In the early 90s these 5 portraits were created for Mr Don Watt, a record of Sarah Watt's various horses and ponies. Mr Watt never requested copies of any of the portraits. I do NOT do reproductions.
The pics were dispersed by auction, from a job lot locker pod that had not been paid for. The pod purchaser was uninterested in the horse portraits. They were sent to a second auction.
I was asked to authenticate two of the images. I did so, the pictures were the correct size & colour, framed with a familiar molding, with sufficient wear and appearing to be on the correct surface. The frame tag showed a Schomberg Ontario address and the correct name for the times. That gallery changed hands, then closed.
Towards the end of August 2020 one of the works was sold, by the people I had originally seen them with to an Ontario client. Then a person, in New Brunswick, Both believe they have an original work. One of them can not.
The world of art is full of people getting ripped off. Here there are at least two. Me, since no one has requested or paid me for reproduction rights, and at least one of the purchasers. … Of course there could others.
This adventure has led from Ontario horse country, to New Brunswick, to Minnesota and finally California at one of the largest reproduction companies in America. They happen to share the same name as the disappeared framing gallery. They also are aware of my work with Heritage Sports Art. Life is curious
If you are offered one of these images please contact me.