Ouisha McKinney Hand-Painted Ceramic 4-Piece Canister Set

Make: Ouisha McKinney (Lexington, Kentucky, USA)

Age:  2010-present

Construction:  Hand Painted Ceramic 

Dimensions: 

• 7 1/2" Tall x 6 1/2" Square
• 8 1/2" Tall x 6 1/2" Square
• 9 3/4" Tall x 6 1/2" Square
• 11" Tall x 6 1/2" Square

Condition:  Excellent pre-owned condition. No cracks or crazing. One rim chip. Please see photos. 

Details:  Set of 4 ivory ceramic canisters, square in shape with fluted corners and slightly flared bases, round lids with round knobs. Each canister depicts a stage in the development of a racing horse, from birth to a full gallop across the finish line.  Soft, shash-like background colors with stronger colors defining the main figures and features. Shoulders and neck of canisters decorated with clusters of leaves at the corners and rosebud garlands around the neck. Lids are painted with silver-grey bits and ivy leaf garlands. Interior of each piece is glazed dark green. Each canister signed "Ouisha" in pale green on bottom.

Ouisha McKinney moved to Lexington, Kentucky from Maryland at the age of 10 in 1962, when her stepfather purchased Stony Point Farm.  While both parents were horse people, her mother grew tired of gray Kentucky winters, and moved the family of eight children to Reno, Nevada.  Ouisha and her siblings became competitive skiers, with one sister becoming a 3-time Olympian, and her brother became a world record-setting speed skier.  However, they split their time between Reno and Lexington, and eventually Ouisha and one of her sisters returned to Kentucky and their love of horses.  Her sister now runs Stony Point Farm, and together they raise and show young jumpers and breed horses.  Ouisha began knitting hats and headbands while she was skiing, and eventually turned to ceramics as an artistic outlet. She prefers a toleware style, and creates her own designs, as well as taking commissions.