Cow paintings, Cow Collectables and Gifts by Cow artist, Denise Rich. Holstein cows, Guernsey cows, Jersey cows. The dairy cow breeds as well as Hereford cows and more. Both original cow oil paintings and prints of cows, cow collectables and cow gifts.
Old blog location,new blog location and why the change?
by therichartist5 Jul 2010 at 11:29 pm
This location is the home of archived blog posts from February 2005 through October 2009.
For all current blog posts starting November 2009 forward, please click here.
Why are my current blog posts in a different location? Because the host of this blog is discontinuing the service, this will remain, (I am told) online, but they are no longer supporting the blogware, will not be updating or fix ... read more
Bosque Conservatory Art Classic, three pieces juried into the show
by therichartist20 Sep 2009 at 10:59 am
I was very pleased to find that three of my entries were accepted into the Bosque Conservatory Art Classic show in Clifton, Texas, September 12-27, 2009.
This show gets a very large number of entries, this year it received 975 entries, from which 144 were chosen in four categories. I had these two Hereford works in the paintings category:
Ranger Portrait 16"x20" (sold at the show) and Cr ... read more
Texas Longhorn calf, Black Baldy cow, Hereford calf paintings by Denise Rich
by therichartist18 Sep 2009 at 11:25 am
You might have noticed the recorded videos in recent blog posts showing portions of these three paintings in progress.
Here they are finished, fresh off of the easel. All three are 14"x14" on portrait canvas.
The Hereford is another view of Ranger, a recently sold portrait. He is so cute! The Black Baldy painting is a portrait of one of his friends, they both lived on the same prop ... read more
Took reference photos last Tuesday...Dairy, Buffalo Ranch, Dairy in that order
by therichartist12 Sep 2009 at 8:21 pm
My plans were foiled last Tuesday when I went out to Ramona to take dairy cow photos for a commission. Because of the continuing high heat all of the cows were hanging out in the shade, not what I need!
Making the best of it, I took a detour out to the Buffalo Ranch hoping to get a good close up for a portrait I'd like to do.
Do you think this is close enough????
Meet Harley, ... read more
Out to take reference photos in Ramona this morning, Holsteins here I come!
by therichartist8 Sep 2009 at 12:03 pm
I've been commissioned to do a painting of Holstein cows on the beach, this should be great fun. The first thing I have to do though is take the photo reference that will work, as of course I'm not aware of any Dairy cows living at the beach, so it will involve a photo of Holsteins that can be painted into a beach scene.
Taking the photo reference is one of my favorite things, it a ... read more
Labor Day, painting a Hereford calf live from the studio!
by therichartist7 Sep 2009 at 11:54 am
This Hereford calf is Ranger, looking straight at the viewer as opposed to the last portrait I painted of him. I'll post a photo when this is finished.14"x14" oil on portrait smooth canvas. I love painting on smooth canvas and boards, the detail stands out so much! ... read more
Labor Day Weekend, and I'm laboring! Working on a new Black Baldy Portrait live!
by therichartist6 Sep 2009 at 12:45 pm
I've spent a lot of time getting things together so I can broadcast more often from my studio. This morning I was up bright and early for a Sunday, loving the smell of oil paint in the morning, working on a new Black Baldy cow portrait.
... read more
New Work Series, American Bison - Buffalo by Denise Rich
by therichartist2 Sep 2009 at 10:39 am
A new series is in progress to add to my Bovine art adventures. I've been gathering some interesting information about the American Bison, and have decided that it is most deserving of being center stage for a while. I have dabbled a bit, with a couple of pieces, one being the portrait that was accepted into the Bosque Art Classic seen in a previous post.
I like the look of the charcoal, and ... read more
Recent portrait painting of two Hereford Bulls, titled "Respect A Bull"
by therichartist1 Aug 2009 at 11:39 am
From photo reference taken in Ramona, this huge Hereford Bull was kept with a
younger male, and I love the way he is pushing his weight around, making sure the youngster knows who is boss! I've know I would paint this since the photo was taken, and it's turning out to be a great deal of fun, the swirls are going to be the best part.
This painting is 18"x24".
"Respect A Bull"
I love watching ... read more
New Black Angus painting, study for a larger piece, The Boys
by therichartist6 Jul 2009 at 11:26 am
Here's a group of Black Angus (or Brangus) youngsters looking for trouble. These are from a herd in Ramona, California, one of my favorite places to get cattle photo reference. My plans are to do some very large scale paintings, but before I do I have to see how a composition works first, so this is an 8" x16" oil on canvas, from which I will decide if I want to paint it much larger, a ... read more
Getting back to work in a big way, new Holstein paintings and two commissions
by therichartist16 Jun 2009 at 12:48 pm
There was the two weeks off, one for the cruise, the other to get ready for the cruise. Then there was the last week of school, graduation ceremonies and last day picnic. Now there is an 11 year old looking for something to do. Regardless of all of the distractions, I'm getting back to work!!
I started this with the intention of keeping the charcoal as part of the finished piece a ... read more
Hereford cow/cattle paintings, new and favorites!
by therichartist15 Jun 2009 at 1:24 pm
I've got two favorite new Hereford paintings, just finished. First is a classic portrait of Ranger. I've painted Ranger before, he was my bovine model for "What You See Is What You Get", an 8"x10" painting from a few years ago. Here he is close up, with every bit as much attitude as before, which I loved and is why I have chosen to paint him:
This painting is 16"x20" oil on canvas ... read more
What's on the easel now?
by therichartist22 May 2009 at 2:57 pm
This is Ranger, a very cute six month old (or so) Hereford. I have already immortalized him in oil once before, an 8"x10" study of him standing titled "What You See Is What You Get", (that painting is sold). I haven't decided on a name for this one, but it might just be "Ranger". This painting is 16"x20". ... read more
Red Angus Study, oil on panel
by therichartist14 May 2009 at 10:37 pm
6"x6" oil on panel
This is a new study, I had thought about making it a little tighter, but couldn't bring myself to do anymore to
it, as I really loved the look, especially with the background blending in.
I may do a more detailed, larger painting of this in the future.
... read more
Three Herefords in a Field cows commissioned painting
by therichartist13 May 2009 at 10:53 am
As often happens, a client found a painting on my website that they liked, but it was sold. The next step is to contact me and commission something with the same flavor, and as I have taken tons of reference photos over the years, there is always a probable chance that I can come up with something you will love just as much.
In this case, the sold painting was "Cutting the Mustard", a paintin ... read more
Bucking Bulls painting for their owners, Bo's Excuse for the Andrews, and...
by therichartist28 Apr 2009 at 2:15 pm
I've been lagging on the updates! Here are two new commissioned paintings I've done recently of Bucking Bulls, commissioned by their owners. This is Bo's Excuse, for Rena Andrews of Andrews Rodeo Co.
This painting is 12"x12", oil on canvas.
This reference photo came to me directly from his owner:
Next is another handsome bucking bull named Brutus. This painting was commissioned by Lisa La ... read more
New Works, Holsteins and a pig painting
by therichartist23 Mar 2009 at 1:24 pm
I'm off on Thursday to Paso Robles, California for the Cattlemen's Western Art Show.
This is an invitational Western art show. Since I'm getting ready, and will be gone on Thursday, my usual live broadcast is being canceled for the week, but I will be back on air live next week.
Here are two new works:
The Holsteins are 24"x36"
And now for something different, another of my favorite farm ani ... read more
I herd you- new painting of a Hereford and a Cow Dog by Denise Rich
by therichartist2 Feb 2009 at 4:29 pm
Here is a brand new piece, from one of the very best reference photos I've ever taken (in my opinion.) I was actually taking pictures of the Hereford, when this Border Collie (maybe a Australian Shepherd) decided to pose as well. I really loved how the Hereford's ear is bent back listening to the dog approach.
I herd you
24"x24" oil on canvas
If you scroll down you will find how this piec ... read more
New painting just finished, Arabian horse
by therichartist13 Jan 2009 at 3:40 pm
I've had this sitting on the mantle partially done since ? October! If you scroll down you will find a poorly lit photo of it collecting dust there, until very recently when I was inspired to finish it finally. I decided to blot out the back horse, she was too dark in the reference photo to see much and it didn't really add to the piece, I like it much better now. It's about ... read more
Jersey Calf Portrait Commission in Progress
by therichartist13 Dec 2008 at 12:15 pm
The cuteness of a calf is forever in this oil portrait, commissioned by a client after falling in love with a Jersey calf face in one of my previous works.
This painting in progress is 12"x12" on wide profile canvas, I'll be painting the edges so it will be ready to hang when it arrives.
... read more
New Commissions in progress, now finished! Miniature Herefords and a Holststein
by therichartist10 Nov 2008 at 12:51 pm
My favorite subjects, this time two commissions. The first one is of Miniature Hereford cows. Who can resist this scene of a mom and her calf in the field? This is the clients photo, and perfect to work from. Shown in three stages, the first is layed in with charcoal, the second is the beginnings of blocking in, and the third is blocked in and starting to give the subjects ... read more
Donated to the North Shore Animal League America online Charity Auction
by therichartist16 Oct 2008 at 3:03 pm
Here is a view I see often when photographing dairy cows for painting reference, the extreme close up of the super curious one in the bunch.
"I'm Ready For My Close-Up"
18"x24"
Sold
... read more
Happy Cow Art
by therichartist14 Oct 2008 at 11:31 am
A common practice with artists is to do preliminary drawings and sketches for planning an oil painting. Sometimes several similar views are done to enable chosing the best one to paint.
I have generally only offered oil paintings for purchase, but I am going to start listing for sale some studies, charcoal and graphite of the Happy Cow paintings, as well as others.
I think they would make grea ... read more
News and new works in progress, cow, cow dog, horses
by therichartist5 Oct 2008 at 12:52 pm
News around here is my Husband's knee surgery went well and he is recovering nicely! It's kept the Rich Artist a little distracted having him around the house for the past couple of weeks, but he's back to work, (and so am I.)
These are on the back burner as I am working on two commissioned pieces seen in another post, but I wanted to put them up. The cow with the herding dog, I bel ... read more
Mountain Oyster Club's 39th annual Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale
by therichartist4 Oct 2008 at 1:04 pm
This piece, 12x16 oil on linen titled "Nibbling on Sugar and Spice", has been accepted into the prestigious Mountain Oyster Club Contemporary Western Art Show and Sale, which will be November 23. This annual event is in it's 39th year.
I am honored to be included in this years show.
From their website:
"The Mountain Oyster Club, established in 1948, is a private club composed of members uni ... read more
Cowgirl original oil painting, now completedl!
by therichartist14 Sep 2008 at 11:27 am
I've had a couple of popular Rodeo Cowboy little boy works available for a while, and have been asked a number of times "where is the little girl Cowgirl?" Here is number one in that category, in three progress pictures and the completed painting fourth.
Finally finished in the fourth photo, and photographed in natural light which represents
the colors the best.
The title of thi ... read more
New Holstein Calf painting by Denise Rich
by therichartist3 Sep 2008 at 4:43 pm
I finished this the other day, finally got a chance to photograph it this morning.
I always love the little Holstein calves at the dairy. It takes them a few minutes to warm up to me and my camera, but I have a lot of patience, and never fail to get good photo reference for my work when I visit. This I love especially because of the lines of the fence behind her, and the rich colors.&nb ... read more
New Work, three new cow works by Denise Rich aka The Happy Cow Artist
by therichartist18 Aug 2008 at 2:57 pm
Three new small works. All three bovine, all three on my favorite surface.
The first one, "Mini Moo" of nearly all white Holsteins, I have been wanting to paint ever since the shutter clicked at the dairy. I have a few more pictures of this pair that I will likely paint as well.
5x7 oil on panel "Mini Moo"
Next are Black Angus and I believe Charolaise, or perhaps a cro ... read more
First Buffalo study...
by therichartist24 Jul 2008 at 5:49 pm
Thanks to my friends at the local Buffalo ranch, I've gotten some great reference pictures recently! Here is the first product, a head study.
This is 6"x8" oil on board. This painting is sold.
... read more
Jersey cows commission in progress UPDATED Aug 1, finished!
by therichartist21 Jul 2008 at 11:16 am
Now Completed!
You may have seen the 5"x7" study in an earlier post, I had done the study in preparation for a larger painting planned in the future, but instead of waiting until I get around to it, I have been commissioned to paint this larger for a client. This piece is 18"x24" of complicated cow parts, but a joy to paint, and it is going to be one of my favorite works to date. ... read more