Metro the painting horse adds merchandise line

Ron Krajewski poses with his famous painting horse, Metro Meteor. Photo courtesy Wendy Wooley/ Equi Sport Photo

Ron Krajewski poses with his famous painting horse, Metro Meteor. Photo courtesy Wendy Wooley/ EquiSport Photo

Metro Meteor, the famous painting horse who has created approximately 400 acrylic paintings of which approximately $60,000 has been donated from sale proceeds to horse charity, is expanding his repertoire.

In addition to the bright contemporary art pieces, which have brought him national celebrity status, Metro Meteor’s bold brushstrokes now grace a new line of products, including tote bags, pillows and wall hangings, says his owner Ron Krajewski.

Krajewski, a pet portrait artist who taught Metro to hold a paintbrush in his mouth and stroke it across canvas, says Metro’s brand, fame and product line grows by the day.

In this week’s Clubhouse Q&A, Krajewski discusses the ongoing adventures of his famous pet, an animal who has raised enough money through his creations to pay for his own treatments of a bone-grown problem in his knees, and also donate some proceeds to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption.

Q: You’ve expanded your line of Metro gear. What’s available, and where can these items be purchased?

An example of Metro's acrylic paintings, which features a touch of Monet in its look.

An example of Metro’s acrylic paintings, which features a touch of Monet in its look.

Right now he’s got two types of tote bags, pillows and fabric wall hangings. A mounted fabric is approximately 24 inches by 24 inches. And coming up, we’re going to introduce placemats, and we’re also working on horse-related items— everybody wants a halter like Metro’s, and we’re thinking of doing saddle pads and fly masks.

It’s all available on www.dreamgreenusa.com. We’re one of the biggest sellers on that site!

Q: How many paintings has Metro made, and how far has the artwork reached?

He’s made 300 to 400 paintings, including the smaller ones. Of the larger ones, he’s made somewhere between 60 and 70. They’ve been purchased in every state, several countries.

If you look at his Facebook page, and the numbers of Likes, you’ll see he’s very international.

Q: Proceeds from sales have been used for novel Tildren treatments on his knees, to curtail bone growth that threatened to cripple him. How is Metro’s health?

His knees are still doing well due to Tildren treatments. But he developed lameness about six weeks ago. We did x-rays and learned he’d torn a ligament in his right knee, but that the bone growth was stable, and not a factor. We were never so happy to learn about a torn ligament!

We think he’s feeling so good now that he think’s he’s a cutting horse, and he did it playing in his pasture.

Metro poses with one of his new totes. His brushstroke patterns are also featured on other merchandise, including pillows, and in the future, saddle pads.

Metro poses with one of his new totes. His brushstroke patterns are also featured on other merchandise, including pillows, and in the future, saddle pads.

To treat the ligament, we’re using a magnet knee boot to help keep the swelling down, and have restricted his turnout to a small paddock. We can’t put him on complete stall rest because his arthritis makes it necessary for him to move around.

Before this happened we were riding him lightly and looking forward to getting him back out to do light trail riding. Now we’ll have to delay that until possibly the end of the summer.

Q: Whether he’s riding, playing or painting, Metro’s fame continues to grow. What’s the latest?

Oprah Magazine was going to do another piece on him in August, to announce the totes, but the decided against it because he was just in the magazine. And CCT and PBS came out and filmed a segment of a new series called Full Frame. It’s a brand new show, and we’re not sure when his segment will air.

Metro Meteor, a horse who is beating a potentially crippling knee condition, continues to beat the odds while leaving his signature on the art world!

3 responses to “Metro the painting horse adds merchandise line”

  1. Anita Pepe

    Would like to buy a tote

  2. Susan Crane-Sundell

    Metro is an amazing horse! His work is absolutely beautiful and helps raise awareness and funding for his treatment and other OTTBs. I have a tote bag and just treasure it. His work gets compliments wherever it is seen!

  3. Colmel

    Love Metro’s “work!” Think he’s got a better eye than many human artists who are well known!

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