Jo Lynch - Do you have paintings you don't like?

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

All the time. I've torn up more art work than I own and will continue to do so. I also have loads of artwork that I'm not satisfied with but I keep thinking one day, I'll go back and work on this or that. I'm sure this is common with most artists.

Skip, the art teacher I mentioned before told us we have to paint 100 paintings to get one we like. I believe he is correct. It took a long time before I had one keeper. My husband named my first painting that I liked "48 and 1/2 cents" as that's what he said he would pay for it. We keep it still. :) A wonderful memory, my color breakthrough.

Picture credit: Jo Lynch painting plein air, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia

Jo Lynch - How do you decide what to paint?

How do you decide what to paint?

I am blessed in that I can paint whatever I choose, and I decide simply by what appeals to me, or how I feel on a certain day. I have no commitment to anyone but myself, so I am rich in the fact that I can paint what I desire. I usually do not feel interested in painting the same subject more than once or twice a year. If I paint a sea turtle, then I no longer have that desire for a while, but look for something entirely different. I currently live in Florida and have been interested in our sea life and wild life here as it was new to me. Sea Turtles, Manatees, Pelicans, Dolphins and other Florida wildlife have interested me these last years along with dogs, cats, birds, and can you say most living creatures... :) I also love large flower shapes, buildings and even landscapes. I don't seem to do much with the buildings and landscapes anymore, but if I could paint 24/7, then I'm sure they'd be a part of my choices.

Photo credit: Jo painting on the streets of France

Jo Lynch - Where did you learn your painting technique?

Where did you learn your technique?

I would say Skip Lawrence was the basis of my looser technique. Before I met him, I tended to paint in a tighter dryer style. He and subsequent artists opened me up to the freedom that things don't have to be the color you see, and trees don't have to have every leaf on them to look like a tree. I took painting workshops and also learned similar ideas from other wonderful artists. Each had input that was very valuable to me. One must be open to new ideas

Artist Jo Lynch - Where do you get your inspiration?

Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. Everyday things that one sees, patterns in nature, rain drops on a leaf, shadows, and my love of animals. I also love color and love to see how colors come together in a piece... this often gets me into trouble also, as I've destroyed many paintings by making some poor color decisions. Living in Florida has brought inspiration also.

Picture credit: Jo painting in the Smoky Mountains

Watercolor artist Jo Lynch - What is your technique?

What is your technique?

I consider my technique loose, which means I prefer not to paint everything I see, but to give a loose interpretation of reality. I also love design, shapes, and the emotion one gets from looking at something. I think that inherently I have a feel for design, rhythm and balance. I love making shapes, thus the "Whimzicals (tm) were born. I didn't begin the "whimzical style" until 2006. I was playing around with a frog painting, and painted the first "whimzical"... It pleased me, and the "whimzicals took off from there.

Picture credit: "The Placid Cow", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this cow watercolor painting

Painter Jo Lynch - How did you get started?

How did you get started?

I could always draw from a young age, but I had no real interest in sticking with it. I remember drawing trees while looking out of elementary school windows, when I was bored in class.. I didn't actually do much with painting until I was much older... I was in my very late 40's and early 50's. I decided to try a watercolor class in an old school. A teacher named Skip (William) Lawrence taught watercolor there once a week for 3 hours. He would demo and we would then paint. Then he would critique. We would die for a good critique. They were rare. :) I must have grown into myself as from that point on, I loved to paint. Prior to that time, I was simply not interested enough to stick to a painting or drawing more than once in a great while.

Watercolor artist Victoria Whorley

Watercolor painter Victoria Whorley was the featured artist for June 2010 at Cow Art and More. Victoria enjoys painting beef and dairy cattle as a way to capture the beauty of her home area of southern Virginia. She mostly paints from pictures she takes on her travels around the rural countryside. Victoria's painting Heads or Tails was also featured on the April 15, 2010, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

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.

How did you get started?

My dad bought me art sets and pastels when I was really small. We used to watch art instruction television shows together in the 60s, and he would explain the techniques as we watched.

What is your technique?

I am a realistic watercolor artist. Each painting is layered from the lightest of colors, working toward darker layers.

Where did you learn your technique?

I learned my technique from a very knowledgeable teacher and from art instruction books.

Where do you get your inspiration?

My inspiration comes from the life and animals around me. I love driving the back roads of Virginia looking for that inspiration.

How long, on average, does it take you to get a finished painting?

Time spent on a painting is based on the size of the painting as well as the amount of detail involved. Several hours are spent on what would seem the simplest of paintings.

How do you decide what to paint?

I look through my multitude of photographs. Several photos will 'jump' out at me and I choose one to paint from those photos.

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

Having grown up with dogs, cats, chickens, ponies, goats, a cow and ducks, I have always loved all types of animals . . . as an artist, painting them just seems the natural thing to do.

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

Goof-ups are a normal part of painting. Some can be fixed easily; some not so easily. Other paintings just aren't liked for any of several reasons; usually because I feel I didn't portray enough detail.

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.

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

Paint more animals and birds.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Paint what you love and don't be afraid to try new techniques.

Canadian watercolor painting artist Donna Greenstein

The featured artist at Cow Art and More for October 2010 was Donna Greenstein. Donna's "photorealism" watercolor painting techniques allow her to capture her horse and cattle subjects in a realistic fashion. She enjoys painting from her ranch in Canada and finds her subjects simply by walking out her back door.

Why do you paint?

My favorite pastime is photographing animals, planning a painting then executing the project. I love to paint in the evening when the business of farm life has calmed down. I put on music, usually classical, and paint away. Bliss!

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.

What is your technique?

I love realism. The more realistic the better. Abstract I don’t get.

I start with a great photo, build my composition, draw on tracing paper, transfer to Fabriano 300 lb watercolor paper. I then do a test sheet to figure out the colors I will use making sure to use the minimum number of colors to maximize color consistency then paint until I am satisfied the painting is finished.

Where did you learn your technique?

I have taken scores of courses and workshops over the years. I love learning new methods. I also belong to a painting group called Kaleidoscope. We meet regularly and give each other advice.

Where do you get your inspiration?

My husband and I have owned an organic cow-calf operation selling sides and quarters for 35 years. My present inspiration comes from the cattle and horses around me.

How do you decide what to paint?

I take my camera everywhere, leaving it in the car. Our farm is ten minutes away from the local towns. If the lighting is good and I pass animal herds I stop to photograph them. If a photo grabs my fancy and inspires me, I will paint it.

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

From concept to finish I take about 30 hours as there is so much detail in each painting. The trick is knowing when to stop. I like much more detail than most artists. Photorealism is my goal.

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

I grew up in Illinois in farm country and now live on a farm for the past 35 years. The animals are all around me. What better to paint than that which surrounds me.


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

Of course. I have stacks of paintings I no longer like. I just don’t frame them.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Take courses at first as the learning curve is steep for starting art then draw, draw, draw and paint, paint, paint. Start or join a group of like minded artists and meet regularly to paint and discuss. I have painted with five friends for about four years. We call our group Kaleidoscope. We have presented a few group shows and meet every other week. We have gone to each other’s lake cottages for 3, 4 or 5 day extended holidays to paint. Joy!

What else do you do besides your art?

I am an avid gardener in the summer. I am the Treasurer of the Schomberg Horticultural Society and go to their monthly meetings. My husband runs a dog and cat boarding kennel and I help him by walking the dogs in the morning. I tutor local high school students in Math. I have been in a local book club for 30 years and am a passionate reader.

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

I plan a series of barn paintings. I have many books about barn buildings and took a tour this summer of local barns with an expert Dr. John Carter. He explained that many of the old barns are not being used anymore and are falling down. Our own barn was built in the 1800s by pioneers who knew how to build a barn to last. When we first moved here in 1975 the bank barn was falling down from disuse. We recemented the floors and back wall and restored it to its past glory. Beautiful !

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 12

What else do you do besides your art?

I am an avid gardener in the summer. I am the Treasurer of the Schomberg Horticultural Society and go to their monthly meetings. My husband runs a dog and cat boarding kennel and I help him by walking the dogs in the morning. I tutor local high school students in Math. I have been in a local book club for 30 years and am a passionate reader.

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 11

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

Take courses at first as the learning curve is steep for starting art then draw, draw, draw and paint, paint, paint. Start or join a group of like minded artists and meet regularly to paint and discuss. I have painted with five friends for about four years. We call our group Kaleidoscope. We have presented a few group shows and meet every other week. We have gone to each other’s lake cottages for 3, 4 or 5 day extended holidays to paint. Joy!

Picture credit:  "Two Draft Horses", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this horse painting

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 10

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

I plan a series of barn paintings. I have many books about barn buildings and took a tour this summer of local barns with an expert Dr. John Carter. He explained that many of the old barns are not being used anymore and are falling down. Our own barn was built in the 1800s by pioneers who knew how to build a barn to last. When we first moved here in 1975 the bank barn was falling down from disuse. We recemented the floors and back wall and restored it to its past glory. Beautiful !

Picture credit: "Two Cows", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this beef cow painting

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 9

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

Of course. I have stacks of paintings I no longer like. I just don’t frame them.

Picture credit: "Rocky San", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this horse painting

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 8

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

From concept to finish I take about 30 hours as there is so much detail in each painting. The trick is knowing when to stop. I like much more detail than most artists. Photorealism is my goal.

Photo credit: "Golden Boy", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this beef bull painting

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 7

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

I grew up in Illinois in farm country and now live on a farm for the past 35 years. The animals are all around me. What better to paint than that which surrounds me.

Photo credit: Donna with two of her dogs.

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 6

How do you decide what to paint?

I take my camera everywhere, leaving it in the car. Our farm is ten minutes away from the local towns. If the lighting is good and I pass animal herds I stop to photograph them. If a photo grabs my fancy and inspires me, I will paint it.

Picture credit: Some of the animals that live on Donna's farm in Ontario.

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 5

Why do you paint?

My favorite pastime is photographing animals, planning a painting then executing the project. I love to paint in the evening when the business of farm life has calmed down. I put on music, usually classical, and paint away. Bliss!

Picture credit: Donna's painting area in her art studio

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 4

Where do you get your inspiration?

My husband and I have owned an organic cow-calf operation selling sides and quarters for 35 years. My present inspiration comes from the cattle and horses around me.


Picture credit: "Future King", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this beef bull painting

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 3

Where did you learn your technique?

I have taken scores of courses and workshops over the years. I love learning new methods. I also belong to a painting group called Kaleidoscope. We meet regularly and give each other advice.

Photo credit: Donna Greenstein (center left) painting during a recent art class

Q & A with Donna Greenstein Part 2

What is your technique?

I love realism. The more realistic the better. Abstract I don’t get.

I start with a great photo, build my composition, draw on tracing paper, transfer to Fabriano 300 lb watercolor paper. I then do a test sheet to figure out the colors I will use making sure to use the minimum number of colors to maximize color consistency then paint until I am satisfied the painting is finished.

Picture credit: "Billy Goat", watercolor on paper

Click here to learn more about this goat painting

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