If you are looking for a graphic artist to create a website or update your existing one, look no further than Dapplebay, Inc. They offer elegant design solutions that are perfect for every equestrian. Dapplebay specializes in brand identity, logos, website design and management, and advertising. They have even started a t-shirt line! Be sure to check out her project book, Forgotten, a book of rescued horses and their stories as told by their rescuers. I think that was a phenomenal project! VR had the opportunity to visit with Leah of Dapplebay, the founder and creative artist, to find out more about her wonderful company.
VR: What are the services you offer at Dapplebay, Inc.?
Leah (Dapplebay): We offer a full range of graphic and web design services- everything from logo design and brand identity systems, to ad campaigns, to web design and development! We are also branching into social media, and have just started offering Facebook page design and management.
VR: Where do you draw your inspiration for your artwork?
Leah (Dapplebay): My horses are my main inspiration. For a while, I was lucky enough to have them at my neighbor’s property, and I could see them out my window. I painted so much during that time because they were right there in front of me.
VR: You have worked for some very well-known clients (Starbucks ,Gatorade, etc.) in the past. What was that like?
Leah (Dapplebay): Yes, I was able to work on some really great teams! I got to see just how much work and creativity goes into one final, streamlined solution: thousands of sketches from multiple designers, weeks of critique, weeks of revisions, and more weeks of perfecting the final through to production. Being involved in the process was a wonderful experience, but it solidified for me the fact that I love working directly with my clients. The best part of my job is presenting a final design solution and having the client just LOVE it…that link is missing when you are just a small part of a huge design project.
VR: I was particularly intrigued with your book, Forgotten. What was that experience like? Were there any horses that really inspired you?
Leah (Dapplebay): Forgotten was my senior project for the UW Visual Communications Design program. I was definitely inspired by all of the horses and owners…but most striking was the mare Cinder and her owner Kyra. Kyra was only 14 when she rescued Cinder. She had gone to a barn to look at a different horse for sale with her trainer, and Kyra saw Cinder in a back pasture. Kyra refused to leave without the severely neglected mare…convinced her mother and her trainer…. and then pleaded with the owner of the mare. She rescued Cinder because of her sheer will. At age 14, that is truly impressive!
VR: How long does it usually take for you to complete one of your paintings? Do you ever do custom art pieces?
Leah (Dapplebay): One painting usually takes at least a day, because I generally paint the background first before letting the horse emerge from the canvas. I have not done any custom work, but would be open to it, certainly! My painting is mostly an outlet and hobby for me…but I would love to make it more than that.
VR: Can you tell us about any of your plans for the future? Are you going to expand your t-shirt line?
Leah (Dapplebay): I have had a lot of fun with the shirts. I am planning to expand it. I have a few more eventing themed designs, two dressage designs, and some show jumping designs as well! They should all be in production by the fall.
VR: Do you currently own any horses? If so, what kind and what type of riding do you do?
Leah (Dapplebay): Yes, I have two off-track thoroughbreds, “Pie” and “Mulligan”. They are both 6 years old. Pie is my main riding horse, and we are having a ton of fun with lower level eventing. He is proving to be an excellent jumper, however he has an aversion to the dressage arena. His hallmark is bolting out of the arena at A in the middle of my test! We are hoping to make our Beginner Novice debut this fall. Mulligan is a rescue, and he was headed to a high-kill auction in Tennessee after he was too lame to keep running. He won several races, and it appears that his knees were repeatedly tapped. He has severe chips in both knees, much worse in the right front. He is doing much better now and is sound at the trot in his pasture- the chips seem to have settled, and he gets a monthly IM injection of Pentosan to keep him comfortable. I plan to get on him this summer and do some light trails with him. He has a really great temperament- calm, relaxed, and easy about everything.
VR: Is there anything else you would like us to know?
Leah (Dapplebay): The Velvet Rider is the best blog ever ! 🙂 **Thank you so much!**
Here are some examples from Leah’s portfolio (I think she has a beautiful design aesthetic):
Check out her super cute tees! I really want the “Live Free & Jump XC” one! 🙂
Please contact Leah at Dapplebay, Inc. for more information!
