Prep work

Since the carousel has been taken down for the season, the horses are all tucked into their winter crates.  The newly painted ones are in their usual storage shed waiting for the spring.  The horses who still need work are all in the maintenance building waiting their turn.

Here's the Pony Express and Fairy Princess horses, before crating.

 

Julia was home for a few days (see her post below to meet the horse she painted!), and we spent a little time prepping some of the horses for painting.  All of them need to be sanded to remove any flaking paint and smooth rough edges, washed off, and primed.  Since we didn't have a lot of time that morning, we didn't bother asking the guys to take them out of their crates for priming, but it was great to get some of the sanding and washing done while the weather was still OK to hose them off outside.  Definitely not the most glamorous part of this project, it's a dusty and greasy job, but it needs to be done.

Looks like they are at the starting gate!

Insert Darth Vader breathing noises.

 A few of the horses are going to require some more extensive repair, where the aluminum has really chipped and pitted.  We're probably going to use something like Bondo, and I for one am excited to give that a try.

Look for us during the month of November at the CAP Artspace on the Ithaca Commons!  We will be moving two horses in the front room by the windows, and I will work on them a few days a week.

Word is that our fundraising is going well, keeping pace with the painting.  Many thanks to everyone who has donated to make this possible.  Speaking of fundraising, we will soon have T-shirts available for sale/donation, and will be sure to let you know as soon as those arrive.  Many, many thanks to PSP Unlimited for printing our shirts!

-Christi