Monday, April 18, 2011

Valentia Irish Cow


Valentia Irish Cow
11" by 14" on wrap around canvas
350.


     My friend and fellow artist, Barbara Mastaglio, lives in one of the most beautiful places on the planet about half the year.  She and her husband have a home on Valentia Island off the coast of Kerry in Ireland.  I began my journey of cow painting about five years ago when I did an artists workshop over there and it was wonderful.  The instructor was Charles Kello and we had a blast.  A few weeks ago I asked if she had any cow photos I might have for inspiration and this cow was in the one she gave me.  I swear I know this cow from my trip over there!  What a beautiful and open face with such a soulful gaze.  After my workshop my weekend, I was anxious to use the approach we were taught.  I first began with a loose rendering in a large sketchbook.  I used only burnt sienna and white and worked out the values.  It was so much fun!  I also played with some other images before getting to work on canvas.  I think this will be my new routine.  I began this cow working from the inside out instead of drawing it in paying attention to shapes of dark and light and working the background at the same time.  I am REALLY pleased with the result and felt some of the initial excitement of those early days of painting cows.  Some times a new approach is just the ticket to shake things up a bit.  I am looking forward to another one!  I will also be getting ready tomorrow for my display on Wednesday of birds at the Virginia Garden Show Tour held at the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club in Virginia Beach.  Hope you will come out and see me!  Please email me if you have any questions about my work or anything else!
Study that helped me loosen up and work out values....


Painting from my workshop that encouraged loosening up!......

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8 comments:

Claudia Finn said...

This cow is perfect! I love the looseness of the brushwork and her expression!!BRAVO!!Sounds like a fun time to share with bird watchers at the Caviler!

Unknown said...

Thank you Claudia!

Denise Mulligan said...

I love cows! This one is a beauty, I love the softness and those eyelashes!

Unknown said...

Hi Denni...thank you for visiting my blog and for your lovely comment!

Roxanne Steed said...

Beautiful! I just knew she'd host a great workshop! Best wishes on the 'birds' tomorrow, too!!

Unknown said...

Thanks Roxanne...wish you could have been there! It was so fun to learn her process and watch her in action! I really learn best by watching demonstrations! I am looking forward to yours!

Kay said...

I like your approach...painting in the areas rather than drawing an outline first. Makes for a painting with a real feeling of form and weight. I am hoping to go on the Garden Tour tomorrow. I will look for your paintings.

Kay said...

I like your approach...painting in the areas rather than drawing an outline first. Makes for a painting with a real feeling of form and weight. I am hoping to go on the Garden Tour tomorrow. I will look for your paintings.