Name:  Willa M. Frayser.

Born:  1953, Portland, Ore.

Current residence: Montpelier.

Family: My husband, Bill, of 33 years, daughter Erica (27), my new son-in-law, Mike Wells, and a 4-year-old Rottweiler named Buddy

Horses:  I have owned a stable full of horses at different times.  My first horse was a beautiful, black Arabian gelding named Wanarra.  I hated to leave that horse when I moved to Virginia.  I then found a lovely gray Crabbet Arabian mare that I purchased as a 3-year-old and trained her for Hunter Pleasure, Country Pleasure and Trail.  When my daughter became interested in horses, we found a wonderful Welsh/Thoroughbred-cross mare named Chances Are and trained her as a Hunter pony for my daughter - she did very well and won many ribbons with this mare.  Currently do not own a horse, but I am helping train and school a 4-year-old, bay quarter horse gelding for my good friend Lona Crittenden of Rolling Run Farm.  He is just a sweetheart and I enjoy spending time with him in the ring or on trails.

Occupation:  Equine artist (27 years).

What is your “claim to fame”?:  Gosh, several special paintings come to mind!  I did a portrait  back in the 80's of "Cass Ole" who portrayed "The Black Stallion" in both movies.  And I am currently working with the author, Carmel Rowley, in Australia illustrating her new series of children's horse books!  I will be doing the cover and inside illustrations for the first title, which should be out before the holidays!  And I just finished my first clay sculpture which I had molded into resin sculptures - this will be a limited edition of 10.

Hobbies:  Painting, photography, riding horses, fishing.

Philosophy on life:  If you try to make things happen, they won't - just follow your dreams and keep your faith and it will come to you at the right time!

Best horse advice ever received:  Always try to keep the horse between yourself and the ground!

What would people be surprised to learn about you?:  That I was born and raised in Oregon - spent a lot of time at the Oregon coast, including graduating high school from a small coastal school.  I used to ride the beaches in the summer.  That is also where I got my first introduction to oil painting!  I also helped my sister train and show Arabians for several years.

Where can people see your artwork?  At present I have several pieces in the Montpelier Arts Center "Horse Lovers Invitational" exhibit which runs through Aug. 30.  I helped coordinate this show with Lois Shipley, Nancy Tucker and Cindy Carson (who owns Coventry Horse Center).  There is an opening reception on Aug. 6th at the center from 6 - 8 p.m.  Anyone who comes will see several new pieces I have just completed including a beautiful oil painting of "DA Adios," Arabian racing stallion owned by Cre-Run Farm, Doswell.  Also the first finished resin will only be seen at the exhibit during the reception.  Otherwise, anyone can visit my website at www.willafrayserstudio.com.