The Wild Ones: Cherryl Pape's Passion for America's Wild Horses

Artist Cherryl Pape finds pastels perfect for depicting the open landscapes and billowing clouds of the American West. Her current exhibition at Palo Alto's Hotel California showcases meticulously detailed wild mustangs, capturing their flaring nostrils, wide eyes, and finely defined ribs and joints. Pape's passion for America's wild horses is evident in every painting, reflecting her background as a scientific illustrator.

After graduating from the San Francisco Art Institute, Pape worked at the California Academy of Sciences, illustrating fish for scientific publications. Her experience with thoroughbred horses, enhanced by training from Elizabeth Mihalyi and time spent in New Zealand, honed her skills in capturing equine beauty.

Recently, Pape's interest in wild horses deepened after learning about the American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Preservation), a nonprofit advocating for the protection of wild horses and burros. Her paintings often depict the challenges these animals face, such as government herd management practices.

Pape's art is inspired by photographs from the 2009 book "All The Wild Horses" by Dayton O. Hyde, with photography by Rita and Charles G. Summers, and photos by Mark Terrell. Her vivid pastel paintings, like "Wild Foal Dreaming," highlight the beauty and spirit of these creatures.

This exhibition is part of the Pacific Art League's community-sites program. Pape hopes to spread awareness about wild horses through her art, portraying their beauty, stamina, and rightful place in America.

Info: Cherryl Pape's "Wild Mustangs" show is up through Jan. 15 at the Hotel California, 2431 Ash St., Palo Alto. For more about Pape's work, visit cherrylpapeart.com.

Originally Posted By Palo Alto Weekly