Beauty and the Beef

This photo was used in the Mansfield News Journal on the front page of the second section to advertise the Beauty and the Beef Show at Ed Pickens Cafe on Main in Mansfield, Oh. It was great timing as there was a reception for artists and a beef tasting of the Longhorn Beef. Three recipes, steak,meatball stroganoff and barbequed meatballs. It was a nice reception despite the city tearing up the street and the rain.
This painting was done last summer in plein air. The cattle stayed peacefully in place which hadn't happened before. I just liked the peaceful, serene setting and the warmth that was there that morning. Luckily the cattle placement was done for me so the composition worked. This original is in Columbus, OH at the High Road Gallery at present at the Tamed and Untamed: All God's Critters Show.

Coffee paintings sold

I was thrilled when I was notified that two prints of my coffee painting of the Longhorn sold. Tonight I must work on the watercolor. But I had a nice luncheon with the critique group...sure wish they would show up for group. It is even held in a coffee shop so they have no excuses! Finished shopping for my Mom so will paint tonight. First, supper!

To begin again

My inspiration was the far right corner of the field beyond the trees and that is what I initially used for my focal point in the rule of thirds. I loved the hay bales against the trees in the distance also. As I painted from top to bottom, I realized I would need more in the foreground so...since the cows were meandering, grazing,laying down, getting up...I got a few photos and worked the cows in using the camera for reference, although it is terribly hard to see in the sunlight. During an Ohio Plein Air Society critique I had been told by Jack Liberman twice that my backgrounds look pasted on so I remembered to blur the edges and gray the trees in the distance. I do have difficulty with my greens and had to repaint them as they ended up too dark for the sunny day. I do like a little drama and strong values in my paintings but that just doesn't work in most plein air paintings.I tried to design the shadows to point to the focal point even though the sun was above the trees but the light was still on the cows and I liked that they were peaceful looking.