A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 12

What else would you like people to know about your art that they may not know already?

My collectors are precious, they receive my new art news, postcards, gifts and special invites shows and my sacred studio space. They are part of a bigger picture as one of my collectors, they make a difference as I donate a percentage of proceeds to select charities, like the International Justice Mission, Make a Wish, The Golden Rule Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and more.

If you see PSA after my signature that signifies that I am an elected Signature member of the Pastel Society of America.

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 11

What else do you do besides your art?

I travel. I spend time with my family and Shui tzu Max, we swim, walk, garden, and explore. I listen to music and dance while making art! I mentor and teach (just a little). I twitter, facebook and blog. I am an active member of several women's, business and art groups. I would be glad to share more on any of them with those who are interested. Presently I am reading "de Kooning". I go to art events...and hope you do too!

Monday's agriculture website of interest: WORLD DAIRY EXPO

Today's agriculture website of interest, especially for those involved with dairy cattle, is World Dairy Expo. The exposition is held yearly in Madison, Wisconsin, and attracts visitors from all over the world. More than 68,000 dairy industry enthusiasts make the trip to World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. It's the international meeting place for the dairy industry. Expo offers the most elite combination of dairy cattle and exhibits in the world. The expo runs this week, from September 29 to October 3.

Event attendees will find the most modern dairy equipment and the newest dairy technology and innovations, including animal health supplies, milking systems, feeding products, forage handling and manure equipment plus embryos, semen and genetic research. You'll see North America's top dairy cattle compete for honors in seven breed shows. Throughout the week, expo participants can meet herd owners in the barns, place your bids at five cattle auctions and then watch the Parade of Champions and the selection of World Dairy Expo's Supreme Champion.

The World Dairy Expo also has free education seminars on dairy management and other industry issues. Visitors can also explore a variety of farms from around the world and never leave the grounds by participating in the "Virtual Farm Tours". The farm tours, presented by the producers themselves, are the destination for attendees looking to learn more from their peers.

The World Dairy Expo site will list the winners from the contests going on all week, including the 4-H and intercollegiate dairy cattle judging contests, along with the class placings from each of the breed shows.

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 10

What advice to you have for aspiring painters?

There is a preciousness, unpredictability,and endurance to art so have integrity, balance, keep learning, follow positive examples, become a role mode, take courage, thicken your skin for reviews and critiques, and breathe. Don’t be too desperate for the sale. Protect your health, making art can be hazardous. It is a gift to make art, stay well so you can share it.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: BUYING ORIGINAL ART AS A GIFT

*For those new to the Cow Art and More blog, I feature a different art related website or article each Friday for all ranges of art collectors and enthusiasts.*

Today's art focused article to share with everyone is Buying original art as a gift. It gives some key points to consider before making a sizable purchase for someone as a gift.

Just a few points I have experienced with Cow Art and More customers to pass along to readers:

1. Find out as much information about the intended recipient and/or the intended recipient's space. Does the person have a good wall space for hanging? Is the person willing to take care of a large piece of art?
2. In general, smaller items make better gifts when little is known about the recipient. Items such as small prints can be displayed on a desk. Jewelry can be given without the recipient wondering "where they are going to hang it".
   
3. Get "more" of what they like. Does someone already have a lot of paintings with the color blue as a focus in their home or office? It is apparent that person likes the color blue and/or that color is an important part of the decor. Getting them more of that color will give some assurance that the piece will easily fit into the room.
4. When in doubt, ask the salesperson you are working with for advice. For example, if someone doesn't know the wrist size of the woman someone is buying a charm bracelet for, I always recommend to get the larger size. Why? It is easier for the recipient to take to a jewelry repair store and have a couple of the links snipped off rather than having someone solder on additional links or returning the bracelet to me for a larger size.

There are also additional art resource articles on Cow Art and More to help people with their art questions and dilemmas. I am also happy to answer questions by email at info@cowartandmore.com

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 9

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

I believe that my art makes a difference in people’s lives and I will continue to make art. In my future I want my work in more Museums, galleries, corporations, institutions and collected worldwide.

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 8

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

Yes. One advantage of making art is that it is usually a solitary environment, so the less favorable pieces can go unseen, covered up, tossed or used as a teaching tool.

Monday's agriculture website of interest: ALPACA FARM GIRL

*For those new to the Cow Art and More blog, every Monday, I feature a website of interest to agriculture enthusiasts.*

Today's website of interest for the agriculture community is Alpaca Farm Girl, which chronicles the farm life of Katy Spears. Katy Spears has been breeding high quality huacaya alpacas for nine years. She is the mother of four children, and manages a herd of 60+ alpacas on her ten acre farm in Alabama (which is currently for sale). They are moving on to "greener pastures" (pardon the pun) and room for more alpacas!

Ten years ago, Katy was finishing her doctoral degree in psychology, and her husband, Steve was working in the computer industry. They left that all behind to move to their farm and raise alpacas and their children. At the beginning, the alpaca business was more of a shared endeavor. Now that Steve’s dream of being a working artist has come to fruition, Katy tends to the alpaca farm. The alpacas have always been a great passion for her.

Speaking for myself, as someone who knows very little about alpacas, I have enjoyed reading Katy's stories about her farm life. They are true and honest, (both the good and bad times) about everything involved with raising animals. She also shares information about raising alpacas and processing their hair into yarn.

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 7

How long does it take you to get an average piece of art?

Sometimes I plan or see the piece in my head for days, weeks, even months. Other pieces form by just coming before a blank page and placing marks or color until the piece evolves. It varies with subject matter and medium. An average piece of art might take one hour, two hours perhaps three hours to even seventy two hours over a period of a few weeks or months. Oils can take longer. Part of the process is also having distance and coming back to work on the piece with a fresh perspective.

Picture credit: "The Wild Ones", mixed media with pastel

Learn more about this cow mixed media art

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: ART SHOWS DIRECTORY

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts is the Art Shows directory. In Florida, fall and spring are the art festival times. (It's just too hot otherwise!) While I don't exhibit at as many of these as I used to, I still participate in a couple a year and find it's a great way to advertise my jewelry and make some new customers. The Art Shows directory is a a nationwide compilation of art events. This listing service features only the highest quality art shows and displays for public viewing. Users can sort by location and time of year.

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 6

How do you decide what to paint/draw?

I create what attracts me. The decision of specifics is part of the artistic judgments made throughout the creative process. Unless it is a commission and then the subject is usually their choice via my hand.

Grazing Beneath a Garnet Sky now available as a giclee print

Just in time for her time as Cow Art and More featured artist of the month, Robin Maria Pedrero now has giclee prints available of her signature pastel, "Grazing Beneath a Garnet Sky." The 8 inch by 10 inch prints sell for $20 and ship via postal mail.

Picture credit: "Grazing Beneath a Garnet Sky", pastel on paper

Click here to learn more about this cow art pastel drawing

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 5

Where did you learn your technique?

My technique is a culmination of years of working, creating, building habits and trying new things. I have enjoyed a few workshops through the years and have a foundation of study with master artists.

Picture credit: "Cattle Cadence", pastel on paper

Learn more about this cow art pastel drawing

Monday's agriculture website of interest: NATIONAL FFA

Monday's website of agricultural interest is from the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization. This group is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Interested students join the chapter at their local school and may continue to be members through college.

FFA prepares students for premier leadership, personal growth and career success both within and outside of agriculture. Founded in 1928, the FFA organization represents a large diversity of over 300 careers in the food, fiber and natural resources industry. More than 7,000 FFA chapters are currently in existence; their programs are managed on a local,state and national level. Each chapter’s program of activities is designed with the needs of the students in mind. Activities vary greatly from school to school, but are based in a well-integrated curriculum. Chapter activities and FFA programs concentrate on three areas of our mission: premier leadership, personal growth and career success.

Photographer Meg Birnbaum exhibit featured in New York gallery

Selected images from Birnbaum's series of black and white photographs of county fairs throughout New England, made using a plastic toy camera, runs now through mid-October at the Davis-Orton Gallery in Hudson, New York. The exhibit, "Corn Dogs, Blue Ribbons and the American Pastoral," is a collection of evocative images. Their antique quality and timeless subjects present a wistful look back while revealing clues that remind us of their contemporary origins.

Meg Birnbaum is an award-winning fine art photographer and graphic designer based in Massachusetts. She has work in the permanent collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the corporate program of the DeCordova Museum and other private and corporate collections. 'Corn Dogs and Blue Ribbons ...' has recently been exhibited at the Griffin Museum of Photography.

Picture credit: "Circle Swing"

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 4

Where do you get your inspiration?

Influences and inspiration are daily occurrences, experienced through all of the senses. My visual journey encompasses my life; family, friends, travel, nature, meals, introspection, books, art, music and worship. The work begins internally and then is brought to the surface, literally.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: STORING ART

Whether it's because your moving or a need to rotate pieces of art, there comes a time when someone may need to store a piece of artwork. Today's article of interest, A Guide to Properly Storing Your Art, explains how to store a piece of two-dimensional framed or unframed art.

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 3

What is your technique?

I work in several mediums and the techniques vary for each. At times when I am immersed in the creative process I cover the studio with 7 – 20 pieces in progress strewn on tables, easels, the wall and floor. In pastel, I start at the farthest point in the distance and build layers towards what is closer and more detailed. In acrylics and mixed media I capture life and simple pleasures applying rhythmic patterns and geometrics in translucent layers. In all mediums, I personify nature through color and movement evoking moods of transition, strength, joy and serenity. I use a symbolic visual language exploring the visible and invisible creating a commentary on relationships and thoughts. As I work the images can be unexpected flowing from gathered memories. Within the placed pigment I enhance my perceptions of faces, animals, cities or fauna to share them with viewers. Then I let the work be and come back to it with fresh eyes and work some more until finished. Repeat

Picture credit: "Blue", pastel on paper

Click here to learn more about this beef cow art drawing

New art from Victoria Whorley

A new watercolor from artist Victoria Whorley.

Picture credit: "Winter's Edge", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this cow art watercolor painting

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 2

How did you get started?

My earliest memories go all the way back to painting in kindergarten. As a child I recall many summers drawing on a huge chalk board under a tree, crafting and creating through the years. I began oil painting with master artists when I was 13 years old, selling art at 15.

Picture credit: Robin at the easel with her drawing "Cattle Cadence".

Click here to see more about this beef cattle art drawing.

Monday's agriculture website of interest: THE FOOD PROJECT

Today's agriculture focused website to share is The Food Project, a Massachusetts based group encouraging leadership through farming. The group's mission is to grow a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build a sustainable food system. They produce food for residents of the city and suburbs and provide youth leadership opportunities while supporting others to create change in their own communities.

The group was organized in 1991, and works with over 140 teens and thousands of volunteers yearly to farm on 31 acres in rural Lincoln, MA, 9 acres in Beverly and Ipswich, 2 1/2 acres in Boston and 1 acre in Lynn. The group considers their hallmark to be a focus on identifying and transforming a new generation of leaders by placing teens in unusually responsible roles, with deeply meaningful work. Each season, The Food Project grows nearly a quarter-million pounds of food, donating half to local shelters. The remainder of the produce is sold through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) crop “shares” and farmers’ markets.

A day in the life of my other career

While I know many agriculture people follow the Cow Art and More blog, I know there are those from the art crowd that keep up with me and the other artists on the site. I get asked by this group to post a few pictures of what I do during the day (which is being a large animal veterinarian). It's not that I don't want to share with everyone, it's just not necessarily at the top of my mind to take pictures while I'm out working. However, I did have the opportunity the other day to take a picture of a Holstein dairy cow tending to the calf I helped to deliver. Both agreed to be photographed for the website. :)

Farm life is really a great way to live and raise a family. I would encourage everyone reading this to get to know your local farmers and learn about what they do.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: DECORATIVE SOLUTIONS USING ART

In responding to customer questions about "What do I do with my art now that I've purchased it?", I've included another link to an article specifically dealing with decorating challenges. The author is an interior designer who has had experience with decorating difficulties, such as small spaces, odd shaped rooms, and dark spaces. The article entitled, "Creative Ways to Deal with Decorating Challenges," is part of the art series on about.com.

A conversation with Robin Maria Pedrero: Part 1

Why do you paint/draw?

There are various reasons as to why I paint and draw. I could say it is a compulsion where I am able to capture a fleeting experience or emotion, a visual form of homage to creation.

Mixed Media Artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson to teach class

Are you a fan of Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson's work and need a weekend away? Join Elizabeth as she teaches collage and paper painting techniques at Fernandina Beach, Florida, which is on Amelia Island. Amelia Island is only an hour's drive from Jacksonville, Florida. The class is scheduled for early October. A link to Elizabeth's mixed media art class can be found here.

Picture Credit: "Two Muse", mixed media collage

Click here to learn more about this cow art mixed media piece

Robin Maria Pedrero, September featured artist

Cow Art and More will feature pastel drawing artist Robin Maria Pedrero for the entire month. Robin is a well-known central Florida artist that both paints and draws with pastels. She has been published in several magazines and has won numerous awards from art shows and art societies across the southeast. Robin is also an elected member of the Pastel Society of America, which is reflected by the PSA designation behind the signature on her work. Robin's artwork is also available for purchase on notecards and ceramic mugs.

All of Robin's work will have free shipping for the entire month.

Click here to see the complete line of Robin's work on Cow Art and More.