A Well Tread Path, 11x14

About Sharon Crute

Equine artist Sharon Crute has been involved in the horse business for more than 30 years. Her wealth of industry experience—which runs the spectrum from hotwalker to racing official and assistant trainer—combined with a genuine and deep-rooted respect for the equine athlete is reflected in every brush stroke of the dynamic work she creates. Crute captures the spirited movement, grace and exhilarating speed of horses like few others. Vivid color and directional brushstrokes help to convey the explosive scenes.

Being involved in the horse racing industry for over thirty years has provided Sharon the experience of an insider. She’s labored the gamut from hotwalker to racing official. Because of her extensive involvement in all aspects of racing, she feels her artwork is straight "from the trenches". She endeavors to "express the subtle with an undercurrent of volatility" resulting from intimate knowledge of the emotional anguish and exhilaration shared by all those who love horse racing.

Sharon’s artwork has also made it’s way to the galleries of funky art town Hot Springs, Arkansas and the Horse Capital of the World: Lexington, Kentucky. On her to do list, Sharon would like to cross the pond to visit her paintings that have traveled their way to England, Ireland and Italy.

Providence, R.I. is the birthplace of the artist but no moss grew on this rolling stone. After receiving a B.F.A. in painting from Swain School of Design in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Sharon met and married thoroughbred trainer Michael Bray and then it was off to the races! The couple then traveled the racing circuit from New Hampshire to Florida. Taking a two-week vacation to the Bay Area of Northern California, the couple decided to stay – for ten years!

Sharon currently lives and works with her husband in Saratoga Springs, New York, where she is a participating member of the Artist's Village at the Saratoga Race Track during the entire race meet.