Friday's Art article - DIY Frame for Posters and Art

If you're a bit crafty and have access to some power tools, you can make a unique, handcrafted frame for your two-dimensional art.

Mixed Media Collage artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson

Want to learn more about Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson and how she creates her "paper paintings"? Watch this recent interview where Elizabeth shares some of her techniques and inspirations for her three-dimensional, mixed media collages.

50 Ways To Ditch Your Inner Critic

Today's video post from Cow Art and More oil painter Shannon Grissom gives advice for artists and art enthusiasts. Watch her short, energetic video on how to deal with your inner critic!

The Summer Art of Robert Duncan

Did you know that in addition to his beautiful cattle paintings, Robert Duncan does portraits of people as well? Enjoy a slide show of some of his cow artwork along with his paintings of people enjoying the outdoors.

Monday's agriculture video - Photographing Agriculture

No, you're not imagining things; today's agriculture website is a video. Ever think about America's farmers being art in of themselves? This video shows how a photographer set out to do just that.

Friday's art article - Patching Holes in the Wall for Picture Hanging

So what happens when you decide to take a picture down and you're left a hole in your wall? This two minute video will show you how to patch the hole and repair it to match the surrounding area.

Photography by Kent Weakley

Infrared photographer Kent Weakley participates in a few art shows near his Ocala, Florida, home. Watch a brief video on what Kent's art looks like in person at a recent fall art festival.

July new art, news and a DIY art project

We have extended our focus this month on video selections to our monthly e-news as well! Take a video tour of our office or watch how to make your own paper bracelet. You can also catch up with our new art listings. Click here to read the Cow Art and More July e-news.

Painter Julia Swartz and her art gallery

Did you know that Cow Art and More painter Julia Swartz has her own art gallery? Julia's gallery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was recently featured on a virtual tour. Watch the video here:

Monday's agricultural website - Canning and preserving fruits and vegetables

Ah, summer! Who doesn't love that fresh from that garden taste of the many fruits and vegetables ripe during this time of year? While I helped my family can and freeze vegetables when I was younger, I had forgotten much of the correct techniques and procedures. Today's agriculture website is a great resource to help fill in the blanks. Pick Your Own is a great resource for canning vegetables and making jams and jellies. There are even printable PDF's as references. The website also has some useful search features to help you find farms in your area.

Friday's art article - How to Drill Holes into a Picture Frame

Have a picture frame that needs to have hanging hardware attached? No problem! This two minute video should help you hang your frame in no time!

Super Cow Sequel by Robin Maria Pedrero

As a follow up to Robin Maria Pedrero's Super Cow from earlier this week, enjoy Max's next adventure in the Super Cow sequel.

Gallery founder and jewelry artist Kathy Swift donates a portion of jewelry charm sales to charity

Cattle veterinarian, artist, and gallery owner of Cow Art and More, Dr. Kathy Swift donates a portion of sales of her new jewelry charm for the National Holstein Women’s Scholarship Organization (NHWSO) at 2011 National Holstein Association Convention held in Richmond, Virginia, last month.

Swift is personally interested in assisting the NHWSO since she was a recipient of the association’s scholarship in 1990.She grew up in Virginia on her family’s registered Holstein farm and as a teenager, earned a Distinguished Junior Holstein Member Finalist award.

Ida Ruby, president of NHWSO, contacted Swift for assistance in fundraising for their scholarship fund. Swift has been supportive in the past, donating jewelry and gift certificates to the NHWSO silent auction, held annually at the Holstein convention. Swift agreed to donate a portion of the sales on the much anticipated new charm, a milk bottle, which debuted at this year’s convention.

Ruby said “Kathy's contribution of the charm and future sales of the charm made our 2011 silent auction a HUGE success. This is our main fundraiser. This year we had 20 applicants apply for our scholarship. We were able to award six $1,500 scholarships! Thanks to Kathy and Cow Art and More.”

In addition to donating a portion of the proceeds of all charm sales, Swift donated the first charm off the production line, which sold for $290 in the silent auction.It was initialed by Swift and came with a letter of authenticity. “Normally, I keep the first one off the line for myself, but I knew it would be special to include it in the NHWSO silent auction,” states Swift.“I am very happy with the money it helped to raise.”

Swift’s avid fan base will now have the chance to purchase the milk bottle charm online or by phone.In addition, fans have the ability to sign up for email notifications on newly added hand-picked selections, tips on art care, and trends for this summer from Swift personally.

Swift adds, “I believe strongly in helping the next generation along with their many endeavors. I know, without a doubt, that I wouldn't be where I am today without the same help."

About Dr. Kathy Swift and Cow Art and More

Cow Art and More is the art gallery where “art and agriculture meet.” The gallery website includes handpicked art selections from more than 25 artists including ceramics, paintings, jewelry, photography, glass and much more. Cow Art and More insists on providing personalized customer service including timely order shipment and a money back guarantee.

Dr. Swift obtained her Dairy Science degree from Virginia Tech and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from The Ohio State University. She currently practices in Florida.In addition to her art and veterinary careers, she focuses on her job as mother to three young children. For more information on Swift and her art, visit the Cow Art and More About Us page.

Super Cow by Robin Maria Pedrero

Curious as to what happens when small dog meets big cow? Enjoy this video of Robin's dog Max meeting some of her cow paintings at a recent art exhibition in Orlando, Florida. (Check back here this week as there is a part 2!)

Monday's agriculture website - July is ice cream month

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 in 1984 under President Ronald Reagan. Estimates are that approximately 90 percent of the United States population consumes ice cream. In addition to recipes, this website contains ice cream facts and answers to frequently asked questions.

Friday's art article - How to Hang a Picture - How to Hang Pictures with a Wire Hanger

Enjoy this two minute video on how to hang a wired picture or painting on your wall.

Packaging cow jewelry orders - Cow Art and More

Wonder what happens when you place an order for cow and cowgirl jewelry on Cow art and More? This short video shows you exactly how your order is carefully packaged and shipped to you!

Mixed media collage - start to finish

Ever wonder what it takes for mixed media artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson to create her one-of-a-kind collages? Enjoy this video that shows one of her peacocks starting as a drawing and progressing through Elizabeth adding all the unique papers.

Cowboys, Cowgirls and Cows...oh my!

Enjoy a video montage of the oil paintings of California artist Shannon Grissom.

Farming and our Founding Fathers

As many are enjoying the birthday of the United States today, it is interesting to note that several of our founding fathers were also farmers. Please enjoy some of their thoughts on farming as found on the Animal Agriculture Alliance facebook page.

How to Stretch Fine Art Canvas Painting Gallery Wrap

Curious as to how canvas prints get stretched onto a frame and ready for hanging? This video shows you how to do it yourself, or at least, you can see how the canvas is stretched and placed on a frame before it gets to you.