Maggie
Background & Inspiration
How did Alpha Mare Art begin — was there a particular moment or inspiration that sparked it?
Alpha Mare began with a single painting. I’ve loved drawing and painting my entire life, and even earned my BA in art, but I spent nearly two decades in corporate America before finally giving myself permission to pursue my passion. In many ways, it happened by luck—or maybe fate stepping in at the right moment.
I had a very specific vision for a piece of art for my living room: a white horse on barnwood. After searching everywhere and coming up empty, I thought, Why not try to create it myself? I salvaged four beautiful pieces of old barnwood, assembled them, and painted a simple white horse walking through water.
When I posted it online, the response was overwhelming. Friends and family began asking for pieces of their own, and one commission led to another. The more I created, the more the demand grew. Eventually, I took a leap of faith, left my corporate job, and stepped fully into the dream I had always carried with me—to become a full-time artist and build what would become Alpha Mare Art.
Have horses always been part of your life, or did that passion come later?
Yes — I’ve loved horses for as long as I can remember. Growing up in the suburbs meant I couldn’t have a horse in the backyard, but that didn’t stop me. I had hobby horses, and my parents let me turn our garage into a makeshift barn where I built stalls and “cared” for my herd every day.
When I was finally old enough, they let me start riding lessons, and eventually I saved up enough to purchase my first horse. I was that girl who practically lived at the barn—cleaning stalls, feeding, doing any job I could just to earn more time in the saddle or another lesson.
Over the years, I rode in several disciplines, but what I loved most was what many would call natural horsemanship. I adored the quiet moments in the round pen—building a bond, learning their language, and refining my ability to communicate with them. That connection has stayed with me and continues to inspire everything I create.
Where did the name Alpha Mare Art come from, and what does it represent to you?
This is a very special story to me. Around the time I turned 40, my life felt like it was falling apart. I was going through a difficult divorce, and my ten-year-old son had already survived cancer twice. Horses—and the barn—were my refuge. I had a young horse who was giving me trouble at that time, and one day a natural horseman came to our barn to teach a clinic.
I thought he was going to help me with my “problem” horse. But what I learned changed everything. Through his program, I realized the problem wasn’t the horse at all—it was me. Or rather, my mindset, conditioning, and emotional weight I was carrying. It felt like a door to an entirely new understanding of myself swung wide open.
He introduced a concept he called “AlphA”—not dominance, but balance. A person who is grounded, centered, and authentic. Someone who gives up the need for control in order to gain true connection. Someone who returns to the child within, to their true self, instead of chasing perfection.
That idea became a turning point. I began healing from my own mistakes, from a fractured family, from an abusive work environment, and from the trauma of watching my son fight for his life (he won!). I stopped beating myself up, found my strength again, and eventually found the courage to leave my toxic job and pursue my lifelong love of art. People who weren’t true friends naturally fell away, and those who supported me became my closest circle.
In the wild, many people assume the stallion leads the herd, but it’s actually the alpha mare—the quiet, steady, wise one who guides and protects. That truth resonated deeply with me.
So when I became a professional artist and needed a name for my studio, I chose Alpha Mare Art. It honors the lessons that reshaped me, the power of staying true to myself, and the quiet femininity that is incredibly strong, skilled, and wise.
How has your background or experience in the equestrian world influenced your artistic style?
My signature style is trompe l’oeil, where the subject appears to break over the border of the painting. That visual illusion is deeply inspired by my experience with horses. To me, it’s a metaphor for freedom—something wild horses embody naturally, and something we often try to preserve or restore in our relationships with domestic horses through understanding their language and honoring their nature.
The act of “breaking the frame” also mirrors the inner work horses have taught me: breaking free from our own conditioning, limitations, and expectations. Horses invite us to show up authentically, without pretense. In many ways, my artwork reflects that same message—stepping beyond the boundaries we place on ourselves and returning to our truest, most natural selves.
Creative Process & Style
How would you describe your artistic style to someone who hasn’t seen your work?
I would describe my work as trompe l’oeil–inspired realism with soulful storytelling. My paintings blend lifelike detail with the illusion of horses breaking over the frame, creating a sense of presence and connection. At the heart of it all is emotion—each piece is meant to feel like a story, not just a portrait.
What inspires your pieces most — specific horses, emotions, or stories?
Stories, without question. Every horse has a history, a personality, and a profound impact on the people who love them, and that is what inspires me the most. In fact, I’m currently working on a coffee-table book, planned for release before the holidays in 2026, that will feature a collection of my custom equine commissions paired with the stories behind each horse—told in the words of their owners.
Horses touch humans in extraordinary ways: through therapy and healing, through military and police work, through sport and partnership, and simply through companionship. I’m fascinated by the way they shape our lives. My art is a way of honoring those bonds—capturing not just the horse, but the emotion and meaning woven into their story. This upcoming book is an extension of that vision.
Can you walk us through your creative process from concept to finished piece?
When someone requests a commission, the process always begins with their story. I start by learning about their horse—what makes them unique, what they’ve experienced together, and the qualities that define their bond. Understanding a horse’s personality and history helps me portray them not just accurately, but with emotion and depth.
From there, I hand-build my custom wood canvas, which is an important part of my signature style. Then I gather all the reference photos from the client. I rarely “copy” one single image; instead, I study all of them to develop a holistic sense of the horse—their expression, their posture, their presence. Using that understanding, I create a completely original composition that captures their spirit in a way that feels true and alive.
Do you have a favorite medium or subject to work with?
Absolutely—horses are my favorite subject, rendered in oils on wood. The wood canvas feels naturally connected to the horse as a subject. Its grain, texture, and organic character add a depth that complements the softness and strength of the animal.
I also love that the wood allows me to create the illusion of a frame for the horse to break over, which is signature to my style. Each board is different—its knots, lines, and patterns are their own kind of artwork. In many ways, every piece begins as art on art, and the painting becomes a collaboration between the horse, the wood, and my brush.
How do you capture the spirit or personality of a horse in your art?
That’s always the hardest question to answer, because there isn’t a single technique or formula I rely on. It’s more of an intuitive process—almost a feeling. As I paint, I focus on the subtle things that make each horse who they are: the softness in their eye, the tension or relaxation in their posture, the way they seem to hold their history in their expression.
I study their photos, listen to their stories, and let all of that guide my brush. At some point in the process, the painting shifts from being a depiction of “a horse” to feeling like that horse—and that’s when I know I’ve captured their spirit.
Meaning & Impact
What do you hope people feel when they see your work?
Love. Above all, I want viewers to feel love—both for the piece itself and for the animal whose spirit shines through it. My hope is that the personality, presence, and quiet wisdom of that horse comes forward in a way that words often can’t express.
If someone looks at one of my paintings and feels connected—to a memory, to an emotion, or simply to the soul of the horse—then I know the artwork has done exactly what I hoped it would.
Are there any particular pieces or commissions that hold special meaning for you?
Yes—my very first piece, the white horse on barnwood that sparked this entire journey, will always hold a special place in my heart. It represents the moment everything changed for me. I don’t think I’ll ever sell it; it lives in my home as a reminder of where Alpha Mare Art began and the leap of faith that brought me here.
How do you see art’s role in celebrating or preserving the equestrian lifestyle?
My art celebrates the equestrian lifestyle by honoring the intimate, emotional bond between horse and human—a relationship built on trust, breath, and quiet communication. I don’t paint horses simply as subjects; I paint them as partners. In every piece, I strive to capture their intelligence, dignity, and quiet strength in a way that resonates deeply with riders, owners, and lifelong horse lovers.
Through my trompe-l’œil–inspired style, I try to create a sense of presence—as if the horse is stepping beyond the frame and into the viewer’s space. That illusion invites people to come closer, to feel the softness of a muzzle or the gentle curiosity in a horse’s eye. It preserves the experience of being in the barn aisle, at the pasture gate, or in the saddle—those small, sacred moments that define equestrian life yet often go unspoken.
In that way, my work becomes a tribute not just to the horse, but to the lifestyle, the partnership, and the timeless connection we share with them.
Community & Business
How has the equestrian community supported your journey as an artist?
I owe so much to the equestrian community. Horse commissions are truly the foundation of my livelihood, and without the trust and support of horse owners, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love for the animals I love.
This community has embraced my work from the very beginning—sharing their stories, inviting me to paint their partners, and encouraging me through every stage of my career. Their passion for their horses mirrors my own, and that shared love has created a sense of connection and purpose that fuels everything I do.
In many ways, the equestrian community hasn’t just supported my journey—they’ve shaped it.
What’s been the most rewarding part of growing Alpha Mare Art as a brand?
For me, the most rewarding part has been sharing my story and feeling that connection with others who have their own journeys. Every time someone reaches out because something in my work or my story resonates with them, it reminds me that we’re all carrying our own histories, challenges, and triumphs.
Art has a way of opening those conversations. Through Alpha Mare Art, I’ve been able to meet people who understand the healing power of horses, the courage it takes to start over, and the beauty of finding your true path. That shared bond—rooted in honesty, vulnerability, and love for these incredible animals—has been the most meaningful part of building this brand.
Have you collaborated with any barns, riders, or organizations that were particularly memorable?
Yes. One of the most meaningful collaborations I’ve ever had has been with Nature’s View – Natural Humanship, located in Camden SC. The founder, Bruce Anderson, is the horseman I mentioned earlier—the one who introduced me to the concept of “AlphA” and helped change the direction of my life. Bruce and his partner Julianne do extraordinary work helping humans find inner balance, clarity, and the courage to be true to themselves, all through the wisdom of the horse.
Their organization, The Marley Project, also supports wild horses, works with disadvantaged youth, veterans, schools, and offers programs that use the horse–human connection as a pathway to healing and empowerment. I had the honor of working with—and later painting—a mustang in their program named Congaree. That experience, and that painting, hold a very special place in my heart.
How do you balance the creative side of your work with the business side?
It’s funny, but I actually enjoy the business side—so finding that balance has always come naturally to me. I see a kind of artistry in every part of it: crafting marketing messages, writing meaningful emails, curating my brand’s voice, and even studying the data to understand which pieces resonate most with people.
For me, the creative and business sides don’t compete—they complement each other. The business tasks support the art, and the art inspires the strategy. I love the rhythm of both, and I’m always learning, evolving, and finding new ways to grow.
Looking Ahead
What’s next for Alpha Mare Art — any exciting projects or goals for the coming year?
Yes! The project I’m most excited about is the coffee table book I mentioned earlier. It will feature a collection of my custom equine paintings paired with the heartfelt stories behind each horse, told by the people who love them. I can’t wait to share these incredible journeys—some touching, some funny, all deeply meaningful. My hope is that the book not only celebrates the horses themselves, but also touches hearts and reminds people of the profound ways horses shape our lives. It’s a project I feel truly inspired by, and I’m looking forward to bringing it to the world in the coming year.
Are there any dream collaborations or pieces you’d love to create in the future?
Yes, there are a few equestrians that I follow and would love to paint their horses and perhaps collaborate for meaningful causes. Stacy Westfall is a horsewoman I would be honored to collaborate with, and Buck Brannaman is another as well whom I’ve admired for as long as I can remember. There is also a blind horse named Endo (Endo the Blind is his brand) whose story I am so touched by, and whose owner is one of the most incredibly intuitive horse people I have witnessed. I would also like to continue to support The Marley Project, which I mentioned earlier. Lastly, and this is not necessarily horse-related, but Make a Wish is a cause important to my heart. I have used my art to support that cause several times, as it personally benefited my son, and I would love to continue to find ways to do so.
How do you see the brand evolving over time?
It’s funny to think of my art as a “brand,” because at the heart of it, I still just feel like a person doing what I love and being fortunate enough to share it with others. But as Alpha Mare continues to grow, my hope is that it evolves in ways that stay true to that spirit—deeply personal, meaningful, and connected. Along the way, I would also like to be able to encourage young artists to pursue their dreams. When I was young, it never occurred to me that this could be an actual career. I never really thought it would be more than a hobby. But, it can be an amazing and lucrative career that is wholly fulfilling and helpful to others at the same time. I have a gallery (Alpha Mare Gallery) in City Market in Savannah Georgia where I have a little easel where those young, and young at heart, can draw while they visit. One of the joys of my life is encouraging youngsters that they can pursue this dream and it’s a dream that can absolutely come true.
I see the brand expanding through storytelling, new collections, and projects like my upcoming coffee table book, all while continuing to honor the bond between horses and humans. And if my work can make a difference—whether by touching someone’s heart, supporting a cause, or celebrating a beloved horse—then that’s exactly how I want the brand to evolve: with purpose, authenticity, and love.
What advice would you give to other artists or entrepreneurs in the equestrian space?
Be true to yourself. Follow your passion wholeheartedly—but also be prepared to work hard and persist through the challenges that inevitably come with building something meaningful. I once read a quote about walls that has always stayed with me: “The walls aren’t there to stop you. They’re there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.”
If this path were easy, everyone would take it. What sets you apart is your willingness to keep going, to learn, to grow, and to stay connected to the heart of why you started. Passion will carry you far, but perseverance will carry you farther.
See alpha-mare.com for more from Caroline.