J. ANNE BUTLER

English born, J. Anne Butler is universally acknowledged as a leading Arabian horse sculptor of her generation. Her outstanding portfolio is collected by a growing number of private and corporate collectors around the globe who find their lives enriched by the power, detail and her ability to capture the essence of her overwhelming passion for the Arabian horse. I had the privilege to interview Ms. J. Anne Butler for the 2020 Winter issue and she was pleased to walk me through the main aspects of her artistry. 1.Hello Ms. Butler. First and foremost, we'd like to thank you very much for welcoming this interview. Just to set the scene with our readers, will you please give us some background to you and to your family? 1.Thanks for this opportunity! My husband Ray and I love all things Italian. Food, wine, culture, but, first of all, our Italian friends! I was born by the ocean. My love of nature and animals goes back to my idyllic childhood spent helping my father on our farm in the North West of England. Every inch of ground had to earn money so my ambition to have a horse did not happen until much later in life: an untamed wild mountain pony my children and I gentled down into a friendly amenable soul. I spent a number of years raising my three boys alone and had a freelance job painting figurines for a Scottish based resin company. This meant I could work from home. 2. Can you talk a little about your formative years as an artist? Have you been trained, and if so from what Institutions? Or are you self-taught? 2. I am almost entirely self-taught: anyone can observe and if they work hard enough, they can translate their images onto canvas or into sculpture. I have always had a yearning to design and create; if my life has a maxim it is that ...I always strive to leave a situation better than I found it. I recall sculpting sticks of chalk in school to combat boredom. My art teacher told me I would never make an artist so hopefully I have achieved a little success. Working for Border Fine Arts as a painter soon led to me being invited to work in their sculpting studio with me also studying full time on a Design course with my local college, now part of the University of Newcastle. I sculpted sheep, cattle, dogs, cats and originated sculptures for Walt Disney and other American corporations whilst I was with Border Fine Arts. Soon after meeting my now husband, Ray I left BFA and inspired by the beauty of the English Lake District started our own independent figurine company producing primarily local animals and sheep. A highlight of this time is a head study sculpture of my late much missed father. I am also proud that our Queen proudly displays three of my creations in her private art collection. "Bronze is eternal and timeless" 3. When and Why did you start sculpting Arabian horses? Why did you choose bronze instead of painting or photographing to immortalize horses? 3. Bronze is eternal and timeless although I have painted. My paintings are very rare. I do love to photograph and used to design jewelry. It was in the 1990's that cajoled by my new step-daughter, Naomi, we visited Briery Close, a leading Arabian horse stud. Here, I fell in love with these God given creatures and mentored by their owner, Mrs. Hedley a major International Arabian horse breeder and judge. I was guided into a wonderful journey that has taken me to places I didn't know exist resulting in lasting friendships with some incredible people. 4. What is your inspiration for your most recent "Born to Dance" collection? 4."Born to Dance" is actually one bronze which I hope to produce as a life size bronze. The title and the spirit of this statue does however epitomize the style and movement I endeavor to create in all my sculptures no matter what the subject matter. Most Arabian horse aficionados may not realize I sculpt a wide range of subjects and commissions. My figurative bronzes I believe are equally appreciated in their sphere. 5. How do you capture the horses' inner personalities in your works? 5. Horses are like people: no two are the same. This basic fact is so important when I am sculpting especially if the project is an individual commission. I love to spend time with them and have a vast library of images and videos I can access onto my wide screen TV. Anyone can make a model, but creating a true sculpture comes from the sculptor's soul. People ask ... how long does it take? The answer being... until it is perfect. "A true sculpture comes from the sculptor's soul" 6. What are the different stages of your production? 6. All the time I have a multitude of ideas running around in my head. I collect images, videos, visit farms (or hope to post Covid-19) and interact with true breeders. This time is the most important. I need the spirit, positive energy and the soul of my subject to intermingle with mine. If the project is a commission, Ray and I liaise with the client or corporate body and decide on a design, size and time frame. When I am sculpting a design of my own, I have more freedom to make decisions. Once a design is chosen although it will change as the sculpture speaks to me Ray is dispatched to cut the wood and attach a metal armature to which I will apply clay. Sometimes Ray mixes different clays together to achieve the perfect clay suitable for a specific purpose or to suit the temperature of the season. Arizona can be a little hot. I sculpt the subject matter. Maybe, I will visit my subject and if it is a commission the patrons will visit to approve the work. The original clay, especially if it is to be enlarged to monumental size for a private or corporate entity will be viewed at every stage either physically or virtually. When the clay is finished Ray takes the precious original to one of three Fine Art Bronze Foundries we use where skilled artisans work in conjunction with us to hopefully create the perfect, living bronze. 7. Do you also make Trophies for show competitions? 7. Yes. I have been honoured to create unique trophies for many diverse competitions around the world. Many are Arabian horse events; it was a particular honour to work with the SEWC for their show in Milan, the design capital of the world. Delayed by world events next year some hugely different meaningful Bronze Memorial Trophies will be presented overseas. A footnote - please give me and my team lots and lots of time to create your trophies. 8. How has your work evolved since you first began your own label?
 And how is it now received internationally? 8. My label is ME not a large corporate organization. I came from working for an International Resin Company where everything was decided by a committee and marketing people. My aim as J. Anne Butler is to aspire to perfection not purely to maximum profit. I have also developed into creating much larger pieces cast in bronze where I can offer a highly personalized Fine Art product. Whatever I produce regardless of subject or size I want it to be as unique as possible. Nothing will ever go out unless I am 500% satisfied with it. My bronzes carry my name, my label and they must excite and be innovative. Internationally the world is a small place. Our marketing is a combination of virtual networking and whenever possible eyeball to eyeball contact with our clients. Living in Scottsdale is a magical opportunity to interact with international visitors. We market globally. Shipping is easy no matter where you live. My label is recognizable as J. Anne Butler not just any bronze. There are other great sculptors out there each with their unique essence whom I admire immensely. I believe my artwork my unique label is unique and shows its own special excellence. "My aim through my art is to amaze you, delight you and make you completely happy" 9. Any shows, galleries, or publications where our readers can find your sculptures? 9. Our major shows are the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, the Arabian Breeder National Finals also in Scottsdale, and the Arabian Breeders World Cup in Las Vegas. We would love to attend more overseas shows. The only other outlet anywhere in the world J Anne Butler art is offered apart from buying directly from us is in the Bahraini World Trade Centre at Avantegarde Jewellery by our dear friend, Pedro Mahmoud. Ray is currently building a virtual gallery to not only sell my art around the world but also to talk to, socialize with and discuss new ideas with our beloved global family. We are online: www.ArabianHorseSculpture.com Or: www.JAnneButler.com 10. What is the best advice you can give to your clients? And what's your promise to them? 10. Enjoy and Cherish. A bronze is not a financial investment, it is an item of beauty you are the guardian of for your life time and future generations. I promise we always put quality ahead of everything else. My aim through my art is to amaze you, delight you and make you completely happy. 11. What are your hopes and dreams or future goals, where do you see yourself in the next five years? 11. I want to be able to create unique, art that has never been done before and will thrill people for centuries to come. I have so many ideas; for example, a bronze desert scene incorporating every aspect of Arabian culture; the horse, camels, birds and wildlife epitomizing their relationships and interactions with the people of that region. 12. Ms. Butler, would you like to leave a final message to our readers and to those who are now curious to get to know you better? 12. Ray and I continue to be so blessed with an incredible multiplicity of friends in terms of age, race, religion, background and location. Every last one of you brings such diverse joy to our lives. All united by your love of art. Thank you for your support and friendship now and in the future. Ms. Butler, the art world is anxiously awaiting your future creations. It was sheer excitement speaking with you!