"Big Red"

5 x 7"

oil on panel
sold

There comes a day when you want to paint a cow.

From a farm in southern Georgia.

"George"

8 x 8"

oil on panel
nfs

I tried my hand on a more classic painting - an all-day cow affair.  What an awesome beast.  It is a gift.

"Leo"

5 x 5"

oil on panel
sold

This guy looked like a Leo to me.  Maybe he reminded me of Uncle Leo on Seinfeld.  Maybe a combination of several characters on Seinfeld.  Still, the best show on TV.

"Krystle"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

That sweet little blond tuft on her head reminded me of Krystle Carrington from Dynasty.  Another cow to make the afternoon fun.

"Violet"

6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Hello to all - I trust you've enjoyed your holiday.  My aching back is healing nicely, thank you for your kind wishes.  I wanted to paint, I really did.  I squirted out my pizza pan palette of paint several times and nothing.  I don't know why.  My brain's been fried I guess.  To tell you the truth, it's nice to just chill in December for a change.  I spent most of my adult life as a picture framer and December was hell.   Now it's beautifully calm and I've enjoyed every minute of it.

My friend Neil Hollingsworth offered some photos of his to paint (thank you Neil) and I've been playing with cows.  Such great, natural sculptures - I'm in awe of them.  I'm doing more and I felt compelled to name each one, whatever comes to mind as I'm spending time with them.

This kicks off the first of many little studies I hope to get on with.  The juices are flowing again.  Yay.

"Pasturized"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

All this talk Neil Hollingsworth's been doing about painting cows persuaded me to put the felons aside for a bit and join in. There's a good reason artists love this subject - it's a patchwork of every color on the palette.

My aim was to keep loose, like with the faces, and keep the brush moving fast and furious. No sketching, no pausing, just motor on. Very fun and liberating.

and..... my good friend, Karen Hollingsworth, has small works on auction that are delightful. And she has a new blog.

"Picnic"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

The one yesterday was an accidental result by the way - I was pleased with the top portion, the sky and treeline, and had done something totally different below that and hated it. I wiped that off and just wanted more simplicity - picked up the palette knife that I usually ignore and played.

Same with this painting - feeling out how to balance some tighter brushwork with some loose texture. Just exercising the brain - working through a block - enjoying the freedom.

"Red Meat"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

When in doubt - paint a cow. Turned out to be one of my personal favorites.

"Cow Girl"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite
sold

Painting cows, I kid you not, is a great pleasure. I can use every color on my palette, keep the brushstrokes loose - use the oils for what they're meant for. I met this creature in the farmlands of Alabama.

"Beefy"

5 x 5"
oil on masonite
sold

Another fascinating creature - spotted in the countryside of south Georgia. My first cow.