Ocala, Florida (January 13, 2015): HITS, Inc. is pleased to introduce Julie Anna Freund as the cover artist for its 2015 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit program.

January 13, 2015

     Freund, a native of Westtown, New York, who now resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, named her cover painting, "Ducati," after the horse in the photograph that she used as a model. The artwork is canvas on oil, approximately 48 by 84 inches in size. “My art work,” she said, “Is very much an examination as the equine as an athlete and sport animal.”

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     “Equine athletes demonstrate extreme agility and graceful power to loft themselves over obstacles of great height while maintaining their stamina throughout the course. In my paintings, I capture the sport horse in moments of equestrian competition and emphasize the horse as a valiant competitor,” said Freund.

L. Lavone is thrilled to announce that the artist for our first scarf has been selected, Julie Anna Freund.

July 12, 2014

     L. Lavone is proud to release the first photos of our inaugural equestrian scarf, “Il Salto,” The Leap. The limited quantity, exclusive “Il Salto” design was skillfully created by Julie Freund for L. Lavone. The vibrant scarf is an Italian-made 90cm x 90cm silk scarf that will beautifully packaged in a distinctive L.Lavone box. The first scarves will ship November 2014, arriving in stores just in time for holiday sales.

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     Julie Freund is an accomplished artist and an equestrian herself, she has a particular talent of portraying the English sport horse, and earlier this year her artwork was chosen as the design for the esteemed Hampton Classic Horse Show’s official poster. Designing a wearable piece of art was a new experience for Freund, but it was one that she enjoyed immensely. “It’s always great to be able to see your work go beyond just an image on the canvas,” Freund said. “It was a process to combine the traditional medium into a digital work of art to be used for fashion. For this design, I worked in many layers, just as I do in painting. However, because it was on the computer, I had more of an opportunity to play around with composition and color.”

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     L.Lavone believes that a simple scarf can transform an entire outfit or become a lasting keepsake cherished for years to come. That is the philosophy of company owner Michelle Cavanaugh Donn “Equestrian themed scarves are iconic. That is why I decided silk scarves would be our first product.” Donn said, adding that she can’t wait to start wearing her company’s first creation, “The soft golds and warm yellows of Il Salto are wonderful accents to this years fall fashion from jeans to the little black dress.”

Bridgehampton, NY

April 22, 2014

     The Hampton Classic Horse Show is pleased to announce that Julie Freund, a native of Westtown, New York, has been selected as its 2014 poster artist. The announcement of the artist is eagerly anticipated each year, as the posters are highly sought-after souvenirs of the historic Hampton Classic Horse Show.

     The Hampton Classic returns to Bridgehampton, NY, August 24-31, for its 39th year of world-class equestrian competition. The Classic is the culminating event of the famed Hamptons' summer season on Long Island, and many A-list celebrities can be spotted enjoying this prestigious show from the sidelines. 

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     Describing the inspiration for her poster, 'Paseo', Freund said, "In many of my paintings I like to take the everyday images that equestrians see, and create a work of art that is recognizable and yet done in a way that emphasizes the beauty of the sport, and of the animal. Equestrian sport requires training, precise technique, and conditioning, just as the act of painting. Both require a knowledge of the materials and patience that when done right produce a wonderful connection to the human center."

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     "I enjoy using oils because of the paint's ability to create vibrancy with colors through the process of layering," said Freund. "Each of my paintings, including 'Paseo', is composed of several layers of paint, each layer a vital piece to the painting as a whole. Just as riding is a process of layering precise techniques and moments together the same can be said for painting."

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     Equestrian sport has always been a big part of Freund's life. She has shown in the hunters, jumpers, and equitation at many "A" rated competitions along the east coast ranging from Lake Placid to Ocala, and many other shows in between.

Freund attended Bridgewater College in central Virginia, where she majored in the Fine Arts, before transferring to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where she recently graduated with a B.F.A in Painting and double minored in Equestrian Studies and Art History. Freund was a part of the Bridgewater College and SCAD's intercollegiate equestrian teams, and her passion for equines is often an inspiration for her artwork, and through many different mediums, Freund captures unique qualities in different horses.

     Julie Freund, artist of the 2014 Hampton Classic Poster

After graduation, Freund taught riding lessons at Belvoir Terrace Performing Arts and Fine Arts summer camp in Lenox, Massachusetts during the summer of 2013. Freund is currently working and living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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     'Paseo' is based off an original photograph taken by her friend Olivia Dodd of a horse named Bogart at the SCAD equestrian center. "I am fortunate enough to have some friends who are amazing photographers, and who are kind enough to allow me rights to their photos for me to use as inspiration for paintings," said Freund. "Zooming in or cropping an image creates an intimate view of a scene, something that I often do in my work."

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     "Any equestrian would recognize this image from every day barn life," said Freund. "This could be any rider, any horse. Anyone could see himself or herself in this piece. It's a universal image that stretches all through the equestrian sport, not just hunter-jumpers, but also dressage, western, eventing, etc. Any horse person can appreciate the beauty in the quiet moment of the horse walking around in the arena after a ride."