Washington Thoroughbred Awarded First Place in Open Illustration

"Bold color and dynamic composition.
Slashing brushstrokes intensify movement."

    These were the comments from the judge in awarding First Place to Nina Mikhailenko's "Another Race" in the Open Illustration category at the recently concluded American Horse Publications (AHP) annual awards presentations, which each year recognize and honor work that was published during the preceding calendar year.
    Mikhailenko's stunning work was published on the August 2006 cover of the Washington Thoroughbred. Her original oil on canvas had received that cover honor by virtue of having won the Washington Thoroughbred Publication Award at Equine Art 2006 and thus was doubly honored when it also received the First Place award in the AHP contest.
    It is worthy to note that while many of the 50-plus categories offered in the AHP contest are broken down by circulation - Washington Thoroughbred falling into the 5,000 and under category - the Open Illustration category is, as named, "open" to all publications regardless of their circulation.
    The AHP annual awards presentations were held on June 23, 2007, during the AHP "Fiesta del Caballo" Seminar in Albuquerque, New Mexico. One hundred thirteen AHP members submitted a total of 1,006 entries. First Place winners will receive an engraved plaque. New this year, the AHP Board of Directors approved the creation and design of the AHP Award Winner logo that will be sent to First Place winners only to announce their achievement for the year 2006.
    The equine art show is presented annually by the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation, in conjunction with the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Emerald Downs. This year's Equine Art 2007 will be available for public viewing July 12 - 15, during live racing hours at Emerald Downs racetrack in Auburn, Washington.
    For more about artist Nina Mikhailenko and her work, visit www.artistnina.com.