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

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

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

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

Rising Sun

10 x 10
Oil on Board

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

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.

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. 

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.