Sarah LesslerInterviewed by: Sarah Lessler
WEATHERLY STROH REIMAGINES EQUESTRIAN ELEGANCE THROUGH BOLD STROKES AND A CONTEMPORARY EYE.
Weatherly Stroh is a lifelong equestrian and acclaimed oil painter whose work captures the strength, elegance, and emotional depth of the horse world. Based in Wellington, Florida, she draws inspiration from the dynamic beauty of sport horses—dressage, show jumping, and polo—bringing each subject to life through her expressive brushwork and layered texture.
Known for her strong sense of composition and intuitive use of light and movement, Weatherly’s paintings have twice been featured on the cover of Wellington’s Winter Equestrian Festival program and are collected by equine and art enthusiasts around the world.
Raised on a Michigan farm and surrounded by animals, Weatherly was introduced to art at a young age. Her childhood farmhouse was filled with her mother’s pencil drawings of dogs and horses, nurturing her early artistic dreams. At just 11, she completed her first oil painting using a plein-air paint box passed down from her great-great- uncle, renowned American Impressionist Gari Melchers—an heirloom that continues to inspire her today.
In addition to her equine subjects, Weatherly is known for her evocative landscapes and paintings inspired by her travels. International retreats, which she co-leads in Italy, Morocco, and Croatia, enrich her creative process by encouraging others to reconnect with their artistic voice. When not in her Wellington studio, Stroh can often be found in the show ring with her Amateur Owner hunter, Sir Henry.
EQ: Your work is so deeply rooted in animals and the equestrian lifestyle. How did your journey as both an artist and horsewoman begin?
WS: I grew up on a horse farm in Michigan, north of Detroit, where both of my parents rode horses. I began riding and showing hunters at an early age and continued through high school. I was surrounded by art from a young age—my mom is an artist who worked in pencil when I was a child and now creates bronze sculptures and stone carvings. Our house was filled with her drawings and artwork, and I was fortunate to attend a high school with a strong visual and performing arts program that exposed me to a variety of mediums.
EQ: Art and animals have always been in your life, and you’ve said your uncle has been of significant influence in your work. Can you share more about that artistic lineage and how it shaped your career?
WS: I paint what I know and love, which are animals and nature. My great-great-uncle was an American Impressionist painter whose works can be found around the world. I remember going to pony finals one year in Culpeper, Virginia, and visiting my great-great-uncle’s home and studio, Belmont, which is now a museum. I was 8 at the time and recall being in awe of his work and his studio. I still love to go back and visit when I can.
EQ: Can you tell us how your career as a painter began and how it has grown into what it is today?
WS: I took an amazing painting class in high school and had a bit of a foundation early on. Throughout my 20s and early 30s, I occasionally took painting workshops, but I also had other interests. It wasn’t until 2011, when I went through a major personal transition, that I decided to commit to painting full-time. I started painting dog portraits, which led to horse portraits (I also started riding and showing again at this time). Now, my work has evolved to be primarily my own work, with only a limited number of commissions each year.
EQ: Can you describe your artistic process? How do you choose your subjects, and what inspires you most when beginning a new piece?
WS: I hold an art degree from the University of Colorado, with an emphasis in photography. As a result, I am always looking for unique compositions and light. I’m continuously trying to capture the essence of an animal or place and connect the viewer to my subject.
EQ: How would you describe your style, and has it evolved over time?
WS: It has evolved from more realistic to a looser, more expressive style.
EQ: Many of your paintings seem to capture a deep emotional connection with the animals—how do you convey that soulfulness through oil on canvas?
WS: I’m always thinking about the emotional connection I have with animals, and when I paint, I try to be intentional about the emotion I am trying to convey, whether it’s strength, power, grace, serenity, trust, or something else. I think about how I want to feel when I look at one of my paintings while I am painting, and hope that that comes through in the finished piece.
EQ: Can you tell us about your life with horses as someone with a deep equestrian background? How does your relationship with horses influence your artwork?
WS: Growing up around horses, they are just an integral part of my life. I have taken breaks during my life, but they always seem to draw me back. I love the personal challenge of showing and pushing myself to be better, but, more importantly, I love the relationship that I have with my horse and our connection. There are so many life lessons we learn from horses, and they reflect so much in ourselves. I think it has been a natural evolution to focus so much of my work on them, and I hope to capture that bond that we all feel with the animals in my paintings.
EQ: What does a typical day in your studio look like, and how do you balance commissioned work with personal creative projects?
WS: I’m usually at my studio around 8 a.m. and do my best work in the morning. I will spend the morning painting and usually leave afternoons for business and computer work. Recently, I have been more focused on my own creative projects, preparing some work for a new gallery I am working with. However, I do set aside chunks of time for commissions, as I need to.
EQ: How do you hope your art and collections impact people?
WS: I hope my work inspires people, and by doing what I love, I hope it encourages people to do the same.
EQ: Are there any upcoming exhibitions, gallery shows, or new projects that you’re especially excited about?
WS: I am excited to be working with the Crossgate Gallery in Lexington, Kentucky. They will be featuring some of my work at their annual Sporting Horse Auction in conjunction with the Keeneland sales in the fall. I will also host a series of Open Studios this winter at my studio in Wellington, Florida, and I will have a presence at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in 2026, so I am working on a range of new pieces for all these events.
EQ: What advice would you give to young artists—or equestrians—looking to pursue a creative life that blends passion and profession?
WS: Paint a lot. Just like any other worthwhile pursuit, whether it’s playing a sport or musical instrument, it takes a lot of practice, experimentation, and time. Hard work goes much farther than just talent. I also think it’s helpful, and I wish more art schools would offer business classes, but it’s important to understand how to run a business and how to make a career in art feasible.
EQ: You’ve noted that travel is your second passion. How essential is it to fuel your creative inspiration?
WS: I have been fortunate to travel extensively and have loved doing so. I am always inspired by different places; whether it’s the light, the way of life, architecture, or the colors of a place. Travel and creativity have also inspired my second business, which involves co-hosting international retreats, which are really fun. They are a blend of culture, creativity, and connection with amazing people in amazing places.
To purchase a piece from Weatherly, go to her website here. To view this article in the digit magazine version and to read the rest of the September/October 2025 issue, click here. To read more about EQ Living’s favorite art and artists, click here.