Photographer Meg Birnbaum exhibiting in Japan

Cow Art and More photographer Meg Birnbaum is exhibiting some of her cattle photography, amongst others, at the Tanto Tempo Gallery in Japan. She is currently traveling there to give an artist talk on March 13 at the Gallery. Information about the exhibit, "Plastic/Fantastic" can be found on the Tanto Tempo Gallery website.

A conversation with Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson: Part 2

Where did you learn your technique?

My technique is something I evolved on my own. I was a talented painter and pastel artist, but there were many more talented people using those mediums here in Orlando. I wanted to find a way to set my work apart from everyone else's. I started adding paper in with my acrylic paintings as a pattern and texture in small areas. Eventually those areas became larger and larger until the paper overtook the paint entirely one day when I challenged myself to create an image without any paint. I liked the effect I got, I liked the fact that this piece "Looking in on Jane" (a portrait of my mother) won Best of Show at OVAL (Orlando Visual Artists League) and then again at the WCA (Women's Caucus for the Arts) Matriarchs and Madonnas exhibit. I knew I was onto something, and so I ran with it.

Over the years my technique has continued to evolve. I used to use art store purchased colored papers. I found out the hard way that these papers fade. So I started hand-painting all my own collage papers. I experimented with color, texture, pattern and paper weight. I learned how to create my own palette of acrylic painted paper–it would not fade and I could create all the colors in the rainbow!

I feel my work is better now that I have such a variety of colors and textures of paper to choose from. I also use related material in my collages. I try to tie in some of the collage material to the subject matter. Some of my cow collages have nursery rhymes in them, "How Now Brown Cow" is an example of this. Some of my roosters have "Hickety Pickety My Fine Hen" intertwined with the Starbucks bags and painted maps, old checks and book pages.

Friday's website of interest to art enthusiasts: THE LOUVRE

*For those new to the Cow Art and More blog, every Friday, Kathy shares an art themed website or article with readers*

Can't make it to Paris to see the Mona Lisa? How about taking a tour from your chair! The Louvre museum has a beautiful website that allows people to take virtual tours of the art collections. The site discusses the exhibits, permanent collections and also gives the lecture schedules. Visitors can also view movies and purchase DVD's for home viewing. It's almost as exciting as seeing the Mona Lisa in person!

A conversation with Elizabeth St. Hilaire Nelson: Part 1

How did you get started?

I have always been an artist. As I child I loved to paint and draw and excelled at it. I attended Syracuse University's School of Visual and Performing Arts and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts there in 1990.

Learn beginning photography techniques from Kent Weakley

Cow Art and More photographer, Kent Weakley, and photographer Mark Emery will be conducting a Beginners Photography Workshop for anyone wanting to make consistently great photos with their DSLR camera. The workshop is Saturday, April 17, from 9 AM to 5 PM, Ocala, Florida.

They will be covering all the basics and getting into the details of what makes a great photo. Kent and Mark will also be sharing many tips and techniques used by the pros on a daily basis. This class is for anyone who loves making and sharing photographs and wants to improve their photography skills. At the end of the day you will be equipped with the information needed to make great photos consistently time and time again.

To register for the beginner photography class, use this link.

Photo credit: Bovine Shade

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.

Monday's agriculture website of interest: AGRITOURISM WORLD

*For those new to the Cow Art and More blog, every Monday, Kathy shares an agricultural focused website with readers.*

While it's still cold for a lot of of people, summer and vacation time is just a few short months away. I am growing increasing interested in the opportunities for people to take "agriculture" vacations. I think this is a great way for people to get their "feet wet" and experience farming on a ground level (yes, that pun was intended).

I recently found the Agritourism World directory. It is a directory of farms worldwide that offer people a chance to have "working vacation". The site includes animal and plant farms with specific opportunities to also host parties and weddings.