#20 Update…
Last week #20 stood under the shade tree to visit with her friend whose newborn calf lay napping. (That’s her standing on the left side.) I took the photo from inside the chicken yard so as not to disturb the baby. #20 is heavy bred, but her bag isn’t anywhere near ready to support the birth. Late this afternoon I was making my feeding and water rounds to checkout the animals. I was sitting in the cart next to the one-hundred gallon tub while it filled from the well. She came over to the tub and took a long drink standing about five feet from me. I didn’t move, just talked to her. It was easy to inspect her up close. It was incredible to watch the calf move in her belly. Her structure is sound, good clean hooves, no scars, shiny coat. When she...
Texas Calving during Drought
Okay, the secret is out – I like cattle! I’m not very good at painting them but I gave it my best shot. #20 is probably my favorite because she follows me around even when she’s not particularly hungry! Any day now, she’ll drop her first calf. Watching her mature the last two years, she’s turned into a beautiful big sweetheart. As you can imagine, raising cattle is not cheap these days with the drought being the worst in many years. The price of hay and feed has gone through the roof – but what are you going to do after the investment of raising them? You can’t let them go hungry – you can’t take them to the sale barn as if they’re just so much heavy baggage. So, you find the money somehow and keep them...
Red Roof Barn (original oil painting)
With still being on the student side of oil painting, it is thrilling to paint something appreciated by my spouse! When I showed it to him for the first time, his immediate response was “That one is mine – you cannot sell it!” That was an appreciated compliment. What’s funnier, I haven’t offered anything for sale since I switched from acrylic to oil. Just wanted to share my love for the country and especially Texas, even the memories which are definitely sweeter than working in an old barn today! ShareEmailFacebook
Night on the Ranchroad (Original Study Painting)
I learn something from every study I do! I was attempting to indicate light from headlights heading down the road. Obviously, I failed that one! Paintings featuring night scenes in rural landscapes are the most difficult for me because the lighting is more subtle than in cityscapes. What do you find most appealing in paintings – it’s easy to know immediately if you like it not. I’m just wondering if there’s anything specific you consciously look for. ShareEmailFacebook
