Virginia equine artist of the week

We spotlight Gail Guirreri-Maslyk, an equestrian, sporting, landscape and portrait fine artist working in oil on canvas. Her work has been on many covers including The Chronicle of the Horse (Vol. LXX, NO. 31 and Vol. LXXI, NO. 23), Horses in Art magazine (Winter 2008), Friesian Grand Nationals (2005 and 2007), IALHA National Championships in 2007, HITS Finals poster as well as featured in magazines such as Sidelines, Horses in Art and The Post. Gail is invited to show often at a variety of major events including MFHA Centennial Tour, Kentucky Derby, Saratoga, HITS, ASHA World Championships and Virginia State Senate among others. She also donates her efforts to charities helping hospice, humane foundations and equine rescue/retirement. She is an entrepreneur in the equine industry as founder of Better Horse Business, LLC — solving business issues that affect the welfare of horses.

Meet Gail Guirreri-Maslyk

This photo of Gail Guirreri-Maslyk is by Jeanne Morency. This photo of Gail Guirreri-Maslyk is by Jeanne Morency.

Name: Gail Guirreri-Maslyk.

Born: May 1968.

Current residence: Rectortown.

Family: I am daughter to retired Col. Joseph and Cheryl Guirreri of Round Hill, Va. We lived in a number of countries while Dad was active duty Air Force including Italy, Belgium, Germany, Japan and Philippines. Both sides of my family come from farmers and teachers with a love for the arts. My parents and two siblings played in symphonies through college and Mother was a concert pianist. Though I no longer play flute, it helped me be a better horseman and artist. If you are a musician and a hunter rider, you know what I mean.

Pets: I am a “cat herder” with two indoor house cats, two outdoor house cats and two barn cats.

Horses: 25 Holsteiners from weanlings up into their 30’s. I used to focus on only breeding hunters (spotted Holsteiners) but with the addition of the gray wonder stallion R-Saluut II (who won more than 400k/20+ grand prix with Margie Engle) there are now many jumper prospects in my fields. Since I live in hunt country I also see a few of them becoming ideal fox hunters. Orange County Hunt meets at our farm and the herd really enjoys watching and sometimes even chasing the hunt through the fields.

Occupation: Breeder of Holsteiner sport horses, second hand to my partner, Dr. William B. Ley (equine theriogenologist), equestrian artist and photographer and entrepreneur (Better Horse Business, LLC).

What is your “claim to fame”? That is yet to be seen. I prefer to look forward in life.

Hobbies: I filled my life with work I love rather than a need for hobbies.

Philosophy on life: Make the most of each moment no matter how it may seem at the time. I love “happy accidents.”

Best horse advice ever received: Apply to all life: “Don’t look down!” From Vick Russell:  “PAINT!” and “Let the horse make you a better rider,” Theresa McDonald.

What would people be surprised to learn about you? I love opera.

Where can people see your artwork? A good number of paintings are posted to my website [www.equine-impressions.com] and studio visits are welcome by appointment. There are paintings in Middleburg, Warrenton, and Chisholm Gallery (N.Y.). I will be hanging again at Virginia State Senate in January 2011. I attend a number of nonprofits to hang and donate art: Blue Ridge Fall Races to benefit Blue Ridge Hospice, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Benefit in Orange, and annual Middleburg Humane Fundraiser.