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.