Flora in Profile

One of the fair maidens who I spent time with out in the field not far from home. I painted this over a pastel that I washed off and with an extra coat of gesso. Can't rip up the pastels on Pastelbord ! 

FLORA
12 x 12
Oil on Pastelbord

Josephine

A small first attempt in oil. Painting this made me remember my happiness as the herd  began to feel safe with me in their field.  I haven't named her yet. Any suggestions?

Josephine
5 x 7
Oil on board

Thaddeus

I met Thaddeus this past summer at a local farm. He had grit!

Thaddeus
12 x 12
Pastel on Pastelbord

The Pursuit of Passion and Painting

Painting is hard! And so are those inner critics. They go for your soft spot and tell you things like "You suck, why bother!"

In the midst of these voices, I received an email from Materese Roche who is a gifted artist from Bucks County who happened to fall in love with Truman . She purchased him and wrote me later. I am sharing a portion below. 

 "Truman is proudly hanging in my kitchen (away from the stove, etc.) he is stunning and I smile every time I look at him.  

I hate pastel - both as a medium to work with and 99% of what I see - meh . . .  I also really don’t like animal art.  But YOUR work is in a league of it’s own.  I don’t say that lightly nor am I giving false praise in any manner.  You have a beautiful talent, and I will call you an artist - you are more than a painter - you have the gift.  "

I think it is a good time to stop listening to the gremlins! I wonder how many of us doubt ourselves.

By the way, high quality giclees of Truman are available from North Penn Art  

Truman
18 x18
Pastel on paper

Portentia

I've painted a few smaller versions of this heifer in oil and pastel. Her expression intrigues me and am most likely not finished exploring her face. 

Portentia
16 x 12
Oil on board

Scarlett

I met this Holstein heifer while traveling in Vermont this summer. She struck with me with her dignity and beauty.

12 x  9
Oil on Arches Huile

Virgil

Virgil was born just this past spring in Bucks County, PA.  He was given a new home with Donna and Doug last night.

8 x 8
Oil on masonite

Honey

Like milk and honey? A sweet tempered, young cow that I met in Bucks County a few months ago.

6 x 6
Oil on Arches Oil Paper

Ollie the Bad Boy

A mischievous boy that I met at the agricultural college in Doylestown. He would charge me, then back off and run the other way. I managed to catch one pose when he was being a good boy.

6 x 6
Pastel on Uart paper

Althea

I thought this little  girl was beautiful when I met her and gave her a name  with that with that in mind. Just checked the meaning and it's Greek for wholesome. Oh well..she remains Althea.

6 x 6
Oil on masonite

Sneak Peek With Truman

I have an advance copy of the Lively Arts brochure for Montgomery County Community College.
 "Truman" is the featured painting representing the gallery. My friends Teresa DeSeve, Cathy Grygiel, and Doug Tweddale are part of a 4 person show in September, "A Painting Renaissance in Pastel". I can't wait to see the show and support these amazing artists who are wonderful people as well. 

Terezin

This cow seemed to have such a doleful look on her face that I had to try and paint her expression. I used a limited palette of mostly subdued pigments.

Terezin
24 x 18
Pastel on paper

Calendula

Perhaps it's the time of the year with flowers everywhere blooming, but the calf faces are making me think of the unblemished heads of the flowers as they open. This little girl brought marigolds to mind. 

Calendula
8 x 8
Pastel on paper
Susan Williamson

Carousel Lavender Farm

This is the exact spot where I spent some time last year when one week later, I was assaulted and sustained a concussion. This year I returned to paint and met a wonderful photographer, Frank Smith , who kindly took my photo. Check out his breath taking images and TED talk . If you're traveling around Bucks County, don't miss Carousel Lavender Farm for an incredible visual and aromatic experience. They have a wonderful shop where you feel as though you've been transported to France and a beautiful herd of llamas.

Here's a rear view of me painting.

LOVE the hat!

Susan Williamson
Carousel Lavender Farm
8 x 10
Pastel on paper

Haying Day

I had planned to paint the bales of hay lit so beautifully by the early morning light but had to change my plans when two guys showed up as soon as I set up with their farm equipment picking up every last bale of hay out in the field. 

9 x 5
Pastel on paper

Vermont Guernsey

While driving around in Vermont looking for cows a number of years ago, I chanced upon a street named "Holstein Drive". How auspicious could that be?

 It turned out to be the driveway of Dancing Cow Farm owned by a young couple making some of the best cheese in the state. They allowed me to spend time in the field with their herd and I took lots of reference photos. I hadn't been up to visit them in a while and it looks like they are not in the cheese making business as of this date. The only thing I could find is a facebook page that hasn't been updated in years . 

This little painting brings me back to the experience of spending time with those girls in the waist high grass and their contented munching as they roamed the field.

6 x 6
Pastel on paper

Mathilde

A sweet face like this girl's got deserves the name of a cherished daughter.

6 x 8
Pastel on paper

Reuben

I named this bull after my favorite uncle and then realized it's also the name of the popular deli sandwich. Make no mistake...this is in no way intended to be a play on words. If you know me, you also know that I'm a vegetarian. Enough said. 

8 x 6
Pastel on paper

Jubilant

Thought I would try doing a mini teeny of "Jubilation" and do a little something in the background. 

6 x 8
Pastel on paper

Gus

Watching Liz Haywood Sullivan's DVD where Liz paints skies on both black and white surfaces, I thought about trying this with a little calf painting after seeing how she approaches this dark surface. 
 If you haven't seen any of Liz's DVD's or read her amazing book about skies, you should check them out. I would love to take one of her workshops some day in the not too distant future!

6 x 6
Pastel on paper

Star of Yelta

This girl reminds me of my favorite morning glory...rich purples and violets with fresh blooms every morning. 

10 x 8
Oil on board

Orlando

Another calf from the local agricultural college. I'm smitten!

20 x 18
Oil on board

Bebe

What could be cuter than a kitten or puppy? A newborn calf ! How I would love to save and adopt all of these babies. Instead, I can only paint them. 

8 x 8
Oil on board

Truman Wins Second Place at Courting Art Show

My posthumous portrait of a Black Baldy Bull won one of the major prizes at the now annual Courting Art Show hosted by the Montgomery County Community College under the direction of gallery director Holly Cairns and organized by the Honorable Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio and other volunteers from the Montgomery County Bar Association.
 The show will be up until June 12th at Montgomery County Community College Gallery Winning pieces will be reproduced and hung in the Montgomery County Courthouse. 

Truman
18 x 18
Pastel on paper

Best Frame Source

When artists get together, we talk about materials and then the conversation centers around where to buy frames. At times it has seemed as though we've had only two choices...pay big bucks for a high quality frame or go for the el cheapo which always looks like el cheapo sooner or later.

 I finally found a great source, Art Frames which satisfies both. The frames are beautifully made, pricing is quite competitive, and they will craft a custom frame at no extra charge. Lead time is 5-6 weeks, but my frames arrived within 4 weeks.

 Free Shipping if you purchase 250. or more and 10% off 6 or more frames.

Truman in the Wachtel Frame

Nell

I drove over to the farm yesterday hoping to see Julius but afraid he would not be there. He was there very much alive and bigger than ever and the farmer told me that Julius will live out his days on the farm. So expect to see some paintings in the future of this boy who is now a muscle bound bruiser and is king of the herd.  For now, another holstein dairy cow from Bucks County, PA.

11 x 14
Oil on board

Rising Sun

10 x 10
Oil on Board

This is Agatha with the the circle of the sun behind her. 

Baby Julius

14 x 11
Oil on Board

Even when he was a baby, he had such attitude! I painted this from one of my first visits to see Julius and his cattle family.

Jubilation Wins Best of Show at Meadowood Art Show

This was the first "real" painting I did this year....meaning it rolled around in my head for awhile before I began working on it. Plus, it was larger than the tiny pieces that I was doing before I could gather up the courage to face a larger piece of paper.

 2013 was a challenging year what with a concussion and other health issues, so this award meant much more than simply a wonderful prize. By the way, my friends Cathy Grygiel and Joanne Turner also won top honors in this show. 

Minerva

Getting back into the studio after battling a nasty flu bug and finally finished this piece. It was challenging (my euphemism for many brush offs and scrapings). She finally said, "Enough already, move on!" so there you go!

Minerva
15 x 15
Pastel on Wallis paper

Moo Cards Review

Just received my first shipment of Moo business cards. Yeah...despite the obvious pun, I placed an order and am glad I did.These cards are beautiful!
 I read about them on Karen Margulis's blog back in February. You can buy them with a bunch of different images on one order. Multiple images could be used as your mini portfolio without whipping out your smart phone.
Be forewarned, if you go for the free trial order, they will send you cards with a logo on one of the corners. The cards you see below are printed on their standard card-stock which is very high quality.  

IAPS Show at Vose Gallery

After writing about how we should have the courage to accept rejection and be a "tall poppy", I found myself unable to stop obsessing about whether my painting would be accepted into the first big pastel show this year. Lucky for me, "Luna" was accepted in the IAPS Show at the Vose Gallery in Boston. 2013 was challenging  in many ways. I hope this is a good omen for 2014.

Luna
18 x 24
Pastel on paper

Resilience and Having the Courage to be a Tall Poppy

Tis the season for artists entering juried shows and waiting for THE ANSWER whether we're IN the show or NOT. I think the most often used word these days is "Declined" instead of rejected as it was in the past. I listened to an Art Biz Blog interview with Mark McGuiness who talks quite a bit about this topic. He wrote a book and has a great blog with lots of free information. 
Check it out and you'll know why you want to be a tall poppy!

Agatha

Agatha
6 x 6
Oil on board

Back to the Holsteins at the farm in Bucks County. Thinking of painting beauties like Agatha is a good reason to get up in the morning. 

Kayli Painting

I just heard back from the folks at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. They are having a silent auction in November for "ThanksLiving" and this painting will help raise money for their good work. Yay!

Kayli
14 x 11
Oil on board

Kayli's Great Escape

A couple of years ago, I read about a cow who escaped a slaughterhouse here in Philadelphia, was given a pardon by Gov Corbett, and was lucky enough to go live in upstate New York at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary.
 I absolutely had to meet this brave girl and drove up to Woodstock to meet Kayli. I have visited her a number of times. but managed to shoot very little in the way of decent photographic reference. Yes, two good photos is all I have! This is the latest rendition in oil on board. I need an excuse to see her again, so this one may be donated for one of their fund raisers.

Kayli
14 x 11
Oil on board

Gabriel and Passion

Gabriel
11 x 14
Oil on board

Just watched a TED talk with Scott Dinsmore about doing what you love. Artists have their ups and downs, but we're so lucky to have the passion to paint. Check it out!

Truman

18 x 18
Pastel on paper

This bull really gave me the stink eye...can't say that I blame him since he had to put up with me following him around, singing to him, and snapping photos. 

Solomon

17 x 15
Pastel on paper

It's been months since I've visited Maple Acres Farm...perhaps this weekend since the temperatures will reach the 50's. This boy is so sweet. A bit shy but he will come a bit closer if you offer him some treats.

Grounded

6 x 10
Pastel on paper

This calf looks like she was just given a "time out" with her expression. Of course she's another Detweiler girl!

Jubiliation II

16 x 20
Pastel on paper

I painted a smaller version of this calf a few weeks ago and wanted to try something a bit larger. 

Luna

18 x 24
Pastel on paper

Just can't seem to get enough of these beautiful Detweiler girls. I sat with her while she ruminated which is what a bovine does when they digest their most recent meal. 

Izzy

6 x 6
Pastel on paper

A study for a larger piece of this calf scratching an itch! 

Ima

10 x 8
Pastel on paper

Another version of a Pinzgauer previously painted in oil. 

Vincent

12 x 9
Oil on Arches Oil Paper

My first attempt on the Arches paper. It didn't seem to be any more absorbent than  masonite, but perhaps that's because I used very little medium. 

Sideways

5 x 7
Pastel on paper

This calf was a bit skeptical ...not sure whether to trust my presence in the field with his herd mates.

Siesta 5 x 7

5 x 7
Pastel on paper

A larger version was posted earlier of this calf resting in the meadow. Guess I work backwards!

Blue Moon

5 x 7
Pastel on paper

I recently learned that cattle have magnetic receptors and can sense those fields. They generally face due north which is probably where this cow is pointed.

Jubilation

8 x 10
Pastel on paper

Another calf from Deep Run Dairy caught in the act of pure happiness.

Gilda

8 x 8
Pastel on paper

Named after Gilda the Wise, another girl from Deep Run Dairy.