I  first was contacted, and my client looked through my work and found what he liked, whether it was subject, basic composition,  feeling, and talked with me about it.  He liked Hereford Bulls in particular.  The first study I did he liked, but he had bought a painting from me previously and it turned out to be too similar.  This is the first 6x12 study:

He mentioned that he wanted the animal to be facing the right, which would be where the front door was in his home where he wanted to hang it.  He also said he wanted it to be approximately 30x60.  I did another study, a great image that I took in Prescott, Arizona on a beautiful ranch.  This study was also 6x12.  As long as I am using my own images I don't mind doing studies until exactly the right one is found, they just become available studies that anyone can have.

This was the next study I did for him:

He really liked it so I did finish it up more:

At this point it was time to order the canvas, he decided he wanted it to be 36x60, this I though was great, it would allow me to make the mountains in the background taller behind the Bulls.

Once the canvas came I prepared it like I usually do, with extra coats of gesso which is a white acrylic painting ground, and got it started.

First I sketched it on the canvas in charcoal, using an image he sent me of his local mountain view and my Bulls.  After thought he decided this looked good proportionately, and I proceeded with painting it.

Almost there! This picture was not of it finished, but the next picture of it hanging in his house is of course finished, and where these Bulls now live:

It looks terrific in this beautiful home,don't you think?  

I'm thankful Andy for the opportunity to work with you on this project, it was great to correspond and chat during the process, and end up with something I am proud of, and you as well.  

Nope, not cows!  These are portraits of various pets I've done over past few years.  Do you have a great photo of your pet?  Christmas is coming and it's never too early to think about surprising someone special with a portrait of their pet.

I can do oil or charcoal, even pencil in any size.  

This is Lucy, an oil on board, one of my favorite custom dog paintings.  Lucy shows such a great personality, and I loved her eyes!

This drawing is of course of a white Greyhound.  There is a Greyhound Rescue organization in Dehesa, I drive by it once in a while and one of my collectors volunteers there.  I have a lot of examples,samples of my drawings just ask if you would like to see them.

This is Banju, another custom oil painting this time obviously a cat.  

My specialty is working from your photos if doing a painting or drawing of your beloved four legged kid.  If you are thinking about gifting this idea it makes a fantastic one of a kind birthday, anniversary or holiday gift, and shows you thought ahead of time.

If you would like to see more examples of custom paintings, be sure to check out this page on my website .

Every year I get a request for a custom paintings.  When it comes to reference material often it is not a cow and it is from client reference, either they took a cool picture on a trip, or in their own yard doesn't matter, as long as they love the photo, a painting in oil will always be better!

I can do a custom painting any size, from 5x5 or 6x6 inches 

Cardinal in the Snow 6x6 commissioned custom painting from client photo reference.

Bison in the Tetons 24x42   commissioned custom painting from Client photo reference.

...on up to 72x84 inches, with every size in between.  I can have a canvas made in any size that fits your space.  Both of these original reference photos were emailed to me by the client.  If you do not have a great photo that you want painted in oil we can talk about subject and I can do the work it takes to get one.  I'm also pretty good with a camera!

So you would like a painting done, but don't know how to go about it?  I have been contacted by a number of people over the years who want a custom painting but are apologetic because they are not aware of the process.  There is nothing mysterious or even special about it, at least not with me.  I just need to hear from you, and I'll walk you through the process like I have many before you, all have been ecstatic with their resulting painting!

Some that I have done have been cows, of course, it's what I am known for.

This was a large custom painting I did in 2016 from a small study that I believe was already sold, but there is still an image of it on my website.  That is how a number of 'custom' paintings happen.  Someone sees a sold painting, often a small study, and likes it, but wants to get one larger.  This happens often.

Some are not cows:

This is my friend Lynn Endicott, the framer/owner of Silver Creek Fine Art and Framing, holding up a custom painting I did of a girl with her horse and dog.  This was done with two separate client photos which were emailed to me.  My expertise is actually working from photos, as a fine artist I do happen to focus on cows as a subject, but really, if you can see, you can paint any subject well.  I loved how my client chose to frame this one.  The framing really brought out the subjects.  Do you have photos you think would make a great painting?  You can email me [email protected] anytime and I will take a look!  Or, comb through my trove of painted works, sold and archives.  If a composition touches your heart let me know and we can talk about doing it larger or different while having the same qualities that you love.