ELLA

I met Ella some time ago and couldn’t get her out of mind. This painting is a smaller version in oil in preparation for larger pieces in pastel and oil.

ELLA 7 x 5 Oil on Arches Huille paper SOLD

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Orlando

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

20 x 18
Oil on board

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

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

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'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.