Why I should be fired as a blogger

Perhaps because I haven't blogged in awhile. I'm not making excuses. I've had some great opportunities come my way recently that have taken up a lot of time. Time that I used to put towards blogging. As much as I love to keep in touch with cow art enthusiasts through the cow art blog, I haven't found a way to eek out any more minutes from the 24 hour day.

I have secretly hoped that there was a telepathic blogging app for my phone that would allow me to get posts out. Until that happens, I guess I'm going to have to deal with them being a bit less frequent.

That being said however, I do want to know what YOU want to hear about with Cow Art and More. More on the artists? techniques? studio cat pictures? Please leave your ideas in the comments section below.

On a semi-related note, I do have two blog posts that have been gnawing at me to write. They don't really relate to art, but more as my job and role within agriculture. If you will give me a little latitude this week, I would like to write about them here.

Thanks for listening. More to come this week.

A few facts about the Cow Art and More artists

I work with an amazing and diverse group of artists. Here's a few factoids that maybe you didn't know them:

• We have two artists from outside the United States: watercolor artist Donna Greenstein (from Canada) and digital artist Michael Murray (from Glasgow, UK)
• Pencil drawing artist Laurie Winkelman will be the judge of the junior Brown Swiss show at this year's Pennsylvania All American Dairy Show. Laurie is also a Ph.D. dairy cattle nutritionist.
• Three of our artists also have their own graphic design firms: photographer Kent Weakley, painter Robert Saueressig and mixed media artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson
• Airbrush painter Jerry Gadamus is considered to be one of the two foremost airbrush painters in the world.
• When pencil drawing artist Amanda Raithel isn't working on her next piece of art, she is working cattle on an Angus ranch in Nebraska with her husband and daughter.
• I am not the only veterinarian with art on Cow Art and More. Painters Jon Plishka and Lynn Bishop also have doctor of veterinary medicine degrees.
• Pastel artist Carolyn Molder's recent work, 'Holstein and Fence', now hangs in the office of the Virginia State Veterinarian.
• Oil painter Deborah Grayson Lincoln belongs to the 'daily painters' group, where each artist member commits to finishing one oil painting every day.
• Mixed media artist Jon Ellis has had his art included on the covers of Time and National Geographic.
• Pencil and pastel artist Gary Sauder grew up showing cattle and received numerous showmanship awards.
• Stained glass artists Mike and Mary Ellen McIntyre had one of their stained glass pieces selected as the art for the official poster for the Gainesville Florida Downtown Festival and Art show for 2011. (picture at right)
  
• Painters Wendy Marquis and Shannon Grissom each have a twin. Wendy has a twin brother and Shannon has a twin sister.
• Painter Valerie D'Ortona is active on educating people on the importance of becoming organ donors.
• Watercolor artist Jo Lynch is busy creating animals paintings for the new neonatal wing at Tampa (Florida) General Hospital.

Of course I work with several more artists, but this was all I could remember off the top of my head. Wow! Many thanks to all the artists who are part of the Cow Art and More gallery. If you want to learn more about the artists (or even see what they look like), check out the Cow Art and More artists page.

Meet painter Jon Ellis

Cow Art and More was honored to feature acrylic paintings and mixed media creations from Florida artist Jon Ellis in April 2009. Over the years, Ellis’ fanciful work has graced the cover of many popular books, advertisements and periodicals, including the cover of Time and National Geographic. His work has been exhibited at such prestigious galleries as the ‘Helander Gallery’ on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, as well as, maintained in permanent archival collections at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. Such notable private collectors as Attorney Robert Shapiro have also enjoyed ownership of his work.

Why do you paint?

I paint because it pleases me. It pleases me to free something into this world that was once confined only to my imagination. I love putting out my palette and unleashing all those fresh pure colors from their tubes. I love running the tip of my brush through fifteen or more dollops of paint and mixing the perfect color of my choosing. From the beginning to the end of my creative process, I have complete control. Painting and creating art is the 'only' thing in life I am able to control. Whether it took a month, six months or a year to create, when it is done I step back and take a deep breath. With a tremendous sense of satisfaction I stare at what I have brought into the world and feel like I have achieved something wonderful, something which feels nearly 'perfect', even if it is just a feeling.

How did you get started?

When I was a child and my mother placed a crayon, a pencil, or a Bic pen in my hand I began to doodle. As time passed it became a compulsion,which I admit, probably even affecting my grades. While my first serious and failed attempt at painting didn't take place till I was a senior in high school, drawing was always a passion.

What is your technique?

So many people are looking for short-cuts these days to make it look good without all the hard work. My technique is slow and laborious. I developed my techniques on my own over a long period of time. While I have a bachelor of fine arts from the Philadelphia College of Art, and had many amazing teachers, no one actually taught me to paint the way I do. My friend in college did turn me on to the best brushes in the world, which I still use today, particularly the 'triple zero' Windsor NewtonI series '7'. It is the ultimate brush for control! I use acrylic paint and layer my work utilizing dry brushing, feathering, glazing, and sometimes a touch of airbrush, if it is called for. By the time a work is completed there are between twenty and thirty layers of paint. It is incredibly hard to describe my technique as I don't think about how I do it anymore...I just do it.

How do you decide what to paint?

I constantly have millions of cool ideas popping in and out of my brain/mind; Some not so cool. It is difficult to decide which ones to run with. I know I will be spending many nights and hundreds of hours with the painting, so I just make sure before we get started that we will be good friends for the duration and enjoy each others company.

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

As an illustrator for years I had horrific deadlines. Night after night I would burn my candles at both ends to get my work in on time. After twenty years I had only been late once. Now that I am not concerned with other peoples deadlines my paintings take much longer. Anywhere from two and three months to a year max. A year is way too long...sigh.

Where did you get your inspiration?

I originally got my inspiration when I was about ten years old after I opened a pack of gum with illustrated 'Wacky Stickers'. The gum was hard and inedible, but I bought pack after pack! I was immediately consumed and addicted to the colorful crazy 'sick' art.

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

Besides writing Novels and making movies, I just want to keep painting. I plan to die some day when I am very very old with a very used up triple zero Windsor Newton in my hand. I wouldn't want to waste a perfectly good brush.

What else do you do besides painting?

I am a passionate writer and love to write, though unpublished as of yet! I love martial arts and Karate. I used to run my own school with my wife! I love playing my classical guitar, even though I only perform for my family! I love to Garden and grow things from seeds! I love taking care of my five doggies! I enjoy fish and coral and I maintain a 155 gallon reef tank in my living room! And I enjoy people, that's why I love doing the art shows!

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

No

What advice do you have for aspiring painters?

Be passionate with your art and with your life. Love both with all your heart. Have lots of experiences and adventures. Please yourself, paint for yourself...and have a back up job for money

Painter, pastel artist and veterinarian John Plishka

Dr. John Plishka was the featured artist for October 2009 on Cow Art and More. Dr. Plishka's art has been featured on the cover of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. He enjoys both painting and drawing with pastels portraits of the animals he sees on a regular basis, whether they are patients or not.

Why do you paint and draw?

It's hard to describe but it's a really strong internal drive to express my ideas about what I find beautiful or interesting.It's also a great way to escape from the realities of the world-I can totally immerse myself in the painting and probably like most artists, once you're painting, all time seems to stand still.

Where do you get your inspiration?

I have limited time to work, so I try to take a lot of photos when I'm out, and try to work on my paintings later. My inspiration mostly comes from trying to see subjects which should be ordinary, in an extraordinary way. So, I try to find beauty in subjects that are often overlooked. Hence a lot of my paintings are of simple everyday things or situations.

How do you decide what to paint and draw?

I work from photographs mostly, so I try to take my camera almost everywhere. I try to find one or two photos from an experience, scene, or subject, that inspire me. I can often in my mind see the painting before it is on the paper. Often the beauty or power of my subjects is what ultimately drives me to start a painting.

What is your technique?

Now I work mostly in pastels. In the past I also painted in oils and acrylics. Pastels allow me to work quickly, and for me they are easier to correct mistakes than other media. In my paintings I use a lot of pastel pencils. This allows me to get the fine detail I need when depicting hair, feathers, etc.

Where did you learn your technique?

Since I haven't had much formal art training, I've learned mostly from reading, trial and error, and following some of my favorite artists. Over the last few years, I've taken some pastel classes which have helped immensely in elevating my art. However there is still so much to learn- I wish I had access to more class time!

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

Smaller pieces will take me about 2-4 hours, but larger pieces may take 10-15 hours. Considering I may only have 4-5 hours a week for my art means that a larger painting may take me 2-4 weeks to complete!

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

Sure I have goof ups like everyone else. For myself, If a painting isn't working after about an hour, I usually scrap the whole thing. Sometimes I come back to it, sometimes not. After that though, I'm pretty stubborn and won't give up on a painting after I've invested alot of time and work into it. I'll see it through to the end. There is a point in most of my paintings that I doubt whether it will work or not, but after I get past that point, I know the final result will have been worth the effort.

What advice do you have for aspiring painters?

I still consider myself at this point to be an aspiring painter. I want to improve my art in many facets still, and am a firm believer in that you can never know too much about a subject. But if I had any advice to give to people it would be to try to learn as much as you can about your chosen art direction and dive right in. Have a thick skin about your work as art is so subjective that a lot of people will not care for your work while others love it! Try to get yourself noticed as much as you can, and have the belief in yourself that your art is good and is worth creating! Lastly, try to get to know a lot of artists with similar interests- they will help you in your work and give encouragement which is so important when you are starting out!

What else do you do besides your art?

My plate is pretty full! I'm a full time veterinarian in Antioch, Illinois. My wife and 2 children are the loves of my life and I try to spend as much time as I can with the kids now: especially while they're little. I love and play sports too, especially hockey, soccer and baseball. I play the drums and piano, and I dabble in banjo. Lastly, I enjoy fishing and the outdoors. At the end of the day is usually when I can get some art work done!

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

I guess I would just like to get the opportunity to paint a lot more. Perhaps try different techniques. I'm interested in sculpting, so maybe one day I could try that. I would like to do more art shows and get myself out there more.

Meet artist and future dairy nutritionist Laurie Winkelman

Laurie Winkelman was the featured artist on Cow Art and More in July 2009. 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. Laurie is shown here (blue shirt) with one of her Brown Swiss cows.

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!

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!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.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.

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.

Meet oil painter Shannon Grissom

February 2010's featured artist was accomplished painter, children's book author and musician, Shannon Grissom. She believes in painting in a large format with bright colors to accomplish the mission of "Give your walls some soul!"

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.

How do you decide what to paint?

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.

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.

How did you get interested in painting "rodeo life"?

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!

What is your technique?

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

Where do you get your inspiration?

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

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.

How long does it take you to get the 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.

Do you ever have 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.)

What advice do 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.

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.

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.

The founding of Cow Art and More

It's hard to believe this collection of cow art has been online for two years now! I have loved every minute of making art and connecting with cow art lovers worldwide. One question I continue to get asked, just how did this get started?

I decided to become a veterinarian when I was 11 or 12. (I promise, I will get to the question at hand.) Once I made that decision, I knew I had to do everything possible to get into veterinary school. This meant taking lots of science based classes and other academic classes to get me into college. While I took art classes in high school here and there, they just didn't fit into the schedule to take as many as I would have liked.

I went on to college, still with a love of art, but still with a desire to go to veterinary school. Veterinary colleges spell out very clearly what it takes to apply. Unfortunately art classes aren't a prerequisite. While I took a few arts and humanities classes in college, I didn't get to fully investigate any potential art talents.

The hard work and dedication paid off. I was accepted to veterinary school and headed off with zeal. This time, there was not even the option of taking art classes. (imagine that) I continued to explore art museums when I had the chance, but veterinary studies took priority.

When I graduated veterinary school, I took my first job as a cattle veterinarian and moved to Florida. While I wasn't crazy about living in Florida, I did love that art and culture seem to be the "norm" here. In the spring and fall, there are regular art festivals and within the city of Gainesville, (where the University of Florida is and where I live now), visual and performing arts are just a way of life. (I can't remember why I took this cow's picture, but I suspect it was because she had quite the special head wrap from her favorite veterinarian. Anyway, it's an example of what I do as a cattle vet.)

It was in the summer of 2001 that, at a friend's barbecue, I met a well known local jewelry artist. She explained that she was teaching a beginner level metalsmithing class in a couple of weeks and suggested I take it. I did and I was instantly hooked. That was the beginning.

That year for Christmas, I made jewelry gifts for close family and friends. It was after a friend of my mom's saw the necklace she was wearing and asked if I could make her one too that I made my first sale. I continued to take a few classes from my original teacher. She was impressed with my skills and encouraged me to apply for art shows. I chose a small local show, applied, and was accepted. That was October 2002.

While I was making jewelry during this time, it was much more "artsy". My agriculture friends asked if I made cow jewelry. I simply looked at them like they had 3 eyes and replied, "No." As much as I love cows, I really didn't want to make jewelry of them. Veterinary medicine doesn't leave much room for creativity and I really wanted to do something different when I was in the studio. As I realize now, though, I just hadn't found the right idea yet. (The pendant at left is from 2004. It is a pin/pendant of chrysocolla, sterling silver and bronze.)

My farm friends continued to pester me about making a line of farm jewelry. It wasn't that it was a bad idea, I just wanted something extra special. I wanted something very unique and classy, but most of all realistic. While attending a local veterinary meeting in the fall of 2007, I saw someone selling charm jewelry pieces of cats and dogs. It was then that the idea of the cow jewelry came to me. After doing a little visual research on the internet, I realized I had some unique ideas to make realistic farm jewelry. I knew my experience within agriculture would allow me to make cow jewelry that not only I found to be realistic, but agriculture enthusiasts would too.

Along the way of my jewelry career, I also met other artists who had a fascination with cows and created art representing them. I thought it would be great to include them in my venture as well. The planning for Cow Art and More began in the spring of 2008. I began production of the charms and recruited other artists to become a part of my "family". I officially launched Cow Art and More on September 1, 2008, with a few charms and a handful of artists. I now represent over 25 cow art artists and have 7 charms, with 3 more to launch any day now. (Left is my rosette charm, shown in 18 K yellow gold).

I'm very enthusiastic about the future of Cow Art and More. I was excited to be asked to sell cow art at the 2011 National Holstein Convention and honored to have coordinated the unique stained glass trophies given last month at the All American Red and White Holstein show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is quite satisfying knowing that the beauty of agricultural art can bring joy to people's daily lives.

Collage artist on magazine cover

Collage artist Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson's work is the cover art for the October 2010 edition of Winter Park Magazine. The publication covers the events and happenings of the central Florida and Orlando area. Visitors can also read an online version of the magazine, which features a spread of Elizabeth's work.

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 1

How did you get started?

Like most artists, I drew and painted from the time I was a young girl. I lived in a small town, Walnut, Illinois, south of Chicago. My dad was a large animal vet there and he took me around with him on calls. I drew and drew and drew. After retiring as a high school Computer Science and Math teacher in the country north of Toronto, Ontario, I took up watercolors starting with botanical art, painting my garden’s flowers, fruit, vegetables, etc in a highly realistic way. I then concentrated on birds and now I have painted farm animals for a few years.

Picture credit: Donna Greenstein painting on location

Q & A with Michael Murray Part 12

What else do you do besides your art?

I like to play table tennis (my girlfriend used to play for her country when she was younger so shes been teaching me a few things), as well as proper tennis, football, and ten pin bowling. I guess I find playing sports a good way to release any tension or stress I may get from working on frustrating exhibition pieces or commissions.

Picture credit: "The Hidden Lane"

(notice the Holstein cow at the far left)

Q & A with Victoria Whorley: Part 12

What else do you do besides your art?

I love to drive back roads taking lots of photographs; am also a scrapbooker and a collector of rocks and gemstones, colored glass bottles, and antiques.

Art that's good enough to eat

Need a unique and interesting way to promote your event? Cow Art and More is excited to announce that artists Amanda Raithel and Robin Maria Pedrero have their cow art available on candy bar wrappers. Personalize the wrappers with your organization or event's details. These are also good for groups looking to sell them as a fundraiser. It's the perfect memento!

Each Hershey's chocolate candy bar is carefully wrapped with a foil wrapper, then the cow art wrapper. The last step is to package each in a cellophane overwrap (not shown). The candy bars are carefully shipped with an ice pack to prevent melting in transit. Prices start at $2.35 each for a minimum order of 10 bars. (Shipping is additional.) Price breaks are available for quantity purchases.

Due to the delicate nature of packaging and shipping these cow art novelties, orders are only taken by speaking to someone at the Cow Art and More office. Please allow 10 business days for delivery.

Q & A with Victoria Whorley: Part 1

Why do you paint?

Painting fulfills the creative side of me. The feeling of accomplishment when an animal is accurately portrayed is a great motivator.

Picture credit: "Gentle Snow", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this beef steer painting

Q & A with Beth Dunn: Part 4

Where did you learn your technique?

Traditional technique is a God-given talent, but solidified with years of schooling & training. Digitally my technique was self-taught and my skills excelled throughout college.

Picture credit: "Cow ver. 2"

Click here to learn about this digital cow art image

Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson featured artist

March's featured artist is painter and mixed media collage creator, Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson. Elizabeth makes her favorite images into paintings. From there, she layers them with papers, fabrics, feathers and anything else with texture, to create unique three-dimensional pieces. She completes her pieces with a hand assembled barnwood frame. In addition to being an artist, Elizabeth maintains her own design firm, Nelson Creative, with her husband Doug. She lives with her husband and two children in central Florida.

Enjoy free shipping on all of Elizabeth's art for the month of March. See her entire collection on the Cow Art and More specials page.

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

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 Gary Sauder: Part 11

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

I would like to do more of the same, but I would like to travel more and do more field work in many different places.

Picture credit: "Ideal type Guernsey Cow", colored pencil drawing on paper

Click here to learn more about this dairy cow drawing

A conversation with Gary Sauder: Part 8

What advice to you have for aspiring painters?

The only advice that I can give to aspiring painters is to paint often and treat it like a profession. I have found the more that I paint the better that I get at it and the more professional the result.

Picture credit: "Pleasant Nook F Prize Circus", pastel on paper

Click here to learn more about this Jersey cow drawing

December's featured artist, Gary Sauder

Cow Art and More is excited to announce December's featured artist is pastel drawing and painter Gary Sauder. Gary grew up on a small farm in Sonoma County, California. He grew up showing registered Jersey cows in the local 4-H club. Over his career, he exhibited many grand champions and was showmanship champion numerous times. At the same shows, he was the dairy showmanship champion as well as the Round Robin Master Showmanship Champion. He earned the Paul Jackson Scholarship that same year.

Gary attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, for two years. After college, Gary took a position caring for and exhibiting the show cattle for then, Meadow Glen Farms of Orland California. About that time he was introduced to colored pencils. Having always been an avid artist with a pencil, this produced an exciting jump into the realm of painting for Gary.

Gary's art is featured in our specials section. Purchase his art and it will ship for free during the month of December.