I have been wanting a certain lamp, that holds my phone and takes hyper-laps video of small things I'm working at while holding.  I finally pushed that button and it arrived! So following is the first half of one of my daily paintings, let me know what you think!

I started it the day I filmed this, but found the light was getting in the way so I couldn't see the photo I was working from, I decided to finish it without, and this is the finished painting:

Highland in the Mist 5x7 available

There is something calming about cows, they just seem relaxed most of the time.  I love it especially when they are laying down, even though in this case they couldn't help but look at the person staring at them with the camera, taking a reference photo.  

5x7 Angus in the Grass daily August 25   $99

A time ago I was in negotiations with a client to do a Hereford Bull without horns, or a polled Hereford Bull.  I was both in search of one and had a show to do in Scottsdale, and as luck would have it, I found a herd in a nearby town (or at least I thought) of Prescott Az.  So, I called the owners of the ranch and made arrangements to visit it to collect some great reference photos when I had the last day of my art show.  This is one of the bulls, they were funny because they had a large field to be in but they had walked paths, I parked in one of the paths and it seriously confused the bull when he was facing me in my vehicle, in the middle of his path, like he didn't know where to go, because I was in his way!

5x7 Daily Painting Hereford Bull  $99 during August

I went to a family function on Saturday the 19th, so I had told everyone on my mailing list that there would be no daily painting on Saturday the 19th, but that I would be back on Sunday.  Enter Hurricane Hilary.  In the couple of days leading up to it, local stores were emptied of toilet paper, food and water, in the attempt of locals to prepare.  My own mother was busy gathering flashlights in her home, confident that the power would be out.  None of that happened, although there was enough rainfall for her neighbors tree to be uprooted in front of my sisters eyes and hit a car parked in front of it.   Saturday night it didn't even start to sprinkle near my house until late at night.

I did come in to the studio  the following day and begin my painting,  but as I looked out the window I noticed the constant rain that had been coming up get heavier, in fact in front the street started to become flooded enough that the water met the sidewalk in places.  In back, when I opened the back door, I saw such water coming off of the roofs of our businesses, that it poured into the alley, causing a river behind me.

Long story short, I went home at that point, not sure how long it would continue.  I was afraid streets might close on my way home for safety, so I erred on the side of caution.

Enter today, the Tropical storm is over, it's cloudy but there is no rain or wind to speak of.  So, I finished my painting from yesterday, and now it is today's painting.  Texas Longhorn Calf is August 21st daily painting, 5x7 $99.  Be the first to say you want to buy it and it is yours!

This sweet calf was standing next to it's mother but I only painted the calf.  I love the expression, and the stance as well.  And I am happy the drama of a possible Hurricane ended.  

This one is in a little bit of landscape.  I am moved by their eyes mostly, that and the swirls of hair.  This calf got a mountain background. I was going to do a Longhorn, but at the last minute I decided another black calf.  I have a baby longhorn on hold for a future daily.  

When there is room I like to do a bit of a landscape look, the foreground is a little bit abstract and loose so the focus is on the calf but it is just bright enough to frame the cow and lead your eye into the painting.

5x7    Black Calf        Daily painting August 18   

One of my favorite places to visit is a ranch in Ramona, California.  I really liked the owners, may they rest in peace.  I need to go out there and see if there are still cows.  It was run by a father and son at the time.  They had a variety of cattle, black angus, charolais mostly.  I wanted to do the background a different color than any of the others so I went with a grassy abstract look, I like it and feel it sets off the black.

5x7 Daily painting August 16 $99 available

These cows have such a distinctive look! Many thanks to Ratia Ranch for the reference.  They are located, I believe in Fineland.   It is not easy to find Scottish Highland  Cows in my area, I believe because it is too hot and they have so much hair, though I am not certain.  I personally think they are endearing because of the way they look.  

5x7 Highland Cow with Calf    Daily painting August 15

If you noticed there was no August 14 daily painting, it's because I finally quite working on this and decided to wait until today to finish it.  Yes, it was challenging!  

I have clients in middle California that are near and dear to me.  Ever since the first time I had a show in their town and they bought a painting even though they weren't originally going to the art show, I have taken photo reference of their cows about three or four times.  This was described as "one of John's favorites".  I like her too!  She is a very pretty color and in this painting she has that look that cows get. They get a lot of course, but this turned head is one of them that I see often.

5x7 daily painting August 12    $99   available

The cows with calves are both touching, thought provoking as well as sweet!  Paintings are perfect for gift giving, don't forget Christmas is just around the corner!

I love the look of this pair, they really look great to me.  Of some interest to you might be that I am not using black, instead it's a combination of Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Umber, which if mixed right creates a great black.  Mix in some white and then you start getting the values in this piece.  The background is a mix of white with cad yellow and ultramarine purple. 

Angus Cow with Calf   Daily painting August 10 $99

5x7

Yellow and Purple are across from one another on the color wheel, so they are complimentary and make gray pretty much, but you can use them more purple or more yellow, but muted, as much as you want to.  I thought this would be a fun combination here since there is not much room for background, and I usually use blue/brown for a grayed down color but I used that for the cows.

I started painting Holstein cows, there being a dairy within 10 minutes of my house.  My first visit to the dairy was actually with my daughter's kindergarten class, and I asked the owners permission to return and take reference photos, and they said yes!  (My daughter is now 25)

5x7 daily painting August 8   available

If you can't see it the background is painted with white, thick and you can see brushstrokes in person.  

Painting cows has brought me to meet so many great people!  These two belonged to one of my favorites.  I met Howard in Jamul California several years ago when I placed an ad in the Ramona paper saying that an artist that paints cows needed models for reference photos. Howard was one of three people who responded and called me. 

5x7 August 7 daily painting    Available 

Several years ago I was in search of some longhorns.  I heard about a breeder in Temecula and made arrangements to visit her ranch.  While there taking reference photos I took one I have been looking at for some time, something about it drew me in and although I wasn't sure what, I really wanted to paint it.  I finally have, and I am sure you will see what I mean, it's this Longhorn Bull peeking through horns.  Something about that intrigued me.  I am amazed that they know exactly how to wield those horns around, and no one was stopping him, he also knew how to deal with everyone elses being in his way.

5x5 oil on stretched linen August 6 daily painting.  available

I did do an August 5 painting, and on time, which I promptly sent to my Newsletter group that wanted to see the dailies.  I don't believe in spamming everyone for a month if they don't need to see them.  It sold in just over an hour, he is so cute!    

Today's painting is of a young Hereford done portrait style.  I love those white faces, on both the Baldies and Herefords.  

5x7 August 4 daily painting    Available

It is natural as an artist to make the background colors the compliment, so since this is an orange/rust color, I used the compliment of that for the background of blue.  I think sometimes it looks best as a natural color like they are in the field, and sometimes it's nice to focus on the face and make the background more abstract color.

When I first started painting cows, I did not realize there were beef cows and dairy cows, and they were different.  I also did not know what any breed was except Holsteins and Black Angus.  Now I am aware of some things, although they are not by any means a lot!

Learning about cows is to understand that this is likely a black baldy calf.  My belief is this is what you get when you cross a Hereford with and Angus, Black Baldies.  (correct me if I am mistaken)  It is a beef cow, yesterdays happy cow painting was a Holstein dairy cow.  

5x7 oil on panel   $99 Available

Calves have been being born in herds across the country this time of year, it is gratifying to hear ranchers talk about them.

One of the main goals of most artists has traditionally been to be in a gallery.  Having been in several, and a few of them in quite good locations, I can safely say not any longer!  However, as an artist you take each opportunity that opens up, so in 2006 when I was invited to take reference photos of the Happy Cows, and to do paintings for the Happy Cows Real California Milk (as they were known at the time, changed to Real California Cheese at some point and they have since ditched those happy cows commercials) I jumped at that chance.  Cows had been my focus and I was an artist from their state who painted cows so it was a natural.

5x7 painting a day, August 2   $99 available

You will notice if you are or have been through Northern California that the rolling hills are gold with the dark greens of the California Live Oaks scattered around.  Beautiful scenery, and I am not sure if it is anywhere else in the country or not.  

I have exhibited at an art show in Paso Robles since 2008, it gave me an opportunity each year to take some reference photos, and this is from one of those.  I loved driving into the town, there were always cows in fields along the way, and several places you could stop.  I have wanted to paint this ever since, as I loved the contrast of the setting sun casting shadows.  Today is August 1 and I am going to do a painting a day this month, I will blog about it then send it out on my mailing list that wants to see the dailies. 

If you want to be sure not to miss one, join my mailing list!

5x7 Oil on panel  available

In my lifetime, I have never learned so much about my craft as I have while working out the daily paintings, it really is special!

Thank you for looking.  :)