Brooklyn horse lover enjoys creating custom 3D works of art

​      Debra Kriegel of Brooklyn is shown with one of her Breyer horse models she sculpted and painted. She even sculpted the base for the animal. Kriegel spends 100 hours or more painting the animals for her customers. Her first painted horse won a purple ribbon at the Poweshiek County Fair some years ago. She has created 100 or more horses since then. She uses photos of real horses and sculpts them down to the fine details using acrylic, oil and pastel powders. She also creates memorial horses for customers who have lost a horse.

By J.O. Parker
 
      A lifelong love of horses has led to a Brooklyn woman creating custom detailed equine 3D works of art.
        Debra Kriegel, a portrait horse model artist, is known across Iowa and the country for her work re-sculpting and painting Breyer collectables for horse lovers of all ages.
          “I take photos of an animal, mostly horses, and I create a detailed 3D model of that horse down to each strand of hair,” said Kriegel.
         She first learned of the artistic horse model trade as a young girl growing up in West Branch. It was there that she got to know and love Lisa Bickford, one of the most sought after horse model artists in the country.
          “She has the largest collection of Breyer horses in the U.S.,” said Kriegel.
          Some years later, Bickford painted a model horse for Kriegel’s niece.
       “I wanted one, but couldn’t afford it, so I learned how to do it myself,” recalled Kriegel.
           That was about 15-years ago.
        “I tried my hand at painting a horse model, but didn’t take it too seriously until about six years ago,” she said.
         That’s when she painted a horse model and took it to the Poweshiek County Fair and entered it in the open class category.
           “I received a purple ribbon,” said Kriegel.
         She went on to paint a couple horse models and posted pictures of them on her Facebook page.
           “I had people reach out to me,” she said. “And it just grew from there.”
           That led Kriegel to forming her company, ‘Heart To Horse Customs & Creations.’”
           Kriegel spends an average of 100 hours plus painting a horse model.
          “I can have up to 300 hours in a horse, depending on how complex the project is,” she said.
         The key to a successful finished model horse is the details such as its hairs, eyes and even the cracks and scratches in the animal’s hoofs.
        “I have to get every single detail of the project right,” she said. “I do a hair by hair detail.”
          She also does a lot of memorial pieces for people who have lost a beloved horse.
          “Some people call it their heart horse,” she said.
       Since learning the craft, Kriegel said she has painted at least 100 horses, possibly more. 
         “Some of my business has come from a group on Facebook called, ‘Hags with Nags,’ a virtual barn of horse women.” said Kriegel. “It is a very supportive group of horse women.”
         Her connection with the Facebook group led her to make friends with the creator of the page, who asked her to do a horse model of one of her horses.
         “I was terrified to do the project because if it didn’t work out, 25,000 plus women all with horses would know about it,” she said.
          After finishing and delivering the artistic horse model, Kriegel said the lady loved it.
          “That has generated business for me and a lot of friendships,” said Kriegel.
          All of her creations are done using detailed photos provided by her customers. She uses acrylic, oil and pastel powders to make her creations.
        Her prices range from $100 to $500 to paint a horse with the customer supplying the horse.
       Kriegel said there is a worldwide community of horse model creators and artists involved in the craft.
         “They have horse shows where they show and sell the Breyers,” said Kriegel. “They are judged on quality and by breed, just like real horses.”
          “There’s even a Breyer Festival held each year,” she said.
       The 2024 BreyerFest is slated for July 12 – 14 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington and at BreyerHorses.com.
        In addition to her painted horse models, Kriegel also paints custom woodworking and glass projects, such as coffee tables and other furniture.
         “I use a liquid resin and pour it over the wood and glass to create a piece of art,” she said. “One of my specialties is recreating the ocean (on the woodwork or glass).”
         Kriegel has called Brooklyn home since 2005. Prior to moving to the area, she was doing guided trail rides with horses in the Cedar Rapids area. She was also involved in horse rescues.
          “I had some friends in the area and had the opportunity to move to Brooklyn,” she said.
       It was in Brooklyn where she met her husband, Mark, an area farmer and cattleman.
       The couple lives north of town and owns eight horses. They enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and staying involved in the world of horses.
        “We enjoy working on the farm together,” said Kriegel.
       If interested in learning more about Kriegel and her custom horse model work, she can be reached on Facebook at ‘Heart To Horse Customs & Creations’ or call 641-990-4006.