After finishing several large cow paintings in my current "cow" series, I was inspired to go in the other direction and work small. (I often go through these phases, as do many artists; it tends to keep at bay the bordom and insanity.... well, mostly!)
Thanks to a client of mine, who has very little wall space left, I was motivated to do a small painting of a Hereford (or Herefords). The result is here, above, "Two Young Herefords", 6x8, proudly held in reserve for said client. (Thanks, Kathy!)
This was followed up by "Two Black Mottleface" (I had to research the name of these, as I have no cow-knowledge, but I've been learning a lot as I go) and "Springtime in Texas."
Both of these 6x8's sold last weekend in Kerrville at the Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair.
With the success of those little gems, I was excited to work on these during the Fair Sunday and Monday. I had some 4x6 frames I needed to use up, so I thought "How can I fit a cow on a 4x6?"
Of course, as a portrait artist, I reverted to my portrait "mode" and came in close for single head-shots with simple backgrounds.
This black cow was first, and had a buyer before it was finished!
I continued with "Brown Calf" and
"Black Mottleface"
"Brown Cow" (below) I did on Monday. (I could use a better title for this - anyone know what kind of cow this is?)
These last three are still available and will come with me to Dallas for the City-Arts Festival June 12-14, 2009.
I love working small. I like that it's quick (relatively.) I like that it can be priced accordingly (aka: affordable!) It's a quick way to get a better understanding of a subject without using up a lot of materials. But mostly I like it because I can satisfy my natural urge to work tight and realistic, but the painting still looks wonderfully loose if it's blown up. I believe this kind of small work has helped me achieve a looser impressionism in my (later) larger works than I would normally have. Plus it's just plain fun and the perfect antidote to large-work burnout!
Right now I'm hoping this fascination lasts long enough to do several more. I have enough cow photos for at least 3 or 4 .... hundred!
I recently bought several frames from a local vendor who comes around to the art leagues and associations with a truckload! For 
whatever reason (perhaps because the frames are gorgeous!) I've been in a creative streak this week, and I decided to post a few results of the last 2 days. Here are "Park Road 9", "Old Barn" and "Ranch Road 14", all 6x8 inches. I did these on Saturday.
Today I did "Renaissance Youth" and "The Note". Both are 8x6 inches.
After finishing several large cow paintings in my current "cow" series, I was inspired to go in the other direction and work small. (I often go through these phases, as do many artists; it tends to keep at bay the bordom and insanity.... well, mostly!)
This was followed up by "Two Black Mottleface" (I had to research the name of these, as I have no cow-knowledge, but I've been learning a lot as I go) and "Springtime in Texas."
Of course, as a portrait artist, I reverted to my portrait "mode" and came in close for single head-shots with simple backgrounds.
I continued with "Brown Calf" and
"Black Mottleface"
They had informed me a few weeks earlier that they wanted to use my painting "A Gray Morning on Main Street" (from last year's competition) on the T-shirt this year. I was thrilled!
A reporter (Raymond Whelan) from The River Cities Daily Tribune was covering the event, and he caught me half way through my painting "A Sunny Morning on Main Street." This one got in the paper! (Thanks Raymond!)
My luck didn't end there however -- I had a leisurely dinner on Saturday before the reception, and arrived to heaps of congratulations. --I had won First Place! Wow!
"A Sunny Morning on Main Street" pastel, 6x18 inches
"Shadow Lace" sold
"Eye Candy" available $100
"Salt n' Pepper" sold
"Coffee n' Cream" available $150
"Ian at Breakfast" won 2cd Place Portrait (and a 78 pc Masterclass Assortment of Great American Artworks pastels!)
"Reassurance" won 3rd best in Show (and 72 new Jack Richeson Handmade pastels - the BIG round ones! - Whoo-hoo!!)
As promised, Here are the finished paintings I did over the weekend.
The workshop was good. These two waterlilies were admired by the other students, and I'm pretty happy with how they came out, but they're SO very different from my usual style, it's hard for me to get a grip on my attitude about them. I do like the compositions, which I guess is the main thing. I rearranged the lily pads and inserted the fish in both paintings to create better balance. But the style is so very loose! It's weird for me to see it in my own work!
By the last day, I felt I was finally able to grasp some of Mr. O'Hagan's technique and incorporate it into my own style. I did a couple of landscapes on Sunday. Here's one of my favorites. I like the simple composition, and I was really happy with how the shadows look on the path in the foreground. Also, I just like paths and roads in artwork. I always like to wonder where they go...
The finished scene! Wow!
Here's my first painting on friday almost finished.
Here's today's painting about 3/4 of the way through. I'll post finished photos tomorrow!
