Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: NATIONAL ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Friday's art related website of interest is the National Art Education Association (NAEA). The mission of NAEA is to promote art education through professional development, service, advancement of knowledge, and leadership. The association has 20,000 active members, consisting of art educators in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 as well as college and university professors and researchers, administrators, and museum educators. Members are in all fifty states plus the District of Columbia, U.S. Possessions, most Canadian Provinces, U.S. military bases around the world, and twenty-five foreign countries.

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 11

What else do you do besides your art?

I think the better question would be ‘when do you find time for your art’?

As I mentioned earlier, I am a full-time Ph.D. student at Cornell University, which involves working with cows, doing a lot of work in the laboratory, reading (a lot), and also writing (a lot). I help coach the Cornell Dairy Cattle Judging Team and also volunteer at various dairy youth and 4-H activities in New York State, such as 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl and NY Jr. Holstein activities. I also serve as an instructor at Badger Dairy Camp, going back to Wisconsin in June for the last 7 years to work with kids in dairy projects. I really enjoy opportunities to work with dairy youth, and it is fun to share my knowledge with them and encourage them to pursue careers in the dairy industry.

Additionally, I write articles for “Hoard’s Dairyman” (a national dairy magazine), classify (evaluate) cows part-time for the Brown Swiss Association, and am a part-time employee for a catering business in Ithaca, NY. Also, I am still somewhat ‘active’ in the family farm in Watertown, WI, Twinkle-Hill Farm (www.twinklehillfarm.com – a site which I designed and maintain). I own quite a few Brown Swiss cows at the home farm and work on the breeding and genetics-side of the business from afar.

Our family shows our cattle at state and national shows, including World Dairy Expo. I love clipping and fitting the cattle to get them ready for the show – in a way, fitting has a slightly artistic side to it too!

In between all of the school, work, and volunteer activities, I really enjoy running, working out, skiing in the winter, and reading books and magazines. I have run 2 marathons and was training for a 3rd marathon this past May – but I got injured about 3 weeks before the race. I am ecstatic to report that I started running again, pain-free, at the end of June!

Picture credits:

Top: Laurie (far left) with her Cornell dairy judging team she helped to coach

Bottom: Laurie (wearing a black jacket standing just behind the dairy heifer) showing other attendees of the Badger (University of Wisconsin) dairy camp how to prepare and groom a heifer for show

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 10

What advice to you have for aspiring artists?

I think that I still qualify as an aspiring artist! When I was learning about the process of becoming a ‘published’ artist and having prints made of my drawing for the first time, I really didn’t know where to start. So, I called up a very respected and highly successful agricultural artist studio, Bonnie Mohr’s business in Glencoe, MN, looking for a little help.

While I didn’t talk to Bonnie herself, her employees working there were very supportive and helpful. They suggested a printing company, Hunter Editions in Maine, and I wasted no time in touching base with them to get the process rolling. Since most of my art career has been independent and self-directed, it was really great to get some direction and help from the people at Bonnie Mohr’s studio. So, I guess my suggestion for aspiring artists would be to not be afraid to ask for help or advice.

Monday's agriculture website of interest: HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

Monday's agricultural website focus is on Heifer International, a nonprofit organization based in Arkansas, that alleviates hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation through gifts of food and income producing farm animals and training. These animals provide a source of protein, such as eggs and milk, for children and generate income for families through the sale of animal products. Since 1944, Heifer International has helped over 4 million families in 125 countries become self-reliant. Each family "passes on the gift" by giving one or more of its animal's offspring to another family in need.

New art from Julia Swartz

Oil and watercolor painter Julia Swartz has had a busy time in the studio this summer! She has created two new paintings for Cow Art and More. Both are available as canvas giclees in several sizes or as the originals. Go to the Cow Art and More new products page for more information.

Picture credit: "Moo Cow", oil on canvas

Go to Cow Art and More to read more about this cow oil painting

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 9

What would you like to do more of in the future?

As time permits, I would love to do more drawing and artwork. As I mentioned in an earlier question, drawing provides me a way to de-stress from the pressures and rigors of a very left-brain lifestyle. Down the road, as I settle into a full-time job (at some point!), I hope to find more time to focus on my artwork and developing more and more business opportunities in that area. I am not sure if art could ever be my ‘full-time’ career, but it would be fun if I could make that work!

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: DAILY ART FIXX

Friday's website of interest about art is Daily Art Fixx, a website dedicated to focusing on a particular art or style daily. The author is Wendy Campbell, a Canadian artist who has devoted time to learning more about other artists and their work. Says Campbell, "This blog is a way for me to immerse myself in art - to learn more about the masters and discover what’s going on in the art world right now. Each day there will be something new - it might be an artist profile, a product, book, or event review, or just a nifty tip that I come across."

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 8

Do you ever have goof ups or work you don’t like?

Of course! But since I have less and less time to express my creative side with drawing, my goof ups have been fewer and farther between. In general, I like to have the whole drawing mapped out before I really dive in and develop the drawing too far – hopefully avoiding the need to scrap it and start over.

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 7

How long does it take you to get an average drawing?

Recently, it has taken me a really long time to complete drawings. Given my commitment to graduate school and numerous other activities, it is sometimes hard for me to find the time to sit down and focus on artwork and drawing. For example, I started “Curiosity” late in 2006, and then it got set aside when I started my Ph.D. program at Cornell in January 2007.

I worked on it intently during the summer of 2007 for a couple weeks, and then it got set aside as I grew busier with school. I picked it up again with a gusto in fall of 2008 as a way to relieve my brain from the stresses of doing an experiment for my Ph.D. program. I put the finishing touches on the original in December and started the process of having prints made for the first time shortly thereafter. So, all in all, “Curiosity” took nearly 2 years to complete! I tried to start a new piece shortly after completing “Curiosity,” but my school work has kept me on the move.

Monday's agriculture website of interest: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Today's agriculture website of interest is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, also known as the FAO. The FAO leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, it acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. The FAO also helps developing countries modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all. Since its founding in 1945, the FAO has focused special attention on developing rural areas, home to 70 percent of the world's poor and hungry people.

New digital art photography added to Cow Art and More

Cow Art and More is excited to announce the inclusion of its first international artist, Michael Murray. Michael is from Scotland and creates art from photographic images manipulated with his computer. Michael creates art for personal collections as well as corporate accounts and book covers. His art is owned by collectors all over the world.

Picture credit: "Soccer Cows", 12 inches by 12 inches, printed on Kodak professional endura paper

Go to Cow Art and More to read more about this digital art

Drawing brings $450 for charity

July featured artist, Laurie Winkelman, recently donated one of her signed and numbered prints, "Curiosity" to be auctioned at the National Brown Swiss Convention in Springfield, Missouri. The print, which was auctioned off to help fund youth programs, brought $450.

"Curiosity" sells with free shipping the entire month of July. Click here to go to the Cow Art and More specials page to purchase this print.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: AMERICAN ART THERAPY ASSOCIATION

For those who are new to following the Cow Art and More blog, I feature a different art-focused website on Fridays.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts is the American Art Therapy Association. My career in veterinary medicine does not allow for much creativity, so I love that I can express my artistic side by making jewelry. It's good for the brain! I chose to feature this website today because this group focuses on helping people heal mentally by learning and making art.

The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) is an organization of professionals dedicated to the belief that the creative process involved in art making is healing and life enhancing. Its mission is to serve its members and the general public by providing standards of professional competence, and developing and promoting knowledge in, and of, the field of art therapy. The AATA represents approximately 5,000 members and 36 AATA State and Regional Chapters that conduct meetings and activities to promote art therapy on the local level.

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 6

How do you decide what to draw?

My most recent drawings (including Curiosity), were intended to be gifts for my family. A few years ago, I did a drawing of my older sister and me holding two cows that were Intermediate Champion and Reserve Intermediate Champion at the 2004 Wisconsin State Fair and Show, which became a Christmas present for my parents. In 2008, I decided to have prints made of “Curiosity” as gifts for my parents and my sister. “Curiosity” is the first drawing I have ever really made available for sale, and it’s been a fun experience to share my love for drawing and cows. My favorite part of drawing an animal is capturing the eyes of the animal. Animals have so much personality in their eyes. In my opinion, if the eyes are wrong, the whole drawing is wrong.

I have stayed with pencil drawings in the recent years because I have moved around quite a bit in my years since high school. After 4 years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I moved to Ohio in 2003 with no art supplies whatsoever. It was easy (and very affordable) for me to quench my thirst for art with a good set of pencils and some paper – which helps to explain my recent fondness for drawing (as opposed to other media).

Picture credit: Laurie Winkelman (right) showing one her Brown Swiss cows at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin

New oil painter joins Cow Art and More

Oil painter Deborah Grayson Lincoln is the newest artist to join the Cow Art and More family. Deborah lives in Texas on a beef ranch with her family. She has been recognized for her painting skills by numerous art outlets and has gallery representation across the country. Her oil paintings will be featured in the Cow Art and More new products section for the next month.

Picture credit: "Behind the Wire", 6 inches by 8 inches, oil on canvas

Go to Cow Art and More to read more about this cow oil painting

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 5

Where did you learn your technique?

While I’ve always had a knack and natural talent for drawing, I certainly had a lot of teaching and encouragement along the way during my education.

Way back in grade school, Mrs. Bertolous was very helpful. In 4-H, Kathy Shields was always willing to teach me new techniques. In high school, Mr.

Felland, Mr. McKeeth, and Mr. Sabol all taught the courses I took to learn new techniques and how to work with different media. I also attended a couple of art camps during high school, which were incredibly fun (and humbling!). At the art camps, it was exciting to be surrounded by lots of other kids with wonderful talent.

Monday's agriculture website of interest: SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

For those new to the Cow Art and More blog, every Monday, I focus on an agricultural website of interest for our readers.

Today's agriculture website focus in on Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. Consumers are becoming more interested in knowing how agriculture impacts and protects the environment. Since 1988, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The national outreach office of the SARE program is supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It operates under cooperative agreements with the University of Maryland and the University of Vermont to develop and disseminate information about sustainable agriculture.

Painter Julia Swartz recognized for her paintings of the local culture

Oil and watercolor painter Julia Swartz was recently interviewed about her paintings of the local area, particularly the Amish community. Click here to read Julia's interview on Lancaster Online.

Picture credit: Julia Swartz paints in her studio in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 4

Where do you get your inspiration?

Most of my current inspiration stems from my lifetime passion for dairy cows. Growing up and working on a dairy farm is a very central part of my life, and I guess I owe that to my parents who have owned and operated the farm since they were married (also both of my parents grew up on farms). I guess I would also ‘blame’ my sister for my passion about dairy cows. I tagged along with her to dairy judging practice as a youngster, and ever since I was hooked. Actually, I think that having ‘an artistic eye’ was beneficial to me in dairy judging, as I may have been better able to see a cow and imagine the ‘model’ cow in my mind.

Picture credit: Laurie's family (Laurie Winkelman is at far right)

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: QUESTIONS ABOUT ART

Today's art website of interest is the website, Questions About Art. The site involves a series of questions and answers provided by artist and author, Franklin Einspruch. The part I found interesting about this site is that the questions all have very honest answers about why some art may not appeal to everyone and why people have different opinions about art.

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 3

What is your technique?

My technique is rather simple. I generally work from photographs (which I now take myself – for the most part) and recreate the image on paper. In general, I prefer working with dry media – pencil, colored pencil, pastel, charcoal, etc. My favorite media is pencil – mostly because it pencil is relatively cheap and mobile (I’ve moved about 6-7 times in the last 6 years). I really enjoy developing the rich darks with pencils through slow and steady work, layering one layer of pencil over another.

Picture credit: An example of Laurie's graphic design work for a national cattle magazine

New art from Valerie D'Ortona

Valerie has expanded her watercolor paintings of cow art. These pieces are available as originals only and are a larger size than what Cow Art and More currently offers on Valerie's art.

Picture credit: "Sea Sun", watercolor on paper, 16" x 20"

Go to Cow Art and More to read more about this cow watercolor painting

See more of Valerie's new work at our new products page

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 2

How did you get started?

My interest in art came early in my life. As a youngster in 4-H, I enjoyed entering drawings and paintings at the county fair. The earliest art competition (and one of the only!) I entered was in grade school at a local bank. My oil pastel drawing won first place, and the subject of the piece, was, no surprise a cow! Then as I entered high school, I spent the majority of my time in the art room taking art classes, working with many different media, including pen and ink, scratch board, pencil, oil pastel, pastel, charcoal, acrylics, watercolor, and ceramics. One of my favorite pieces is a pointillism drawing of an ‘up front and personal’ view of a cow, which I completed during my freshman year of high school in fall of 1995. While I have not had a lot of time since high school (graduated in1999) to draw, I definitely still enjoy it!

Picture credit: pointillism drawing study of a Holstein cow

Monday's agriculture website of interest: ICE CREAM RECIPES

In honor of July being national ice cream month, today's agricultural website of interest is Ice Cream Recipes. The designation of ice cream month was started during the Reagan administration. In addition to recipes, this website contains ice cream facts and answers to frequently asked questions.

Carolyn Molder wins award

Cow Art and More artist Carolyn Molder recently received a second place award for her pastel drawing "Clumber Spaniel Puppy" from the Gilmer Arts and Heritage Association.

Picture credit: "Clumber Spaniel Puppy", pastel on Wallis paper

Original picture and giclee prints are available. Contact Cow Art and More to purchase this piece.

Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson upcoming exhibit

Cow Art and More artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson will be a part of a upcoming two artist exhibition at the Lopressionism Gallery in Melbourne, Florida. The exhibit entitled, "Rip Curl," runs from July 17 to September 18. The exhibit will showcase some of Elizabeth's mixed media art not on exhibit on Cow Art and More.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: THE ART NEWSPAPER

Art enthusiasts will enjoy Friday's art-focused website, The Art Newspaper. This publication takes a "different" approach to reporting news in the world of art by focusing on art as a part of one's everyday life. The publication reports on old art, new art, decorative art, the commercial and the non-commercial world. They will also report breaking news and do undercover reporting, for example, on art theft.

A conversation with Laurie Winkelman: Part 1

Why do you draw?

Drawing gives me a release from the rigors of my day to day ‘job’, which at the current time is as a full-time Ph.D. student in Dairy Cattle Nutrition at Cornell. Drawing gives my left brain a break and keeps my right brain in working order. Additionally, drawing (and other forms of ‘art’ such as graphic design), provide an outlet for my creative side and can be a stress reliever! I really enjoy capturing an animal’s personality in a piece of artwork.

July featured artist: Laurie Winkelman

Cow Art and More is excited to announce Laurie Winkelman as our featured artist of the month. Laurie grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and showed registered Holsteins and Brown Swiss. She is currently pursuing a PhD degree at Cornell University in dairy nutrition. Laurie's drawing talent has allowed her to capture one her favorite Brown Swiss cows on paper. Follow our blog all month to learn about Laurie and her non-traditional art background.

Purchase Laurie's drawing "Curiosity" and receive free shipping.