"When my grandson was young, he would become scared whenever there were thunderstorms," says Florida artist Barbara Brown. "To calm him, I told him the Native American story of the Thunder Horse, and how he would descend from the sky to the mountain tops, and how the tramping of his hooves caused thunder, lightning and then the rain that made the crops and grass and trees grow and be happy. After that, whenever he heard thunder he would smile and say, 'Grandma, there's the Thunder Horse.' I painted this Pony for him."

Barbara Brown calls herself a "self-taught artist" because she never attended formal art classes. But she has always loved painting Native American images and wildlife, usually on natural surfaces such as wood, bone, feathers, antler, leather and gourds. If you have ever attended powwows and art shows in North Florida, you no doubt have admired her artwork.

• Ceramic
• Measures 7"
• Artist: Barbara Brown

Price: ^A$79.00