After sending in a very detailed description of what I had in mind for the CD cover art, Marlon called and told me there was going to be a problem. The level of detail was apparently unexpected. Jo Ann told me to just wait until the design people got the idea and they would love it.
She was right. The Disc Makers design department did great. They took my idea and laid it out for me in glossy full color. The first proof had the dog sitting on a donkey. I’m guessing these folks in New Jersey just didn’t know the difference. Wrong. They just didn’t have a pony picture. At that point I got to call Marlon and say,” I want a pony”.
Our neighbors, Tolley and Donna Haynes at “Equitopia Miniature Horses” have a pasture full of beautiful animals. They are indeed prize winning miniature horses but they looked like ponies to me. After a few attempts at photographing a prize winning stud, Donna went back in the house for something and I went into another pasture where there were 2 ponies which had not yet been brushed or clipped. These friendly animals
didn’t yet know me and looked on me with curiosity. I waited while they moved around until the light was right and I moved in and knelt down. Haley Bop turned to look at me and struck the pose I was waiting for.
Donna was not thrilled that I had selected an un-bathed, un-brushed, un-clipped pony that had only moments earlier been rolling in the dirt.
She was very happy to have one of her animals selected for my CD cover.
I am very grateful to Tolley and Donna Haynes for their help.
