Kim McElroy Soul Essence Horse Portraits
Making your love tangible
A Soul Essence Portrait is more than art; it is a talisman and a guide that expresses what your horse means to you. Each is a story and a journey, a living dialogue that honors the unspoken bond between beings. In its presence, love takes form, reminding you of the companionship that endures beyond time and circumstance.
When I create a Soul Essence Horse Portrait, it is about more than portraying a likeness. I listen for the quiet ways your horse wishes to be known. Colors of my pastels and the strokes of my hands become a language that reveals their presence, and spirit.
The result is a portrait that feels alive.
I’m Kim McElroy, and for nearly four decades I have been creating Soul Essence Portraits that honor the living spirits of horses.
Portraits are different from any other kind of art I create. They are co-creations born of your love and my intuition, a bridge between your heart and the spirit of your horse.
My clients often tell me that when their portrait arrives, something shifts in their lives. The art becomes a touchstone — a daily meditation, a companion presence, a way to feel their horse near. Whether your horse is with you in body or in spirit, their essence can shine in form, color, and light.
If you are feeling called to bring your horse’s essence into form, I would be honored to begin this journey with you.
When Spirit Takes Form
Every Soul Essence Portrait carries its own presence. Some emerge as dreamlike visions, others as vivid likenesses.
Each one is a meeting place between love, memory, and spirit.
““The joy I felt when I first laid eyes on your portrait of my Lady horse was indescribable. It is so much more than a painting. It is not a surprise, but truly this piece is a living entity… connecting our Spirits: Lady and Me.”
~ Jeri
Portrait Styles and Pricing
Each Soul Essence Portrait is a unique creation, blending your memories with my intuition. The main difference between styles is the amount of detail and realism. Some evoke a meditative, dreamlike presence, while others offer a vivid, tangible likeness.
Explore the different portrait styles in the slideshows below,
or click the gallery links to see more examples
Essential Soul Essence
from $3,000
You know your horse’s spirit, and your horse knows yours. The Essential Soul Essence style portrays a vision of your horse and the connection you share. It is an energetic impression that feels so familiar. The pastel swirls, lyrical lines, and dynamic colors often include symbols that have meaning just for you.
"Many of us with horses in our lives know the special, mostly fleeting, often spontaneous, moments of harmony with our horse. These are like entering another dimension, being in the moment with our horse. When I saw the completed painting by Kim, I immediately felt us as “One Being”. Now, every morning, I experience the essence of my loved horse. This is a gift I am very happy to give myself.” ~ Pat
Expressive Soul Essence
from $4,000
The softness of the Expressive Soul Essence Portrait invites contemplation of your horse’s presence. There is more to your horse than meets the eye. Details are softened and the soothing colors may include elements of nature.
“The photos that I have of Diva, while beautiful, aren’t really her. If someone wanted to see what she looked like, I would proudly show them the photos. If someone asked who Diva was, I would even more proudly show them her portrait.”
~ Melinda
Tangible Soul Essence
from $5,000
The Tangible Soul Essence Portrait evokes your horse’s vivid and three-dimensional presence. Wherever you are in your day or your life, your horse will be right there with you. This style can be a larger size which can include more than one image of your horse, allowing you to celebrate both the close-up of their familiar face and also their expressive form.
Quintessential Soul Essence
from $5,000
The Quintessential Soul Essence Portrait is informed by your horse’s spirit. Visions of symbolic meaning, celestial influences, or earthly connections express the expansive and intrinsic nature of your kinship, offering a continual revelation of your soul connection.
“The longer I look at the portrait, seeing the tiny details hidden in plain sight, the more I hear Alibi’s messages. There are so many meanings from other sources over the past couple of years that you never could have known. I find the portrait energetically grounds me in a way I never imagined was possible.”
~ Lori
How the Commission Process Works
Begin by filling out this short form to introduce yourself and your horse. I’ll follow up personally with the next steps in the commission process.
Before we begin
I create about eight Soul Essence Portraits each year, working with one client at a time. Because of this, there is often a waiting list. When your turn approaches, you may secure your place with a deposit, which moves you onto my Reservation List and ensures your portrait is scheduled within a clear timeframe.
Step 1: A gentle beginning
You share photos and write some thoughts about your horse. During this time, correspondence and Zoom meetings can help us get to know each other so I can learn more about your love story.
Step 2: Vision and composition
I spend time in meditation with your horse’s spirit and follow your horse's lead to determine the imagery that will depict your story best. Some people like me to share the concepts and a sketch of the composition before I begin the portrait, others like to be surprised.
Step 3: Creation in pastel
The artwork develops layer by layer until the final moment when I complete the eyes — the moment the spirit enters and the portrait comes fully alive.
Step 4: Unveiling, either in person or on a Zoom call
Whether in person or on Zoom, the unveiling is often described as a turning point. The portrait becomes a touchstone in daily life. I later share photos of the work in progress, reflections on the symbolism, and a music playlist gathered while I was creating your portrait.