Carlisle exhibit opens at Hall of Fame

An opening reception for Aiken resident and renowned equine and canine artist Lynn Carlisle was held Thursday evening at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum.

The reception was sponsored by Horse and Farm Insurance, Betsy Minton LLC, and Robin Reilly and Cissie Sullivan of Meybohm Realtors.

The Lynn Carlisle exhibit was the first art show of the fall season at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. The art show featured 16 pieces, 15 of which are for sale, with part of the proceeds going to the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum. The exhibit will run through Nov. 29.

Carlisle's work in the exhibit showcases the artist's refinement and knowledge of structure, and her pieces are convincingly real, touching on emotions in a profound and positive way.

"Art should evoke emotion," said Carlisle "This is meant to be joyful, positive, and when you walk by it every day, you'll say, 'I like looking at it; I'm glad I have it, and it makes me feel good.'"

The Hounds series of oil paintings on linen were painted in the water complex on the cross-country course at Lellie Ward's Paradise Farm.

"Hounds are usually working, and I wanted to depict them as relaxed and happy and cooling themselves off in the pond and enjoying themselves," said Carlisle.

The other paintings in the show were in watercolor and include Dogwood Stable's Summer Squall, who captured the 1990 Preakness, the middle jewel of Thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown.

Another image, "Moment of Truth," captures the essence of a Pony Clubber, as a young girl prepares to mount a horse. Nipper, Suzy Haslup's familiar lead pony at the Aiken Training Track is memorialized in an outstanding portrait; the painting is on loan from Haslup.

The Paint foal series provides an intimate glimpse into a young, athletic horse; Dinky the Donkey, who resides at Coker Springs, is also featured in a playful series.

"We've had an outstanding turnout," said Lisa Hall, City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism department and Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum programs supervisor. "We're very pleased. Ms. Carlisle is an outstanding artist and has a wonderful exhibition. We encourage everyone to come out."

Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.