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

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

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

Orlando

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

Orlando
8 x 8
Pastel

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

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

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.

Eli

6 x 8
Pastel on paper

Something about the graceful look back...akin to a contrapposto pose for a baby bull.

Levi

6 x 6 Oil

One of the handsome boys at Maple Acres Farm . Whenever I need to lift my spirits, a drive over to this farm never fails to do the job. 

Eli SOLD

This is the second painting I've done of this red and white bull calf. He has such a gentle disposition, most likely because he was hand raised as a baby. I'm hoping to visit him and spend more time with him and his brother soon. 

16 x 20
Pastel on board

Cookie Boy

Cookie Boy
Pastel 16 x 20

Day 21 - 30 in 30 Sweet Eli SOLD

Such a nice boy  although he's got more of a cow face in shape than bull's face. Dare I say he's a pretty boy?

Sweet Eli
Pastel 8 x 10

Day 18 30 in 30 - White Face Calf

Missed yesterday with so much going on with the show delivery and necessary evils. This is a little boy who I saw this past summer while out painting at a preserved farm. I will probably do a little more work on him, but here he is for the moment. 

White Face Calf
Pastel 8 x 10

Day 14 30 in 30 Cookie Boy Profile

A small painting of Cookie Boy in profile...a proud bull just waiting for that special cow. 

Cookie Boy Profile
5 x 7 Pastel

Call me "Mister" Amos- Day 10 30 in 30

Amos lives in Bucks County and knows he's the boss of his domain. I was fortunate to snap a couple of photos of him before he faked me out with a half hearted charge. 

SOLD 
8 x 10 Pastel

Cookie Boy

Cookie Boy has been living as a pet about a half hour from me for a number of years. He has become a bit shaggy and long in the tooth but still a handsome boy. This is my first rendition of him. Visits to Cookie Boy always involve staying out of spitting range of the protective llama that he lives with. If you ever meet up with a llama, move back and out of range when their ears go down!

SOLD
8 X 10 Pastel

Zeus

16 x 20 Pastel on Paper
I met Zeus at the last dairy farm in Warrington, PA. He is the only "boy" who lives with the herd of girls at the farm and is quite protective of his harem. He told me exactly how close I could get when taking photos and gave me the "bull's rush" when I didn't obey.

The Guardian

SOLD

Pastel on Wallis paper, 17 x 23 @975. framed.
I met this bull in Bucks County, PA along with two others. He was definitely "Mr Big" in that group.