Welcome, again, to a new series of Artist's Journal entries, The Sunday Sunshine. I am featuring other artists on Sundays throughout 2021. I hope that you are able to take the time to enjoy their artistry and value their contribution to the world. This second edition features photographer, Troy Wright.

Troy and I have never met in person, but are both members of a Facebook group for artists in the military community. Troy served 8 years in the US Military followed by 27.5 years as a Deputy Sheriff in Lake Tahoe.

I am particularly drawn to Troy’s photography, because it reminds me of home. I am currently in Michigan due to my husband’s current active duty position. But, I grew up in northern Nevada with the mountains and Lake Tahoe to the west and the high desert covered in sage to the east.

I am SO excited for you to see his work! I had a really difficult time choosing which images to include here.

Troy’s favorite subjects are our nation's wild mustangs. His photography helps raise awareness to their plight of being removed.

I asked Troy to share a bit about himself and his photography. The photo discriptions are in Troy’s words.

I grew up on a large Ranch in Ione California. My highschool sports teams were called the mustangs. Once I got into photography 3 years ago I quickly migrated towards wild horses. I have always had a love for them and I soon discovered photography is one of the best tools to help raise awareness to their plight.

Nevada is home to 60% of the nation's wild horses.

Nevada has some of the most incredible horses but is often shadowed by some more famous horses from Wyoming, Colorado, and the Salt River horses. My mission is to keep photographing Nevadas horses.

But that isn’t all Troy photographs. He captures wildlife of all kinds as well as breathtaking landscapes.

I am always looking for those incredible horses that no one has ever photographed. So far I have found a few.

Last year Troy:

• donated 10% of his sales to the wild horses,

• volunteered with the wild horse advocates,

• donated prints for fundraisers, 

• signed and shared petitions and attended public meetings

American Wild Horse Campaign
Wild Horse Education
Wild Horse Advocates

Our nation's wild horses are being removed at an alarming rate. If we don’t do something about it there may come a day when they no longer exist or are forced into a few small groups. They have as much right to thrive and survive as we do.

I’m guessing Troy spends a lot more time out with his camera than online, but he does invite you to follow his photography in his Facebook group, Troy Wright Photography. He posts videos and information about the individual mustangs. I spent a long time scrolling through trying to choose images to include here. Click HERE to join the group.
You can also find him on Instagram: @troy_wright_photography

Troy has products featuring his beautiful images available through Fine Art America. Not only the wild stallions, but stunning landscapes and other wildlife. I encourage you to invest in supporting Troy’s photography and his mission to raise awareness for Nevada’s wild mustangs. You can purchase prints, cards, phone cases and tapestries from Fine Art America.

Matter of fact, I ended up with a cart full of items featuring Troy’s photos, and I would love to share.

GIVEAWAY!
I am offering this 6x8” Spiral Journal featuring Rascal. Photo by Troy Wright. Plus, a little something from my art studio.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:
1. Subscribe!
Join my monthly Studio Update.
2. Comment!
Comment on this blog/journal post.
I know I have horse lovers in my audience, and most of you are already get my Studio Update, so all you have to do is say ‘Hello’ in the comments!

The giveaway will be open until the end of January, but join and comment now, so that you don’t forget. I will do a random draw from the commenters on this post.
Update: The giveaway is complete, but we would still love to hear from you! Sign up for Tia’s Studio Update for more giveaway opportunities.

Tia Sunshine

If we haven’t met, you can read more about me in my journal HERE and HERE, or visit my Welcome/About with the button below.

This series is inspired by the Artists Sunday campaign that started last year. While I am not a huge fan of specific shopping days, I am a fan of encouraging individuals to buy from artists. This series is my way of participating in the spirit of the movement. www.artistssunday.com

Artists Sunday is "a nationwide art-shopping movement with more than 4,300 members. Participants include 500+ local communities, including arts agencies, cities, counties, state agencies, chambers of commerce, and organizations and 3,800+ individual artists." Their mission is "to encourage consumers to shop with their favorite local artists and craftsmen during the holiday season. Artists Sunday takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Think of it like Black Friday or Small Business Saturday but for the arts. New members are joining daily."

Next week’s edition of The Sunday Sunshine will feature Laura Nishiyori and her crochet creations.

Don’t forget to leave me a note below to enter the giveaway!