Hope Cassells is an equine artist and portraitist whose work is inspired by a lifelong connection to horses. A graduate of Otis College of Art and Design, she has been immersed in the horse world since the age of three, developing a deep appreciation for the beauty, individuality, and spirit of the horse both in and out of the arena.

Through fine art and custom portraiture, Hope seeks to capture more than physical likeness. Her work focuses on character, presence, and the special moments that make all horses so unforgettable.

Through Hopes Keep, she hopes to create artwork that honors the horse and allows others to hold onto the moments, partnerships, and memories that matter most — treasures to keep for a lifetime.

 

Artist Statement

My work returns again and again to the horse. I am drawn to the symbolism, strength, history, and mirrored complexity that horses carry, as well as their enduring and often complicated relationship with humankind.

My process is grounded in close observation and continued study, whether through riding, simply enjoying their presence, or diving into research. I return to them repeatedly in an effort to better understand how they move, think, and exist in relation to us. As both an artist and a horsewoman, I am continually working to refine my skills in the saddle and deepen my understanding of them. My work often grows from ongoing questions: what draws us to horses, how do we interpret their behavior and structure, and how do those interpretations shift through personal experience?

To work as an equestrian artist is to be continuously engaged with the subject itself. It extends beyond representation into participation—learning through proximity, repetition, and lived experience within the equestrian world. My aim is to create work that resonates both within and beyond that community, reaching viewers who are drawn to the horse as a symbol, a companion, and a force of both strength and emotion.