Monday's agriculture website of interest: 2010 ALL AMERICAN DAIRY SHOW

Today's agricultural themed website to share with blog readers is for the Pennsylvania All American Dairy show, going on this week in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The show is in its 47th year. Over 2400 animals and 925 exhibitors are expected from 26 states and Canada.

The show will highlight registered cattle from the seven major dairy breeds and also has a showmanship and judging contest for youth participants. For those unable to make the show, two groups are sponsoring webcasts to allow fans to watch from their computers.

Cow Art and More loves bringing the best in agricultural art to the agriculture community. We also love working with our customers and enthusiasts as "farm folks" are some of the best people out there. When Cow Art and More was asked by a customer to create something special for the Michigan state Brown Swiss Grand Champion show award, we were happy to take on the challenge! After some thought by jewelry artist and gallery owner Kathy McComb Swift, a collaborative effort between glass artist Mary McIntyre and painter Gary Sauder was forged and came up with this beautiful result!

This stained glass box measures approximately 8 inches by 10 inches by 2 inches tall. The lid is hinged and opens all the way to reveal a mirrored inside. Customers may choose one of Gary Sauder's "ideal type breed" dairy cow prints to place into the lid. (Beef cattle images to be announced soon.) The boxes are made upon ordering and require up to two weeks for delivery. They are expertly packed in styrofoam and shipped via UPS ground.

It is our hope that this piece of art will grace a desk or coffee table of the worthy Grand Champion winner. We are happy that we can be a part of helping someone remember their special day.

While we look forward to making more of these as show awards, we also expect people will like to give them as wedding, birthday, anniversary and graduation gifts. Looking to have yours personalized a little more? Please contact Cow Art and More. We are always happy to help.

(And THANK YOU to our fans, friends, and customers for allowing us to serve all your COW ART needs.)

A conversation with Meg Birnbaum: Part 4

Where did you learn your technique?

Mostly from looking at the work of other photographers. I learned the basics from trial and error in the darkroom when I was young. I really didn't have any formal education in photography other than a basic darkroom refresher course 9 years ago.

Photo credit: "Waiting for Judging"

Click here to learn more about this cow photograph

A conversation with Gary Sauder: Part 7

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

For the most part I can do a painting in a week but I have done and average size (14 X 19) in a day it just depends on the subject and the complexity of the painting. I have also taken as long as three weeks to complete a painting.

Picture credit: "West Lynn Tom Dee", pastel on paper

Click here to learn more about this cow art pastel 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.

Photographer Meg Birnbaum to exhibit in China

Cow Art and More photographer Meg Birnbaum is currently traveling to China where she will be exhibiting 22 photographs, by invitation, at an international photography festival held in Lishui. Birnbaum, along with approximately 30 American curators, gallery owners and photographers, all of whom will be exhibiting photographs, will travel to China for the exhibition. The Lishui Museum of Photography has requested print donations from all of the invited photographers.

Picture credit: "Waiting for Judging"

Click here to read more about Meg's latest photographic addition to Cow Art and More

We want to hear from you

I'm always on the prowl for new and exciting art to add to the website. What would the fans and customers like to see? Different media? A particular breed of cattle? Leave us a comment!

Cow Art and More links up with U.S. Guernsey

Cow Art and More is proud to be listed as a merchandise partner on the U.S. Guernsey webite, the official website of the Guernsey dairy breed. Find us here.