Last year I had two gentlemen that commissioned paintings for their wives.  The first one commissioned a Black Angus bull named Grand Daddy, owned by his wife's family.  This was from my client's photograph.  He sent me several to choose from, and I did two studies to decide if he wanted a portrait or a full body painting, and the full body was the winning choice.

A magnificent animal !  This was an anniversary present, very well thought out and planned a year in advance.  I love the personal

touch with this gift, as the family farm is now represented in their city home.  After my client presented his wife with her new painting of Grand Daddy he wrote to tell me :

"She loves the painting and was blown away. Thanks so much for making our 20th anniversary great."  In fact I am grateful I was trusted with this very important project, but it was certainly his thoughtfulness, far in advance of the actual celebration, that made their 20th anniversary great, congratulations and many more!

The second painting commissioned by a thoughtful husband to give his wife was a retirement gift, also planned out a year in advance. This was a Hereford, but it didn't start out that way, I'll save that story for another day.  :)   

Consider commissioning a beloved or favorite animal as a meaningful gift for a special occasion, you really can't go wrong and not only will it be enjoyed for years to come but it will be handed down for generations to enjoy, complete with the story behind it.

Honestly I don't  get out much, and when I do the think I enjoy the most is taking reference photos.  Yesterday I got to be in a beautiful meadow with mama cows, some Angus, some Herefords with their babies.  I would say 'calves' but that conjures up an image of various ages, and these were, quite literally babies!  I've been wanting this opportunity for some time, and thanks  to Janet T. and  family for generously sharing time and their ranch with me.

On my outing I got to see more than just scenery and cows, they also raise sheep, so I got a few fun shots from the barn as well.  Mr. Rich made a new friend:

I like this guy, well of course I like Mr. Rich, but I mean the Ram.  I am pleased that I got a really great shot of his face, looking straight at me, which I will deviate from painting cows long enough to complete!

My sister just had twin girls, so I couldn't resist taking a picture of this mama and her two babies to send her:

I figure they are sympatico.  :)

But the best part of the day were the photo opportunities that included my favorite subject:

And with that, let me say I had a great artist's day out, and as a result there are some really great paintings on the way, don't miss checking out some of my past works here!

You can read about one of my previous outings on a ranch in Paso Robles here.

Today I'm headed out to Ramona to a ranch that raises Herefords.  I've been looking forward to this for a long time, expect some photos and a story, there is always a story on reference collection day!

Here is a new piece, finished exept for a few details, 

And now I'm off to hike in a pasture, one of my most favorite things, and the best part is they've got babies!

Update: read about the resulting adventure here.

This is one of those compositions that just begged to be large and in charge.  It is also one that the title came into my head before I painted the study a few years ago.

I've finally gotten around to doing the full sized painting, and  "The Boys Are Back"   is 36" x 72"  of Black Angus checking you out!  Whenever I think about the big paintings that saying "go big or go home" comes to mind.  

I am currently working on a 36"x36" portrait of a Black Angus cow, and will be starting a 36"x48" of three from a slightly different scene with this group, so it appears that I'm on a Black Angus painting binge right now!  Of course, that means everyone will be looking for Herefords, but that's why I do commissions, so everyone gets exactly what they want.

Last summer I was invited into three new galleries,

Expressions Galleries in Scottsdale, AZ and Sun Valley, ID

Mountain Trails Gallery in Santa Fe, NM

Horton Fine Art gallery in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

By the time I was contacted by Horton Fine Art I had already sent most of my work to Expressions and Mountain Trails, so between commissions I painted this little cute mixed White Faced calf for them.  She's 18"x18" and I'm very proud of her.

"Freckles" White Faced Calf  18"x18"

She sold within a few days of her arrival at the gallery, and has gone to Kathy, one of my treasured collectors.  This is her third large piece, along with several smaller ones.  

One of my greatest joys is receiving comments from collectors like Kathy, after they receive their new acquisitions, this was no exception:

" Freckles is now a Texan.  I just can't tell you how fabulous he is.  My Mother is afraid to come to my home these days because I have so many animals now.  I guess I am a cow hoarder.  Oh well..might as well enjoy life and cows are so endearing...I can't resist.

Thank you again Denise.  He is a masterpiece.  You are so fortunate to have this talent, I just can't express that enough....One more thing...when I was talking to Sara at Expressions, Sun Valley, I told her your art work makes people realize they didn't even know they liked cows.  She understood."

Thank you Kathy for giving me every reason to keep creating my cow paintings!