistic expression.

Today, her two-dimensional work explores the space between realism and abstraction. Working in pastel pigments, charcoal, watercolor, and mixed media, Tara embraces the interplay of light and shadow, deliberate detail, and spontaneous gesture. Her recent pastel and charcoal compositions feature soft edges, layered textures, and unfinished passages, allowing her subjects to emerge and recede into the surrounding space, capturing something beyond their physical likeness.

Rather than simply reproducing the horse, Tara seeks to convey the feeling of its presence—the beauty, energy, and individuality that have inspired her throughout her life.

Tara now lives and creates in Belmont, North Carolina, where she and her husband share their lives with an eclectic family of dogs, cats, chickens, and Luke, her Turbo Friesian gelding. Chosen in part for the artistic inspiration he embodies, Luke is a living reflection of the horses that first captured her imagination. His presence continues to inspire her work, bringing her lifelong passion for horses full circle.