Country music star Buck Owens buys charity art created by Carlsbad artist

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) _ Country music star Buck Owens has paid $20,000 for a piece of art created by a local artist for charity. <br><br>Gerri Mattson's ``Five-Card Stud'' was among the painted

Monday, October 27th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) _ Country music star Buck Owens has paid $20,000 for a piece of art created by a local artist for charity.

Gerri Mattson's ``Five-Card Stud'' was among the painted ponies sold as part of a statewide public art project sponsored by Horsepower New Mexico. The proceeds from pony sales have gone to designated charities.

``I was really excited that Buck Owens had purchased it,'' Mattson said.

She said she thought her pony had sold a year ago, but the money just recently changed hands.

Owens has Mattson's pony on display at a theme park he owns in Bakersfield, Calif. The pony was sponsored by Dorothy Queen of Queen Oil and Gas and the Carlsbad Foundation.

Another pony Mattson painted also attracted star power. The pony called ``Wildfire'' appeared on stage with singer Michael Martin Murphey during a summer concert. Murphey, who performs a song by the same name, signed the horse.