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California Riding Magazine • March, 2009 Feliki Captured |
Tami Hoag (left) and Terri Miller stand next to the portrait of Feliki, Hoag’s retired Grand Prix partner. The 4’ x 6’ painting now hangs in Hoag’s Los Angeles home. Terri Miller, one of the most praised equine photographers in the nation, has created a life-size portrait of Tami Hoag’s outstanding dressage mare, Feliki. This 4’ x 6’ oil-on-canvas painting now hangs in Tami’s residence in Los Angeles, demonstrating the horse’s powerful personality to all who visit. New York Times bestselling author Tami Hoag commissioned Terri, of San Marcos, and invited her to meet Feliki in Wellington, FL for a photo shoot. Terri decided to photograph the Dutch Warmblood as she was turned out in a paddock to capture the mare’s natural character instead of positioning her in a directed pose. “The minute the halter came off, the mare got even bigger,” Terri recounts. “She strutted, she snorted, she levitated. She rolled her eyes and gave me what Tami calls her, ‘Outta my way!’ look.” Terri enjoyed the experience. “It’s a real treat to photograph a horse with a larger-than-life personality, and I knew it would be just as much fun to paint her.” Tami is thrilled with the final product. “It is fantastic. It really captures the spirit of Feliki. She is so special in real life and in the painting, it looks like she is going to come out of the wall. I love it.” Positioned over the writing dressage rider’s mantle, Feliki’s image is a gorgeous and impressive reminder to everyone that passes that Feliki is an exceptional horse. A life-long rider herself, Terri is a renowned equine artist. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York, she has had works published in many well-known magazines including People, Practical Horsemen, Dressage Today, Equus and The Chronicle of the Horse. Her paintings have also been featured as posters for the inaugural North American Dressage Championships and the Barcelona Olympics. Terri is continually sought-after by equestrians who wish to have their horse’s image and character painted onto canvas. Hoag’s “grande dame” was found in the Netherlands in 2000. The following year, the pair won the high score Grand Prix horse award at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby and since then, the duo has racked up multiple Grand Prix wins on the prestigious Florida circuit. Now 22-years-old, Feliki continues to be ridden and exercised daily but is retired from the show ring. Feliki has won a special place in Tami’s heart, and her image hangs in a special place in Tami’s home.
For more information about Terri Miller’s photography and portraits, visit www.terrimiller.com. Click on the link for Miller’s blog for more information about the making of Feliki’s portrait.
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