Thomas Allen Pauly - "Derby Day" Art Exhibit

Thomas Allen Pauly Art Gallery 2010 Kentucky Derby Video on Vimeo.
Thomas Allen Pauly  Art Gallery 2010 Kentucky Derby Video on YouTube

What a great experience I had exhibiting at this year's Kentucky  Derby. It is an extremely rare opportunity for an equine artist to be  invited to have a one man art show at the historic Churchill Downs  Racetrack during the Kentucky Derby and Oaks. Except for the huge storms  that arrived on Derby day, I couldn't ask for anything better. The  gallery spaces was absolutely perfect and the management/sales teams  were incredible. It was great to see many of my longtime collectors as  well as meeting new ones.

My exhibits were located at  the 3 main gates, displaying 38 of my original oils, watercolors and  graphites.  I had the wonderful opportunity to have my oil painting of  "Derby Day" published as the "Official Commemorative Print of The  Kentucky Derby 136" along with numerous licensed Derby products.

But,  the highlight of the weekend was painting on location and discussing my  portfolio and painting style with collectors, racing fans and aspiring  artists. My portrait of "Zenyatta" was a crowd favorite, especially since  her rival Rachel Alexandra came in second in the La Trioienne Stakes  earlier on Oaks day.

Although I didn't get an  opportunity to shoot many of the undercard races, I did get to  photograph my 12th Derby/Oaks. This year, I had a team of 5 shooters  capturing many of the pivotal scenes of the 2010 Derby. My photos will  be published by GIA Marketing as licensed Derby/Oaks Winners Prints.

I  would like to thank The Game, Gloria Irwin and the team of Gia  Marketing for making this event an amazing success.  Also, a very  special thanks to Shawn Toth for assisting me with my artwork displays.

I'm  already making plans for my 2011 Derby art show....