Whole Horse | Horses as muses, teachers, and guides with artist Kim McElroy

As we wrap up season 7, I was honoured to sit down for a conversation with the artist Kim McElroy. As you'll hear in this episode, I met Kim in 2007 through a series of synchronistic events, and was struck by her presence even then. I then had the opportunity to be inspired by her art as I regularly pulled cards from the Way of the Horse, her collaborative deck with Linda Kohanov.  In this episode, timed for the release of her newest collaboration with one of my mentors Sandra Wallin, the Council of Horses Oracle deck, you'll learn about the almost 20 year journey from first inspiration for this deck to this moment, how Kim and Sandra chose which mythical and modern-day horses to include, what it meant to create a lasting legacy for many of the horses and herds included in this deck, and how art can be the deepest expression of essence, energy and emotion. Kim also unveils one of her original works of arts included in the deck, the Mythic Horse, which I've shared on my main podcast page.  This chat was a walk through the past as it caught up with our present, and it was a chance for reflection on what a journey it has been for both of us! Definitely one of my favourite conversations to date, and as you can hear, I love the perks of this job, like being gifted a gorgeous horse oracle deck created by two women I hold very dear. I love the way this deck doesn't tip toe around the tough stuff - and the way Kim continues to be a fierce advocate for the horse.  Kim McElroy has been drawn to horses since childhood, and as soon as she could hold a crayon, this manifested as her art. For more than thirty years, she has been known for her intuitive understanding of the sentient nature of horses and her ability to infuse her art with their spiritual energy. She distills this energy into expressions of the horses' quintessential essence in ways that transcend how they are traditionally defined. Through her incredible mastery of pastels, and her talent in writing about her visionary insights, she conveys the power and beauty of the horse’s form—yet more than that, she offers us a timeless glimpse of its soul. Kim is the co-author and illustrator of The Council of Horses, illustrator and co-creator of Way of the Horse: Equine Archetypes for Self-Discovery deck and guidebook by Linda Kohanov, the author and illustrator of the Way of the Horse Journal, and From Heart to Art: A Chronicle of the Experiences, Philosophies, and Inspirations behind the Artwork of Kim McElroy In 2000, Kim and her husband, Rod, created SkyeLandeSea sanctuary in Washington State, where they provided loving forever homes to rescued horses and a menagerie of other animals. Now that their beloved horses have joined the Council, their sanctuary is home to a resident herd of wild but well-fed deer, and two capricious housecats. Kim offers studio tours by appointment. Visit her website at spiritofhorse.com.and her eCards website spiritofhorsecards.com Facebook: Spirit of Horse Gallery https://www.facebook.com/SpiritOfHorseGallery/ Instagram: spiritofhorse https://www.instagram.com/spiritofhorse/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@spiritofhorsegallery