Penelope Helps Women in Montgomery County

At times, even the most challenging circumstances bring joy into a person's life. I have  been fortunate to meet some amazing women who volunteer their time and expertise helping others who have been abused.

On April 19th, Penelope helped to raise money for the Women's Center of Montgomery County during their annual champagne brunch fund raiser. The giclee was donated by North Penn Art and I contributed the mounting and packaging.

Penelope
Susan Williamson
20 x 16
Oil on Arches Huille

The Dove

Another painting on the Multi Media Art Board. I'm liking this board more for oils than pastels since it's so light but takes a beating. 

By the way, I met Denise Vitollo on Sunday at the Yellow Springs art show reception. We've been friends on Facebook for awhile.  It was confusing at first because I recognized her, but couldn't remember where we met. I'll post our photo together after it's Photoshopped. In the meantime, check out her work on the link above!

The Dove
Susan Williamson
Oil on Multi Media Art Board
8 x 8

The Father of All Calves Day 1

Day 1 of my challenge to make friends with this guy started yesterday with a visit to the farm. He wouldn't budge from his spot, which forced me to crop the image way down. Even with this poor resolution, you can see that he's got the world by the "you know what". 

Looks like this will be one of my big challenges for the year!

Any ideas from readers will be much appreciated!

Susan Williamson
The Father of All Calves
Day 1

What to do when you're out of Gessobord

I don't  have any Gessobord  (my preferred ground for oils) larger than 6 x 6 and wanted to paint larger minis. Is that an oxymoron? 
Although these boards are thin, they easily adhere to mounting board. I have to order more Gessoboard, but here is sweet Agnes on the Multi Media Art Board .

Agnes
Susan Williamson
8 x 8
Oil on MultiMedia Board

Rupert

Rupert is a new acquaintance. We met during the holiday weekend and I hope to see him again today. It was my first visit of 2015 with cow-licks from the more curious members of the group, including Rupert. 

Rupert
Susan Williamson
6 x 6
Oil on board

How To Attract a Bull

This Hereford calf was probably about 2 months old when I met him at the local agricultural college in Bucks County. Calving begins in March and continues through April.
All of the cows are AI and the babies are descended from one bull. The Father of All Calves is very aloof, but perhaps he will succumb to my charms if I adhere to The Rules.

My tips on making yourself bovine bait : 

1. Wear neutral colored clothing. Yes, it's true that bulls and cows don't like bright colors
2  Don't take a shower the day of the visit
3  Skip the perfume or deodorant
4  Speak sweetly and softly while telling him that he's handsome 

I will reveal more how to's in a future post and write about my experience with  The Father of All Calves. 

Hugo
Susan Williamson
6 x 6
Oil on board

Madeline In Green and Farm Sanctuary

I just caught Gene Bauer's interview with Jon Stewart which gave me a generous dose of hope. If you're not familiar with this group, check out their web site here . I look at this beautiful girl wearing her green collar and remember spending the day in the field with her and the other cows. 

Madeline In Green
12 x 9
Oil on Arches Huille
Susan Williamson

Arlo

I just came back from visiting the local farm where I met Arlo last year. All of the steers and cows are gone and a new group has taken up residence temporarily. It is hard to insulate oneself from the reality of how farms stay afloat. They are all gone...even Julius who was supposed to have been given a reprieve. 

Arlo
6 x 6
Oil on panel
Susan Williamson

Calf on Rose

Another effort with a limited palette of Gamblin Torrit Grey , Ivory Black, and Titanium White against a saturated background. 

Calf on Rose
6 x 6
Oil on board

Odessa

Another Nubian doe from the local herd. 

Odessa
10 x 8
Arches Huille Paper

Allegra

With those long floppy ears and expressive face, this Nubian doe is one of my favorites from the local herd near my home. It IS the year the goat ...or is it the year of the sheep? It depends on how you pronounce it according to John Oliver

Allegra
12 x 9
Oil on Arches Huille

Toro Grey

A tube of Gamblin Torrit Grey paint and a very limited palette on an acrylic primed board was used for this portrait of a thoughtful heifer from Deep Run Dairy.

Toro Grey
6 x 6
Oil on board

Allegra

I love the way oil paint goes down on Ampersand Pastelbord. There are more of these panels in my inventory so guess what they'll be used for! 

Allegra
12 x 12
Oil on Pastelbord

Agnes

Agnes is one of the heifers living at Deep Run Dairy. 

Agnes
6 x 6
Oil on board

Cyrus

He's back...this time in a small format oil painting.

Cyrus
6 x 6
Oil on board

Tilda

Her straight forward gaze is what continues to challenge me.

Tilda
11 x 14
Pastel on paper

Odelia

Odelia has grown an impressive set of horns, but uses them with discretion!

Odelia
10 x 8
Pastel on paper

Lucy

Her name is not  inspired by "I Love Lucy", although I was intrigued by her pensive gaze. Her namesake was a woman who remained steadfast to her beliefs. 

Lucy
16 x 12
Pastel on paper

Jerome

I found a treasure trove of Pastelbord during my most recent studio de-cluttering and remembered how much fun it was to work on this surface. Even if the painting is a disaster, I can wash it off and gesso over it for an oil painting. And it doesn't get wavy no matter how much water I use!

Jerome
12 x 12
Pastelbord

Cyril

Cyril lives with a small herd of goats, two donkeys, and a miniature horse to keep him company. 

Cyril
7 x 5
Pastel on paper

Sebastian (Pastel)

Another version in pastel this time. 

Sebastian
10 x 10
Pastel on paper

Gustav Pastel Study

It's been interesting(?) to switching back and forth between oil and pastel, painting the same bovine faces. 

Gustav Pastel Study
6 x 6
Pastel on paper

Eudora

I'm stumped on what kind of cow Eudora is, but I love her markings and expression.

Eudora
12 x 16
Oil on masonite

Sebastian Study

Initial take on this calf's gazing toward the horizon. 

Sebastian Study
8 x 8
Oil on Arches Huile 

Gustav Study

My first attempt with this sweet little angel...

Gustav Study
6 x 6
Oil on Masonite

Hazel's Calf

The background is a treatment of the electrified fence in front of the calf in the original photo. 

Pivot
14 x 18
Pastel on Uart paper

Lily

Another painting on the new Pastel Premier surface. I think the objectionable texture is less apparent in a high key painting. 

Lucy
8 x 10
Pastel on PP paper

Bart Study

This little painting was done with Pastel Premier Italian Clay. Much better...we'll see what happens with a larger format. Thanks to Lyn Asselta for for her advice on working with this paper.  Check out Lyn's  amazing work here .

Bart Study
7 x 5
Pastel on paper

Another Josephine

This version in pastel....

Another Josephine
6 x 8
Pastel on paper

Claude

I met this steer years ago after a disastrous plein air adventure. So, you never know who you'll meet when you put yourself out there!

Claude
6 x 6
Pastel on Uart 400

Rufus on PP Fine

This is my initial effort with this new pastel paper. Do you remember that famous quote, "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy"? Well, Pastel Premier is no Wallis paper. 
I'm going to try another grade in the series ...will post the painting when finished. 

Rufus
8 x 10
Pastel Premier Paper (Fine Grade)

Dolly's Profile

Revisiting those beauties at Deep Run Dairy with this little girl.

Dolly
6 x 6
Oil on board

Rufus Study

In preparation for a larger piece or two, this is Rufus, born in April of last year. 

Rufus Study
5 x 7
Pastel on Uart 400

Elroy

I met this boy while on a plein air painting expedition in Bucks County,PA. I was with a group of painters who probably thought I had taken leave of my senses when they saw me running to meet him and his small harem. They didn't know me that well, so they weren't aware of my obsession with all things bovine and especially the ever increasing rarity of meeting an actual bull or steer.

If you would like to know why bulls and steers are so rare, get in touch with me!

Elroy
10 x 8
Pastel on Uart 400

Rufus

I love this steer's expression and markings and will continue painting him even though he is not with us anymore. 

Rufus
6 x 6
Oil on Arches Huile

Let's Play!

This calf was born in late April of last year. The day that I visited, he was nudging other calves to butt heads or just run around the field and play.

Let's Play
8 x 8
Oil on Arches Huile

Althea

Listening to Artists Helping Artists blog talk radio today while working, I had my own aha moment.  Leslie Saeta makes a huge difference in my life! And not simply because she is amazingly generous with her knowledge of marketing and art. She started her art business from nothing, she never quits, and she is ALWAYS a positive force in the world. 

Althea
6 x 6
Oil on Arches Huile

January Afternoon

This path runs along the Wissahickon Creek near my home ...preserved and maintained by the folks at the  Wissahickon Valley Watershed

January Afternoon
5 x 7
Pastel on Art Spectrum Board

Orlando

He loved ears of corn, especially if the husk was removed!

Orlando
8 x 8
Pastel

Aida

Day one of the 30 in 30 Challenge and I'm off with a bovine giving me a rather doubtful look! 

Aida
Oil on Arches Huile
6 x 6