Portrait of Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm by Dagmar Galleithner Steiner, original pastel on Clairefontaine Pastelmat (photo courtesy of Kate Hunter).
GEORGETOWN, KY – MAY 26, 2015 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Facility in Georgetown, KY, is pleased to announced the launch of Dagmar Galleithner Steiner’s new fine-art website, which will offer for sale original pastel, pencil, and watercolor portraits of Old Friends retirees.
The artwork, which has been three years in the making, will be featured in Galleithner Steiner’s forthcoming book In the Company of Old Friends.
A portion of the proceeds from online sales will benefit Old Friends, a 501 (C) (3) charitable organization that cares for more than 150 former racehorses.
To view and purchase the images, visit the website at http://www.dagmar-galleithner.com or contact the artist at (626) 999-6213 or by email at info@dagmar-galleithner.com.
Many of Galleithner Steiner’s original canvases are based on photographs taken by such equine photographers as Barbara Livingston, Matt and Wendy Wooly of Equisport Photos, Rick Capone, Laura Battles, Candace Chavez, Suzie Picou-Oldham, John C. Engelhardt, and many others.
The featured Old Friends retirees include Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm, Eclipse Award winner Sunshine Forever, Breeders’ Cup Champion Gulch, Hall of Famer Precisionist, and fan favorites Ogygian and Clever Allemont.
Original canvases vary in size and range from $1,800 to $8,600. Print reproductions of three images — Silver Charm, Ferdinand and Ogygian — are also available. They have been created in limited editions of 450, with each signed and numbered by the artist. In the coming months all of the images will be available as prints.
Galleithner Steiner was raised in Germany, and horses have been a part of her life since childhood. During college she spent a great deal of time at the harness racetrack in Munich, helping to retrain and re-home horses done with their racing careers. It was at the tracks, both harness and Thoroughbred, that Steiner earned her first commissions as a painter from various owners and trainers who wanted portraits of their horses.
She is married to jockey Joe J. Steiner and now lives in Southern California.
Galleithner Steiner’s work can be seen in private collections around the world. She has also donated paintings and prints to numerous equine aftercare programs around the country, including Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue, Save a Forgotten Equine (SAFE), CANTER California, Thoroughbred Charities of America and Old Friends.
Most recently Galleithner Steiner was commissioned to do the official portrait of 2014 Pacific Classic winner, Shared Belief.
“It would be a mistake to classify Dagi as just an ‘equine’ artist,” said Michael Blowen, president and founder of Old Friends. “Her talent is enormous, and she is very accomplished. But we’re thrilled that she has made horses — especially our Old Friends retirees — her subject of choice. Her style perfectly captures their beauty, their grace and, more importantly, their soul.”
About Old Friends
Old Friends is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that cares for more than 110 retired racehorses. Its Dream Chase Farm, located in Georgetown, KY, is open to tourists daily by appointment. Old Friends also has a satellite facility in Greenfield Center, New York, Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division, which is also open to visitors. For more information on tours or to make a donation, contact the main farm at (502) 863-1775 or see their website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org or Michael Blowen, (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org