A Passion for Horses

Jackie Millar was born in Edinburgh, the daughter of an extremely skilled self-taught painter and draughtsman and brought up in a small village in Northumberland. As a young child, Jackie loved the countryside and animals and developed a special love for horses. Eventually, her family saw that this was more than a fleeting interest and after much persistence from Jackie, she started riding lessons at the age of three. Whilst Jackie was growing up, horses were her solace, her passion, and her reason to smile when times felt hard.

Following a chance meeting with a local National hunt trainer, Jackie was invited to ride the horses at his stables. This opportunity created a deep interest for thoroughbreds and racing in general. Jackie’s artistic journey also started at this time when she enrolled at Newcastle College. 

Over the following years, Jackie visited many racecourses and even accompanied a horse she rode to the 1983 Grand National. This privileged insight into the horse racing world has given Jackie many experiences to draw on throughout her artistic career. 

Artistic Career

Following her time at Newcastle College, Jackie studied for a degree in Fine Art at Loughborough College of Art and Design, specialising in sculpture. 

Jackie’s thesis is a historical and philosophical exploration of the relationship between humans and horses. It highlighted how important art has been and still is in understanding the human connection with the animal world.

After gaining her degree in Fine Art, Jackie was one of only seven artists selected to attend The Sir Henry Doulton School of Sculpture in Stoke on Trent. This was a bursary run course provided by influential trustees including Sir Stuart Lyons and Dame Elisabeth Frink. She studied alongside internationally acclaimed sculptors Steven Whyte, John McKenna, Michael Talbot, Charles Hazzard, and David Goode.

Her time there provided classical figurative art training by highly regarded specialists in sculptural techniques, life drawing, perspective, colour, and anatomy. During this time, her work was exhibited and sold in the Royal Doulton Gallery in London, Keele University, Rufford Park, and Shugborough Hall.

While in Stoke on Trent, Jackie gained a position at Moorcroft’s world-renowned pottery. However, whilst there, life took a radical turn due to a family accident which led her away from her emerging career in the Arts and resulted in her relocating to Scotland to support her family. 

Jackie eventually made the move back to Northumberland and restarted her creative career, perfecting her craft through her specialist work in equestrian focused art. Her work continues to combine her passion for the natural world and ancient civilisation.

Jackie specialises in equestrian focused bronze sculptures, pastel drawings and limited editions prints. Her affinity with horses and other animals is clearly seen in her ability to capture the character and spirit of all her subjects.