Cooper and The Lie of Multitasking

How many times must we hear and read this before it sinks in? I was most likely "multitasking" while reading or listening to someone preach about how humans are capable of performing one task well at the same time. Here's a link to Daniel Goleman  speaking about mindfulness meditation and how we can improve our focus with this practice with just 10 minutes a day.

Can you imagine what impact this would have on your work?

"Cooper" is one of the boys hanging out with the other members of a bachelor herd nearby. Each of the bro's has intact horns which they do not use on each other or humans. Such sweet boys.

"Cooper" 12 x 9 Oil on Board

Mama Red and "One Good Mama Bone"

Way back in April, I wrote about a treasure of a novel that magically appeared at my local library. It must have been the force of the Universe at work since this wonderful book was not on my radar. Here's the link to  Bren McClain's web site and the book, "One Good Mama Bone". This book is definitely worth reading. Borrow or buy but read it!

 I met the very real Mama Red and Bren McClain back in July which is another good story but for later. A small painting of this fabled creature below. She is something of a bovine centenarian at 26 years old and gorgeous. 

"Mama Red" 5 x 7 Pastel on Uart Paper

Addie And Maurice's List

As a subscriber to many blogs, my inbox has become quite crowded over the years.  I've found that posts always declaring, "Here's my painting. Hope you'll buy it. Bye! Bye!" are being eliminated from my subscriptions.

So in that vein, I have made my goal to offer up a painting along with something that has real value to me ( and hopefully for you as well). My blog is not for selling paintings. There are better places for that like Daily Paint Works  Carol Marine and her husband continue to improve this amazing web site for painters.

I subscribe to another blog called The Legacy Project
The link above will take you to Maurice's List for Living. I should look at Maurice's list every day!

And of course, another cow. Her name is "Addy".

"Addy" 6 x 6 Oil on Board

"The Last Pig" and "Ginger"

If - and that's a big IF you're thinking about maybe or perhaps eliminating bacon, ribs, and sausage from your diet....check out the trailer for "The Last Pig"
People will always make their own decisions. This film may provide another point of view from someone who has made a choice that was right for him.

And here is a small painting of Ginger.

"Ginger" 6 x 6 Oil on Board

Randy Higbee 6 x 6 Show and Luther

No, my paintings are not in the show! I may enter, but  wanted to make sure that all of you daily painters are aware of this prestigious event. It's incredible exposure for those 6 x 6 gems that deserve recognition. Click this link for more information.

This is a larger piece of the same steer named Braxton Bragg. After some research on Braxton Bragg, I discovered that he was judged the WORST Civil War general ever. He also owned slaves. No surprise there. I should have probed deeper prior to using the name. I am so sorry and am ashamed to have made such a rookie mistake. He shall be known as Luther in the future.

"Luther" 12 x 9 Oil on Board

One of the Best Newsletters for Artists

If you're interested in landscape painting and are not aware of John MacDonald's work, check him out. He sends a newsletter out every few months that is chock full of information about landscape and painting in general. I save every one of his dispatches for reference. They are that good!

In the meantime, another heifer from the farm in Bucks County. Eliza is her name.

5 x 7 Oil on Board "Eliza"

Linnie Mae

Just finished reading "A Spool of Blue Thread" by Anne Tyler which I found in one of our Little Free Library a few blocks from my house. Critics accuse Ms Tyler's writing as sweet and sentimental. I wonder what is wrong with that? The point being that one of the characters IS sweet and seemingly without much going on before the reader finally learns that she is clever, determined, and believes in herself. The character's name is Linnie Mae and so is this young heifer.

7 x 5 Oil on board

The Hunter

She sure looks as though she's hunting for something! Probably a bit of sweet grass or her friends. If anyone can come up with a better title, let me know...stumped on this one.

5.5 x 7.5 Pastel on Pastel-Mat paper

Ivy

Ivy 8 x 8 Oil on Arches Huile

Thanks to Bren McClain, author of "One Good Mama Bone",   I found  Indraloka Farm Sanctuary near Allentown, PA. Check them out! I hope to be visiting them soon.

Nell Not The Movie

Nell is NOT named after the character in the Jodie Foster movie. The name actually derives from Greek and Latin for "horn" or "sun ray". I prefer sun ray since she is!

5 x 7.5 Pastel on paper

Otto

If you love cows as I do (or am obsessed as some would say), you will love "One Good Mama Bone". Gene Bauer writes, "....never has the bond between a woman and a mother cow been placed front and center. It's about time...." I'm about halfway through and couldn't wait to share it!
Check it out on Amazon
 
And a small piece of a boy named Otto.

6 x 6 Oil on Board

Althea

6 x 6 Oil on Board

This girl was named for a plant with beautiful white flowers aka the Marsh Mallow because it grows in wet soil along marshes.

Portia

5 x 7 Oil on board

Finding a herd of White Park cattle not too far from home was thrilling after many years of searching for these elusive creatures. Now that I have spent some time with them and taken a bunch of reference shots, it's time to work. There is an inherent responsibility to try and come close to a representation of their beauty but also their individual quirks. Therein lies the challenge and perhaps some tears of frustration!

Olive (At Last)

6 x 6 Oil on Board

So many people tell me they LOVE cows. I simply love spending time with them, especially if it involves kissing, lying in the grass with them, and scratching their chins!

Sorry about the funky reflective marks...varnished a bunch of paintings before realizing that they hadn't been photographed. Lesson learned.