Bears are fun to paint, I think they represent the mountains really well.  Whether you hunt or not what's not to love when looking at this guy?

His picture was pretty much black and white, but I decided to put him on blue which really makes the colors stand out on him.

I used to scramble and work super hard even in the face of conflict to to my  daily paintings consecutively, but I am more relaxed about it now, and there may be a few breaks here and there.  These two chicks are on the move, and I love the fact that two houses on our block have backyard chickens.  My understanding is that it's chick season, and a lot of the nurseries have them in right now.  

The pose with the foot in the air and the general expression of the two lead me to paint this composition, I hope you like it!

Todays daily painting, "Chicks on the Move"  

5x7  $100  On a Canvas Panel.

It is easy to frame, or will sit on an easel. 

It is a common sight, a cow looking over a barbed wire fence.  So is it any wonder I chose to paint this one, a whitee  Highland cow.  I love the expression, and the tilt of her head here.  Just back far enough to clear the fence!  I  debated whether to put in the fence but I did feel it 

added to the scene in the end.

5x7 White Highland Cow looking over a barbed wire fence

What do you think?  Did the fence add composition wise to the piece?

My sister used to live on a Buffalo ranch in Ramona, CA called 'Star B Ranch'.  I loved going out to the ranch and taking photos of the 'locals'  who lived there. One was even hand raised and apparently thought it was a dog because it was raised with dogs and not buffalo.

I have seen that before, but this was the first time I had seen a Buffalo, and I believe it was also white which is rare.

I especially loved doing the light in this one, especially the eye!

5x7 daily painting   $100

p.s., you didn't miss anything, I didn't paint one since the goats on the 8th which was daily #9 .

I painted a larger one of a goat, it''s 16x20 of Nelson the goat in snow and it is available in the paintings Category on my website.  I like goats a lot, have seen a number of videos and they certainly can be characters!  And they have the most interesting eyes!   These two in their barn drew me in, I believe the one with the beard is a Billy Goat, perhaps a pair?  

The black background will be solid once it dries and is varnished before I ship it.  

When I asked the owner if I could use his images he said, I should tell you I have some good looking cows!  LOL  And that he does!

This one is from his farm, one of the calves from last year called Charming Charlie!  I love how his hair swirls and the straight on look this painting.

5x7 Charming Charlie Black Baldy Calf   $100      Daily Painting #8 of 2024

Once upon a time I went to Petaluma, California to photograph as reference the famous (at the time) Happy Cows of Real California Milk (now cheese) fame.  Of course they were Holsteins, and I did six paintings for them which they put on their website.  Of course I couldn't be happy just taking reference of them so I traveled around the beautiful scenery that is Northern California and stumbled upon a gorgeous herd of Jerseys.  This is where the reference for today's daily painting comes from, pictures I took of that herd.  She must have been pretty exemplary of the breed as the Jersey Association also chose one of this same cow (different pose) for me to paint for them.

These are interesting creatures, racoons.    I have seen two of them standing on their hind legs hanging out on the patio one time, other than that I usually only hear of them causing problems.  I still remember seeing them featured in a movie with John Candy and I believe Dan Acroyd where they were busy getting in the trash.  But you can't deny that they are cute!

Racoon 5x7   $100

That's the bandit face you can't help (at least I can't) but love!  

I have always loved Crows, or are they Ravens?  They are supposed to be able to remember faces, and are smart, or so they say.  I often see them picking on food in the middle of the street, hopping around when a car goes by and going back to eating when it has passed.  This one really caught my eye and I've wanted to paint one for some time now.  I love that it is on the side of a canyon, and th'e pose is striking also.  

The cloud behind it's head only adds to the drama.  I think that's what I like about them, they always appear dramatic to me, not cute, not cuddly or furry, but dramatic.

Of all of the photos I have to use as reference none is as serious as this bear!  He is very much the thinker!  Pensive, staring. at

What is he thinking about I wonder?  What do you think?

I think he looks serious for sure.  The blue background suited him best, I made that up of course but the log he is resting on was in the reference photo.  

If you have seen or gotten my work before, you know that these little jewels are much better in person, one reason is because I take the picture as soon as I finish them, which can leave a glare of wet paint.  Also because they are only 5x7 and you might view them from a computer monitor you are probably seeing them enlarged, and as opposed to a large piece like 3x4 feet made smaller, it can look rougher than it really is, where as a larger piece made smaller will look much more photographic and 'smoother' than it is.  I hope that makes sense!

This is number 3 of the 2024 daily paintings, a Hereford Calf.  It is 5x7, a cutie, and would make a great grouping when framed.

It is oil on board, acrylic under painting with and oil top coat.  I love this one for a number of reasons, both the eyes and the hanging tree giving it personality.  I tried making the oil paint a little thicker I hope you can see it!  

The reference photo was taken by me in Ramona, California.  Send me an email if you are interested.

I love the look on these two faces, they are so adorable!  Lately I've been seeing a post of a donkey all happy because someone bought him a toy, and his name is Waffles, as in tomorrow morning I'm making waffles!  The noise he makes instantly brings a smile to my face!