Discovering Wesley Dennis Original Art

On my road trip out to Equine Affaire earlier this month, I had an unforgettable opportunity to meet a Wesley Dennis art collector in person. Her name is Abby, and she extended Hoosier hospitality to my travel companion Margo (of Saddle Up Clothing Company) and me. Abby invited us to her home for lunch and a Wesley Dennis art viewing.

I met Abby while researching my Marguerite Henry biography, Marguerite, Misty and Me. I had stumbled across her Wesley Dennis tribute website, asked for an interview, and realized during our conversation, that we have embarked on parallel fan journeys.

Abby is as obsessed with Wesley’s work as I am Marguerite’s. Just like I traced the neighborhood where Marguerite grew up, and found locations where she penned her famous horse books, Abby located Wesley’s boyhood stomping grounds and even studios where he painted.

After an hour-long interview several months ago, I finally had a chance to not only finally meet Abby, in person, but a chance to see her beautiful Wesley Dennis art. From a sketchbook to line drawings to paintings, it was beyond a treat to see the beloved illustrator’s work in person.

The short version of how Abby got into collecting Wesley Dennis art is she spied an original on eBay, messaged the seller to see if they had more–they did!

If you love Wesley and Marguerite, you need to read my latest book, Marguerite, Misty and Me!

The seller was a family member/descendant of Wesley Dennis (through marriage) and Abby was invited to come take a look at the art in person and pick out what she wanted to buy. Over the course of years and friendships built with people who knew the iconic illustrator, Abby has acquired a one-of-a-kind collection.

Abby’s Wesley Dennis art website wesleydennis.com is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to know more about the man from Massachusetts who made Marguerite Henry’s iconic horse characters dance to life on the page. Marguerite Henry books such as Justin Morgan Had a Horse; Misty of Chincoteague; Sea Star; Stormy, Misty’s Foal; King of the Wind; and even Dear Readers and Riders would not be the same without his illustrations. I’m crossing my fingers that one day Abby will have the time to write a book about her adventures collecting Wesley Dennis art. She has amazing stories that she alone can tell.

Love Wesley Dennis art + Marguerite Henry stories? Read my new book Marguerite, Misty and Me! CLICK HERE to see Marguerite, Misty and Me.

Seeing Wesley Dennis’s sketchbook from the 1920s when he studied in Paris was so cool! The sketchbook itself is a work of art, bound in leather with ornate cover detailing.

Abby learned Wesley went to Paris to study under animal and landscape artist Lowes Dalbiac Luard. While in France, Wesley spent time in butcher shops, studying the bones, muscles and forms of animals.

What a wonderful experience it was to see so many works of a master in one place. I’m grateful that Abby wanted to share her treasures with us, and I’m glad she has her website as a place to keep Wesley Dennis history alive. Thank you, Abby! And thank you, Reader, for reading!

Question: Is there a specific Wesley Dennis character or drawing you dream of seeing in person?

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