“We Can Do This” Menlo Charity Horse Show Selects it’s 2013 Artist of the Year!

We Can Do This by Stacey Turcotte, oil on canvas (36×48)

The Menlo Charity Horse Show Committee is pleased to announce it has unanimously selected San Carlos resident Stacey Turcotte as “Artist of the Year” for its upcoming show, August 6-11, 2013 at the Menlo Circus Club.  Each year the committee selects an artist and painting that represents the spirit of the competition that has made Menlo a grand equestrian attraction for over 43 years. “‘We Can Do This’ is a touching piece that captures a moment of unspoken connection between horse and rider before competition. The painting resonated right away with the committee and it was a clear winner,” said show spokeswoman Carissa Ashman.

Highlights of the show include a Sponsor Gala and Auction on Friday, August 9th, where the painting, with an estimated value of $5,000 will be auctioned to the highest bidder.  All proceeds will benefit Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Palo Alto which is dedicated to serving over 2,500 clients in the Bay Area through its programs promoting independent living and improving quality of life.

Though Stacey has been painting the last 10 years, she is relatively undiscovered. She decided to “give it a shot” and submit her oil on canvas, “We Can Do This” into the competition. Show co-chair and founder, Betsy Glikbarg of Atherton says, “We are honored that Stacey Turcotte will be adding her name to the list of extremely talented and well-known artists, such as LeRoy Neiman, who have participated in our event.”

Inspired by animals, Turcotte says she paints “in a loose approach with a solid foundation. My driving force is to bring the spirit of the subjects to life.  Painting a horse and rider captures the delicate balance of precision and harmony.” For “We Can Do This,” Stacey photographed over 100 horses and riders.  One photograph stood among the rest as “the one” resulting in the winning piece.

View our first press of 2013: http://inmenlo.com/2013/05/01/menlo-charity-horse-show-selects-we-can-do-this-as-painting-for-this-years-show/