Cows and fizz - a good combination

Some of my cows have gone on a trip to a vineyard - Furleigh Estate near Bridport, to be exact. It is in the middle of nowhere but when you arrive through the fleeing sheep on their farm, a luscious vineyard, nestling in a sheltered valley in Dorset, awaits you.

I painted these cows especially on a grapey coloured background so they would feel at home in the old dairy which is now a tasting room. What a taste it is too - I tried the sparkling wine (from the new champagne region of Dorset?) and it was delicious.

So cow painting this month has had it's perks..... Roll on October - maybe a chocolate factory next.... in my dreams.

Cow paintings to appear on cows on canvas shortly.

dorset art weeks 2012

Back from London and straight into Dorset Art Weeks - bit of a contrast from London, but lovely to have an exhibition in my studio again. For a start, it means it gets a massive spring clean, wall paint and all the cows get to have their spaces on the walls rather than tucked away in bubble wrap in a corner.

I have an article all about me and my cows in Dorset Magazine this month which is very exciting for me (fame at last).  Hoping that lots of people come and visit me in my studio over the next few weeks. I am open on 26th/27th May, June 1st - 5th and June 8th - 10th. I'm also looking forward to going to visit some other artists in between opening days.

My cows visit Sherborne Castle in my Dorset Art Weeks exhibition!

More new cows

Underground cows

One day to go until the London exhibition and I am busy making my labels for the paintings. Here's another flavour of the cows (please excuse the turn of phrase, all vegetarians) that will be on show - this is the  underground cows collection:

Marble and Archie

Victoria

Camden Cow

Pimlicow

Jeepers - a bumpy ride

I've had an exciting week visiting some Somerset cows ready for Somerset Art Weeks.

In Beckington, near Frome there is a gorgeous herd of organic Jerseys at Ivy House Farm. Geoff, the farmer introduced me to the bull of the herd with the caveat that Jersey bulls are known to kill the most people of any breed. I thought I would steer clear of him.

The cows were much more appealing to mingle with, although they did like to be scratched and want to lick my camera, which wasn't very conducive to taking photos of them.

Later on, after avoiding an torrential May downpour, I ended up near Street at Sharpham Park where Roger Saul has a gorgeous herd of White Park cattle. Marcus, the farm manager, offered to take me to see them, but I ended up driving the farm jeep (which is a first for my cow painting career) down a very soggy mud track. The cattle have the most astounding horns, which I was told they have no problem in using to protect their calves in the first few days after birth. Marcus was very kind and watched that those horns came nowhere near me as I crouched taking photos in amongst the cows.

I can't wait to paint them now......

Let the painting begin

I've got to get painting!

There are two big exciting cow exhibitions this year - the first is at a beautiful renovated chapel in Frome, Somerset (Rook Lane Arts). I am exhibiting with five other local artists ( including my mum!) in this amazing space. I can paint some really huge canvasses to fill the walls.

The second is an exhibition at Baxters Gallery in Dartmouth under the careful eye of Sarah Duggan, the owner. Her gallery is always full of quality pieces and I hope to paint some quality cows to add to her collection.

The last bit of excitement is that I might be getting a new studio - with some windows !!! It might revolutionize my painting - we'll have to wait and see.....