The Cows Come Home

 

No better way to relax than to paint these beauties during the Golden Hour!  After a long day of hard work, immersing myself so completely here, with only the focus of what is before me, restores me in a way nothing else does.  The experience fills me up, and I can go forth with love and light for the world.  Painting number 4977 in 4977 days. 

Watering Hole

 I love painting the gorgeous red hereford cattle in the bright summer landscape!  These beauties are always calling my name - and it feels good to get them painted!  I'm looking forward to a relaxed schedule this month, to allow me to paint some of my favorite local places!  Painting number 4599 in 4599 days. 

Last Light on the Cattle

 

I have only to walk outside for inspiration to paint - even as the days grow colder.  A bit spoiled by the last two 50 degree days, the icy blast is again a shock.  The sunset colors have been wonderful this month, and I love getting to drop that in at day's end.  Michaela, Cooper and the boys came by for family fun today - and Michaela brought WONDERFUL news with her!  Little Kirby was on a Dance Party Mission all day - dancing to every musical thing we have in the house!   All of life is about the little things, and this day was spilling over with joys big and small.  Painting number 5073 in 5073 days. 

Hereford Pair

 I love looking out to the western pasture for painting inspiration.  These neighbors are fun to sketch, and I relish the opportunity to explore their forms in ink and watercolor.  The snow has melted now and the neutral tones of winter full the landscape.  So, I turn to the cattle for study.  Perhaps I'll get several painted before the next beautiful scene grabs me.  Painting number 4037 in 4037 days. 

Sunset at the Horse Trough

Horses have been a favorite muse of mine since I was a little girl.  I love the shape of them - and those manes and tails have endless possibilities!  This scene is an everyday slice of Americana from this working farm in Edward's County, Illinois, where the family dog looks on as the horses have their evening feed.  Love how the process of painting takes me back in time.  Painting number 2832 in 2832 days.  So happy this painting has a new home!  

Hereford Hello!

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I love a fresh, clean new palette!  Trying one of my newest additions - "essence" palette from Prima Watercolor Confections, it was a good choice for this day of wintery mix precipitation!  This momma cow was looking out for the babies as the others grazed nearby, so she came to the fence to check me out.  After sniffing my hand for treats, she wandered away, but remained close enough for me to get the information I needed.  I dropped in my ink before the color this time, and  like the way it mingled together with a little water.  It's fun to take ink and watercolor to the cattle - I normally do them in oil!  Painting number 2577 in 2577 days.

Farm on Z

After painting a complicated street scene in ink, I hitched a ride back to this farm (from a friend who was returning to check on me) and started painting.  With just a little time before turn in at the Quarry, I chose an 8x10 to paint.  Working fast and loose, I captured that golden light as it spread across the farm.  Loved all those angles and the cows that meandered in the pasture.  Sometimes that paint just flows off the end of my brushes. Painting number 2324 in 2324 days.

Hereford Quartet

Sometimes, I think I will finish a painting quickly, and then the process takes longer than expected. I was originally going to do a quick pen and ink with watercolor, but the color was so luscious!  It HAD to be painted in oil!  The golden hour light was perfect and fleeting - I hope to have many more chances at it this spring!  Painting number 2298 in 2298 days.

Hereford Trio

I've been playing with my paints this week, tweaking the colors I want on my spring palette. Today I added Winsor Newton's light red, for that warm Hereford red hue.  I had red oxide on there, but it just wasn't what I wanted. This red is perfect for old barns and herefords!  Painting number 2297 in 2297 days. 

Cattle by the Pond

Spring colors are sweeping over the landscape, and overnight the pasture is green.  I couldn't find these guys this morning, and had to call my neighbor to discover they'd moved to a back pasture.  This turned out to be a treat as the cattle were lined up behind that pond, just waiting to be painted!  With high wind gusts today, it was necessary to keep one hand on my easel at all times!  And perhaps I should have chosen a smaller panel, the 16x20 really caught the wind like a sail!  Oh, but it was worth it. Painting number 2295 in 2295 days.

Hereford Pair

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A warm afternoon, birdsong, and cows - all beckoned me outside on this very busy day!  I've been prepping panels all week, and am very limited on small sizes.  So, I pulled out a pumpkin orange one from last year, and started painting cows!  I've been putting their forms in first, and then building in the background from there.  These guys make even the smallest painting window fun!  Painting number 2267 inn 2267 days.

Herefords on the Ridge

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Oh, spring is on the air and I simply must get outside!  Leaving a couple of large paintings unfinished and cabinets half cleaned out - I seize a little sanity time in the warm sun of the pasture!  The birdsong and gentle breezes are my company today, filling my soul as the paint flows of my brushes.  I will try to sneak away to a favorite creek tomorrow, as the time has already flown today!  Painting number 2266 in 2266 days.

Hereford Trio in the Snow

This light has been so amazing the last few days!  I have missed this gorgeous Missouri winter light!  These Herefords are so good to pose for me - I see so many different paintings during the process!  In fact, the one I liked the most happened as I was packing up shop!  There is always tomorrow, but that snow is melting in a hurry!  Painting number 2253 in 2253 days.