How to Hang Heavy Objects Using Toggle Bolts

So you have the really nice painting you want to hang in your foyer, but you're not sure how to do it. This is a 100 second video that shows viewers how to use toggle bolts to hang a heavy object on a plaster wall.

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

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

Monday's agriculture website of interest: A FARM WIFE'S LIFE

*For those new to the Cow Art and More blog, every Monday, blog author Kathy Swift shares and agricultural themed website of interest with readers.*

In looking through my favorite websites to share, I wanted to find something with lots of pictures showing farm crop harvest. Harvesting crops is a big part of farm life and generally happens all across the country in the fall (depending on the crop). While looking for a good website to share, I came across A Farm Wife's Life blog. The blog is a written by Janet Phillips, a farmwife in rural Kansas. Her latest entry shows soybean harvest, but she also chronicled their yearly corn harvest as well. She shares a ton of pictures, which are worth a "million words" all told. Janet also talks about her family life and shares a few recipes as well.

October's featured artist

This month's featured artist at Cow Art and More is 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. Enjoy a series of question and answer sessions all month long on this blog.

See Donna's complete collection in our specials section. Purchase any of her work during the month of October and receive free shipping.

Friday's art related article: How To Select Art for your Home

Today's art themed article helps readers Select Art for your Home. Purchasing art can be an intimidating experience. What if I choose the wrong thing? What if I'm overpaying? What if it doesn't look right in my home? This article helps to put readers at ease by telling them a few key points to consider before making an art purchase.