Thomas Allen Pauly
Since 1978, award-winning equine artist Thomas Allen Pauly has portrayed some of the finest horses and jockeys in the country. Born and raised in Chicago, his love of the sport emerged in the Sportsman’s Park’s winner circle when his friend’s horse named Rusty Win captured the feature race by five lengths. He was hooked.
Pauly now travels extensively throughout the world to photograph his subjects in their natural settings. It has rewarded him with priceless reference material to produce paintings from the Royal Ascot, the Hong Kong Cup, the Arc de Triomphe, the Dubai World Cup, the Velka Pardubicka Ceske Pojistovny Steeplechase in Prague and numerous Breeders’ Cups, Preaknesses, Belmonts and Kentucky Derbies.
Pauly depicted the who’s who in Thoroughbred racing in a portrait series commissioned by Arlington International Racecourse. In 2006, Churchill Downs selected Pauly as the “Official Portrait Artist of the Kentucky Derby”. His oil painting of Barbaro was published as their Official Kentucky Derby Commemorative Print. Recently, he was invited to have a one man art show at historic Churchill Downs during the 2010 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks.
His artwork has appeared on the covers of many international equine publications. Pauly was commissioned by the Blood-Horse to illustrate a piece for their 2002 Breeders’ Cup Magazine. He is a frequent contributor to numerous racing charities and organizations. Pauly attended the prestigious American Academy of Art and has studied with equestrian artists Sam Savitt, Else Tuckerman, Larry Wheeler and portrait artist Julian Gilbert.
In 2009, he was honored as an associate member of the world renown American Academy of Equine Art. He is also a member of the internationally acclaimed Equine Art Guild. Working primarily in oils and watercolors, Pauly’s portraits are known for their accuracy, their energy, their sentiment and their celebration of achievement.
“The Steeplechase” is the 2011 Iroquois Steeplechase featured artwork. This beautiful piece of art will be auctioned at the 2011 Jockey Club party. For more information or to make a bid, please email info@iroquoissteeplechase.org.
