Nadine L. Meade

There are many people who are able to combine their work and their favorite interests, and others who are able to work from their home. Few, however, have been able to combine all three as completely as artist Nadine L. Meade and her husband, Irl "Spider" Meade.

Growing up in rural Oklahoma, Nadine developed a passion for horses, while her favorite subject in grade school was art. Her mother recalls that Nadine once purchased a simple book on cartoon drawing, and the results after she read it were noticeable. Her trees went from looking like lollipops to looking like real trees almost immediately.

It wasn’t until many years later, however, that Nadine became aware of just how special her natural artistic talent was. In February of 1997, after she and Spider had adopted two wild mustangs, Nadine was inspired to create a portrait of the horses using fabric paint on paper. Pleased with the results, she decided to purchase acrylic paints and canvas and get serious. In October of that same year, the self taught artist won First Place at the Oklahoma State Fair in the All Media category for her portrait titled "Mandy," a highly detailed, head on view of their palomino mustang mare.

This early success marked the start of a long series of awards and recognitions that Nadine continues to earn with her artwork. She has also exhibited her work at several one-person showings and donated a number of her paintings to help raise money for a variety of worthy causes, including the Ronald McDonald House, the Jim Thorpe Hippotherapy Program, and others.

The artist has also branched out into other mediums as well, including sculpture. These pieces are notable for their detailed, often gravity defying poses. One example is a bronze, titled "Upset," where a horse has all four feet off the ground as the thrown rider is caught in midair, his hat flying above. A close examination reveals that the horse is actually suspended by the rider’s arm making first contact with the ground and his one foot that is still in the stirrup. (Nadine notes that she reworked the original design so viewers can see that the boot won’t hang and drag the rider after his fall). Other extreme details that hold the viewers attention include the stitching, button and buttonholes in the rider’s jacket and even the billfold bulging in his hip pocket.

A clay sculpture, "Peruvian Paso Dream Catcher" features a horse that appears to be flying through the thin web of an Indian dream catcher. A pair of feathers on either side support the round frame of the dream catcher, and the web itself suspends the horse in mid-air.

Another direction the artist has taken her talent is in publishing a children’s coloring book titled "Coloring Book of Horses". Nadine proudly points out some of the details she included to show that she is from Oklahoma. Not only are there irises and dandelions scattered throughout the pages, if one looks close enough there is even a tick in the grass on one page. And, of course, plenty of horses.

Nadine’s husband Spider, who is retired from the Navy, has matched her creativity in designing and building their dream home, which is located in a two story section across one end of a huge, 70 by 90 foot metal barn. The outside stairs lead to a large wooden deck that wraps around one corner of the barn overlooking their acreage. This spectacular view of the rolling hills and huge pond makes one reluctant to go inside, but once you do it’s shocking to find that the large, reflective windows of the two outside walls in the living room area makes it feel as though you’re still outside on the deck. A tour of the home reveals a pair of glass doors between the living room and kitchen which looks out over the horse-training round pen inside the barn. These doors open to a catwalk that will eventually lead to an elevator and a hayloft after the construction is completed.

The couple first decided to build their home in the country so they could be closer to their horses. After they had erected the barn, they parked an old bus inside to live in while they continued to build the living area. They still laugh when they recall one evening during this time as they were reflecting on just how great their life was. Spider looked around and observed that realistically, they were actually living in a cramped bus with no running water.

Today the Meade’s can enjoy their life more comfortably. Mornings are spent counting their cattle through binoculars as they sip their coffee sitting in a pair of swivel chairs parked in front of the living room windows. Nadine has "horse-traded" some of her paintings for six Peruvian Pasos, her favorite breed, noted for their smooth gait and gentle manner. Whether they are romping in the field or waiting in the barn that is literally just out the back door, her beloved horses are never far from her sight.

Her reputation as an artist recently received a boost when she was commissioned to design the bronze trophy for the International Peruvian Paso Futurity, presented annually to the horses that have accumulated the most points in their categories. The trophy features a detailed sculpture of the special breed and is an exclusive bronze that can only be acquired by winning one. She has also designed her own website, nadinelmeade.com, where the world can enjoy her artwork. The art is divided into categories such as paintings, drawings, sculpture, etc., and even features a free download from her coloring book. Many of the pictures can be enlarged for a closer look.

So whether she is riding, training, painting or sculpting, Nadine has managed to center her life and her home around her passion for horses and her more recently discovered artistic skills.