Welcome to my about the artist page. I've never done one of these so bare with me.
My name is Jessica Fry. I was given my first Breyer, a Stock Horse Stallion in black tobiano, when I was five years old by a dear family friend. I was the little kid walking over to pet the Amish horses when we lived in town, and spend hours and hours playing with my models.
Model horses have had an impact on my life that I can't even really put into words. When my parents were fighting, the models were there. When I was getting divorced, sadly, they were there to be sold to fund other stuff. Many of my good friends have been met through model horses. My daughters love going to Breyerfest with me, where I have met even more great lifetime friends. Actually, sitting here thinking about it, a lot of my best memories as a child involve a model. They were the reason I got a paper route at age 8 (my mom thought I'd outgrow them so wouldn't buy them lol) and the only income I had at some points in my life, including now. (Yes, it's possible to survive on a model horse only income...but it's not for the faint of heart lol).
I have had real horses at various points in my life, but the last mare I had to say goodbye to changed my view on having them. I had an amazing Quarter Horse mare named Belle who I thought I'd have the rest of her life, but life got in the way of that, and now Belle is happily living in Virginia, and her new owner is amazing enough to send me video's of her from time to time, including of the foal she just had.
Belle was replaced with a steel horse I don't have to say goodbye to, which is kind of nice. I've always loved to travel, but having two small children made that a little more challenging. Now, my girls are almost grown (one is going to college this fall!), and a motorcycle makes travel much more affordable than in my big old Silverado. So I do a lot of riding, which is cheaper than therapy (altho with gas prices rising....lol).
I currently live in Pennsylvania, in the first house I have ever owned as a single person, which is kind of a big deal to me to be honest. I love buying flowers and have a small garden. I also have a few laying hens, and two cats. I have lived in Idaho, Oklahoma, and Virginia, but spend most of my life in Pa.
People ask me what I collect as far as models goes, and honestly, I don't really collect anything specific. I've been in business since 2000, painting models and reselling them, and while I do love them all, I don't keep much. I only keep what I truly enjoy, and that seems to change with time (and bills...and space...). I guess because he was my first model, the Stock Horse Stallion is one of, if not, my favourite mold, closely followed by the Stock horse mare and Clydesdale mare. Of course Legionario III is great, and I LOVE (and have waaaaay too many of) the Love Classic QH and Mustang stallion molds. Really, who needs 65+ chestnut stallions? I do. Obviously.
I greatly enjoy the kiln aspect, and have several Hagen Renakers, although a lot of those were sold to buy the house. I love art created by someone's hand, it's holding a piece of their life in your hand. Maybe that's why I don't like the modern Breyer as much, they are beautiful in their own way, but less personal. Most of my personal collection is older models of no real value.
I don't know what else to add to this. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Outside of models, and my motorcycle, I don't really have many hobbies. I like to read, hang out with my kids, do pottery, and play with plants.
My name is Jessica Fry. I was given my first Breyer, a Stock Horse Stallion in black tobiano, when I was five years old by a dear family friend. I was the little kid walking over to pet the Amish horses when we lived in town, and spend hours and hours playing with my models.
Model horses have had an impact on my life that I can't even really put into words. When my parents were fighting, the models were there. When I was getting divorced, sadly, they were there to be sold to fund other stuff. Many of my good friends have been met through model horses. My daughters love going to Breyerfest with me, where I have met even more great lifetime friends. Actually, sitting here thinking about it, a lot of my best memories as a child involve a model. They were the reason I got a paper route at age 8 (my mom thought I'd outgrow them so wouldn't buy them lol) and the only income I had at some points in my life, including now. (Yes, it's possible to survive on a model horse only income...but it's not for the faint of heart lol).
I have had real horses at various points in my life, but the last mare I had to say goodbye to changed my view on having them. I had an amazing Quarter Horse mare named Belle who I thought I'd have the rest of her life, but life got in the way of that, and now Belle is happily living in Virginia, and her new owner is amazing enough to send me video's of her from time to time, including of the foal she just had.
Belle was replaced with a steel horse I don't have to say goodbye to, which is kind of nice. I've always loved to travel, but having two small children made that a little more challenging. Now, my girls are almost grown (one is going to college this fall!), and a motorcycle makes travel much more affordable than in my big old Silverado. So I do a lot of riding, which is cheaper than therapy (altho with gas prices rising....lol).
I currently live in Pennsylvania, in the first house I have ever owned as a single person, which is kind of a big deal to me to be honest. I love buying flowers and have a small garden. I also have a few laying hens, and two cats. I have lived in Idaho, Oklahoma, and Virginia, but spend most of my life in Pa.
People ask me what I collect as far as models goes, and honestly, I don't really collect anything specific. I've been in business since 2000, painting models and reselling them, and while I do love them all, I don't keep much. I only keep what I truly enjoy, and that seems to change with time (and bills...and space...). I guess because he was my first model, the Stock Horse Stallion is one of, if not, my favourite mold, closely followed by the Stock horse mare and Clydesdale mare. Of course Legionario III is great, and I LOVE (and have waaaaay too many of) the Love Classic QH and Mustang stallion molds. Really, who needs 65+ chestnut stallions? I do. Obviously.
I greatly enjoy the kiln aspect, and have several Hagen Renakers, although a lot of those were sold to buy the house. I love art created by someone's hand, it's holding a piece of their life in your hand. Maybe that's why I don't like the modern Breyer as much, they are beautiful in their own way, but less personal. Most of my personal collection is older models of no real value.
I don't know what else to add to this. I hope you enjoyed reading it. Outside of models, and my motorcycle, I don't really have many hobbies. I like to read, hang out with my kids, do pottery, and play with plants.