Leah Patton of Shlei Original Art has been creating artwork since the age of two. Her father swears she said horse before Mama and her first drawings were of horses. She adopted a BLM Mustang at the age of 15 and has trained, owned, shown, and bred a number of breeds from Arabian to Mustang, Mulassier to Poitou donkey, Mule to Tennessee Walker, over the course of over 40 years. Her interest in models began with photo shows in the 1980s, then she helped to develop a live-show program with fellow Texas model collectors. In addition to specializing in etched models, she creates original watercolor works of art by the thousands, many used as prizes for horse shows. In real life she lives on a farm in Texas with her daughter, with horses, donkeys, longhorn cattle, goats, dogs, cats, snakes, mice, guineas and tarantulas. Her real-life job is the office manager and Registrar for the American Donkey and Mule Society, registering longeared equines and putting her art to use in the bi-monthly Brayer magazine.