So what does a cattle veterinarian do?

I consider myself a very lucky person. I get to combine several of my passions into a rather *unique* career. I can be a "doctor for cows" and a jewelry artist (all in the same day sometimes)! I do think about getting pictures of myself working while on the farms, but it just isn't a priority. My patients and clients deserve my full attention and quite frankly, it's just too busy sometimes to get some pictures.

Today I'm posting a link to a video by my twitter friend, Barbara Martin (@dairygoddess), who managed to get a great video of their dairy farm veterinarian doing an abdominal surgery on one of their cows. The surgery he is doing is to correct a displaced (in the wrong spot) abomasum (last compartment of the cow's stomach). This is a "common" surgery and I personally have done probably over 500 in my career. While it's not me in the video, it certainly represents what I do. (Just imagine someone shorter, longer hair, and no accent doing the surgery -- wink)

This video is from her blog post "Veterinarians Take Great Care of Our Cows on Our Dairy Farm."

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 12

What else do you do besides your art?

For work? Lots!

I produce and host an instructional television series called "Give Your Walls Some Soul". (Think Bob Ross meets Emeril) It's in about 10 million cable households across the country.

I'm also in pre-production for a new television show where I find people who don't realize they are creative and teach them to go for it!

I write and sing my own music. I'm working on a CD and expect to complete it this year.

I'm working on a new novel, inspired by my own paintings.

And a few years back I wrote a picture book, Monkey Made of Sockies. The main character has now been licensed in to a line of golf club headcovers that are sold globally. We are giving a percentage of the profits to help kids with Prader-Willi Syndrome.


For play?

I love to go for walks/hikes in nature. I love to read just for pleasure.

Picture credit: "Happy Cows ver. 4"

Click here to see this image on greeting cards or a ceramic mug

Friday's article of interest to art enthusiasts: HOW TO START AN ART COLLECTION

Starting an art collection can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be. The article, "Easy Steps to Start an Art Collection," is a great resource for any beginner. It gives advice on art education, selection and budgeting. Article author, Sylvia White, is an artist career consultant from California. She also has her own art gallery, also in southern California.

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 11

What advice to you have for aspiring painters?

I think it was Julia Cameron who said it best.."Dreams don't die, people do." It's so important to make time to go for it. Don't let life get in they way. My creative time is sacred.

Picture credit: "Happy Cows ver. 1"

Click here to see this image on a ceramic mug, greeting cards, or porcelain ornament

Shannon Grissom: Video montage

Enjoy a video of more of Shannon's cattle and rodeo paintings, even some not on Cow Art and More.

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 10

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

I'm laughing... I sure do. Sometimes I paint over them and sometimes they go in the John Smith collection. (Our local landfill.)

Photo credit: "Marie", oil on canvas

Click here to learn more about this beef cattle oil painting

Monday's agriculture website of interest: ADVOCATES FOR AGRICULTURE

Today's agriculture website of interest to share with readers is maintained by Troy Hadrick, a beef rancher from South Dakota. His blog, "Advocates for Agriculture," chronicles his life as a fifth generation rancher while also explaining to consumers how their food is produced. Take notice, however, Troy's blog is not for the faint of heart. He doesn't pull any punches when explaining the myths surrounding agriculture and certainly takes great pride explaining the issues farming faces. You can also find his videos on You Tube on the Advocates for Ag channel.

New watercolor painter

Canadian Donna Greenstein is the latest artist to join the Cow Art and More family. Donna paints her watercolors in a realistic style to help viewers appreciate farming and farm life. She draws her inspiration from the animals on her 50 acre farm in Ontario that she maintains with her husband. Donna has received numerous awards for her work including a "Top Ten" recognition at the Royal Winter Agricultural Fair. Donna's watercolor paintings are available as unframed originals or giclee prints. Her work will be featured in the Cow Art and More new products section for the next month.

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 9

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

More cows, rodeo action scenes and some plein-air pastoral landscapes. And I LOVE commissioned work. They take me places I might not visit.

Picture credit: "Van", oil on canvas

Click here to learn more about this beef steer oil painting

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: WHAT TO DO WITH OLD CRAYONS

I found this article quite interesting as with three small children in my house, crayons are always in abundance. This article, "Uses for old crayons" details about two dozen different ideas for old crayons, mostly projects for kids. The article discusses everything from making magnets and suncatchers to remelting for use later.

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 8

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

About a month, since I'm working on more than one at a time. Having that many in progress keeps up my productivity. I'm always in the mood for one of them.

Photo credit: "Vern", oil on canvas

Click here to learn more about this beef bull painting

Learn how to put a painted canvas into a frame

On my last studio visit with oil painter Linda Blondheim, she was kind enough to allow me to record her in a short video tutorial explaining how to properly place canvases and panels into frames for hanging. I've included the video here, but it is also available on the Cow Art and More YouTube channel.

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 7

Where did you learn your technique?

I learned color seeing through my long time mentor/teacher Michael Linstrom and artist friend Janet Vanerhoof but I developed the layering on my own. I learned so much from them both but I really do not paint like anybody.

Picture credit: "Happy Trails", oil on canvas

Click here to purchase this image on a Christmas ornament decoration

Monday's agriculture website of interest: AG - IT'S NOT JUST A JOB, IT'S AN ADVENTURE!

Today's agriculture themed website of interest to followers is "Life on a Cattle Ranch", written by Kansas beef rancher, Debbie Lyons-Blythe. Debbie and her husband Duane Blythe are raising five teenagers and 500 head of cattle on a ranch in Kansas. Debbie posts to her blog weekly to share with people around the world what life is like in rural Kansas and how her family works every day to ensure a safe, nutritious supply of beef to consumers.

Cow Art and More photographer's work donated for Haiti relief

"Soulcatcher Gallery" in Santa Fe, New Mexico, has started a Haiti relief fundraiser to benefit Doctors Without Borders. The gallery's goal is $10,000 in sales, and they have almost reached their goal. Cow Art and More photographer Meg Birnbaum has donated a print of her image "Sleeping with the Stars." The print sells for $50.00.



If you are interested in purchasing Meg's print, please contact Eric Keller at the gallery: 505-310-SOUL (7685) or through their website, www.soulcatcherstudio.com

Picture credit: "Sleeping with the Stars"

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 6

What is your technique?

I paint in oil on canvas. I build and sculpt the art through many layers of glazing and scumbling.

Picture credit: "Red Ahead"

Click here to see this image on a Christmas ornament or ceramic mug

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: ASK MRS. BIDDINGTON

While I don't know exactly who "Mrs. Biddington" is, she has some advice related to art care and restoration. The link I have to share here is "Techniques for Cleaning Paintings: Ask Mrs. Biddington". She talks about how to clean oil paintings and paper prints.

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 5

Where do you get your inspiration?

From happy people, nature, reflective surfaces, vibrant color, music, and other creative people.

Picture credit: "Jorge", oil on canvas

Click here to learn more about this beef bull painting

Cow Art and More artist on magazine cover

Congratulations to Cow Art and More artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson for having her artwork, "Le Coq du Village", chosen for the February 15, 2010, cover of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The magazine is the official bimonthly publication for the 78,000 veterinary members of the American Veterinary Medical Association and contains current events, case studies, and research articles. Elizabeth's art was chosen to grace the cover because of its unique qualities and artistic representation of roosters. Unfortunately, the editor will not give permission to have the cover shown in any way to others outside of its members, but know that it looks great and makes Cow Art and More proud to be able to represent Elizabeth and her art.

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 4

How did you get started?

As a child, music was a part of my daily life but not art. Oh I painted a little but in high school but never took an official art class. As a teenager, I'd climb up in our loft and disappear for hours. However, once I entered college, I stopped creating and didn't do anything officially creative again until I was 32.

( I chose a practical major, transportation/business and ended up dropping out as a senior. Sometimes the most logical choices are not the best choices! )

I took my first painting class at 32 and knew right then I was supposed to be an artist. I'd get up every day at 3am and paint before work. (After work was too stressful.)
Finally, after 5 years of doing this, I was able to leave my day job and become a full time artist.

Picture credit: "Breaktime", oil on canvas

Click here to purchase this image on a ceramic mug

Monday's agriculture website of interest: GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER

In honor of black history month, I thought it would be only fitting that we reflected on the contributions of scientist George Washington Carver. The National Agricultural Library maintains a list of websites that discuss his biography, contributions to agriculture and tributes. Some of his best known inventions are products derived from peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans.

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 3

Why do you paint?

I must. It's a primal drive for me. I feel the same way about music. There is so much inside that needs to come out. It's like being really excited about something and wanting to share it with everyone.

Picture credit: "The Roping Lesson", oil on canvas

Click here to learn more about this rodeo art painting

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 2

How do you decide what to paint/draw?

It simply must make me feel good. I have several paintings going at once in the studio and I choose the one that speaks to me each morning. When I don't listen, I usually make a mess of things.

Picture credit: "An American Girl", oil on canvas

Click here to learn more about this cowgirl oil painting

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: ALL FREE CRAFTS

*For those new to the Cow Art and More blog, every Friday, gallery owner Kathy Swift features an art related blog or topic for readers.

Since February is a bad weather month for the majority of the country, I realize there are unexpected snow days. It can get a little crazy with everyone staying inside! Today's website to share is the All Free Crafts website. The site has a huge range of projects from seasonal items, to homemade gifts, to projects for different age groups. Many of them can be done with simple household materials. Enjoy the fun!

A conversation with Shannon Grissom: Part 1

How did you get interested in painting cattle, rodeos, etc.?

I've always loved cows. They are a wonderful combination of sweetness and the formidable.

Once I moved to Hollister, western art was a natural progression. Rodeo is such a big part of life here. (I am not a cowgirl. I'm a suburb girl, but I so respect their way of life.)

Our San Benito County Saddle Horse Association has been kind enough to grant me access to some choice spots during the Rodeo in order to get great action photos. My favorite spot was the bull chutes. It was very exciting back there!

Picture credit: "Bull chute", oil on canvas

Click here to learn more about this rodeo art painting

How to add charms to a charm bracelet

Kathy Swift, resident jeweler on Cow Art and More, has added an instructional video to the Cow Art and More YouTube channel.

Click here to watch the video on How to Add Charms to a Charm Bracelet. The video is also available on the Cow Art and More art resources page on the same topic.

Shannon Grissom featured artist for February

This month's featured artist is oil painter, Shannon Grissom. Shannon is an accomplished painter, children's book author and musician. She believes in painting in a large format with bright colors to accomplish the mission of "Give your walls some soul!" Enjoy a series of questions and answers all month on the Cow Art and More blog as an opportunity to get to know Shannon and her work more in depth.

Shannon's work will be featured all month in the Cow Art and More specials section. Her work has free shipping for the entire month of February.

Monday's agriculture website of interest: DOMESTIC AGRICULTURAL POLICY ISSUES

*For those new to the Cow Art and More blog, every Monday, gallery owner Kathy Swift shares an agricultural website of interest with readers.

Today's agriculture website of interest comes from watching the recent political firestorms. I thought it would be good for those involved with agriculture to have a resource on agriculture policy on multiple topics. Today's site is the Domestic Agricultural Policy issues site, maintained by the Economic Research Service. The Economic Research Service is a primary source of economic information and research in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With over 350 employees, ERS conducts a research program to inform public and private decision making on economic and policy issues involving food, farming, natural resources, and rural development.

The Domestic Agricultural Policy site seeks to perform research in creating a competitive agricultural system, a safe food supply, a healthy, well-nourished population, harmony between agriculture and the environment, and an enhanced quality of life for rural Americans.