“The idiom ‘back in the saddle again’ was originally applied to cowboys and jockeys who were returning to work, riding on their horses again, after taking a break or recovering from an injury.” What better way to immortalize the year of 2021 Saratoga Racing Meet than by this very idiom. 2021 is a year for society to return to normalcy and for tourists to finally return to Saratoga Springs!

“I can’t think of a better time or place to get back in the saddle from this horrible pandemic than Saratoga Springs. After all, for nearly 200 years, Saratoga has been a destination for those who seek to restore their health and wellbeing through the healing power of its natural springs and beauty. It’s time for America to saddle up and get back out there! And Saratoga Springs is just the place to do it! Have a Blessed Day Everyone!”

Whether it be on the Oklahoma track or the bustling Backtrack, Shawn Faust’s work brings you drama through light and composition. Bring home a piece of one of Saratoga’s most historic treasures through Faust’s paintings.

It doesn’t have to be racing specific, Shawn Faust is a master of equine art, bringing personality and emotion to your collection and home design.

These paintings will arrive at the gallery on July, 28th to reserve in advance please contact us: spafineart@aol.com

Shawn’s love and fascination for drawing came as an unexpected gift from his grandfather at the age of 5. Young Faust was a tag-a-long during his grandfather’s impromptu plein air art lesson with his older brother in the back yard of his Aunt’s house. A retired director for the American Red Cross, Shawn’s grandfather, who had only recently picked up the brush himself, began a charcoal sketch that would forever change how Faust would see the world. From that brief lesson, Faust recalls vividly, “The techniques I witnessed from my grandfather that day, were pure magic!”

With his newfound gift of magic, Shawn quickly began practicing his art of 3D illusion for anyone who wanted to see it. During his childhood, you would be hard pressed not to find Shawn doodling on a piece of paper at some point during the day.

Among his favorite things to draw as a youngster were his comic book heroes. Intsead of reading the comics, he spent all his time studying the line work and muscle forms of the comic book characters. And so, began his interest in portraying the human form.

Upon entering college at the University Of Delaware, Shawn enrolled as an accounting major yet emerged with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1990. At the U of D he is forever grateful for the privilege of studying under distinguished artists Stephen Tanis, Charles Rowe, Robert Straight and Rosemary Lane.

Shortly after graduating, Shawn embarked on a career in Illustration. By 1993 he had quickly become one of Delaware’s prominent architectural illustrators working for more than 75% of the homebuilders in Delaware.

Between illustration jobs, Shawn pursued his interest in portrait painting. In 1992 Faust was commissioned to paint the official portrait of outgoing Delaware Governor, Michael Castle. Continuing his quest to learn more about portrait painting, Faust studied with Daniel Greene in 1995. He credits Daniel Greene for giving him the greatest key to unlocking a whole new way of seeing and interpreting color.

By 1995, Shawn’s portrait commissions and easel paintings were supporting him as much as his illustration jobs, so he decided to focus entirely on his fine art career. This included opening a gallery and custom frame shop with his wife and brother. During the twelve years of owning and operating the gallery, Shawn continued his intense portrait research by focusing his studies on the eyes of his favorite subject, the horse.