Rod Skidmore resides in Greenville, New York and is a self-taught artist specializing in the medium of watercolor. Before focusing his talent on equine art, Rod worked for thirty-eight years as an advertising art director for several top East Coast agencies. A love of the sport of polo prompted Skidmore to pick up his paintbrushes and embark upon a personal journey that would transform his profession from art director to equine artist.

At the age of 57, Rod Skidmore started playing polo under the guidance of his friend and professional polo player, Eddy Martinez of Georgia.  Martinez refused to accept payment for his lessons, and in an effort to return his generosity Rod decided to present him with a painting. Rod continued to paint gaining wide acclaim in polo circles, and in a short time received a commission from the President of Rolex Watch USA. No longer merely a hobby, Skidmore began focusing all of his energy on his artwork.

Rod Skidmore’s paintings capture the true essence of the sport of polo in scenes from play that put the viewer right in the midst of the game. “I have been told by professional polo players that I accurately paint the game of polo. I suppose that comes from the fact that I did play a little, and I understand the interaction between horse and rider and positioning of players.”

For the past two years, Rod Skidmore has studied and painted jumpers and is now enjoying the creative flow that comes from the exploration of a new subject. The same attention to detail he displays when painting polo scenes is also evident when he depicts the sport of show jumping.

Skidmore was the official Winter Equestrian Festival artist for 2006 & 2007 in Wellington, Florida. He was also the official artist at Hits on Hudson 2006 season.  Other recent commissions include paintings for: Gene Mische, President of Stadium Jumping; Patti Overlund of Irish Oaks Farm; Victoria McCullough of Wellington, FL; James Lowe, Washington, DC; Frank Whitney, Albany, NY; John & Paige Flournoy, of Upatoi, GA; Mathias Guarrand-Hermes, of La Palmeraie Polo team; Kim Foley, of Stone Rows Farms; John Goodman of Palm Beach International Polo Club and Polo Player's Edition; Bob Bailey, president of Racemark International; Ed Baisley of Wappingers Falls, New York.

Other distinguished clients include: Jim Rossi of Saratoga Polo; Andreas Brodtmann of the Berenberg Bank in Zurich Switzerland; Andy Busch of Anheiser Busch; Roland Pouton, former president of Rolex Watch, USA; Adam Lindemann of Cellular One Corporate office, New York;  Susan C. Dick, president of private banking for The Bank of Boston, Palm Beach; and Charles Mross, president of Franklin Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.  Mr. Mross's painting features Major Ronald Ferguson, Prince Charles' long-time Polo coach and manager.
Being a self-taught artist, Rod Skidmore describes his work as a continuing education. “Every time I do a painting I learn something new, and that makes it exciting. I just enjoy the colors and the brilliance of some of the things that happen with watercolors.”

Rod Skidmore's artistic pursuits also involved him as Vice President, artistic director and trustee of the Leonardo da Vinci's Horse project. The goal of the project was the creation of Leonardo da Vinci's never completed monumental equestrian statue "Il Cavallo" - a 24-foot high bronze sculpture which, much to Leonardo's great disappointment he never completed.  As the artistic director, Rod had the pleasure of working with Charles C. Dent, Founder of Leonardo da Vinci's Horse, Inc., renowned sculptor, Nina Akamu, (designer and sculptor of the horse) and a host of advisors, art historians and sculptors, all of which contributed to the success of the project. 

The monument was dedicated September 10, 1999 in Milan, Italy as a gift to the Italian people from the American people (500 years after Leonardo's full size model was destroyed by French archers).   A second bronze casting, referred to as the "American Horse", was unveiled on October 7, 1999 at the Frederik Meijer Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Leonardo da Vinci Horse sculpture is the largest equine monument in the world and was included in Time International Magazine's, Ten Best Designs in the World for the year 1999.

To find out more about Rod's original works and limited edition fine art prints go to www.rodskidmoreartist.com.  Or you may call 518-966-5483 to speak with Rod.