Summer Herefords

 

I'm working on something new for the upcoming Buttonwood show - and herefords are on my easel! Throughout my painting journey, I feel compelled to move in different directions artistically.  Lately, I feel drawn to western themes.  I've always loved cattle, likely due to childhood memories of Grandma Frank's and Great Uncle Richard's herds. Or maybe because we have horses again..... but whatever the reason, I think I'll paint more of these.  It feels like honoring history and the ranchers that work the cattle still.  Painting number 4975 in 4975 days. 

Cow and Calf

I LOVE finding the time for quick paints not far from my front door - especially when they include mama and baby animals!  Now that the grass has been cut in the west field, I can see these sweethearts as they move about.  I watch for painting opportunities while working in the gardens, ready to drop everything and paint (sometimes, lol)!  The wildflowers are blooming abundantly on my side of the fence, so I use my Artistic License to drop them right into my painting!  Painting things like this just make me smile the whole time in doing it!  Painting number 4620 in 4620 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. 

Mama and Calves

 

There is something so very timeless about painting cattle in the field, and I especially love the snow covered pastures.  My grandparent's cattle once roamed here, and seeing them brings back so many memories.  As a child running these fields with my brother, I never dreamed I would live here, too, raising our family.  I one created art at a child's desk in the kitchen, and for many years I've painted on the land that has always felt like home. I am truly blessed.  Painting number 5070 in 5070 days. 

Grazing in the Snow

What a great way to start a Saturday!  Our first snow paired with a few extra guests close to the house made for a perfect painting opportunity!  The briefly heavy snowfall was melting faster than I could get it painted, but oh how lovely it was!  So glad I could get this in before the 7th birthday party for our little Gus! Spending time with family will be icing on the cake of this day!  Grateful, thankful, blessed, indeed.  Painting number 5204 in 5204 days. 

Hereford Trio

The neighbors have brought their cattle to the north pasture for a visit, and I'm enjoying their company!  As the plein air season winds down, I'm looking forward to painting my everyday life, and settling in for the winter.  The cold weather is always a shock at first, but I grows more comfortable with it each time in out. Thank goodness for good outdoor gear!  Happy Thanksgiving! Painting number 5202 in 5202 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. 

Hereford Face

I just love painting these beauties in the pasture!  There is something very soothing about painting out in the countryside, breathing in the fresh air, and listening to birdsong. The very overcast morning cleared long enough for me to paint, with raindrops starting as I headed back to the house.  Within about an hour a hailstorm rolled in, and a couple of tornado warnings rattled off as I watched the skies.  Now the sky is gorgeous, calling me out again to paint!  Painting number 2990 in 2990 days. 

Winter Herefords

Giant snowflakes fell from the sky as I started my day, and fell steadily for hours more.  As 3:00 approached, the warmest part of the afternoon, the snow was still falling gently.  With just a couple hours of daylight left, I headed out to the pasture.  The snow was deep - nearly to the top of my boots! It is actually in the 20s today - and it feels so very warm to paint in!  I even left the neoprene layer at the house.  These beauties stopped for a while to model for me before marching back up to their hay.  They walk single file back and forth, and when one stops they all stop.  I love getting to spend time out in nature with my paint.  This simple process feeds my soul indeed.  Painting number 2963 in 2963 days. 

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.

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 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.

Herefords Three

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My first unscheduled day since arriving home, and I had big plans for painting all day long!  After the gym, lunch out with my daughter, popping dinner in the crock pot, catching up on a few emails led me down the rabbit hole - and I barely surfaced with enough light to paint!  Oh why can't the paper work take care of itself?  I need a robot for that!  Painting number 2261 in 2261 days.

Winter Barn Herefords

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It seems I am always running out is panels and frames!  So,  I painted this scene on top of another previously painted in Augusta!  Fully intending to paint the background barn out, I ended up leaving it, though I may tweak it tomorrow.  It could be pushed back a little.  I'll take a look tomorrow with fresh eyes!  I thought I'd finish in time to run by a favorite creek, but alas, I did not!  Painting number 2255 in 2255 days.

Herefords in the Snow

Waiting for the day to warm up, afternoon offered the perfect opportunity to capture these darlings in oil!  I am still using my Richeson oil palette, and am enjoying the four different browns I have.  All these years I have only used one brown, or none at all, so pulling my brush through such a variety feels like a luxury!  Love the colors of this day, warm light, cold blue shadows on the snow, such a great combination for a painting.  Hope to paint many more like this!!  Painting number 2252 in 2252days.

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Three Cows

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Sometimes, I only have time for an ink sketch and a little watercolor.  So, I sneaked in a painting between lunch with my cousin, daughter and little Augustus, and an art reception at the Buttonwood tonight!  I love having these guys just over the back fence, friendly subjects for my artistic whims!  A quick ink sketch in India ink, followed by a little watercolor, and a few strokes with my fountain pen concludes the process and I'm off to the opening!  Painting number 2249 in 2249 days.

Hereford Face

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I have completely switched gears with this one, feeling the need to mix things up.  I have been so immersed in the dark winter scenes, that today I just wanted to paint something fresh and different.  This big guy is one of my neighbors to the west, and each time I see them I want to paint them!  Fully intending to paint a few in the landscape, I instead zoomed in on the face and chose a square format. Well, this was way more challenging than I thought it would be, which only tells me that I need to paint a few more cows before I'm comfortable with them again!  Every painting is a lesson, after all.  Painting number 2247 in 2247 days.