The 4 Minute Cow

"The 4 Minute Cow"

5 x 7, oil on panel

One of the first days of plein air painting in England took me to my cows. They were so curious and they all came over to investigate. At the time I had a homemade portable canvas (that maybe one day I will develop into a real product) so I could move in an instant to the subject that I wanted to paint. Of course the cows kept moving around - except for the Big Mama who just stood there and starred at me. So I thought, "what the heck" and painted her. I never thought I would show this painting because of it's major unfinishedness - done only in 4  minutes. But I love this piece so  - here it is..

Side note:  I have not mastered the photographing of my paintings as well as I would like but I just came upon this idea from listening to the podcast of Artists Helping Artists with the guest of Lisa Darie Kennedy (look her up!) who has done 1 painting everyday for over 1000 days, and she mentioned that she scans her works in rather than take the pictures. Since many of my works are small these days that is what I am going to be doing lots of. So be watching for more updates on my works cause I have been working believe you me.

and the cows get in the way........

No photo today, just a story.  I went to the park to paint today. I hadn't been there for about 10 days. Of course I knew I would have to take time to greet my cows. They were lazily lounging under the trees and barely moved as I came  up to greet them. Having finished my hellos and seeing that they were staying put in their reclining state, I thought I would take advantage of the situation and paint them. No sooner did I get all my gear set up then one by one they started getting up and coming over to investigate. All 9 of them surrounded me, sniffing and licking my setup and me. Of course I could not start painting yet - couldn't even get the pallet with the paint out yet. They hung around for 5 - 7 minutes then slowly started moving on .....but then turned and came back again.

Three of them were surrounding me, their massive heads, me and my painting gear could have fit inside a 41/2 foot ring. I had to take hold of their horns so they wouldn't catch on my pochade box or my stool or on me. They were so close I couldn't get into my bag to get the camera out. One took a step away and peed. One didn't take a step away and left a fresh and steaming pile of poo a foot away from me.

So I gave up on painting there and decided to walk to the other end of the field where they were showing no interest. Half way to this other end I turned around and they were all following me. I sat on my stool and just let them do more of their usual thing until they finally got bored and wandered off. They eventually came back into the scene but not until I was able to get a painting done. I will post it soon.

Later on in the day I was working on another painting in my studio and could not figure out where all the long hairs on my pallet were coming from. Hmmmm......

Love them cows!!

Back on the Pallet Again

"Mama's Horns", 8 x 10, oil on linen
SOLD

"Grazing in the Corner of the Park"

8 x 10, oil on panel

It has been a while since I have painted. A trip home to Ohio and other involvements took centre stage for a while. I am a bit more on track right now but am distracted a bit by a beautiful batch of Wensleydale Longwool sheep's fleece begging to be processed and spun into wool. Watch for a painting or two of these amazing sheep.

Mooooo

Highland Cattle - Meal Time

24 x 30cm

oil on panel

SOLD

These beautiful cows are a 5 minute walk from my front door. They are part of a grazing program. After 6 months or so they will be moved to some other park to graze so I have to take advantage of them while they are here. This mother cow and her white calf are easy to distinguish from the rest. In fact, yesterday I was visiting them (again!!) and got to watch the mama licking the calf's face, grooming it. So sweet. Of course I didn't have my camera. Grrr. This breed of cows (Highland Cattle) must have something genetic in them that has them with their tongues out more often then any other cows I have seen. If I can capture a good overall photo of this you will see a painting or tow of it.

Peaking Out of the Woods

16 x 12

Oil on panel

In the middle of the open park area is a wooded area. Quite often you can find the cows scattered amongst the trees. When they first came here in August you could barely see them at times because they hadn't eaten the grasses down yet. They are easier to see now.

Highland Mama and Calf #1

"Highland Mama and Calf #1"

30 x 40 cm

oil on panel

SOLD

I am in love with the Highland Cattle. I not only have found a rancher here who raises them but they also move some about the park system here in England to be part of a grazing program so I have them at a distance of a 5 minute walk. They are beautiful creatures.
I recently found out that this cow had lost her first born in the birthing process and this is her #2. It would appear that motherhood is suiting her