About the Artist
I am Emily Vander Haak, the artist behind Striking Chestnut Studio. I have loved both horses and art as long as I can remember. My parents aren't entirely sure where the horse obsession came from, but I got my artistic ability from my mom, who has been an art teacher for many years.
I started drawing other peoples' horses when I was in high school, and haven't stopped since. I love working with a pencil, trying to capture each animal's unique personality. I majored in Art Education at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, where I became a certified K-12 Art Teacher and took classes in drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, and others. I have worked as a middle school art teacher and an educator in a museum, as well as offering private art lessons and painting parties.
In addition to teaching and drawing, I try to spend as much time with horses as possible. My current partner is Wheaton BCH, or Tony the Pony, as he is affectionately called. He is a Haflinger and we are working on dressage riding and building a stronger partnership. Every day, he reminds me to not take myself too seriously with his goofy (and sometimes difficult) personality.
I started drawing other peoples' horses when I was in high school, and haven't stopped since. I love working with a pencil, trying to capture each animal's unique personality. I majored in Art Education at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, where I became a certified K-12 Art Teacher and took classes in drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, and others. I have worked as a middle school art teacher and an educator in a museum, as well as offering private art lessons and painting parties.
In addition to teaching and drawing, I try to spend as much time with horses as possible. My current partner is Wheaton BCH, or Tony the Pony, as he is affectionately called. He is a Haflinger and we are working on dressage riding and building a stronger partnership. Every day, he reminds me to not take myself too seriously with his goofy (and sometimes difficult) personality.
Why "Striking Chestnut?"
My favorite horse breed is the Haflinger, a hardy small horse breed originating from Austria. Their appearance is described as "his striking chestnut coat can be blonde, or as dark as chocolate brown, and the blonde mane and tail is ideally snow white, quite heavy with the mane often falling double on the neck naturally." I grew up with them, and am constantly inspired by their beauty and kind spirits.