Thursday, September 30, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 12

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What else do you do besides your art?

I have a huge garden and I love putting up vegetables and fruit. Sewing used to be a passion, but now I confine it to making just an occasional quilt. I still ride my horse every once in a while, and I will begin training her filly offspring this fall - for my granddaughter who is due in December. I would love to learn to make soap and how to weld. There just isn't enough time to learn it all, though!

Picture credit: "Be Careful Where You Put Your Nose", oil on masonite

Click here to learn more about this Quarterhorse painting

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 11

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What advice to you have for aspiring artists?

Paint every day if you can. Practice makes perfect. And venture into techniques you think you would NEVER use - you will learn from them even if you don't continue using them. BE BRAVE!

Picture credit: "Woo Hoo", oil on canvas board

Click here to learn more about this rodeo painting

Monday, September 27, 2010

Monday's agriculture website of interest: 2010 WORLD DAIRY EXPO

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Today's agriculture themed website of interest for blog readers is for the World Dairy Expo, going on this week in Madison, Wisconsin. More than 65,000 people will attend the event this week as the best show cattle from the seven major dairy breeds are highlighted. There is a 4-H and collegiate cattle judging contest along with seminars on current event topics important to the dairy industry. Visitors can also view the commercial booths at the expo.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 10

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

Take a photography course to better help me "capture" what I want to paint. Digital cameras have made me lazy, though. I can take 1000 photos for nothing and usually find ONE good one!

Picture credit: "Time to go to work"

Click here to learn more about this horse and cattle painting

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

New jewelry category added

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Gallery owner and jewelry artist Kathy McComb Swift has created a new line of resin cowgirl jewelry. The pieces start as digitally enhanced and professionally printed art. They are sealed, protected, and finished with a coat of crystal clear, UV light stable epoxy resin. These pendants are lightweight and perfect for any cowgirl or rodeo princess! See the new line of pendants in the resin cowgirl jewelry category.

Picture credit: "Cowgirl star" pendant

Click here to read more about this cowgirl jewelry

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 9

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

Always - I have stacks of unfinished and BAD stuff that should be burned! My husband won't let me, though. Sometimes I just paint over them, but most of the time, I remove the canvas from the stretchers, store it flat and re-stretch a new canvas on the empty frame.

Picture credit: "Left Out"

Click here to learn more about this horse painting

Monday, September 20, 2010

Monday's agriculture website of interest: 2010 ALL AMERICAN DAIRY SHOW

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Today's agricultural themed website to share with blog readers is for the Pennsylvania All American Dairy show, going on this week in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The show is in its 47th year. Over 2400 animals and 925 exhibitors are expected from 26 states and Canada.

The show will highlight registered cattle from the seven major dairy breeds and also has a showmanship and judging contest for youth participants. For those unable to make the show, two groups are sponsoring webcasts to allow fans to watch from their computers.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 8

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

58 years! Next year it will take 59! Seriously though - from photo, to doodling to small painting to finished large one - minimum 40 hours.

Picture credit: "Easy Afternoon Walk", original oil painting

Click here to learn more about this horse painting

Friday, September 17, 2010

Friday's art themed article: How to hang a picture on a wall

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Through our email box, we receive questions from customers on just how to display their art once they receive it. If a picture is worth a thousand words, how much help is a video?! Enjoy this short (approximately 2 minute) video on how to hang a lightweight painting.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 7

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How did you get interested in creating art of farm animals?

I LIVE with farm animals! And we recently built a chicken coop so I expect chickens will become the next familiar subject.

Picture credit: "Bluebonnet Roller", oil on masonite

Click here to learn more about this horse painting

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Learn collage making with artist Elizabeth St. HIlaire Nelson

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Dying to get to know your inner creative soul? Take a class by collage and mixed media artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson at her workshop on Amelia Island, Florida, in early October. No experience is necessary (and come enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation in one of Florida's quaint beach towns). Click here to register.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 6

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How do you decide what to paint?

First it must be something I am familiar with (cowboys, cows and horses) and it really needs action to keep my interest. If I start on a "static" painting, I sometimes cannot finish it. There's not enough to hold my interest.

Picture credit: "Naptime Boredom", oil on linen board

Click here to learn more about this horse painting

Monday, September 13, 2010

Monday's agriculture website of interest: REAL AGRICULTURE

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Today's agricultural website of interest comes from "north of the border". The Real Agriculture blog is maintained by Shaun Haney, a seed farmer and self proclaimed "agnerd". Shaun, along with six other contributors, write regular blog posts about the Canadian agriculture situation.

In addition to blogging about the news as it affects Canadian agriculture, Shaun also blogs about the insights to those news and opinions. Although the site is a bit informal in its writing style, it focuses on current events and reporting to and from a farmer level. On a lighter note, one of my favorite posts was a video taken by Shaun at the 2010 NCBA conference in San Antonio. The video details, "What to consider when buy a cowboy hat."

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 5

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Where did you learn your technique?

I have refined my basic technique after attending classes with several different artists - John Poon, James Spurlock and John Pototschnik

Picture credit: "Curiosity", 8 inches by 6 inches, oil on canvas board

Click here to learn more about this horse painting

Friday, September 10, 2010

How to Choose the Right Picture Frame For Your Art

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Choosing the right picture frame is a big deal for many people. When you have a special photo or painting, the right frame can enhance and draw attention to it.

There are many different types of picture frames on the market today. Big ones, small ones, humorous and elegant, antique or modern; wood, metal ceramic or plastic, choosing the right frame for your photo or painting is very important.

Before you go shopping for frames, look at the picture. Determining what type the picture is will assist you in deciding what type of frame to purchase. If the photo is a professional portrait then you may want to consider a wood or etched frame, something that is somber or elegant. It is also important that you set a limit on how much you want to spend on your frame. Picture frames can range in price for just a few dollars up to hundreds of dollars.

Another consideration is where you will be displaying the frame. Consider the décor of the room and the color scheme. If you are thinking of a colored frame, choose a color that will not only draw attention to the photo, but also blend in with the colors of the room. Many people opt for a natural wood because it not only blends well into any décor, it can also be painted or stained should you change your décor.

The room where you will be placing the picture or painting is a major factor in deciding on which type of frame to use. Choosing a frame for a nursery is very different than choosing one for a living room. A ceramic frame with pink and blue balloons may be perfect for a baby's room, however it does not go well in a living room. It is important that you take into consideration where the frame will be placed.

Choosing the right size frame is critical to any décor. If you have small frames already, choosing a large frame for your photo or painting may seem like it is out of place. Taking the photo with you and placing it in different frames will assist narrowing your choices.

Another factor you want to consider is whether or not you want a border around your photo. A border can enhance a photo, especially if you match it to subtle colors of the photo.

Photos that are lighthearted or humorous are always incredible reminders of a family vacation or special events, and displaying them in frames that match the personality of the photo can give it a more special meaning. This is not always the easiest task, however you will find the right frame.

Choosing a frame for a painting can be a little more tedious, especially if the painting has sentimental value. Paintings of landscapes are beautiful, and you want to display them in a frame that will only enhance the beauty. Elegant frames such as etched wood are the perfect frame for paintings that have a natural beauty all their own.

Choosing the right frame for your photo or painting does not have to be difficult if you decide before hand what you want, the most important factor is finding the perfect frame. If you are having a difficult time in deciding, ask the assist of friends or relatives for their assistance.

Photos come in all sizes, as do picture frames. It can take a while to find the right frame, however when you do, you will proudly display it where everyone can see.

Peter Geisheker is the CEO of The Geisheker Group marketing firm. One of Peter's clients is GNP Frames, a manufacturer of high quality picture frames for photographers and artists.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Geisheker

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 4

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What is your technique?

Get inspired by something (anything), take a million photos, take piece(s) from several, reconstruct using thumbnail drawings, paint a small version to get color and composition, detail drawing on larger canvas, block in lights and darks usually using neutrals, come back over with color. Sometimes I stop before I put in too much detail, and sometimes I paint every hair. Depends on my mood.

Photo credit: "He's No Dummy", 8 inches by 6 inches, oil on masonite

Click here to learn about this bull painting

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Packaging cow jewelry orders

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Wonder what happens when you place an order for cow jewelry? See how it is carefully packaged and shipped to customers in a timely fashion in this 2 minute video.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 3

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Why do you paint?

Artists don't see the world as others see it and words cannot describe the "visions". So I vainly attempt to use paint as descriptive phrases. (And if I'm lucky, I come close once in a while.)

Picture credit: "Arabian Afternoon", 8 inches by 6 inches, oil on canvas board

Click here to learn more about this horse painting

Monday, September 6, 2010

Monday's agriculture website of interest: FARM SERVICE AGENCY KIDS

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*For new readers to the Cow Art and More blog, every Monday, blog author Kathy Swift talks about an agricultural website or article of interest.*


Today's agricultural website of interest is the Farm Service Agency kids page. The website lists interactive projects kids can do with adults, plus there are fun farm facts and printable coloring pages. The site also links to other websites of agriculture themed kids' projects.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 2

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Where do you get your inspiration?

From stuff around me. Since I live in Texas, in the country, I am surrounded by horses, and cows and cowboys. When we travel in the RV I get new inspiration from the countryside - mountains and lakes, wildlife, farms and old equipment, barns, etc.

Picture credit: "Blue Cow", original oil painting

Click here to learn more about this cow painting

Friday, September 3, 2010

Friday's art themed article: 5 steps to art appreciation

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I still remember when I was first invited to an art gallery by my friends and my instinctive reaction was a feeling of apprehension. It was a strange feeling as I have always loved art especially paintings, so why the anxiety. It dawned on me that I was not worried about experiencing the paintings but how to react to them, what to say and how to converse about them so as to not look like a complete moron to my friends.

This very unusual problem led me to explore and find a simple and down-to-earth approach to art appreciation. The idea is to demystify the process and make it easy to enjoy art. Here are some steps that I came up with to make it an easy learning experience

Tip No. 1 Make it a habit to observe and appreciate art

In order to understand your own specific interests and inclinations in art, develop a habit of observing seriously any art object that you come across be it a painting or a sculpture. We often overlook art objects sitting right in front of us. How many of us honestly take some of the free minutes in our office to look at the paintings on our office walls.

If we spend sometime in observing and appreciating art that we are exposed to in everyday life, we will learn a great deal about what things attract and appeal to us the most and also what are the things that you dislike. In a nutshell you will understand more clearly your likes and dislikes in art

Tip No. 2 Develop your own unique art sense

Once you have spent some time in examining your own preferences in art, you can move towards understanding the forms of visual art that connect with you most. For some it is the lifelike representations in sculpture and for others it is the ability of a painter to depict a memory in vivid colors. To many of us all art forms are a treat for the senses and a tribute to the efforts of the artist

As you organize your own reactions to different forms of art, you will learn to recognize small differences and minor variations of colors and shapes that make a painting likeable or not so appealing to you

Tip No. 3 Research the pieces that you like

Now that you have an understanding of the colors, shapes and styles that interest you the most you should research these further to see if they represent a specific art style or a particular form of art, for example in paintings it could be abstracts, figurative or a combination of colors and theme that represent a definite pattern and style of painting

As you progress further, this research will help you to find more and more distinctively the artists and the media that you like the most. Many a times the styles and colors that appeal to us have a special meaning for us and may originate from a specific region of the world or maybe an art form that we were exposed to early in life and has left a significant impression on us. Sometimes it is the art that you experienced on a great vacation that left great memories and gave you a strong liking for it for life, the reasons for liking some art form are endless some thought to it may give you some clues

Tip No. 4 Refine your art sense

You have already explored and created your own art personality and are equipped with the knowledge of the styles of art that appeal to you the most. Your research has provided you with enough information to feel confidant to give reactions to different styles and also decide what appeals to you in different paintings whether it is the artist's attempt to express his feelings or the emotions the painting evokes in you.

A very important tool that can help to refine your art sense is to keep an art journal. Before you get put off by this seemingly complex work let me quickly point out that it is the simplest form of keeping a dairy. It is a log of the art pieces that you see and your reactions to each piece, this log can be an important means in refining and enriching your unique art sense. Another important benefit of this art journal is that it can serve as a very effective way of relieving stress. No kidding...keeping an art journal is one of the key activities in art therapy which is a form of therapy that uses creativity and art in the healing process

Tip No. 5 Open up to new experiences in art

The last and most significant tip in the art appreciation process is to keep your mind open and receptive to new art experiences. One of the disadvantages of having developed a definite pattern of likes and dislikes in your art personality is to get trapped in this pattern. Do not cage yourself in this citadel of your own creation but remain open to new and totally different creations and art forms.

The whole purpose of art appreciation is to open your subconscious mind to be receptive to new experiences and creations. You will be amazed when you read your own art log as time passes to see your tastes change over time to different themes and styles. Always remember that the objective of art appreciation is to recognize and understand your own love of art and artistry.

For more info please email the author at anudarbha@paintandcraft.com

If you are an art lover please visit my art related websites http://www.artseden.com and http://www.paintandcraft.com for a unique art experience

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anu_Darbha

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Q & A with Deborah Grayson Lincoln Part 1

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How did you get started?

My grandmother was an artist and she put a paint brush in my hand when I was 5 years old. Somehow she thought it was safer than letting me loose on the bayou across the street - I would have preferred to be fishing at that age!

Picture credit: "Are You Following Me?", original oil painting

Click here to learn more about this piece of rooster art

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

September's featured artist: Deborah Grayson Lincoln

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Deborah Grayson Lincoln is this month's featured artist on Cow Art and More. Her Texas ranch full of horses and cattle serve as the inspiration for her original oil paintings. She obtained an art degree in college, but temporarily left painting while enjoying the joys and challenges of raising a family. She was able to pick up her painting again in 2005 and has enjoyed experimenting with her style.

Enjoy Deborah's work all month in our specials section. Purchase any of her paintings during September and receive free shipping.
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