Back in 2017, the medallion scene in the model horse world was in a lull. There were not many artists doing them and I missed it! I missed seeing new artists have a resin canvas to use as a stepping stone to the scarier full resins. I missed seeing impossibly beautiful bite-sized works by not only my favorite sculptors but also my favorite finishwork artists! They were more affordable and often they were more fun studies of character, emotion, and whimsy that were hard to find in the full resins. It allowed me to see more into the heart of the sculptor and see through their eyes to what they were thinking, feeling and really focusing in on with their art. The model horse world can be a bit stiflingly realistic at times and medallions allowed for stunningly beautiful pieces but also more whimsical and creative features and ideas.
I always loved sculpting medallions. They were a great place to start original sculpting and allowed me to develop and grow my skills and do challenging poses where there wasn't a need for complicated physics of balance and stands/bases. I had been getting fun monthly clubs in the mail for yarn and fiber that were geeky themed and an art supply subscription box it got me thinking of maybe I could do that with my work. Getting a box in the mail always brightened my day and I would have loved to see that from my favorite Sculptors! So why not? Medallions were just the right fit to play with fun themes while keeping the cost down! I could provide that little spark of joy for the person receiving it and have some fun with it to boot!
The first box had an elegant Warmblood called Xavier with his neck stretched out in an arch, really showcasing the beauty of the showjumpers I would see at Spruce Meadows. I am so lucky to live right close to this world-class facility and enjoy such famous horse visitors as the late Hickstead, Big Ben, Cortez C, and King Edward. I included a little newsletter of studio updates, including photos I had taken at Spruce Meadows and a Spruce Meadows Pen too! It was a huge hit and still a fondly remembered box to this day!
The club has grown a lot since then and so has the fun! The Medallion Club has become something hundreds of people look forward to every two months with all sorts of goodies (coffee crisps included of course), fun artistic stickers, contests, giveaways, early access to editions, and discounts too! Some savvy members make up for their club costs in all the perks and special offerings basically getting the medallion boxes for free! I hear from members every month with their thoughts on the medallion boxes and just how much they look forward to their little pop of joy that brightens their day when they open it!
I've connected with so many members and some are now dear friends and regularly found in the chat on my Sunday Livestreams too! I have met some of them in person at BreyerFest and shared so many memories! Seeing a lot of the artists within the club paint (or customize!) and grow their skills on my work is just the most heartwarming and inspiring thing for me and keeps pushing me to make more and more detailed and dynamic medallions.
The club has evolved a lot and so has my work. 2025 brings exciting changes to the club with newly added online content and perks. It's the first time since its start 8 years ago that the price has gone up. These changes are letting me expand into the tutorials and educational content I have been itching to share with everyone! The Medallion Club being the premier club offering, it gets all the benefits, and since it was the one to bring us here to this point, my thanks too! While other clubs have been added, there will always be something special about the Medallion Club and its members.
These years have allowed me to get closer to the members and keep evolving with them. They have seen me through cancer treatment (while the club still went on), a pandemic where the boxes were even more important escapes from the crazy of the world, and through the journey of my first Breyers Justify, Fireheart, Tigerlily, Firestorm, & Rosalie, My Peter Stone Cob Sculpture, and my journey of creating souls like Juggernaut, Biter, Tater, and Bombus. It's been a journey and the Medallion Club members have been along for the ride with me and I hope we keep going for many years to come!
This won't be the last of the changes and upgrades to the club and the future is very exciting! Have a fun Medallion Club story to share or share your favorite medallion from the Medallion Club in the comments below!
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