Sarah saddles up for special horse portrait
EQUINE ‘LEGENDS’ MARKED IN ART PROJECT FOR CHARITY
A DERBY artist has been specially selected by a leading animal charity to help celebrate its 135th anniversary this month.
The Horse Trust, which provides retirement and respite care for horses and ponies that served in the police and military, has commissioned Sarah Perkins to create a portrait of three of its most famous horses.
Sarah, who specialises in animal art and pet portraits, was chosen for the project barely six months after she was commissioned by The Blues and Royals Association to design their 2020 Christmas card, which sold 11,000 copies and raised more than £6,000 for the veterans’ charity.
Her work was recognised by the Derby Mainframe Awards, where she was shortlisted for Creativity for Good.
Sarah’s Horse Trust Legends artwork features the heads of three famous horses from the charity’s history: Sefton, a British Army horse who served for 17 years and survived the Hyde Park bombings in July 1982; Met Police horse Boris – who was awarded the PDSA’s order of Merit for showing outstanding bravery during the 2011 Tottenham riots; and Viscount, the longest serving military horse in history.
The artwork has been turned into limited edition prints, signed by Sarah, and there 250 available in A4 and A3 formats, with profits donated to the charity.
The original artwork (61cm x 45cm) is being sold framed via sarahperkinsart.co.uk, with 25% of profits also being donated.
Sarah served with Derbyshire police for 21 years before having to retire early due to medical reasons, and this is a cause close to her heart. She launched Sarah Perkins Art in September 2018.
Sarah said: “I’m thrilled to have been commissioned to create such a meaningful piece of art for The Horse Trust. I know just how vital horses are to the force, so I’m excited to be honouring them within this piece and helping to raise money for a very special cause.”
Alice Morgan, director of fundraising at The Horse Trust, commented: “We work hard to make sure that our equine public servants are well looked after in their retirement, and the funds raised will help us to continue our work.”
The original artwork can be purchased online from sarahperkinsart. co.uk/product-category/originalart, and the limited edition prints of the piece are available via horsetrust.org.uk and will retail from £49.50.